What is it with people and their paper books?

Andrew Kaufman · 08-15-2010, 06:15 PM

For me, getting my Kindle was sort of a no-brainer. Having all my books in one convenient, compact place? Check. Ordering books and then having them within minutes, often at cheaper price (well, it used to be that way)? Check. The list goes on and on. And while more and more people are converting and joining the club, it seems there are still plenty who are holding out and claiming they never will.

Which got me wondering: Why is it, do you suppose, that people refuse to go with e-readers? Is it an emotional thing? An unwillingness to adapt to technological advances? What is it? I've tried to figure this out, but every time I think I have, I really haven't. Can anyone offer some insight?

Andrew E. Kaufman/author

DixieGal · 08-15-2010, 06:36 PM

The cost of the devices is pretty high for casual readers.

6charlong · 08-15-2010, 06:36 PM

I've found several reasons. Obviously eReaders are only useful to people who read a lot. If I read only one book a year, or less, I would find the price ridiculous too. eReaders are for those of us who read lots, which probably explains why Amazon is selling more Kindle books than pBooks.

There are those who read lots and get their books from the library. They also think the Kindle is too expensive.

There are those with some sort of nostalgia for reading and can't transfer that feeling to an electronic device. These folks seem to dislike modernity generally.

Then, there are the rest of us.

carld · 08-15-2010, 06:37 PM

I heard it again today, I was showing my K1 to a pharmacist while I was waiting, and he thought it was an awesome device. He was wondering if schools and universities might move to something like it. An old man waiting with his wife popped up with the usual "I hope not. I like real books." His wife was interested in the Kindle too, especially after I showed her how to increase the font sizes.

foreverjuly · 08-15-2010, 06:46 PM

I think there's a very logical reason for keeping print books around. If you're stranded in the desert, it'll be much easier to burn the paperback than the kindle, which is ironic...because of it's name.

DixieGal · 08-15-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreverjuly

I think there's a very logical reason for keeping print books around. If you're stranded in the desert, it'll be much easier to burn the paperback than the kindle, which is ironic...because of it's name.

nimblem · 08-15-2010, 07:05 PM

Honestly the ONLY reason I went to a ereader was simply because my husband said I couldn't buy anymore till we got more book shelfs... I thought the best way to prevent a "book overload" again was to invest in a ebook reader

DDHarriman · 08-15-2010, 07:15 PM

One answer could be “Luddites” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite).
You get them everywhere… as one gets “blinded by the light” tech pro people, there are also the opposite ones…

Anyway… no problem here… everyday use will be (it’s already being) the final equalizer…

Solicitous · 08-15-2010, 07:23 PM

I think there is also the mindset people are still trying to get over in the concept of buying digital media. iTunes IMHO started it off with buying mp3s and download to your computer/ipod and not actually purchase the physical media. ebooks are the same. People generally feel that buying a product you receive something physical.

My mother-in-law was very interested in ereaders last year when I got mine as she reads ALOT and has a number of bookshelves (she buys books, not borrows). Anyway I sat down and we did a cost analysis of buying the paperback versus buying the ebook, and very quickly the savings paid off the initial price of the reader. But, did she get an ereader? No, she was concerned about not having something infront of her and to show her what she got for her money.

Sheikspeare · 08-15-2010, 08:05 PM

A simple reason: nothing beats the experience of paper!

NavyDad6 · 08-15-2010, 08:09 PM

nimblem-

Same here, except it was my wife that cut me off. Apparently, "under the bed" isn't a good alternative when the bookshelves are full.

So the Kindle was my savior.

No complaints now.

Alisa · 08-15-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheikspeare

A simple reason: nothing beats the experience of paper!

Some people do love it. Personally, it makes me sneeze. Plus a reader is a lot more comfortable for me to hold than a book.

polbit · 08-15-2010, 09:39 PM

While I'm a full convert, and use my Kindle for most of my book reading these days, I can certainly understand how people can prefer reading a paper book. I still love going to an old, small bookstore and going through old, dusty books, or discovering something interesting at a garage sale. One of the main reasons I got an ebook reader was because we started running out of room... Both me and my wife read a lot, so it just made sense.

I remember my first "real" book - three musketeers, in a 1920s, leather-bound cover. An experience that made me appreciate books as a kid. I really don't see that happening with Kindle's edition of three musketeers

Listening to old LP albums seems similar. Great, large covers, the experience of heaving to clean the record before playing it. Just seems like there was more to it. Now you just download an mp3. Again, I have an iPod, and buy most of my music via iTunes, but I think we have lost something here with the digital media.

Hundred years from now, when physical media for books, music, video, etc. is something only talked about in history classes, nobody will care. But now, during the transition phase if you will, it's still a little hard to give it up completely.

estrial · 08-15-2010, 09:46 PM

Geographical restrictions and the difference of formats may put someone that does not want to bother with those off. My mom goes for a walk to the library every week to borrow up to 11 books a week, I asked her If she wanted a kindle. She said that the titles she would read wouldn't be free.

It makes sense to just borrow free from the library especially if they have what you want to read. I on the other hand, never read much paper books. Before I got my kindle, I only read articles online or 1 paper book a year.

Suzanne Tyrpak · 08-15-2010, 09:54 PM

A lot of people haven't discovered they can download kindle for FREE onto their MAC, PC, IPAD. So you don't have to buy a kindle device in order to download books.

