What Do You Do When A Book Isn't Available For eReaders?

Keryl Raist · 02-02-2011, 03:44 PM

So, what do you do when the book you want to read only comes in the Dead Tree Version?

My hubby recently ran into one that didn't have an e version, and was reminded why he doesn't like DTBs anymore. He hasn't gotten to the point of not being willing to read a book anymore, but he's awfully close.

How about the rest of you? Will you still read DTBs?

Belle2Be · 02-02-2011, 03:49 PM

Sure, why not?

queentess · 02-02-2011, 03:49 PM

Just to forewarn you, this is going to turn into a piracy thread...

Camp Arrrr: If it's not available as an ebook, I will simply pirate it. Author is refusing me something I want.

Camp Middle-Ground: I'll buy the pbook, then pirate the ebook. Author still gets paid, I get what I want.

Camp Angel: It's the author's right not to sell you a book in e-format. Forget about the book and move on to something else. There are plenty of other ebooks out there to read!

Did I cover all the viewpoints?

Pomtroll · 02-02-2011, 03:53 PM

I still buy the DTB But usually only when I have to read it for my book club.

TGS · 02-02-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queentess

Just to forewarn you, this is going to turn into a piracy thread...

Camp Arrrr: If it's not available as an ebook, I will simply pirate it. Author is refusing me something I want.

Camp Middle-Ground: I'll buy the pbook, then pirate the ebook. Author still gets paid, I get what I want.

Camp Angel: It's the author's right not to sell you a book in e-format. Forget about the book and move on to something else. There are plenty of other ebooks out there to read!

Did I cover all the viewpoints?

How about Middle-ish Arrr : I'll get the book out the library, scan and OCR it and the put it on my reader, and let my mate have a copy?

HarryT · 02-02-2011, 03:55 PM

Of course. Owning an ebook reader doesn't prevent one from reading paper books.

Caltsar · 02-02-2011, 03:58 PM

I have in the past bought (or in one case borrowed from the library since it was out of print) the dead tree version, scanned it, ran it through OCR software, then proofread and assembled the final version into an eBook. I only go through this much trouble for books I love and read over and over.

There are also books I have pirated because I already own them in paperback... surprisingly I've ended up rebuying the eBook version on a lot of them because it can be such a pain to find a good copy and my time is worth more than the cost of rebuying eBooks as I want to read them. (The pirated copies have really become placeholders in calibre to remind me the book is on my shelf so I don't forget I own it when I'm looking for my next book to read. :P)

Maggie Leung · 02-02-2011, 03:59 PM

Buy print.

ficbot · 02-02-2011, 04:01 PM

Usually, I read something else. Most books I read are either best-sellers, which generally have an ebook edition, or else are stockpiled ebooks I have purchased but not gotten to yet. I also read indie books, and books from here. There is plenty to read. If something is not available, I will read a different book.

Belle2Be · 02-02-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queentess

Just to forewarn you, this is going to turn into a piracy thread...

Camp Arrrr: If it's not available as an ebook, I will simply pirate it. Author is refusing me something I want.

Camp Middle-Ground: I'll buy the pbook, then pirate the ebook. Author still gets paid, I get what I want.

Camp Angel: It's the author's right not to sell you a book in e-format. Forget about the book and move on to something else. There are plenty of other ebooks out there to read!

Did I cover all the viewpoints?

It doesn't have to turn into a piracy debate. The question was simple, if there isn't a digital version (and one can assume that it doesn't exist, regardless of the means) then would you still read it in DTB form.

ProfCrash · 02-02-2011, 04:06 PM

I have not read many DTB since I got my Kindle 2 years ago. I have tried but I just did not like the feel of it.

If a book is not available as an e-book, I will normally just find something else to read.

There has been one expection to this and that is the Harry Potter books. I have re-read them many times. I wanted to re-read them and was not feeling holding the first book and dreading holding books 4-7. I have them on my Kindle. It took me close to two years to get to the point where I said screw it.

I have bought the hardback versions and the paperback versions. When JKR removes the stick in her behind I will happily buy the ebook versions.

99.99% of the time I just shrug and find something else to read.

Keryl Raist · 02-02-2011, 04:08 PM

Yeah, I wasn't looking for a piracy debate, more a 'are you willing to put up with a paper copy?' debate.

I don't pirate books (music, video, etc...) so it didn't even occur to me that was on the list of options. If it's not an eread and I really want to read it (Harry Potter) I'll do the DTB, if it's not on the top tier to read list, I go to the next book on the list.

amoroso · 02-02-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keryl Raist

So, what do you do when the book you want to read only comes in the Dead Tree Version?

Most of the time, I don't buy the DTV.

queentess · 02-02-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belle2Be

It doesn't have to turn into a piracy debate. The question was simple, if there isn't a digital version (and one can assume that it doesn't exist, regardless of the means) then would you still read it in DTB form.

