Paperback book woes

kyrilson · 03-02-2014, 09:45 PM

So I picked up a book from the library, one of those fat fantasy novels (Shadowmarch by Tad Williams) and I can't believe how much I'm hating reading this from a comfort perspective!! It's a mmpb, so I was hoping it wouldn't be too bad, but man, I miss my kindle. Just awkward to hold, and the lighting varies, so I have to move the book around as I read. It's funny how I used to be able to read books like this, no problem, but not anymore after reading ebooks so much.

So now I'm in a conundrum, do I bite the bullet and buy the ebook, or tough it out? Wish my library carried the ebook.

eschwartz · 03-02-2014, 09:45 PM

That depends. Are you looking for an excuse?

kyrilson · 03-03-2014, 08:27 AM

Wondering if any others have had the same experience.

DrNefario · 03-03-2014, 08:37 AM

Big books are the worst. A nice little 200-page mass-market paperback is no more uncomfortable, in my opinion, than an e-reader, but once you get up over 400 pages or so, or if the book is oversized at all, then they become annoying and occasionally painful to handle.

I still read paperbacks of all shapes and sizes quite regularly, though. I'm currently reading the first book of an omnibus of 700 pages or so which appears to be printed on super-floppy telephone directory paper. In this particular case there is no ebook.

I'd say push on with the book you've got. You'll get used to it.

MichelleLouring · 03-03-2014, 08:49 AM

I get cramps in my wrist from trying to hold thick paperbacks(in this case, the books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series) over my head when I'm reading in bed. It's an attempt to get around having to turn from side to side every time I'm done with a page, but that would have been prevented with an ebook as well.

elemenoP · 03-03-2014, 09:14 AM

Even before I got an ereader, I had stopped reading mmpbs, mostly due to the small type. And a LIBRARY mmpb: yuck! It's probably all beat up, too. I would give it a hundred pages and see if you get used to it. There is an adjustment period when you've been reading exclusively on the the ereader and go back to pbooks!

eP

sharphamster · 03-03-2014, 09:34 AM

Can't adjust the fonts :[

But yeah ... a thicker pbook feels awkward to hold now where it used to feel natural. Actually it's harder for me to become immersed in reading for me, with the constant awareness of the book in my hand.

PurpleStar · 03-03-2014, 10:00 AM

I have a p-book out from the library too which I'm going to read next. It's just a 200 page Harlequin novel. I figure I can handle that.

I would just stick it out and read the paper book. You went through all the trouble to pick it up from the library, so you might as well read it and then give your e-reader a big hug when you're done.

PurpleStar · 03-03-2014, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Even before I got an ereader, I had stopped reading mmpbs, mostly due to the small type. And a LIBRARY mmpb: yuck! It's probably all beat up, too. I would give it a hundred pages and see if you get used to it. There is an adjustment period when you've been reading exclusively on the the ereader and go back to pbooks!

eP

I got lucky with the one I have since it's new. Just came out in December I think and looks like it's never been read. Indeed there's an adjustment, but I've managed to read a few paper books since I got an e-reader.

sakura-panda · 03-03-2014, 10:45 AM

I've never been able to read MMPBs and have always avoided them as much as possible. The font was either small, or blotchy, or just plain ugly, the books were stiff and hard to hold, the paper didn't even feel "right" in my hands, and I can't remember what else (or maybe that was enough.

)

I've always been a fan of trade paperback and hardcover books; they seem to me to be nicer to look at, consistently cleaner fonts (typography), it didn't feel like I was breaking them when I opened them and the paper felt nicer to touch.

(My own opinions, of course. If everyone thought like me, there wouldn't *be* any MMPBs.

)

LovesMacs · 03-03-2014, 10:57 AM

How badly do you want to read the book? Do you think you'll reread this book in the future? If so, buy the e-book. If not, give the library book a chance and read it at a well-lit desk if possible.

Lemurion · 03-03-2014, 11:18 AM

I can't do MMPBs any more, just too hard to read with the small print and gutters. I can still do hardcovers and trade paperbacks, but that's about it.

tdonline · 03-03-2014, 11:25 AM

I read Wolf Hall by paperback and it was such a slog. I was wondering if I was reading it and forcing myself to finish just because it was "great" literature. But I decided it really was the format that was the issue. I'm glad I persisted. I listened to Bring up the Bodies and it was fantastic. I can't wait for the 3rd book in the series.

So no more paperbacks for me. My order of preference now is audiobooks, ebooks, find another title and ok, darn it, I really want to read this book--hardcover.

Yolina · 03-03-2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrilson

So now I'm in a conundrum, do I bite the bullet and buy the ebook, or tough it out?

Surely you can manage the pbook

I have absolutely no issues going from ebooks to pbooks and back, but maybe it's just me

MeSue · 03-03-2014, 11:57 AM

The last paper book I read was more than a year ago and pure torture. Tiny text, difficult to hold, no easy lookup of places and words. I've been ebook or audiobook ever since. I recently boxed up and donated all my paper books except a choice few special ones which I will probably never read in that format again, but just couldn't get rid of.

