More Readers Picking Up Electronic Books

[qwud]

It's really frustrating that when eBooks get wide press coverage, the story does not mention DRM and the issues with incompatible formats and readers. This is probably the biggest barrier to widespread adoption.

Oh, and because of the DCMA, the DRM stripping and copying you do to be able to justly read a book you own on the device you also own is illegal.

[MaggieScratch]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I was going to pick it up when it first came out (I think Sony was offering it for free or really cheap), forgot, and now refuse because it is an Oprah book.

I just can't bring myself to it

Heh. I read it (Mobi version for my Cybook) for a book club at work that has since disbanded long before Oprah...it's very long. I didn't realize how long it was. I've no objection to long books whatsoever, but it's interesting that since I purchased it as an ebook, I didn't realize how long it was!

[mgrunk]

Well, I'm still going to post here and enjoy the banter :-) - I've read a few of Oprah picks - whenever I need a good cry - "Plain Song", "Map of the World", "The Secret Life of Bees" - in the first the boy that got the girl pregnant was a bad guy - but the men who took her in were very kind, the second really didn't have any irons to burn regarding men, the last, the father was terrible, but by the end, you understand better and he does a noble thing.

They're not classic literature, but for me, many are pleasurable (think drinking a moche latte) type of experience - they evoke an emotion, probably in a standard kind of way, but enjoyable none the less.

I haven't read the Sawe.. book - didn't sound good to me.

PS - I don't ever watch Oprah though - just notice the books at the store.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by mgrunk

Well, I'm still going to post here and enjoy the banter :-) - I've read a few of Oprah picks - whenever I need a good cry - "Plain Song", "Map of the World", "The Secret Life of Bees" - in the first the boy that got the girl pregnant was a bad guy - but the men who took her in were very kind, the second really didn't have any irons to burn regarding men, the last, the father was terrible, but by the end, you understand better and he does a noble thing.

They're not classic literature, but for me, many are pleasurable (think drinking a moche latte) type of experience - they evoke an emotion, probably in a standard kind of way, but enjoyable none the less.

I haven't read the Sawe.. book - didn't sound good to me.

PS - I don't ever watch Oprah though - just notice the books at the store.

I only read one Oprah book (years ago), She's Come Undone. I did enjoy it. But now I can't read her recommendations, as a matter of stupid principle.

I probably wouldn't have a problem with it if I hadn't worked in a bookstore for so long, but I saw the kind of people who would read them (just because Oprah said so) and I felt a little dirty. Terrible reason, but there you have it.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I only read one Oprah book (years ago), She's Come Undone. I did enjoy it. But now I can't read her recommendations, as a matter of stupid principle.

I probably wouldn't have a problem with it if I hadn't worked in a bookstore for so long, but I saw the kind of people who would read them (just because Oprah said so) and I felt a little dirty. Terrible reason, but there you have it.

I think just as lemming like it is to read a book "just because" Oprah recommended it... the corollary is true too... you are being lemming like if you don't read something "just because" Oprah recommended it.

BOb

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I think just as lemming like it is to read a book "just because" Oprah recommended it... the corollary is true too... you are being lemming like if you don't read something "just because" Oprah recommended it.

BOb

This would make a good poll.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

That is a cool statistic.



I was going to pick it up when it first came out (I think Sony was offering it for free or really cheap), forgot, and now refuse because it is an Oprah book.

I just can't bring myself to it

I don't know about Sony, but Fictionwise had it for free. I grabbed it.

Don

[lovebeta]

To all my fellow Kindle owners: I hope you don't hate your kindle now since Oprah recommended Kindle as well.

Frankly, I really don't understand the feelings shared in this thread.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I think just as lemming like it is to read a book "just because" Oprah recommended it... the corollary is true too... you are being lemming like if you don't read something "just because" Oprah recommended it.

BOb

I told you it was a stupid reason

Let me be clear though, I won't give anyone a hard time for reading an Oprah book. I will never make fun of someone for what they are reading. As long as someone is reading, I'm happy. But if you tell me you never read and you hate to read, that bothers me.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I told you it was a stupid reason

Let me be clear though, I won't give anyone a hard time for reading an Oprah book. I will never make fun of someone for what they are reading. As long as someone is reading, I'm happy. But if you tell me you never read and you hate to read, that bothers me.

I don't think it was a stupid reason at all. Look at her audience. The slack-jawed adoration. The near hysterical "OPRAH!"'s. The mass hysteria when she 'gives' something to the audience.

These women cannot think for themselves, and love to be told what to read, buy, and think.

Reading a book because some celebrity says you should and you want to be part of that 'special' group is pretty near as bad as not reading at all.

I"m sure there will be many on this board who will strongly disagree.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I don't think it was a stupid reason at all. Look at her audience. The slack-jawed adoration. The near hysterical "OPRAH!"'s. The mass hysteria when she 'gives' something to the audience.

These women cannot think for themselves, and love to be told what to read, buy, and think.

Reading a book because some celebrity says you should and you want to be part of that 'special' group is pretty near as bad as not reading at all.

I"m sure there will be many on this board who will strongly disagree.

You should watch Martha. It's funny- the difference in viewers. The different responses to getting free kindle's is a good example.

It is scary though the amount of power that woman (Oprah) holds. Like when she told people not to eat beef and beef sales dropped like 30% or something crazy like that?

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

You should watch Martha. It's funny- the difference in viewers. The different responses to getting free kindle's is a good example.

It is scary though the amount of power that woman (Oprah) holds. Like when she told people not to eat beef and beef sales dropped like 30% or something crazy like that?

I actually like Martha. I can't do anything she does, don't have the talent or patience, but I enjoy watching her do it. Course, it helps when there is a boatload of 'helpers and staff' in the background doing the mule work...

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I actually like Martha. I can't do anything she does, don't have the talent or patience, but I enjoy watching her do it. Course, it helps when there is a boatload of 'helpers and staff' in the background doing the mule work...

I love when she gets frustrated with people. She is not very good live AT ALL. But I still love her. I just watch everything she does and say, "Wow, she is so smart, I should try that!" but I never do.

Best guest ever: Amy Sedaris. Seriously, I think I peed my pants watching that episode. It's on youtube, you must watch it (also, Amy's cookbook/entertaining book "I Like You" is one of the funniest things I've ever read).

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

There's certainly nothing unique or unusual in people doing or buying something because a celebrity endorses it. It's not necessarily a bad thing, either... unless the celebrity simply endorses whatever piece of c**p they are paid to push, and the consumer blindly accepts their opinion as genuine and trustworthy (when it is, in fact, just bought).

Saying that, I can't say where Oprah fits into that category, other than that she certainly doesn't have to shill products just because someone pushes a check at her... she's doing all right. But does she support products out of actual appreciation, or just corporate shilling? I couldn't say. Possibly some of both.

Either way... if she wants to give away gifts, what the heck, take 'em. If she endorses a product, I can only hope people do a little bit of checking first. If they don't show the presence of mind to do at least that, especially in this day and age... good luck to 'em.

[mdibella]

Originally Posted by mgrunk

Well, I'm still going to post here and enjoy the banter :-) - I've read a few of Oprah picks - whenever I need a good cry

Hm. When I need a good cry, I just check my 401K balance...