The question was "So, what do you do when the book you want to read only comes in the Dead Tree Version?" [emp mine]

There are many many answers to that question, and it doesn't have to be as cut and dry as "I will read the DTB".

I've tried reading pbooks since getting my ereader, and I just don't enjoy the experience. The books I tend to read are big heavy monstrosities, and I miss the convenience of a dictionary right at my fingertip. If it's less than 200 pages, I might consider it. Maybe.

The only pbooks I still read are cookbooks, crafting (knitting, etc) books, and children's books.

twowheels · 02-02-2011, 04:15 PM

I have a book that I really wanted to read that I purchased and started reading just before getting my Kindle. It's about 3/4 complete and has been sitting gathering dust ever since.

02-02-2011, 03:44 PM	#1
Keryl Raist Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 379182 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Device: Kindle for PC	What Do You Do When A Book Isn't Available For eReaders? So, what do you do when the book you want to read only comes in the Dead Tree Version? My hubby recently ran into one that didn't have an e version, and was reminded why he doesn't like DTBs anymore. He hasn't gotten to the point of not being willing to read a book anymore, but he's awfully close. How about the rest of you? Will you still read DTBs?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to eReaders	da2zoe	Introduce Yourself	5	01-22-2011 02:34 PM
ereaders for the uk	redbaron101	Which one should I buy?	32	09-04-2009 01:50 PM
eReaders for the book-averse	sigma8	Which one should I buy?	9	02-22-2009 11:11 PM
new to ereaders	davidhrtly	Introduce Yourself	3	09-10-2008 01:06 PM
Ereaders: the final chapter for the book?	M.H.	News	23	07-14-2008 09:33 AM

02-02-2011, 03:49 PM	#2
Belle2Be Peace, Love, and Books Posts: 355 Karma: 1242738 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3(3g), NookColor	Sure, why not?

02-02-2011, 03:49 PM	#3
queentess Reading is sexy Posts: 1,303 Karma: 544517 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	Just to forewarn you, this is going to turn into a piracy thread... Camp Arrrr: If it's not available as an ebook, I will simply pirate it. Author is refusing me something I want. Camp Middle-Ground: I'll buy the pbook, then pirate the ebook. Author still gets paid, I get what I want. Camp Angel: It's the author's right not to sell you a book in e-format. Forget about the book and move on to something else. There are plenty of other ebooks out there to read! Did I cover all the viewpoints?

02-02-2011, 03:53 PM	#4
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I still buy the DTB But usually only when I have to read it for my book club.

02-02-2011, 03:55 PM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Of course. Owning an ebook reader doesn't prevent one from reading paper books.

02-02-2011, 03:58 PM	#7
Caltsar Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 86951 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Device: nook Touch, iPad, iPhone	I have in the past bought (or in one case borrowed from the library since it was out of print) the dead tree version, scanned it, ran it through OCR software, then proofread and assembled the final version into an eBook. I only go through this much trouble for books I love and read over and over. There are also books I have pirated because I already own them in paperback... surprisingly I've ended up rebuying the eBook version on a lot of them because it can be such a pain to find a good copy and my time is worth more than the cost of rebuying eBooks as I want to read them. (The pirated copies have really become placeholders in calibre to remind me the book is on my shelf so I don't forget I own it when I'm looking for my next book to read. :P)

02-02-2011, 03:59 PM	#8
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	Buy print.

02-02-2011, 04:01 PM	#9
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Usually, I read something else. Most books I read are either best-sellers, which generally have an ebook edition, or else are stockpiled ebooks I have purchased but not gotten to yet. I also read indie books, and books from here. There is plenty to read. If something is not available, I will read a different book.

02-02-2011, 04:06 PM	#11
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I have not read many DTB since I got my Kindle 2 years ago. I have tried but I just did not like the feel of it. If a book is not available as an e-book, I will normally just find something else to read. There has been one expection to this and that is the Harry Potter books. I have re-read them many times. I wanted to re-read them and was not feeling holding the first book and dreading holding books 4-7. I have them on my Kindle. It took me close to two years to get to the point where I said screw it. I have bought the hardback versions and the paperback versions. When JKR removes the stick in her behind I will happily buy the ebook versions. 99.99% of the time I just shrug and find something else to read.

02-02-2011, 04:08 PM	#12
Keryl Raist Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 379182 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Device: Kindle for PC	Yeah, I wasn't looking for a piracy debate, more a 'are you willing to put up with a paper copy?' debate. I don't pirate books (music, video, etc...) so it didn't even occur to me that was on the list of options. If it's not an eread and I really want to read it (Harry Potter) I'll do the DTB, if it's not on the top tier to read list, I go to the next book on the list.

02-02-2011, 04:15 PM	#15
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,855 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	I have a book that I really wanted to read that I purchased and started reading just before getting my Kindle. It's about 3/4 complete and has been sitting gathering dust ever since.