LOL - eyestrain from p-book

maxbookworm · 12-19-2011, 12:21 PM

So I recently got a hankering to re-read A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. I was poised to buy an ebook version when, lo and behold, I realized there was no ebook version to be had. Too bad, because the book is a brick!

So I'm reading the pbook in bed, with my nice, ultrabright reading lamp, and the page is so white, it is hurting my eyes! I'm so used to that nice, restful gray screen, that I no longer enjoy reading on paper (OK, not strictly true, I just need a light that's not so bright). I found this so funny and ironic, I had to post.

I also gave myself indigestion by resting that incredibly large and heavy book on my stomach while reading. When can we expect an ebook version of this book? I actually considered sending it to 1dollarscan, but a pdf version would do me no good (would be completely unreadable on my 5" PRS-350 screen).

HomeInMyShoes · 12-19-2011, 12:29 PM

Hmm...my copy of A Suitable Boy didn't seem overly white, but then I read it with crappy lighting and when my eyes were almost twenty years younger.

I haven't gotten a hankering to re-read it either. I really enjoyed it, but I only need to think about how much other stuff I could experience instead.

Estimated date of an e-book? I'd say never. Given the length and the issues publishers have getting reasonbly error free versions, this isn't a book I'd touch on an e-reader, despite as you said being a length that makes it incredibly suitable for an e-book.

Giggleton · 12-19-2011, 01:14 PM

I usually get some eyestrain from paperbooks after I go on a reading binge, but I haven't noticed it with my ereader...

Ceuse · 12-19-2011, 05:06 PM

since you have the paperback theres no harm in googeling for title + epub and see what comes up

maxbookworm · 12-19-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceuse

since you have the paperback theres no harm in googeling for title + epub and see what comes up

Well, you know, I tried that, but got an incomplete and unreadable copy, so it wasn't much help, unfortunately... Thanks for the tip, though

dwig · 12-20-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxbookworm

... I just need a light that's not so bright...

You seems to misunderstand the cause of your eyestrain.

If "brightness" is the source of your problem, and it likely is, it is not the intrinsic brightness of the reading lamp that is the issue. Instead it is it's brightness relative to the rest of the light in the room that is in your field of vision.

The fix can either be to dim the light to bring it closer to the ambient light level, or better yet, raise the overall ambient light level of the room. Dimming the light can magnify issues with your eyes (in)ability to focus closely.

carpetmojo · 12-20-2011, 05:45 PM

I'm giving someone - a Simpsons fan - a tome that might well give then eyestrain, bachache, strong arms, the odd strained wrist, and, in the right circumstances, a broken toe .
It's a detailed episode by episode analysis/run-down with pictures of the whole run, is about 8inches thick, and I made sure I had a nearby parking soace before buying one - in a "remainder" shop for £15.
And in a slip cover.

I thought it would make a good doorstop if they couldn't pick it up ....

CazMar · 12-20-2011, 05:58 PM

I used to have an eye strain problem when I was studying ancient Greek at university - for some reason it is obligatory for book publishers to use the tiniest, faintest typeface for this language. Before this I didn't need glasses to read, now I do! You are right about the bright light - this doesn't help a bit and seems to strain the eye muscles.

carld · 12-20-2011, 06:16 PM

I've had trouble reading paper books for ages. That's why I was so excited to get my hands on a Kindle 1, even at $400. It meant I could read without eyestrain again!

A friend recently offered to loan me a copy of one of Bill O'Reilly's books (definitely not on my reading list). I was able to politely beg off with "Thanks, but I can't read paper books any more. My eyes are too bad."

xg4bx · 12-20-2011, 07:49 PM

nevermind

bigtext · 01-10-2012, 07:26 PM

Great point. I recently checked out Thinking, Fast and Slow from the library and both the small print and white paper are making for a lot more strain than I am used to with my reader. I've considered purchasing the ebook as I am enjoying it, but I hear that the tables and figures in it are messed up. But being able to reduce eye strain is the primary reason I bought an e-ink reader.

12-19-2011, 12:21 PM	#1
maxbookworm Addict Posts: 372 Karma: 1122865 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage, Galaxy Note 2	LOL - eyestrain from p-book So I recently got a hankering to re-read A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. I was poised to buy an ebook version when, lo and behold, I realized there was no ebook version to be had. Too bad, because the book is a brick! So I'm reading the pbook in bed, with my nice, ultrabright reading lamp, and the page is so white, it is hurting my eyes! I'm so used to that nice, restful gray screen, that I no longer enjoy reading on paper (OK, not strictly true, I just need a light that's not so bright). I found this so funny and ironic, I had to post. I also gave myself indigestion by resting that incredibly large and heavy book on my stomach while reading. When can we expect an ebook version of this book? I actually considered sending it to 1dollarscan, but a pdf version would do me no good (would be completely unreadable on my 5" PRS-350 screen).

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12-19-2011, 12:29 PM	#2
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	Hmm...my copy of A Suitable Boy didn't seem overly white, but then I read it with crappy lighting and when my eyes were almost twenty years younger. I haven't gotten a hankering to re-read it either. I really enjoyed it, but I only need to think about how much other stuff I could experience instead. Estimated date of an e-book? I'd say never. Given the length and the issues publishers have getting reasonbly error free versions, this isn't a book I'd touch on an e-reader, despite as you said being a length that makes it incredibly suitable for an e-book.

12-19-2011, 01:14 PM	#3
Giggleton Banned Posts: 1,687 Karma: 4368191 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oregon Device: Kindle3	I usually get some eyestrain from paperbooks after I go on a reading binge, but I haven't noticed it with my ereader...

12-19-2011, 05:06 PM	#4
Ceuse Member Posts: 24 Karma: 2016 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle 4 Non Touch & Kindle Keyboard	since you have the paperback theres no harm in googeling for title + epub and see what comes up

12-20-2011, 05:45 PM	#7
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	I'm giving someone - a Simpsons fan - a tome that might well give then eyestrain, bachache, strong arms, the odd strained wrist, and, in the right circumstances, a broken toe . It's a detailed episode by episode analysis/run-down with pictures of the whole run, is about 8inches thick, and I made sure I had a nearby parking soace before buying one - in a "remainder" shop for £15. And in a slip cover. I thought it would make a good doorstop if they couldn't pick it up ....

12-20-2011, 05:58 PM	#8
CazMar Book Geek Posts: 596 Karma: 1499085 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Asus MemPad 7" tablet, Nexus 5, Asus 10" tablet	I used to have an eye strain problem when I was studying ancient Greek at university - for some reason it is obligatory for book publishers to use the tiniest, faintest typeface for this language. Before this I didn't need glasses to read, now I do! You are right about the bright light - this doesn't help a bit and seems to strain the eye muscles.

12-20-2011, 06:16 PM	#9
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I've had trouble reading paper books for ages. That's why I was so excited to get my hands on a Kindle 1, even at $400. It meant I could read without eyestrain again! A friend recently offered to loan me a copy of one of Bill O'Reilly's books (definitely not on my reading list). I was able to politely beg off with "Thanks, but I can't read paper books any more. My eyes are too bad."

12-20-2011, 07:49 PM	#10
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	nevermind

01-10-2012, 07:26 PM	#11
bigtext Member Posts: 24 Karma: 44882 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Nook Simple Touch	Great point. I recently checked out Thinking, Fast and Slow from the library and both the small print and white paper are making for a lot more strain than I am used to with my reader. I've considered purchasing the ebook as I am enjoying it, but I hear that the tables and figures in it are messed up. But being able to reduce eye strain is the primary reason I bought an e-ink reader.

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