"I Won't Read a Great Novel on an eReader" - Page 4

abookreader · 06-18-2010, 06:37 AM

eh, if a novel is that great (as compared to just good) I'll read it in whatever format I can get my hands on.

I care much more about the greatness of the reading than I do about the delivery method.

GeneS · 06-18-2010, 08:51 AM

After more than 40 years of trying, I finally managed to read Les Miserables from start to finish on my PDA, only because it was almost always with me and I could spend idle moments reading a few pages at a time. Yes, I would read a great book on a reader.

Bob Russell · 06-18-2010, 10:06 AM

There are clearly differences between paper books and e-books. You acquire them differently, hold them and store them differently, and have a different experience when you read. But I see advantages in both directions.

Personally, I find it highly preferable to use a nice electronic gadget for almost any purpose. When I was still using punch cards and teletype machines, I was fascinated with video terminals to the point that I would have enjoyed one, even if it could do nothing more than type letters onto the screen, even without any useful functionality like storing a document or editing it. Just like it was exciting for a time to see yourself on a TV screen whether it was a new fangled home video camera or because a TV station filmed you for something. You probably have to remember the days before some of this technology to be able to relate to those feelings.

And when I first got a PDA, I would work very hard to use it because it was fun to use. Even if paper was better than those first PDAs in almost every way.

When I first started reading e-books, it was on one of those early Palm PDAs. Low resolution, tiny screen, not great fonts or contrast, and no color. But I loved it. I escaped the dusty paper smell that annoys me. I escaped the space it takes to store paper books. And it was fun acquiring a book via computer instantly instead of at a store.

E-books are responsible for renewing my interest in reading, and better devices will increase that enjoyment more and more. I like having control over font type and size. I like the small size of the readers. But even so, by my taste many technical books are still better in paper form. That's okay, just like it's okay if someone can immerse themselves in paper books better than e-books. That doesn't at all reduce my ability to enjoy e-books on a cool electronic gadget.

I enjoy just holding nice technology gadgets in my hand and it makes me feel good to be looking at the screen. I probably still feel some of that early amazement that such a thing is even possible. When devices are more responsive and have better displays and form factors, it will feel even better.

But there are also people that find holding paper books to be a satisfying thing as well. Just as people love to "get into nature" or go low-tech in order to relax. People find fireplaces or sitting by the beach or waterfalls to be aesthetically pleasing. Why not paper books as well? People like nice fancy notebooks or pens because they feel good. And the emotional joy I find with things electronic may not be so different than the joy others feel due to the feelings associated with paper books, as well as all the memories of times past, and memories of great books read that way. More power to them.

I suppose that people on either side of the fence can probably be justified in saying that "There's just no accounting for taste!"

TGS · 06-18-2010, 10:41 AM

The one big advantage of paper books is that the buggers haven't found a way to DRM them...yet.

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-18-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

The one big advantage of paper books is that the buggers haven't found a way to DRM them...yet.

For which I'm thankful, albeit surprised (paper or ink that has a self destruct cycle that starts after being exposed to air?

).

Paegan2246 · 06-18-2010, 03:12 PM

I have read quite a few "classics" on my Kindle that I never considered reading in DTB form.
Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Caruso, War and Peace. I still can't get through Moby Dick in any form.

TGS · 06-18-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paegan2246

I still can't get through Moby Dick in any form.

Ooops. I thought you said "I still can't get enough Moby Dick in any form."

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-18-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Ooops. I thought you said "I still can't get enough Moby Dick in any form."

Groan!

ardeegee · 06-18-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

I was fascinated with video terminals to the point that I would have enjoyed one, even if it could do nothing more than type letters onto the screen, even without any useful functionality like storing a document or editing it.

Sounds like all the computers I ever owned as a kid/teen. I can't count the number of hours I spent writing things in BASIC on CoCo 2, Commodore 16, Commodore +4, Commodore 64, Amiga 500 (and several more models bought at flea markets long after they were obsolete) with absolutely nothing practical ever coming out of it.

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-18-2010, 04:47 PM

I still have my Commodore C64c. I started learning Basic 8.0 when they came out with the 3.5" drives and I couldn't find any programs that could take advantage of the "dramatically increased capacity" (

).

Jellby · 06-19-2010, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paegan2246

Robinson Caruso

Ah... the joys of singing opera in a desert island while looking sideways at the horizon!

Spoiler:

Over · 06-19-2010, 06:23 AM

My only concern is that if there were a planetary disaster or world war, we might loose everything digital. Or the ability to use anything digital, while paper books will always be useable and readable, with or without electricity or a ereader. (Of course it can deteriorate and burn as well, but it need one less intermediate between us and the contents).

Worldwalker · 06-19-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

Most of the true classics like "Call of the Wild", "Hunchback of Notre Dame", "The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe", and so many more are often ONLY available in eBook form.