Suzanne

08-15-2010, 06:15 PM	#1
Andrew Kaufman Author/Suspense Thrillers Posts: 56 Karma: 4360 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: CA Device: Kindle	What is it with people and their paper books? For me, getting my Kindle was sort of a no-brainer. Having all my books in one convenient, compact place? Check. Ordering books and then having them within minutes, often at cheaper price (well, it used to be that way)? Check. The list goes on and on. And while more and more people are converting and joining the club, it seems there are still plenty who are holding out and claiming they never will. Which got me wondering: Why is it, do you suppose, that people refuse to go with e-readers? Is it an emotional thing? An unwillingness to adapt to technological advances? What is it? I've tried to figure this out, but every time I think I have, I really haven't. Can anyone offer some insight? Andrew E. Kaufman/author

08-15-2010, 09:54 PM	#15
Suzanne Tyrpak writer Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Device: kindle	People don't know they can get Kindle for FREE A lot of people haven't discovered they can download kindle for FREE onto their MAC, PC, IPAD. So you don't have to buy a kindle device in order to download books. Suzanne

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08-15-2010, 06:36 PM	#2
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	The cost of the devices is pretty high for casual readers.

08-15-2010, 06:36 PM	#3
6charlong friendly lurker Posts: 896 Karma: 2436026 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Device: Kindle, nook, Apple and Kobo	I've found several reasons. Obviously eReaders are only useful to people who read a lot. If I read only one book a year, or less, I would find the price ridiculous too. eReaders are for those of us who read lots, which probably explains why Amazon is selling more Kindle books than pBooks. There are those who read lots and get their books from the library. They also think the Kindle is too expensive. There are those with some sort of nostalgia for reading and can't transfer that feeling to an electronic device. These folks seem to dislike modernity generally. Then, there are the rest of us.

08-15-2010, 06:37 PM	#4
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I heard it again today, I was showing my K1 to a pharmacist while I was waiting, and he thought it was an awesome device. He was wondering if schools and universities might move to something like it. An old man waiting with his wife popped up with the usual "I hope not. I like real books." His wife was interested in the Kindle too, especially after I showed her how to increase the font sizes.

08-15-2010, 06:46 PM	#5
foreverjuly Crank Up The Awesome! Posts: 315 Karma: 708054 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Japan Device: Kindle, Nook, iPhone	I think there's a very logical reason for keeping print books around. If you're stranded in the desert, it'll be much easier to burn the paperback than the kindle, which is ironic...because of it's name.

08-15-2010, 07:05 PM	#7
nimblem Addict Posts: 304 Karma: 7102 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Pocket Pro, Kindle Dx	Honestly the ONLY reason I went to a ereader was simply because my husband said I couldn't buy anymore till we got more book shelfs... I thought the best way to prevent a "book overload" again was to invest in a ebook reader

08-15-2010, 07:15 PM	#8
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	One answer could be “Luddites” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite). You get them everywhere… as one gets “blinded by the light” tech pro people, there are also the opposite ones… Anyway… no problem here… everyday use will be (it’s already being) the final equalizer…

08-15-2010, 07:23 PM	#9
Solicitous Wizard Posts: 1,434 Karma: 1525776 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: TAS, Australia Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G	I think there is also the mindset people are still trying to get over in the concept of buying digital media. iTunes IMHO started it off with buying mp3s and download to your computer/ipod and not actually purchase the physical media. ebooks are the same. People generally feel that buying a product you receive something physical. My mother-in-law was very interested in ereaders last year when I got mine as she reads ALOT and has a number of bookshelves (she buys books, not borrows). Anyway I sat down and we did a cost analysis of buying the paperback versus buying the ebook, and very quickly the savings paid off the initial price of the reader. But, did she get an ereader? No, she was concerned about not having something infront of her and to show her what she got for her money.

08-15-2010, 08:05 PM	#10
Sheikspeare Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 290 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: PR-505 / Kindle DX	A simple reason: nothing beats the experience of paper!

08-15-2010, 08:09 PM	#11
NavyDad6 Reading is FUNdamental Posts: 233 Karma: 1516 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WA state Device: Kindle 2	nimblem- Same here, except it was my wife that cut me off. Apparently, "under the bed" isn't a good alternative when the bookshelves are full. So the Kindle was my savior. No complaints now.

08-15-2010, 09:39 PM	#13
polbit Connoisseur Posts: 56 Karma: 29488 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Keller, TX Device: Kindle 4, Kindle HDX 8.9, Yoga 2 Pro	While I'm a full convert, and use my Kindle for most of my book reading these days, I can certainly understand how people can prefer reading a paper book. I still love going to an old, small bookstore and going through old, dusty books, or discovering something interesting at a garage sale. One of the main reasons I got an ebook reader was because we started running out of room... Both me and my wife read a lot, so it just made sense. I remember my first "real" book - three musketeers, in a 1920s, leather-bound cover. An experience that made me appreciate books as a kid. I really don't see that happening with Kindle's edition of three musketeers Listening to old LP albums seems similar. Great, large covers, the experience of heaving to clean the record before playing it. Just seems like there was more to it. Now you just download an mp3. Again, I have an iPod, and buy most of my music via iTunes, but I think we have lost something here with the digital media. Hundred years from now, when physical media for books, music, video, etc. is something only talked about in history classes, nobody will care. But now, during the transition phase if you will, it's still a little hard to give it up completely.

08-15-2010, 09:46 PM	#14
estrial small is good Posts: 95 Karma: 100 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy S	Geographical restrictions and the difference of formats may put someone that does not want to bother with those off. My mom goes for a walk to the library every week to borrow up to 11 books a week, I asked her If she wanted a kindle. She said that the titles she would read wouldn't be free. It makes sense to just borrow free from the library especially if they have what you want to read. I on the other hand, never read much paper books. Before I got my kindle, I only read articles online or 1 paper book a year.