What's more important, the book or the story?

calvin-c · 10-29-2009, 01:15 PM

I've seen a lot of arguments about eBooks vs treeBooks and they remind me in many ways of an argument I had a year ago about country vs rock music. I complained about a country-music concert that, in my opinion, was obviously staged by rock music promoters-because they set the sound system up appropriately for rock, but inappropriately for country.

Few people seemed to understand what I meant by that which leads me to believe that they really don't think very much about the real issues of things. In the case of music genres, the difference is that to rock music fans it's the music that's important-to country music fans it's the song & the concert I complained about was set up such that the music overwhelmed the singer.

Now to get back to the subject, I see a similar issue in the argument between eBook & treeBook fans. If it's the story that's important, then the media doesn't matter as long as it's appropriate (IMO listening to a book being read isn't a viable replacement for reading the book yourself). But if it's the book that's important then the media matters.

Hence, my question. I didn't set this up as a poll because I'm not really interested in which 'camp' you belong to, what I'd like to see is more people realizing that the issue is what's important to them rather than which is 'better'.

dmaul1114 · 10-29-2009, 01:23 PM

I prefer e-books for most things, as 99% of books I'll only read once.

I prefer paper books for a select few that I love and re-read every few years.

For my academic work, I've stuck with paper books and printouts of articles as I need to be able to highlight and jot notes in the margin. But I'd be open to switching there once there are some tablet devices out at reasonable prices that make it as easy to highlight and annotate with a stylus as it is with paper and pen.

HarryT · 10-29-2009, 01:25 PM

Paper books still have the edge, I think, for reference purposes, in that they're a lot easier to "flip through" than eBooks (although good hyperlinking can certainly help in that area for eBooks). For novels, though, that you just read from front to back, eBooks are great.

Sonist · 10-29-2009, 01:26 PM

It's not a zero-sum game. Why not both?

mrscoach · 10-29-2009, 01:30 PM

I have said elsewhere, it's the content of a book that is important, no matter what format it is presented in. So, whether I read on a computer, some sort of reading device, or from a paper book, at least I am reading. I am getting the information I need or the entertainment I want. I think all formats have their own place, and those places can even overlap at times. I don't argue for or against any format. It's all good.

I prefer reading to audio books, but have, on a few occasions, listened. I just don't like it as much. But on a long trip with two children, yeah, I started with the Harry Potter books. What a lifesaver. (Obviously years ago, like 6 or so)

HarryT · 10-29-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

It's not a zero-sum game. Why not both?

Totally agree. It's going to be a while yet before eBooks can compete with paper books for high-definition pictures, maps, etc. There's certainly plenty of room for both eBooks and pBooks on the market for many years to come.

Terisa de morgan · 10-29-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

I prefer e-books for most things, as 99% of books I'll only read once.

I prefer paper books for a select few that I love and re-read every few years.

For my academic work, I've stuck with paper books and printouts of articles as I need to be able to highlight and jot notes in the margin. But I'd be open to switching there once there are some tablet devices out at reasonable prices that make it as easy to highlight and annotate with a stylus as it is with paper and pen.

I totally agree with you. And more because, when I re-read, I usually don't read all the book, only some pages, so it's more comfortable in paper.

calvin-c · 10-29-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's going to be a while yet before eBooks can compete with paper books for high-definition pictures, maps, etc.

Mostly I think it's a matter of the device. I've seen some PDF's that have hi-def pictures. Don't think I'd care to view them on my handheld reader, but they don't look bad (to me-but I'm half blind) on my PC. (OTOH I've gotten into a few arguments with 'ahi-clones' on imaging forums about whether or not any PC display can equal a printed version. Let's keep this to whether or not the eReader devices are good enough, OK? IMO, the devices aren't. The software might be, but the devices aren't. Not yet, at least.)

poshm · 10-29-2009, 05:36 PM

I've just read through one of my favourite childhood novels on the sony reader (600) and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it just as much as an ebook as I did when I've read it numerous times in paper format.

I love "treebooks" and our house is filled from top to bottom - 3 storeys of them (partly the reason why I saw a move to electronic reading as a sensible option when we're running short on space - but I love the action of READING far more.

My friends have snubbed their noses up at the ereader in favour of traditional treebooks but I believe there's a place for both. And I don't think people should necessarily 'knock' things without having tried them first.

calvin-c · 10-29-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrscoach

I have said elsewhere, it's the content of a book that is important, no matter what format it is presented in. So, whether I read on a computer, some sort of reading device, or from a paper book, at least I am reading. I am getting the information I need or the entertainment I want. I think all formats have their own place, and those places can even overlap at times. I don't argue for or against any format. It's all good.