The Call of the Wild

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe

Greg Anos · 06-19-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over

My only concern is that if there were a planetary disaster or world war, we might loose everything digital. Or the ability to use anything digital, while paper books will always be useable and readable, with or without electricity or a ereader. (Of course it can deteriorate and burn as well, but it need one less intermediate between us and the contents).

Just don't think about what happened to the Library at Alexandria or the fall of Constantinople.

DianaB · 06-19-2010, 08:57 AM

I read "War and Peace" on my kindle. The kindle was much nicer to tote around all summer than a huge paperback.

06-18-2010, 04:47 PM	#55
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	I still have my Commodore C64c. I started learning Basic 8.0 when they came out with the 3.5" drives and I couldn't find any programs that could take advantage of the "dramatically increased capacity" ().

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"Crimson Orgy" promises to be a great Horror novel	Dr. Drib	Reading Recommendations	0	01-25-2010 06:12 AM
Great Experience with Sony Support....fixed my "not responding" issue	DougFNJ	Sony Reader	0	11-12-2009 02:42 PM
CNN Story about Sony's "latest salvo" into eReader Wars	purl4peace	News	17	08-12-2009 02:11 AM
Now this is what I call a "great" sale on a Sony Reader	brecklundin	Sony Reader	3	12-19-2007 06:40 AM

06-18-2010, 06:37 AM	#46
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	eh, if a novel is that great (as compared to just good) I'll read it in whatever format I can get my hands on. I care much more about the greatness of the reading than I do about the delivery method.

06-18-2010, 08:51 AM	#47
GeneS eBook Enthusiast Posts: 120 Karma: 726 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-350, Astak PocketPro, iPhone, Asus eee Pad Transformer	After more than 40 years of trying, I finally managed to read Les Miserables from start to finish on my PDA, only because it was almost always with me and I could spend idle moments reading a few pages at a time. Yes, I would read a great book on a reader.

06-18-2010, 10:06 AM	#48
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	There are clearly differences between paper books and e-books. You acquire them differently, hold them and store them differently, and have a different experience when you read. But I see advantages in both directions. Personally, I find it highly preferable to use a nice electronic gadget for almost any purpose. When I was still using punch cards and teletype machines, I was fascinated with video terminals to the point that I would have enjoyed one, even if it could do nothing more than type letters onto the screen, even without any useful functionality like storing a document or editing it. Just like it was exciting for a time to see yourself on a TV screen whether it was a new fangled home video camera or because a TV station filmed you for something. You probably have to remember the days before some of this technology to be able to relate to those feelings. And when I first got a PDA, I would work very hard to use it because it was fun to use. Even if paper was better than those first PDAs in almost every way. When I first started reading e-books, it was on one of those early Palm PDAs. Low resolution, tiny screen, not great fonts or contrast, and no color. But I loved it. I escaped the dusty paper smell that annoys me. I escaped the space it takes to store paper books. And it was fun acquiring a book via computer instantly instead of at a store. E-books are responsible for renewing my interest in reading, and better devices will increase that enjoyment more and more. I like having control over font type and size. I like the small size of the readers. But even so, by my taste many technical books are still better in paper form. That's okay, just like it's okay if someone can immerse themselves in paper books better than e-books. That doesn't at all reduce my ability to enjoy e-books on a cool electronic gadget. I enjoy just holding nice technology gadgets in my hand and it makes me feel good to be looking at the screen. I probably still feel some of that early amazement that such a thing is even possible. When devices are more responsive and have better displays and form factors, it will feel even better. But there are also people that find holding paper books to be a satisfying thing as well. Just as people love to "get into nature" or go low-tech in order to relax. People find fireplaces or sitting by the beach or waterfalls to be aesthetically pleasing. Why not paper books as well? People like nice fancy notebooks or pens because they feel good. And the emotional joy I find with things electronic may not be so different than the joy others feel due to the feelings associated with paper books, as well as all the memories of times past, and memories of great books read that way. More power to them. I suppose that people on either side of the fence can probably be justified in saying that "There's just no accounting for taste!"

06-18-2010, 10:41 AM	#49
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	The one big advantage of paper books is that the buggers haven't found a way to DRM them...yet.

06-18-2010, 03:12 PM	#51
Paegan2246 Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 2627294 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wisconsin Device: Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Touch, iPod Touch, 3-160GB iPod classics	I have read quite a few "classics" on my Kindle that I never considered reading in DTB form. Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Caruso, War and Peace. I still can't get through Moby Dick in any form.

06-19-2010, 06:23 AM	#57
Over Wizard Posts: 1,462 Karma: 6061516 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6	My only concern is that if there were a planetary disaster or world war, we might loose everything digital. Or the ability to use anything digital, while paper books will always be useable and readable, with or without electricity or a ereader. (Of course it can deteriorate and burn as well, but it need one less intermediate between us and the contents).

06-19-2010, 08:57 AM	#60
DianaB Voracious Reader Posts: 23 Karma: 70000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage	I read "War and Peace" on my kindle. The kindle was much nicer to tote around all summer than a huge paperback.

Advert

Advert