What do you do about ebooks you buy to replace paper books?

ficbot · 09-16-2009, 09:47 AM

I have a few ebooks I bought to replace paper books. For example, The Mists of Avalon is more than 500 pages, so when I was able to get the e-version cheaply, I did so. But this is not a one-day read so I have been putting off re-reading it.

Do those of you who re-buy books in e-version that you read in paper consider these 'already read' for the purpose of things like rating them at Fictionwise or tagging them in Calibre? It feels dishonest a little to rate a book at Fictionwise when I have not read the book I bought. But I did read the story when I had the p-book and I know what rating I would give it.

I am starting to wonder if I am being too much of a stickler about this. Between new books I have bought which are not read yet, library books, public domain books I want to read, freebies from elsewhere etc. I have plenty else to read right now. Having a dozen or so things on my 'to read/rate/review' list which I have technically read already (even if not in ebook form) is maybe counter-productive at this point.

Should I just rate them, clear them off my to-read list for now and just know they are there if I want them later? How do you handle books like this for your own record-keeping/rating/managing?

AnemicOak · 09-16-2009, 10:52 AM

I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't rate them. What difference does it make if you read them as bits or as pulp?

animedude01 · 09-16-2009, 11:03 AM

I agree. I mark them as read as I've read them before. How would you treat a hardcover that you replaced with a paperback? Would you not consider it read because it's now a different format?

I may re-read the e-version, but I would still consider it read

desertgrandma · 09-16-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

Do those of you who re-buy books in e-version that you read in paper consider these 'already read' for the purpose of things like rating them at Fictionwise or tagging them in Calibre? It feels dishonest a little to rate a book at Fictionwise when I have not read the book I bought. But I did read the story when I had the p-book and I know what rating I would give it.

I am starting to wonder if I am being too much of a stickler about this. Between new books I have bought which are not read yet, library books, public domain books I want to read, freebies from elsewhere etc. I have plenty else to read right now. Having a dozen or so things on my 'to read/rate/review' list which I have technically read already (even if not in ebook form) is maybe counter-productive at this point.

If you've read a book, what difference would it make if it is in paper format or e-book format?

You've read the book, period.

So I would say "yes" , you can, and should, rate it.

Now............when you get around to re-reading it, and you find your opinion has changed, you can always go back and change your tag.

Phogg · 09-16-2009, 11:16 AM

I am with the majority on this one.

Unless you wish to rate the book for its formatting.

Elsi · 09-16-2009, 11:16 AM

I keep a spreadsheet of all the books that I have bought from Amazon, Fictionwise, and Webscriptions. I have a column for whether or not the book has been read -- 'y' means that I read the eBook, 'b' means that I read it before I bought the eBook copy.

dmaul1114 · 09-16-2009, 02:11 PM

I kept all the paper books I wanted to keep and got rid of the rest when I moved over the summer.

I won't buy ebooks of any of those paper books.

09-16-2009, 09:47 AM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	What do you do about ebooks you buy to replace paper books? I have a few ebooks I bought to replace paper books. For example, The Mists of Avalon is more than 500 pages, so when I was able to get the e-version cheaply, I did so. But this is not a one-day read so I have been putting off re-reading it. Do those of you who re-buy books in e-version that you read in paper consider these 'already read' for the purpose of things like rating them at Fictionwise or tagging them in Calibre? It feels dishonest a little to rate a book at Fictionwise when I have not read the book I bought. But I did read the story when I had the p-book and I know what rating I would give it. I am starting to wonder if I am being too much of a stickler about this. Between new books I have bought which are not read yet, library books, public domain books I want to read, freebies from elsewhere etc. I have plenty else to read right now. Having a dozen or so things on my 'to read/rate/review' list which I have technically read already (even if not in ebook form) is maybe counter-productive at this point. Should I just rate them, clear them off my to-read list for now and just know they are there if I want them later? How do you handle books like this for your own record-keeping/rating/managing?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tablet computers: Will devices like the iPad replace paper?	EricDP	News	83	10-04-2010 11:59 AM
Why young children require paper books over ebooks (at Teleread)	ficbot	General Discussions	32	09-27-2010 06:50 AM
Fraction of ebooks vs paper books read?	chlorine	Lounge	26	02-15-2009 01:43 PM
Do You Buy eBooks That You Already Own in Paper?	Michele	Sony Reader	28	09-30-2008 08:03 AM
Paper Books or eBooks?	Bob Russell	Lounge	15	05-18-2005 10:14 AM

09-16-2009, 10:52 AM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't rate them. What difference does it make if you read them as bits or as pulp?

09-16-2009, 11:03 AM	#3
animedude01 Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 1200 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: DR1000S, ILIAD2, Nokia n900, Kindle for PC, Astak EZReader Pro	I agree. I mark them as read as I've read them before. How would you treat a hardcover that you replaced with a paperback? Would you not consider it read because it's now a different format? I may re-read the e-version, but I would still consider it read

09-16-2009, 11:16 AM	#5
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I am with the majority on this one. Unless you wish to rate the book for its formatting.

09-16-2009, 11:16 AM	#6
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	I keep a spreadsheet of all the books that I have bought from Amazon, Fictionwise, and Webscriptions. I have a column for whether or not the book has been read -- 'y' means that I read the eBook, 'b' means that I read it before I bought the eBook copy.

09-16-2009, 02:11 PM	#7
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	I kept all the paper books I wanted to keep and got rid of the rest when I moved over the summer. I won't buy ebooks of any of those paper books.