Do eBooks Change What You Read?

schroedercl2 · 01-19-2010, 01:38 PM

If you're new to eBooks, picking the category that appeals most to you might be difficult. You know the BOOK categories that appeal to you. You feel right at home in the library or at the bookstore. But do those interests translate to eBooks?

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LDBoblo · 01-19-2010, 02:45 PM

Availability and technological limitations also affect what I read on an ebook reader. Things that I generally prefer to read in real life cannot be done well on ebook reader devices yet, and so in order to get use out of my gadget, I resort to reading different material that is more suited to the medium.

cvkemp · 01-19-2010, 03:01 PM

Most of what I read I have to read in digital anyway so ebooks are natural for me. I have tried ebook readers and notebooks and desktops. I have purchased a netbook and I love it it gives me what I need access to the internet, which is where most of the material I read is anyway. When it comes to reading for pleasure I had the kindle for pc and the barnes and noble ebook reader for pc.
I know this is not for all or even most people but it is what works for me.

Chuck

Treven · 01-19-2010, 03:42 PM

I've found that e-books has opened up books that I wouldn't have purchased if they were paperback formats; that I've been introduced to authors that I wouldn't have read pre-digital reader.

Ea · 01-19-2010, 03:53 PM

Since I bought my first ebook reader, I've read a great deal more fiction in english - and it's only because I can't get ebooks in danish yet that I still read the occasional p-book. I rarely go to the library for fiction anymore. I've become more aware of older books, though I can't say I've read more of them (yet).

For non-fiction, I can't get most of what I want in digital format, so I still buy them as p-books. It hasn't really changed my habits.

Added: Whenever I open a p-book now, I notice the small type - and that can be enough to put me off reading it. Not that I need special large type, but a bit larger than print books usualy are, just seem so much more comfortable. Combine that with a light, easy to hold device compared to a heavy book!

Clancy_s · 01-19-2010, 04:37 PM

Due to geographical restrictions (I'm in Aus) I've been ereading more older PD books, first on my netbook, now on the Sony 505.

I've always read alot of fiction and have read most of the old 'classics', now I'm getting into some of the lesser known authors.

fugazied · 01-19-2010, 04:48 PM

It changes my reading habits slightly. Some books which I have been meaning to read for a long time and might have sat on my bookshelf are always handy.

I can flick them open in seconds and get stuck in, it's brilliant. Also I think I have started reading a lot more sci-fi because I can put entire series of books (which might have weighed kilograms) on my reader.

Katti's Cat · 01-19-2010, 04:51 PM

My reading habit has not changed as much as what I read. I am now willing to try new authors & categories. Books that I wanted to read but seemed a bit boring sit on my reader as I can easily read a few pages and then jump out.

I love the new world that has opened up for me with the reader.

WT Sharpe · 01-19-2010, 06:05 PM

E-readers have not changed what I read, but they've definitely changed how much I read, if only because of the convenience. E-readers are much more user friendly than a heavy paperback or hardcover, and easy to carry around.

Nevertheless, the content I read has changed in the past year; not because of the Kindle, but because of this website. Since becoming a MobileRead member, I read much more fiction, mostly due to the influence of other members.

One other factor figures into this equation. Several months ago, my old 13 inch TV finally gave up the ghost, and for the life of me, with all the crap that's currently on TV, I can't justify the expense of buying another; especially since practically anything I do find watch-worthy is already on the web. I bought a season pass to Lie To Me from iTunes, and once a week I go into the living room and watch Smallville with my wife on her TV. That's enough. I do miss the Sunday morning talk shows, however.

Jellby · 01-20-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ea

Since I bought my first ebook reader, I've read a great deal more fiction in english

Ditto. Not only in English, French and Italian too.

Quote:

and it's only because I can't get ebooks in danish yet that I still read the occasional p-book.

In my case, it's not only because I can't get them in Spanish, but because I read the "classics", copyright-free works, and I try to read them in their original language if I can.

Quote:

I rarely go to the library for fiction anymore

I still have many many paper books at home, in Spanish, and under copyright, and I read them too.

Quote:

I've become more aware of older books, though I can't say I've read more of them (yet).

