What? No 'smell of books'?

[Argel]

Strange but true, an article in The Guardian which does not conclude that ebooks will never replace the smell and touch of paper. Quite the opposite...

Are real books nearing the end of their shelf life?

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Argel

Strange but true, an article in The Guardian which does not conclude that ebooks will never replace the smell and touch of paper. Quite the opposite...

Are real books nearing the end of their shelf life?

Replace? No. Co-exist? Definitely.

We can have both, if we choose.

There is still something infinitely comforting about a wall full of paper books.

And something infinitely comforting about a Kindle full of e-books when you are 'out and about'.

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

There is still something infinitely comforting about a wall full of paper books.

I suppose. I have many such walls that are bursting at the seams, and no room for more unless I add on to the house. That really doesn't comfort me. (A major reason why I have moved to ebooks for my purchases where available and appropriate).

I can understand why some folks treasure books as objects, but that's just not me. I'm interested in the content -- for some content, paper is still the best medium; for other content (e.g., fiction) it's not. I'll take digital, all things being equal.

[athlonkmf]

I have a wall of books, but I'm glad that I don't have to lug them around during holidays. And it was a pain to sort them the way they are now...

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by bwaldron

I suppose. I have many such walls that are bursting at the seams, and no room for more unless I add on to the house. That really doesn't comfort me. (A major reason why I have moved to ebooks for my purchases where available and appropriate).

I can understand why some folks treasure books as objects, but that's just not me. I'm interested in the content -- for some content, paper is still the best medium; for other content (e.g., fiction) it's not. I'll take digital, all things being equal.

See? CO-EXIST!

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Replace? No. Co-exist? Definitely.

We can have both, if we choose.

And for the moment, any way, some books still work best as physical paper books.

For fiction and some non-fiction I'd prefer electronic over paper. For "coffee table" books, books showing techniques in colour (photography books, for example), and books designed to be used in an environment hazardous to electronics (at least some cookery books, most of my metal working books, some gardening books, and so on).

Minor rant time...

What I would really like to see is flexible e-ink devices replace the traditional newspaper. I can understand that people have difficulties reading the old broadsheet sized papers on a crowded train. But most papers, in he UK at least, are now tabloid or berlinner in size - and still some people end up elbowing the people all around as they turn pages, and/or use them as rests for their papers. turn pages, and/or use them as rests for their papers.

[flumbo]

I'll never understand the mentality of books as a fetish object. For me, the content is important. I don't think I've ever shoved my nose in a book and inhaled deeply. When I've noticed a book smell, it was because it became moldy after a visit to the beach.

[Justy]

I love my eBooks and have been converting my library to digital ever since I got my Cybook. However, I still purchase several paper Children's books a year as my 5 yr old son loves books with pictures and the more colours the better. So, in my house paper and digital both exist happily.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by flumbo

I'll never understand the mentality of books as a fetish object. For me, the content is important. I don't think I've ever shoved my nose in a book and inhaled deeply. When I've noticed a book smell, it was because it became moldy after a visit to the beach.

Thats unfortunate for you. Content IS important. So is the feel of a book, the looks of a book, and even the smell of a book. Not better, just important.

Of course, I used to smell the mimeograph papers as a kid. Anyone else remember those? The purple print?

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by flumbo

I'll never understand the mentality of books as a fetish object. For me, the content is important. I don't think I've ever shoved my nose in a book and inhaled deeply. When I've noticed a book smell, it was because it became moldy after a visit to the beach.

Try this.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Justy

I love my eBooks and have been converting my library to digital ever since I got my Cybook. However, I still purchase several paper Children's books a year as my 5 yr old son loves books with pictures and the more colours the better. So, in my house paper and digital both exist happily.

I am so glad to hear this. I have a 5 year old granddaughter with shelves full of colorful books.

At this age, they need the stimulation of the pictures, and to be able to correlate what they are reading with what they see.

Once mine gets into novels, you bed she'll have an e-book reader, tho!

[Justy]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Once mine gets into novels, you bed she'll have an e-book reader, tho!

I have a deal with him, once he is into novels, he gets MY eBook reader, and I get the latest new thing.
He already likes to sit in my lap and listen to me read the Narnia books. Thankfully the new eBook versions have enough illustrations to keep him interested.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by Argel

Strange but true, an article in The Guardian which does not conclude that ebooks will never replace the smell and touch of paper. Quite the opposite...

Are real books nearing the end of their shelf life?

Wow .... this guy is really out of touch if he thinks that ebook readers have only been out for the last year or so. I've had my REB for 10 years now.

And ..... I'm sorry, but "Reading for pleasure and the eReader do not seem to go well together. " He's got to be joking.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Justy

I love my eBooks and have been converting my library to digital ever since I got my Cybook. However, I still purchase several paper Children's books a year as my 5 yr old son loves books with pictures and the more colours the better. So, in my house paper and digital both exist happily.

Justy, how are you converting your library? Regular scanner and OCR? The reason I ask is that I have some older Phyllis A. Whitney titles that are not available anywhere in ebook that I'd like to convert, but don't even know where to start. And I noticed in your sig line what you're reading... are those good? I've been eyeing them...

[lilac_jive]

I bought a pbook today and it was so foreign to me. I keep forgetting how pages aren't flat