03-02-2014, 09:45 PM	#1
kyrilson Fanatic Posts: 546 Karma: 13511506 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Cleveland, OH Device: Voyage, Oasis, Kobo Glo HD,iPad Pro, Sony 350 and T2	Paperback book woes So I picked up a book from the library, one of those fat fantasy novels (Shadowmarch by Tad Williams) and I can't believe how much I'm hating reading this from a comfort perspective!! It's a mmpb, so I was hoping it wouldn't be too bad, but man, I miss my kindle. Just awkward to hold, and the lighting varies, so I have to move the book around as I read. It's funny how I used to be able to read books like this, no problem, but not anymore after reading ebooks so much. So now I'm in a conundrum, do I bite the bullet and buy the ebook, or tough it out? Wish my library carried the ebook.

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03-02-2014, 09:45 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	That depends. Are you looking for an excuse?

03-03-2014, 08:27 AM	#3
kyrilson Fanatic Posts: 546 Karma: 13511506 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Cleveland, OH Device: Voyage, Oasis, Kobo Glo HD,iPad Pro, Sony 350 and T2	Wondering if any others have had the same experience.

03-03-2014, 08:37 AM	#4
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,202 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	Big books are the worst. A nice little 200-page mass-market paperback is no more uncomfortable, in my opinion, than an e-reader, but once you get up over 400 pages or so, or if the book is oversized at all, then they become annoying and occasionally painful to handle. I still read paperbacks of all shapes and sizes quite regularly, though. I'm currently reading the first book of an omnibus of 700 pages or so which appears to be printed on super-floppy telephone directory paper. In this particular case there is no ebook. I'd say push on with the book you've got. You'll get used to it.

03-03-2014, 08:49 AM	#5
MichelleLouring Owl Lady Posts: 34 Karma: 23716 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Denmark Device: Android Tablet	I get cramps in my wrist from trying to hold thick paperbacks(in this case, the books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series) over my head when I'm reading in bed. It's an attempt to get around having to turn from side to side every time I'm done with a page, but that would have been prevented with an ebook as well.

03-03-2014, 09:14 AM	#6
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Even before I got an ereader, I had stopped reading mmpbs, mostly due to the small type. And a LIBRARY mmpb: yuck! It's probably all beat up, too. I would give it a hundred pages and see if you get used to it. There is an adjustment period when you've been reading exclusively on the the ereader and go back to pbooks! eP

03-03-2014, 09:34 AM	#7
sharphamster Anathema Device Posts: 283 Karma: 257456 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony T3/350, Kobo AuraH20/Mini, Axim X50v	Can't adjust the fonts :[ But yeah ... a thicker pbook feels awkward to hold now where it used to feel natural. Actually it's harder for me to become immersed in reading for me, with the constant awareness of the book in my hand.

03-03-2014, 10:00 AM	#8
PurpleStar Wizard Posts: 1,625 Karma: 11387182 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)	I have a p-book out from the library too which I'm going to read next. It's just a 200 page Harlequin novel. I figure I can handle that. I would just stick it out and read the paper book. You went through all the trouble to pick it up from the library, so you might as well read it and then give your e-reader a big hug when you're done.

03-03-2014, 10:45 AM	#10
sakura-panda Guru Posts: 934 Karma: 9558874 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Michigan, USA Device: Kindle Oasis; 11" iPad Pro (Books, Kindle, Kobo, MapleRead SE)	I've never been able to read MMPBs and have always avoided them as much as possible. The font was either small, or blotchy, or just plain ugly, the books were stiff and hard to hold, the paper didn't even feel "right" in my hands, and I can't remember what else (or maybe that was enough. ) I've always been a fan of trade paperback and hardcover books; they seem to me to be nicer to look at, consistently cleaner fonts (typography), it didn't feel like I was breaking them when I opened them and the paper felt nicer to touch. (My own opinions, of course. If everyone thought like me, there wouldn't be any MMPBs. )

03-03-2014, 10:57 AM	#11
LovesMacs Fanatic Posts: 513 Karma: 2644386 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: iPhone, Kindle Touch	How badly do you want to read the book? Do you think you'll reread this book in the future? If so, buy the e-book. If not, give the library book a chance and read it at a well-lit desk if possible.

03-03-2014, 11:18 AM	#12
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	I can't do MMPBs any more, just too hard to read with the small print and gutters. I can still do hardcovers and trade paperbacks, but that's about it.

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03-03-2014, 11:25 AM	#13
tdonline Addict Posts: 309 Karma: 2644486 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: PW3, Nook Simple Touch	I read Wolf Hall by paperback and it was such a slog. I was wondering if I was reading it and forcing myself to finish just because it was "great" literature. But I decided it really was the format that was the issue. I'm glad I persisted. I listened to Bring up the Bodies and it was fantastic. I can't wait for the 3rd book in the series. So no more paperbacks for me. My order of preference now is audiobooks, ebooks, find another title and ok, darn it, I really want to read this book--hardcover.

03-03-2014, 11:57 AM	#15
MeSue Geek in the Forest Posts: 399 Karma: 1077186 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: FL Device: iPad Air, iPhone 4s, Nexus 7	The last paper book I read was more than a year ago and pure torture. Tiny text, difficult to hold, no easy lookup of places and words. I've been ebook or audiobook ever since. I recently boxed up and donated all my paper books except a choice few special ones which I will probably never read in that format again, but just couldn't get rid of.