I have, and I'm enjoying them a lot

EowynCarter · 01-20-2010, 09:08 AM

Well, i did someting i never did before, someday i wanted to read in french, i just went browsing the fnac's website, bumping on some totally unknow to me book. When going to the book, i come in knowing what book i want to buy, and won't go with someting else.
And i've been reading more "new" stufff than ever before. (New as in "i've never read it before".

A4- · 01-20-2010, 12:32 PM

Since there are very few digital books available in my native language, translated or not, I now read only English fiction. When I used to read paper books I only read Dutch novels. So yes, changing to digital books influenced my reading.
Also I tend to read more. No more waiting until some part of a series is returned to the library (I usually don't buy books). And the number of books accessible to me has increased by a lot.
As for what I read didn't change. Still the same genres and I still prefer the longer ones.

Moejoe · 01-20-2010, 12:36 PM

I've become more political in my reading habits since I purchased a reader, as in my actions are now no longer based solely upon 'wanting' to read, but on supporting that which is fair, honest and what is attuned to my own beliefs about digital freedom. I no longer support any system or author that has DRM or geographic restrictions near their work. I now read a lot more classics that are available in the Public Domain, and a lot of new and experimental authors who release their works under the Creative Commons license.

It has definitively changed my reading habits, and all for the better.

ficbot · 01-20-2010, 12:36 PM

I read a lot more junk than I used to. I am a sucker for the free/$1/$2 deals and wind up buying stuff I never would have bought. I am being much more careful this year now that the novelty has worn off. As I get through my backlog of purchased stuff, I want to focus on reading higher-quality books and getting more new books from the library or from the PD.

Sydney's Mom · 01-20-2010, 12:58 PM

My reading habits have changed. First, I read a lot more than I used to - I no longer have to chose between my knitting bag and my hardcover from the library. I have also read a lot more authors - by checking latest ebook releases at the library, I am exposed to all sorts of fiction and nonfiction I never would have looked at in the library or at the bookstore. If I find a genre I haven't read before, I can use the Amazon store to get more of that genre. So actually, my ereader has broadened my interests.

01-19-2010, 01:38 PM	#1
schroedercl2 Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 66 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: none	Do eBooks Change What You Read? If you're new to eBooks, picking the category that appeals most to you might be difficult. You know the BOOK categories that appeal to you. You feel right at home in the library or at the bookstore. But do those interests translate to eBooks? Click here to read the rest of the article.

01-19-2010, 03:53 PM	#5
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	Since I bought my first ebook reader, I've read a great deal more fiction in english - and it's only because I can't get ebooks in danish yet that I still read the occasional p-book. I rarely go to the library for fiction anymore. I've become more aware of older books, though I can't say I've read more of them (yet). For non-fiction, I can't get most of what I want in digital format, so I still buy them as p-books. It hasn't really changed my habits. Added: Whenever I open a p-book now, I notice the small type - and that can be enough to put me off reading it. Not that I need special large type, but a bit larger than print books usualy are, just seem so much more comfortable. Combine that with a light, easy to hold device compared to a heavy book! Last edited by Ea; 01-19-2010 at 03:59 PM.

01-19-2010, 06:05 PM	#9
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	E-readers have not changed what I read, but they've definitely changed how much I read, if only because of the convenience. E-readers are much more user friendly than a heavy paperback or hardcover, and easy to carry around. Nevertheless, the content I read has changed in the past year; not because of the Kindle, but because of this website. Since becoming a MobileRead member, I read much more fiction, mostly due to the influence of other members. One other factor figures into this equation. Several months ago, my old 13 inch TV finally gave up the ghost, and for the life of me, with all the crap that's currently on TV, I can't justify the expense of buying another; especially since practically anything I do find watch-worthy is already on the web. I bought a season pass to Lie To Me from iTunes, and once a week I go into the living room and watch Smallville with my wife on her TV. That's enough. I do miss the Sunday morning talk shows, however. Last edited by WT Sharpe; 01-19-2010 at 06:29 PM.

