After Andrea’s wonderful post on Go Green Method to Save Money: eBooks, and the ensuing conversation that started in the comments, I though it might be nice to share my story in regards to ebooks and ereaders.
Where it begins.
I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories of reading are of reading the Chronicles of Narnia series and the Hardy Boys series. All through my school years, I read voraciously. I made my way from shorter books up through goliath undertakings like just about anything by James Michener. Sadly, when I moved to college, I drifted away from reading. Most of my reading time was taken up by schoolwork and socialization. Later, while taking a break from college to pursue more nefarious things, I had a job which usually entailed a whole lot of doing nothing. To pass the time, I began reading again. The spark was back. Heck, I even read the 5th Harry Potter book in a day.
I eventually got a real job, finished my degree, and then got married and started having children. And, as I was pretty busy doing those things, my reading habits slipped off again. It wasn’t until we cancelled cable shortly after our first born came along that I got back into it. And, even then, it was not nearly with the same pace as I had before. Throughout all of this, I’ve carted around my books. Each time I wanted to read something new, I bought it rather than borrow it. Why? Call it OCD collecting. I’ve always fantasized about having this huge library in my house with wall-to-wall books. In short, I had an infatuation with books.
But, here’s the thing. Of all the hundreds of books I had (have), I’ve only reread less than 10 of them. So, I came to the realization that I was carting around all these books that I would never (probably) read again. Moreover, they were slowly taking over every bookshelf in the house, and even some of the floor space. When I came to this realization, I went through them all, and posed a large majority of them on PaperBackSwap. But, all that did, really, was to swap the clutter of books I had read with a clutter of books I hadn’t read. I’ve currently got well over 50 books on my “to read” shelf. For reference sake, I only read about 35-40 books a year. So, I’ve got close to a year and a half worth of books sitting, waiting to be read.
Through all of this, my desire to have less clutter in my space has led me to try to remove as much of it as possible. I had downloaded the kindle reader app for my blackberry phone, but I found it absolutely terrible to try and read anything on the little, itty-bitty screen. At that point, I decided that ereading just wasn’t for me. At the time, I would rather have the physical book in my hands than try and read on a little screen. Then, I upgraded my phone.
I traded in my blackberry for a new android based phone. It’s got a screen that’s roughly twice the size as the old blackberry had. A couple of books that I wanted to read were available only as ebooks. So, I gave the cell phone reading another try. On the larger screen, not only was it bearable, but I found that I liked it. And, now, several ebooks later, I’m a convert. An ereader has rocketed to the top of my wish list, although I haven’t decided whether it will be a kindle or a nook, or something else entirely.
photo credit: anieto2k
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Both my wife and I are voracious readers. She has a Kindle and downloads older books, but still uses the library. I love the convenience of reserving new books at the library. I think I prefer the physical book over reading on a a screen. I am definitely not an early adapter!
Although I am not a good reader, whatever I read I read from pdf files on my laptop. I’ll look out for a kindle or nook soon. Wife is also asking for it.
An e-reader seems good if you are the type to be reading multiple books at the same time, in a location other than your own home.
Otherwise, though, the library is the default strategy for getting any book. Then your “to read” shelf is nothing more than a list somewhere.
That is similar to my conversion. I’ve started reading books using the Kindle App on my Android phone but still borrow books from the library. Once I get an actual ereader I’ll probably be borrowing fewer books from the library. There are lots of free ebooks available.
I love to read! I also like having books as decoration!! My walls are covered with bookshelves. I’m a holdout for now on the ereaders!
Been there! If you need any advice on which ereader to purchase, just be sure to check out amazon & b&n’s websites to see if the books you’d like to read are available. Most books are available on both devices, but being a Nook owner myself, I have noticed that some books are only available on Kindle, or only on Nook. If you have the chance, be sure to take the time to hold it in your hands to make sure it’s comfortable.
Even though an ereader costs way more than a library card, if it stimulates your reading itch, I say go for it. I love getting lost in a book….movies and TVs just can’t duplicate that kind of experience.
We bough an iPad and love it… and am just starting to use it for reading purposes (books). It’s clear, concise, and starting to become more versatile for books.
I love to read, and have just recently started using the Nook on my iPhone. Surprisingly enough, it is enjoyable. I can’t say that I will give up my real books, but maybe a slow transition is in order.
I got a kobo for christmas last year. It is fantastic. It different types of ereader files. I use calibre to translate pdf files into epub files. Not to mention my library and my kids library will let us borrow from their ebook collection.
I really want to have the new ipad for this feature, I can store as many books as I want while traveling…I love technology
I love my e-reader. I just got a sony e-reader (well it’s not mine, it’s my GF’s). But I put a bunch of classic books on it for free from Project Guttenberg. Check it out.
I tried the Android reader thing but it just drives me nuts. I can’t do it. I have tried a Kindle and that didn’t bother me, so I might have an eReader in my future.
For now, I am a traditional paper book guy.
Ereaders are always a convenience to have especially when you dont want to experience the hassle of organizing all your books in their bookshelves. with everything being digital, ebooks is gaining much more popularity because it’s convenient.