Several People have asked about my eReader. . . - Page 2

SeaBookGuy · 02-01-2011, 01:34 PM

I don't think my university has a football team, but its hockey team members are Gods. Having Stephen King as an alumnus doesn't hurt either!

jlbfoot · 02-01-2011, 01:51 PM

I just tell them, "Paper books are for pussies", and then vomit. That usually shuts them up.

Disclaimer: Actually, the people that I've met are usually just interested, not snobbish about the ebook.

Anthem · 02-01-2011, 02:08 PM

I don't even explain it to them.

I just tell them that e-readers are fun and if you love reading you'll love an e-ink reader. Just more reading, what rabid reader could complain about that?

Caltsar · 02-01-2011, 02:11 PM

I have, on occasion, loaned an eBook reader to these people for a week. Usually by day three they buy their own.

In fact, I myself was a skeptic of eInk eBook readers before I got my nook with the reasoning "if I don't like it, it's another gadget for my collection." Now I'm inseparable!

Sydney's Mom · 02-01-2011, 02:59 PM

I get "I wish I had time to read. I'm just too busy" And what am I, chopped liver? I have a full time job, a teenage daughter, and I work out 6 days a week. And I read a minimum of an hour and a half (1 hour waiting for and on the train, half hour before bed) a day. I feel like saying "I don't have time to watch Dancing with the Stars", but I would probably get shot. Really

Fayth · 02-01-2011, 03:07 PM

I haven't had my reader for long, but this very thing happened to me a few weeks ago. Someone starts talking to me, asks a bunch of questions about my PRS350, then says "Well, I couldn't use one of those, I like the feel of a real book in my hands." It just baffles me! Whats the point of asking about it if you already decided you'll never want one?!?

I haven't even bothered trying to explain how I actually prefer holding my ereader to holding a physical book. Physical books are way heavier and awkward to read in bed.

I have also realized that I might as well call my reader Sony's Kindle because that's the only thing most of them understand. Kudos to Amazon, clearly their marketing is working well. :P

jbcohen · 02-01-2011, 03:10 PM

Yeah and how many real books do they have at home, enough to take over a few rooms of the house if you are like me. My mrs swears that we bought the home to have a place for me to put my books.

ProfCrash · 02-01-2011, 03:16 PM

If someone says that to me I normally say "That is nice, I like having 500 books in my purse."

To each their own. Until you have held one and used one you don't really understand why they are cool.

jbcohen · 02-01-2011, 03:30 PM

Had that conversation some time ago my point is:

1) Real books are great until they start taking over several rooms of your home like mine have.

2) I recall being a starving undergraduate carrying about four 100 pound text books, those were great days <not>. Now all they need is one electronic reader.

3) Love to read, can't seem time to find get to the library or the bookstore.

4) Oh, you like paying more for the dead wood book.

5) And you have a library and/or book store in your area, gee wish I did.

ManosHandsOfFate · 02-01-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Come on. We get this with most things. I have a nice digital camera so I hear, "I prefer film." I live in Mexico so people ask my why when they really don't care why I live in Mexico. They just want a chance to tell me why they would hate living in Mexico.

I've started saying, "I don't care." "I prefer film." "I don't care. I didn't ask you why you didn't have a digital camera, did I? You asked me why I had a digital and I don't really care why you don't."

"I think the reading experience is better with paper books." "I don't care." "What do you mean?" "I don't care what you think. That's why I didn't ask you what you think. You asked me a question, I answered your question, now why did you think I'd care what you think."

I have been called snarky by some, and I didn't care for their opinion, either, but to get real snark, people need to start telling me why I should have bought an IPad. No, Virginia, I don't care about that opinion, either.

patrickt the party animal!

hal2814 · 02-01-2011, 03:55 PM

I just tell them the truth: "I used to feel exactly the same way. Then I found a book online that was long out of print so I bought a Kindle to read it. I've been hooked ever since."

GA Russell · 02-01-2011, 05:45 PM

I had this conversation with my sister a few weeks ago.

I told her that all the eBooks I read are free, and that my jetBook Lite paid for itself in three months. So now I'm reading for free. (Thanks Patricia and Harry and Munceys!)

I also told her that many of the books that I read in 2010 are out of print in their paper editions.

Under the Covers · 02-01-2011, 05:58 PM

My response? "I used to feel that way too, but now when I read a paper book, I end up wanting to double-tap a word to bring up a definition, and ... oops ... can't. And I can't increase the print size for my older eyes, and it won't remember which page I was on when I put it down, and DTBs are harder and often heavier to hold ... but, hey, whatever floats your boat."

I find that with humor I can slip in a few points they might actually think about later on. Arguing or attacking merely causes the other person's defenses to automatically go up.

khalleron · 02-01-2011, 07:57 PM

I used to be such a bookworm, then I began to gradually read less and less until I was hardly reading anything at all.

I didn't realize why until I got my Sony, and could change the font sizes. Apparently my eyes had gradually deteriorated to the point that reading was just no fun anymore.

Within 2 months, I had read more books than the previous 2 years.

