We don't own the ebooks we buy?

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

I read a lot of library ebooks, but do buy some ebooks that aren't available via the library.

Me too. Either way, as soon as I'm done reading, and record the title on my completed list, I delete. In the reasonably likely chance that 15 years from now I'll still be here, and the less likely chance I want to reread, well, I'm just going to take that risk.

[leitz]

And it will probably take a lawsuit or legislative action to force Amazon to speak truthfully about the transactions, if only because it changes the perceived value in a customer's mind: $15 to rent a file that contains a book that can be taken away from you at any time, without explanation or recourse, starts to sound a little expensive.

How true, if it is just renting, ebooks should be a fraction of the paper book price.

Those long End User License Agreements you have to read before you use a new piece of software? Those are are legally binding, because you've clicked a button labeled "Agree." But for some reason, online retailers can label their buttons "Buy" when they actually mean "Rent," and there's nothing we can do about it save filing a lawsuit.

There should be some campaign to make digital content sellers (books, music, etc) to change the "Buy" label to "Rent".


This is one good reason why books should be stripped of DRM (so Amazon can lock the Kindle all they want) and backup in a third party cloud service or offline.

[GERGE]

I used to read a book in a day in high school, good old days...

[maddz]

These days I'm lucky if I can manage 1 a day... Maybe 3-4 a week with weekend reading. Hopefully this will pick up once I start commuting by bus next month - we're currently driving.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

I envy you people who can get through a book a day! I can only imagine what I could so to my backlog with that kind of speed. Of course I only read on my commute so upping my total reading time would also help. I'd still never get anywhere close to finishing a book in a day though (unless it was a short one)

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

I envy you people who can get through a book a day! I can only imagine what I could so to my backlog with that kind of speed.

You optimist, you.

It doesn't help it keeps on growing ohmygod HELPPPPPPPPP!!!







Reading a book a day is sometimes only good enough to keep it from growing too fast.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

I envy you people who can get through a book a day! I can only imagine what I could so to my backlog with that kind of speed. Of course I only read on my commute so upping my total reading time would also help. I'd still never get anywhere close to finishing a book in a day though (unless it was a short one)

I read while I'm eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner; I read in bed; I read rather than watch TV. It's easy to find time if you look for it.

[issybird]

I tend to find conversations along the lines of "I read more than you. Neener, neener! " to be a little unsettling. I don't see the point, for one thing. Who cares? Why would you feel better about yourself or more inadequate based on how much you read relative to someone else? A book is a meaningless unit anyway in that context, without regard to length or difficulty. People also have varying amounts of free time.

That said, I agree with Harry that you can likely find some extra reading time if you want. Turn off the tv! And one of the beauties of ereading is that it facilitates reading in odd moments. I've got some quality reading done while standing on line at the post office or while stopped at a railroad crossing. Before ereading, I didn't leave the house without a paperback, just in case.

I know the comments were made in fun, but I've never understood the idea of comparing my reading to anyone's but my own.

[Jessica Lares]

I've been reading one a week lately, although took this week off.

DRM enforces the rules. I don't have a problem with it. I strip mine off too of course, but I don't have a issue with the existence of it.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by issybird

I tend to find conversations along the lines of "I read more than you. Neener, neener! " to be a little unsettling. I don't see the point, for one thing. Who cares? Why would you feel better about yourself or more inadequate based on how much you read relative to someone else? A book is a meaningless unit anyway in that context, without regard to length or difficulty. People also have varying amounts of free time.

That said, I agree with Harry that you can likely find some extra reading time if you want. Turn off the tv! And one of the beauties of ereading is that it facilitates reading in odd moments. I've got some quality reading done while standing on line at the post office or while stopped at a railroad crossing. Before ereading, I didn't leave the house without a paperback, just in case.

I know the comments were made in fun, but I've never understood the idea of comparing my reading to anyone's but my own.

I suspect that it's more along the lines of "this is how I do things" rather than bragging. People like to talk about what's important to them.

I've found that my reading speed has slowed down quite a bit as I've gotten older. Some of that is the subject material that I read is more complex, but some is simply that I'm older.

Unlike some in the thread, I tend to re-read books a lot, thus I buy rather than go to the library.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

I suspect that it's more along the lines of "this is how I do things" rather than bragging. People like to talk about what's important to them.

I've found that my reading speed has slowed down quite a bit as I've gotten older. Some of that is the subject material that I read is more complex, but some is simply that I'm older.

Unlike some in the thread, I tend to re-read books a lot, thus I buy rather than go to the library.

You're right, of course. It's not people bragging, it's more those who compare themselves as if they've fallen short of the bar.

When I was younger, I used to re-read favorites, but then I fell prey to the, "so many books, so little time" syndrome. Now I'm reconsidering. The reality is that other than books I read so many times I've internalized them, my memory is imperfect, even for books that left a lasting impression of greatness. Long-term, I plan to work up a list of "books that really need to be re-read." I've already got more than enough planned for my 2016 themes, but I think they'll be on the docket for 2017.

[GERGE]

I read 6-7 novels at once, and finish a book in a month or so. I haven't seen many people reading like me, I was always like this. Before ereaders, I used to carry 2-3 book at minimum with me almost everywhere, changing the ones I carry daily.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by issybird

You're right, of course. It's not people bragging, it's more those who compare themselves as if they've fallen short of the bar.

When I was younger, I used to re-read favorites, but then I fell prey to the, "so many books, so little time" syndrome. Now I'm reconsidering. The reality is that other than books I read so many times I've internalized them, my memory is imperfect, even for books that left a lasting impression of greatness. Long-term, I plan to work up a list of "books that really need to be re-read." I've already got more than enough planned for my 2016 themes, but I think they'll be on the docket for 2017.

I re-read for a couple of reasons. First, I have a terrible memory. It generally takes a couple of readings to get the book to stay in my memory. Earlier in the week, I was listening to an audiobook that I had read as an ebook when it first came out about a year ago. I pulled into the drive way as a crucial plot point was being resolved and couldn't remember how the plot point turned out. I pulled up the ebook just to see.

I also re-read books when I'm in a particular mood and the book fits the mood. (I tend to do that more with YA books that I read) Last, I re-read favorites from time to time. I've probably read LOTR well over a dozen times over the years. Of course, Christopher Lee said in an interview that he re-read LOTR once a year, so we are in good company!

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by GERGE

I read 6-7 novels at once, and finish a book in a month or so. I haven't seen many people reading like me, I was always like this. Before ereaders, I used to carry 2-3 book at minimum with me almost everywhere, changing the ones I carry daily.

I generally am in the process of reading 3 or 4 books at any given time. Certainly, ereaders make this much easier.

[eschwartz]

I too generally am in the middle of several books.