12-08-2009, 12:55 PM | #31 | |
The Dank Side of the Moon
Posts: 35,872
Karma: 118716293
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire
|
Quote:
Yes, how, or have you given up reading? |
|
12-08-2009, 12:59 PM | #32 | |
Banned
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
|
Quote:
To illustrate, here are the last 5 books I read: Johnny Got His Gun - Dalton Trumbo (located after seeing a Metallica video and wondering where the video images came from. Video images led to film, film led to original novel. Novel read) One Rainy Night - Richard Laymon (re-read after the Zombie thread here reminded me that I hadn't read it in awhile) The Godwulf Manuscript - Robert B Parker (Started re-reading the series after I finally got my hands on the first series of Spenser For Hire TV Show) The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep - Lawrence Block (Read a writing instructional book some time ago and a series of detective novels featuring Matthew Scudder. So I thought I'd give his Evan Tanner series a try) A Russian Journal - John Steinbeck (been looking for this book for a long time, now I have it and I will definitely re-read it again in the future) Not once did I read a review, take the advice of a friend or gain a recommendation for any of these books. Last edited by Moejoe; 12-08-2009 at 01:08 PM. |
|
Advert | |
|
12-08-2009, 01:02 PM | #33 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
|
|
12-08-2009, 01:37 PM | #34 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
Posts: 35,872
Karma: 118716293
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire
|
|
12-08-2009, 01:40 PM | #35 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
|
Advert | |
|
12-08-2009, 04:15 PM | #36 | |
Banned
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
|
Quote:
User reviews can be paid for, coaxed, and generally written for all kinds of reasons that have little to no connection with how much I might or might not enjoy a book. Blurb, plus reading the beginninng of the book and then I'll make my decision. Everything else is just flotsam. |
|
12-08-2009, 04:36 PM | #37 | |
Wizard
Posts: 2,999
Karma: 300001
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Citrus Heights, California
Device: TWO Kindle 2s, one each Bookeen Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS-500, Axim X51V
|
Quote:
Derek |
|
12-09-2009, 02:16 AM | #38 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,096
Karma: 4695691
Join Date: May 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite
|
an awful lot of ebooks include a sample paragraph or chapter to give potential readers a way to decide if they enjoy the writer's voice. that's often how i make my choices.
|
12-09-2009, 02:47 AM | #39 |
Samurai Lizard
Posts: 14,247
Karma: 66666666
Join Date: Nov 2009
Device: NookColor
|
I don't think that ebooks will spell the end of great writing. Instead, ebooks will allow for more great writing.
I think there are several reasons for this: - An easier ability to write: With the advent of electronic writing tools (including computers and word processor software) it is now easier to write (and revise text). This allows for a better final product. Also, it encourages more people to try their hand at writing, even if it is only a hobby. Some might be good and some might be bad, but this allows for more chances for a great book. - Easier to access writing: It used to be you had to go to a book store or a local library to get books. Now, with the Internet, it is now much easier to acquire ebooks (and printed books) from a large number of sources. As the number of available books increases, logically the number of great books will increase too. - Easier distribution of writing: Related to the above point, it is now possible for someone to distribute their writing to a wide audience themselves. Before, a great book might not be released just because it wasn't considered commercial enough. Plus, ebooks eliminate the format limitations and cost of the printed book. A book that might not have been considered for release as a printed book (because it was too short), might find a receptive audience in as an ebook. Just my thoughts. |
12-09-2009, 02:58 AM | #40 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
|
|
12-09-2009, 06:24 AM | #41 | |
Member Retired
Posts: 274
Karma: 4446
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Florida
Device: PRS-350-SC: Sony Reader Pocket Edition
|
Quote:
Last edited by Jaime_Astorga; 12-09-2009 at 07:04 AM. |
|
12-09-2009, 06:32 AM | #42 |
Wizard
Posts: 3,490
Karma: 5239563
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Device: Kindle 3|iPad air|iPhone 4S
|
I've yet to find a self-published book that truly could compare with the professionally published and edited books I read. I've also become quite distrustful of user reviews - even if the book looks interesting, a lot of people like it, I've had quite a few disappointments after I started to buy ebooks. Amazon's sample service has saved me several times lately from buying books I didn't like.
|
12-09-2009, 06:33 AM | #43 | |
Banned
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
|
Quote:
|
|
12-09-2009, 06:35 AM | #44 |
Wizard
Posts: 3,490
Karma: 5239563
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Device: Kindle 3|iPad air|iPhone 4S
|
You are aware I just meant it as examples? Of one very literary work, perhaps even a work of art, and the other being a great tale, rooted in oral story-telling. It's the central story, but stylistically, Ulysses is as far away from The Odessey that written works could be.
|
12-09-2009, 06:37 AM | #45 | |
The Dank Side of the Moon
Posts: 35,872
Karma: 118716293
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire
|
Quote:
Agreed. I also think the "ease of creating books" (as well as the web) result in a tremendously higher noise level which makes the good stuff harder to find and thus a much greater need for reliable sources of direction. In short I don't think the ability to create ebooks will result in more Great Books (I suspect that will remain about the same) but it will result in more books. |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
software for writing books | slainte | Writers' Corner | 285 | 04-06-2014 10:19 PM |
End of the world books? | jduvall | Reading Recommendations | 16 | 03-24-2010 01:55 PM |
Looking for that great writing partner? | Elliot | Writers' Corner | 8 | 01-02-2010 07:53 AM |
How E-Books Will Change Reading And Writing (NPR) | Nate the great | News | 20 | 01-01-2010 08:14 AM |
Books About Writing | CommMajor101 | Reading Recommendations | 0 | 08-07-2009 07:07 PM |