I prefer reading to audio books, but have, on a few occasions, listened. I just don't like it as much. But on a long trip with two children, yeah, I started with the Harry Potter books. What a lifesaver. (Obviously years ago, like 6 or so)

Now this is what I was thinking about. I can argue either side because I don't think there's right or wrong involved-just different interests. HarryT mentioned images and I more-or-less agree that when I'm reading a book in which images contribute to the content, I prefer to read the treeBook version. Not that eBooks *can't* display good images, but most eBook devices that I've tried *don't*. So if it's helpful to see images while I'm reading the book I'll generally get the treeBook version. Otherwise it's the story that counts with me.

(Other arguments I've heard in favor of treeBooks don't convince me. Feel? I don't get off on leather, and I can feel cloth just by rubbing my clothes while I'm reading. Paper? All I feel about that is "better be careful or I'll tear it". Probably due to my carelessness as a child. I don't feel any different about turning a page than pressing a button, although I've had some readers where I needed to tap the screen or click my heels or something to turn the page. Whatever, make it convenient & I'll go for it. Curl up in a chair? Sure, no problem with my portable. Easier than with most hard-cover books, in fact. Probably how I sit though-I prefer to hold my book rather than lay it in my lap. About the only other argument I find convincing is the ability to 'stay up all night reading a book'. Can't do that with my portable (although I could probably find one that I could) and don't find it very comfortable to do it at my PC. But you know something? I think it's been 10-15 years since I did that anyway. Probably just getting old or maybe it's that I now work all day long. Didn't do that when I was a student, but times change.)

PennyPie · 10-29-2009, 05:48 PM

I agree that the information is the point..whether for entertainment or education or enlightenment. I love the look & feel & smell of treebooks, but in my quest to simplify, I can see no reason in my life for them. I'm so very happy with my reader, and the potential it has opened up for me, that I could never be happy with treebooks again.
For those who need treebooks for other purposes, great...there's room for all types in this world. Please invite me over to your library anytime for tea and toast & I'll bask in the warmth of your lovely collections. But as for myself.....gimme that old time electronic edition!!!

Lemurion · 10-29-2009, 08:57 PM

What's more important, the book or the content? Yes.

Sometimes it's one - sometimes it's the other. I bought Alan Moore's Watchmen in the Absolute Edition - an oversized slipcased recolored hardcover - even though I already had a perfectly readable 20 year old trade paperback edition.

Other books I've bought in the cheapest paperback or ebook edition I could find because I just wanted to know what happened next.

Sometimes I want the physical object, sometimes I want the story it contains.

Most of all I want choice.

I want to be able to buy the version that meets my needs at the time I'm buying it.

catsittingstill · 10-29-2009, 11:38 PM

It depends. Mostly I read for content and prefer e-books because they weigh nothing and take so space so I can take them almost anywhere with me.

On the other hand I have books (Winnie The Pooh, Mother Goose) that date back to my childhood, where the physical codex itself is a treasured object for sentimental reasons. If the house burned down I'd get e-book versions, but it just wouldn't be the same. And I have some books that were gifts from friends, or where the author autographed it for me, that are also treasured objects in addition to containers of interesting content.

and for some books, the e-book medium just doesn't work in its current implementation. Some have pictures that need color for clarity or are too big to display well on my K2 screen, for example. I had one book on woodworking that I returned and got in paper because the e-book just wasn't working for me. I think this is something that further development in formats and e-book readers can fix, though.

Penforhire · 10-30-2009, 11:22 AM

Formats can be a big turnoff. I read plenty of paper books whose font choice or print quality made my eyes bleed. It was hard to enjoy the content under those conditions. I do not make the same claim of duress when using current e-ink based e-readers. In my experience the e-reader itself disappears when I read good content.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-30-2009, 11:36 AM

I don't have a problem answering this. I just ask myself (and anyone in earshot) what you get when you take the ink out of a book. Then I ask again what's more important, the book or the content?

The content is more important than the book, just as it's more important than the e-book reader, the TV screen, or the actor's voice... without content, all of them are empty. But without one or all of them, the content can be expressed somewhere else, even if it's just written in the sand at low tide.

10-29-2009, 01:15 PM	#1
calvin-c Guru Posts: 787 Karma: 1575310 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Moon+ Pro	What's more important, the book or the story? I've seen a lot of arguments about eBooks vs treeBooks and they remind me in many ways of an argument I had a year ago about country vs rock music. I complained about a country-music concert that, in my opinion, was obviously staged by rock music promoters-because they set the sound system up appropriately for rock, but inappropriately for country. Few people seemed to understand what I meant by that which leads me to believe that they really don't think very much about the real issues of things. In the case of music genres, the difference is that to rock music fans it's the music that's important-to country music fans it's the song & the concert I complained about was set up such that the music overwhelmed the singer. Now to get back to the subject, I see a similar issue in the argument between eBook & treeBook fans. If it's the story that's important, then the media doesn't matter as long as it's appropriate (IMO listening to a book being read isn't a viable replacement for reading the book yourself). But if it's the book that's important then the media matters. Hence, my question. I didn't set this up as a poll because I'm not really interested in which 'camp' you belong to, what I'd like to see is more people realizing that the issue is what's important to them rather than which is 'better'.

