Is it just me, or are e-readers not for everyone?

[dgm]

I've been asked if I'd like a Kindle or Nook for Christmas, but I don't think I'd use it.

First, I've been turning pages in books for 50 years and it doesn't bother me in the least.

Second, I live 3 minutes from an excellent public library.

Third, I have no interest in multimedia - I virtually never watch movies and would never download video or music to a tablet device.

Fourth, I have explored the free e-books available from my library and found virtually nothing of interest.

Fifth, I never read a book more than once and have no interest in owning many.

Sixth, I frequently take a book home from the library, read a few pages, and decide I don't want to finish it. If I buy the download I'd be stuck with it.

Seventh, why would I want to pay for a book that I wouldn't want to keep and that I could get free at the library down the street?

Eighth, I don't travel much and have no particular reason to have a mobile device. It's not that hard to throw a book into a suitcase.

Is there something about all of this that I'm not considering? Given my situation, can anybody suggest why I might want an e-reader?

And by the way, I'm not a cave-dwelling luddite. I'm heavily involved in information technology as a senior software developer - maybe on my off-hours I just don't want to stare at a screen...

[Barbara1955]

For you an eReader WOULD be a Waiste of Money! Happy Reading!

[DiapDealer]

Of course it's not just you. Why would you think otherwise?

[Rob Lister]

Originally Posted by dgm

I've been asked if I'd like a Kindle or Nook for Christmas, but I don't think I'd use it.

First, I've been turning pages in books for 50 years and it doesn't bother me in the least.

For me, the nuisance isn't the page-turning so much as the gutter-reading, the spine-grasping and most of all the font-rendering. ebooks solve all those issues perfectly. There is no gutter, it doesn't have to be 'held' open, and the font is whatever my eyes happen to like at that particular moment in terms of both type and size. I won't even get into the ability to look up words I'm unsure of.

Second, I live 3 minutes from an excellent public library.

With an ebook and an internet connection, you live 30 milliseconds from the greatest library in the world, the Gutenburg Project; 10's upon 10's of thousands of the greatest works ever written by mankind ... with 1000's more every year. And you don't have to get dressed to go there. Sometimes I go there completely naked!

Third, I have no interest in multimedia - I virtually never watch movies and would never download video or music to a tablet device.

ebook doesn't equate to multimedia device. Some do both, but I prefer my words unadorned with flash and bling.

Fourth, I have explored the free e-books available from my library and found virtually nothing of interest.

That will change. Pretty soon your library will just close from lack of use.

Fifth, I never read a book more than once and have no interest in owning many.

Never buy a book again and have more in your to-read pile than you can ever read in 10 lifetimes.

Sixth, I frequently take a book home from the library, read a few pages, and decide I don't want to finish it. If I buy the download I'd be stuck with it.

Previously addressed.

Seventh, why would I want to pay for a book that I wouldn't want to keep and that I could get free at the library down the street?

previously addressed.

Eighth, I don't travel much and have no particular reason to have a mobile device. It's not that hard to throw a book into a suitcase.

How hard is it to throw 1000 in your suitcase?

Is there something about all of this that I'm not considering? Given my situation, can anybody suggest why I might want an e-reader?

'Cause you'll never be a cool kid until you have one.

And by the way, I'm not a cave-dwelling luddite. I'm heavily involved in information technology as a senior software developer - maybe on my off-hours I just don't want to stare at a screen...

e-ink is a 'screen' only in the most obscure way. e-ink is easier (by far) to read than a screen (according to most) and even easier to read than real ink (according to me and other correct people).

In summary, I'm not saying that once you go ebook you'll never go back. I'm saying you'll probably not be disappointed and likely to make great use of it. My son bought me one for Christmas last year and it has turned out to be the greatest gift I have ever received.

[1611mac]

The best thing for me is that I can setup my device for night reading (and other low light environments) and I can make the text and spacing larger for easier and more comfortable reading. I went back to a paper book not long ago and I almost couldn't stand to read it.