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01-19-2010, 02:45 PM	#2
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	Availability and technological limitations also affect what I read on an ebook reader. Things that I generally prefer to read in real life cannot be done well on ebook reader devices yet, and so in order to get use out of my gadget, I resort to reading different material that is more suited to the medium.

01-19-2010, 03:01 PM	#3
cvkemp Loving life Posts: 1,412 Karma: 7991496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Device: PaperWhite 5,iPhone 13, IPad, MacBook Air	Most of what I read I have to read in digital anyway so ebooks are natural for me. I have tried ebook readers and notebooks and desktops. I have purchased a netbook and I love it it gives me what I need access to the internet, which is where most of the material I read is anyway. When it comes to reading for pleasure I had the kindle for pc and the barnes and noble ebook reader for pc. I know this is not for all or even most people but it is what works for me. Chuck

01-19-2010, 03:42 PM	#4
Treven Addict Posts: 222 Karma: 680 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: the Left Coast Device: iPad	I've found that e-books has opened up books that I wouldn't have purchased if they were paperback formats; that I've been introduced to authors that I wouldn't have read pre-digital reader.

01-19-2010, 04:37 PM	#6
Clancy_s Zealot Posts: 133 Karma: 1010308 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Newcastle, NSW Device: Kobo Glo HD	Due to geographical restrictions (I'm in Aus) I've been ereading more older PD books, first on my netbook, now on the Sony 505. I've always read alot of fiction and have read most of the old 'classics', now I'm getting into some of the lesser known authors.

01-19-2010, 04:48 PM	#7
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	It changes my reading habits slightly. Some books which I have been meaning to read for a long time and might have sat on my bookshelf are always handy. I can flick them open in seconds and get stuck in, it's brilliant. Also I think I have started reading a lot more sci-fi because I can put entire series of books (which might have weighed kilograms) on my reader.

01-19-2010, 04:51 PM	#8
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	My reading habit has not changed as much as what I read. I am now willing to try new authors & categories. Books that I wanted to read but seemed a bit boring sit on my reader as I can easily read a few pages and then jump out. I love the new world that has opened up for me with the reader.

01-20-2010, 09:08 AM	#11
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,332 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	Well, i did someting i never did before, someday i wanted to read in french, i just went browsing the fnac's website, bumping on some totally unknow to me book. When going to the book, i come in knowing what book i want to buy, and won't go with someting else. And i've been reading more "new" stufff than ever before. (New as in "i've never read it before".

01-20-2010, 12:32 PM	#12
A4- Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 1110 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Device: iRex iLiad v2	Since there are very few digital books available in my native language, translated or not, I now read only English fiction. When I used to read paper books I only read Dutch novels. So yes, changing to digital books influenced my reading. Also I tend to read more. No more waiting until some part of a series is returned to the library (I usually don't buy books). And the number of books accessible to me has increased by a lot. As for what I read didn't change. Still the same genres and I still prefer the longer ones.

01-20-2010, 12:36 PM	#13
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	I've become more political in my reading habits since I purchased a reader, as in my actions are now no longer based solely upon 'wanting' to read, but on supporting that which is fair, honest and what is attuned to my own beliefs about digital freedom. I no longer support any system or author that has DRM or geographic restrictions near their work. I now read a lot more classics that are available in the Public Domain, and a lot of new and experimental authors who release their works under the Creative Commons license. It has definitively changed my reading habits, and all for the better.

01-20-2010, 12:36 PM	#14
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I read a lot more junk than I used to. I am a sucker for the free/$1/$2 deals and wind up buying stuff I never would have bought. I am being much more careful this year now that the novelty has worn off. As I get through my backlog of purchased stuff, I want to focus on reading higher-quality books and getting more new books from the library or from the PD.

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01-20-2010, 12:58 PM	#15
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	My reading habits have changed. First, I read a lot more than I used to - I no longer have to chose between my knitting bag and my hardcover from the library. I have also read a lot more authors - by checking latest ebook releases at the library, I am exposed to all sorts of fiction and nonfiction I never would have looked at in the library or at the bookstore. If I find a genre I haven't read before, I can use the Amazon store to get more of that genre. So actually, my ereader has broadened my interests.