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10-29-2009, 01:23 PM	#2
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	I prefer e-books for most things, as 99% of books I'll only read once. I prefer paper books for a select few that I love and re-read every few years. For my academic work, I've stuck with paper books and printouts of articles as I need to be able to highlight and jot notes in the margin. But I'd be open to switching there once there are some tablet devices out at reasonable prices that make it as easy to highlight and annotate with a stylus as it is with paper and pen.

10-29-2009, 01:25 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Paper books still have the edge, I think, for reference purposes, in that they're a lot easier to "flip through" than eBooks (although good hyperlinking can certainly help in that area for eBooks). For novels, though, that you just read from front to back, eBooks are great.

10-29-2009, 01:26 PM	#4
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	It's not a zero-sum game. Why not both?

10-29-2009, 01:30 PM	#5
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	I have said elsewhere, it's the content of a book that is important, no matter what format it is presented in. So, whether I read on a computer, some sort of reading device, or from a paper book, at least I am reading. I am getting the information I need or the entertainment I want. I think all formats have their own place, and those places can even overlap at times. I don't argue for or against any format. It's all good. I prefer reading to audio books, but have, on a few occasions, listened. I just don't like it as much. But on a long trip with two children, yeah, I started with the Harry Potter books. What a lifesaver. (Obviously years ago, like 6 or so)

10-29-2009, 05:36 PM	#9
poshm Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1003580 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cambs, UK Device: PocketBook 360, Sony Reader Touch, Ipod touch & Kindle 2	I've just read through one of my favourite childhood novels on the sony reader (600) and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it just as much as an ebook as I did when I've read it numerous times in paper format. I love "treebooks" and our house is filled from top to bottom - 3 storeys of them (partly the reason why I saw a move to electronic reading as a sensible option when we're running short on space - but I love the action of READING far more. My friends have snubbed their noses up at the ereader in favour of traditional treebooks but I believe there's a place for both. And I don't think people should necessarily 'knock' things without having tried them first.

10-29-2009, 05:48 PM	#11
PennyPie Cocoa & Toast...mmmmmm... Posts: 275 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Device: Sony PRS-700, iPhone	I agree that the information is the point..whether for entertainment or education or enlightenment. I love the look & feel & smell of treebooks, but in my quest to simplify, I can see no reason in my life for them. I'm so very happy with my reader, and the potential it has opened up for me, that I could never be happy with treebooks again. For those who need treebooks for other purposes, great...there's room for all types in this world. Please invite me over to your library anytime for tea and toast & I'll bask in the warmth of your lovely collections. But as for myself.....gimme that old time electronic edition!!!

10-29-2009, 08:57 PM	#12
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	What's more important, the book or the content? Yes. Sometimes it's one - sometimes it's the other. I bought Alan Moore's Watchmen in the Absolute Edition - an oversized slipcased recolored hardcover - even though I already had a perfectly readable 20 year old trade paperback edition. Other books I've bought in the cheapest paperback or ebook edition I could find because I just wanted to know what happened next. Sometimes I want the physical object, sometimes I want the story it contains. Most of all I want choice. I want to be able to buy the version that meets my needs at the time I'm buying it.

10-29-2009, 11:38 PM	#13
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	It depends. Mostly I read for content and prefer e-books because they weigh nothing and take so space so I can take them almost anywhere with me. On the other hand I have books (Winnie The Pooh, Mother Goose) that date back to my childhood, where the physical codex itself is a treasured object for sentimental reasons. If the house burned down I'd get e-book versions, but it just wouldn't be the same. And I have some books that were gifts from friends, or where the author autographed it for me, that are also treasured objects in addition to containers of interesting content. and for some books, the e-book medium just doesn't work in its current implementation. Some have pictures that need color for clarity or are too big to display well on my K2 screen, for example. I had one book on woodworking that I returned and got in paper because the e-book just wasn't working for me. I think this is something that further development in formats and e-book readers can fix, though.

10-30-2009, 11:22 AM	#14
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Formats can be a big turnoff. I read plenty of paper books whose font choice or print quality made my eyes bleed. It was hard to enjoy the content under those conditions. I do not make the same claim of duress when using current e-ink based e-readers. In my experience the e-reader itself disappears when I read good content.

10-30-2009, 11:36 AM	#15
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I don't have a problem answering this. I just ask myself (and anyone in earshot) what you get when you take the ink out of a book. Then I ask again what's more important, the book or the content? The content is more important than the book, just as it's more important than the e-book reader, the TV screen, or the actor's voice... without content, all of them are empty. But without one or all of them, the content can be expressed somewhere else, even if it's just written in the sand at low tide.

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