I find enough free and public domain ebooks to keep me happy and I don't even have to leave home to get them. Also, library books are available too. Right now I'm reading a book that came from a library half a world away while my own county library doesn't have any ebooks yet..... (and limited paper books - it's a very small lib)

[dgm]

Thanks to all for the replies - good food for thought...

[1611mac]

Originally Posted by dgm

Thanks to all for the replies - good food for thought...

Reading is for personal enjoyment and learning... do what works for you!

[abookreader]

Originally Posted by dgm

I've been asked if I'd like a Kindle or Nook for Christmas, but I don't think I'd use it.

First, I've been turning pages in books for 50 years and it doesn't bother me in the least.

Second, I live 3 minutes from an excellent public library.

Third, I have no interest in multimedia - I virtually never watch movies and would never download video or music to a tablet device.

Fourth, I have explored the free e-books available from my library and found virtually nothing of interest.

Fifth, I never read a book more than once and have no interest in owning many.

Sixth, I frequently take a book home from the library, read a few pages, and decide I don't want to finish it. If I buy the download I'd be stuck with it.

Seventh, why would I want to pay for a book that I wouldn't want to keep and that I could get free at the library down the street?

Eighth, I don't travel much and have no particular reason to have a mobile device. It's not that hard to throw a book into a suitcase.

Is there something about all of this that I'm not considering? Given my situation, can anybody suggest why I might want an e-reader?

And by the way, I'm not a cave-dwelling luddite. I'm heavily involved in information technology as a senior software developer - maybe on my off-hours I just don't want to stare at a screen...

Then welcome to MobileRead, you should enjoy your time here.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by dgm

First, I've been turning pages in books for 50 years and it doesn't bother me in the least.
...
Is there something about all of this that I'm not considering? Given my situation, can anybody suggest why I might want an e-reader?

The only thing I could imagine is degrading eyesight. Obviously it isn't a problem for you until now (and I wish you that it will stay so for long), but e-readers has helped a lot of people with eye problems to be able to continue reading.

[1611mac]

dgm... be sure to check out the e-library here on the forums. Should you get an ereader there's plenty of good reads right here!

[mr ploppy]

I use one to read books that either don't exist in paper form or are too expensive to buy second hand. Having a reader doesn't mean you can't still use real books as well.

[pidgeon92]

I can get ebooks from my library without leaving the house. Being lazy, this is a big plus for me.

The one thing that often irritated me about getting books from the library was the smell and the bits. Nothing worse than a book that smells like cigarette smoke, and little bits of whatever the last person was eating for dinner falling out.

I love my ereader for reading in bed. Much easier to hold, and with the integrated light in the cover, I can get all the way under when it's chilly.

I resisted getting a Kindle as long as I did since I really did enjoy spending time at the library, but I honestly don't miss it now.

[afa]

Originally Posted by Rob Lister

And you don't have to get dressed to go there. Sometimes I go there completely naked!

We didn't need to know that...

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Eh. It might not be worth the money for you. Especially if your library's digital selection isn't very good.

No, ereaders aren't for everyone. Perhaps they're not for you.

Although a couple things I want to point out, just for accuracy's sake:
1. The screen isn't like any screen you've encountered. It actually does look like paper and it's not straining to look at.
2. Ereaders (the e-ink variety anyway) really are just for reading. Though some have modest features for other activities, they aren't multi-media devices.

My primary motivation for getting one was that I *do* travel a lot. I do re-read things, I do like to keep my books, and my library's digital selection is excellent. It made sense for me to get an ereader. And because I'm not having to consider how much space/weight I can justify carrying around against wanting to read, I'm reading more now.

But that's me. If you don't have any good reason to shell out for an ereader... don't.

Happy reading.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by 1611mac

Reading is for personal enjoyment and learning... do what works for you!

Agreed. I happen to love my Kindle. I hardly ever read physical books any more.