As to the paper vs. e- debate, I can't go back. Everytime I've been forced to read a paper book since then, it's been an exercise in frustration.

Besides, my M-edge leather cover is MUCH nicer than the feel of most paper books.

I think most people who make the 'I love the feel of real books' comment are really trying to come up with an excuse for not spending $100-200 on another device, but real readers will love it once they try it, especially older ones.

teadonkey · 02-01-2011, 09:05 PM

Since I bring my Kindle to school and read between class, I get asked all sorts of questions by all sorts of people. I have the Amazon lighted cover for mine, so I often times hold it like a book. That pretty much ends the discussion of "holding a real book". I've only had one person say that to me, and I agreed with them and opened my case to demonstrate. (: I don't get snippy about it. I understand that eReaders aren't for everyone, and the beauty of living right now is that there is an option. In the future there might not be, but for now, if you want paper, you can have paper.

I also always tell people I have really little hands so holding open a paperback book for an extended period of time seriously makes my hands sore. Especially if they're the smaller paperbacks that are cheaper, the ones I generally bought.

02-01-2011, 03:30 PM	#24
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Had that conversation some time ago my point is: 1) Real books are great until they start taking over several rooms of your home like mine have. 2) I recall being a starving undergraduate carrying about four 100 pound text books, those were great days <not>. Now all they need is one electronic reader. 3) Love to read, can't seem time to find get to the library or the bookstore. 4) Oh, you like paying more for the dead wood book. 5) And you have a library and/or book store in your area, gee wish I did. Last edited by jbcohen; 02-01-2011 at 03:34 PM.

02-01-2011, 07:57 PM	#29
khalleron Kate Posts: 1,700 Karma: 3605799 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oregon, United States Device: MeeBook, Kobo Libra Colour	I used to be such a bookworm, then I began to gradually read less and less until I was hardly reading anything at all. I didn't realize why until I got my Sony, and could change the font sizes. Apparently my eyes had gradually deteriorated to the point that reading was just no fun anymore. Within 2 months, I had read more books than the previous 2 years. As to the paper vs. e- debate, I can't go back. Everytime I've been forced to read a paper book since then, it's been an exercise in frustration. Besides, my M-edge leather cover is MUCH nicer than the feel of most paper books. I think most people who make the 'I love the feel of real books' comment are really trying to come up with an excuse for not spending $100-200 on another device, but real readers will love it once they try it, especially older ones. Last edited by khalleron; 02-02-2011 at 08:44 AM.

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02-01-2011, 01:34 PM	#16
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I don't think my university has a football team, but its hockey team members are Gods. Having Stephen King as an alumnus doesn't hurt either!

02-01-2011, 01:51 PM	#17
jlbfoot idiot Posts: 91 Karma: 16 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Grand Cayman Device: Sony 505, 300, and 650	I just tell them, "Paper books are for pussies", and then vomit. That usually shuts them up. Disclaimer: Actually, the people that I've met are usually just interested, not snobbish about the ebook.

02-01-2011, 02:08 PM	#18
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	I don't even explain it to them. I just tell them that e-readers are fun and if you love reading you'll love an e-ink reader. Just more reading, what rabid reader could complain about that?

02-01-2011, 02:11 PM	#19
Caltsar Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 86951 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Device: nook Touch, iPad, iPhone	I have, on occasion, loaned an eBook reader to these people for a week. Usually by day three they buy their own. In fact, I myself was a skeptic of eInk eBook readers before I got my nook with the reasoning "if I don't like it, it's another gadget for my collection." Now I'm inseparable!

02-01-2011, 02:59 PM	#20
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	I get "I wish I had time to read. I'm just too busy" And what am I, chopped liver? I have a full time job, a teenage daughter, and I work out 6 days a week. And I read a minimum of an hour and a half (1 hour waiting for and on the train, half hour before bed) a day. I feel like saying "I don't have time to watch Dancing with the Stars", but I would probably get shot. Really

02-01-2011, 03:07 PM	#21
Fayth Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 1337 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS 350	I haven't had my reader for long, but this very thing happened to me a few weeks ago. Someone starts talking to me, asks a bunch of questions about my PRS350, then says "Well, I couldn't use one of those, I like the feel of a real book in my hands." It just baffles me! Whats the point of asking about it if you already decided you'll never want one?!? I haven't even bothered trying to explain how I actually prefer holding my ereader to holding a physical book. Physical books are way heavier and awkward to read in bed. I have also realized that I might as well call my reader Sony's Kindle because that's the only thing most of them understand. Kudos to Amazon, clearly their marketing is working well. :P

02-01-2011, 03:10 PM	#22
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Yeah and how many real books do they have at home, enough to take over a few rooms of the house if you are like me. My mrs swears that we bought the home to have a place for me to put my books.

02-01-2011, 03:16 PM	#23
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	If someone says that to me I normally say "That is nice, I like having 500 books in my purse." To each their own. Until you have held one and used one you don't really understand why they are cool.

02-01-2011, 03:55 PM	#26
hal2814 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 2460 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 2	I just tell them the truth: "I used to feel exactly the same way. Then I found a book online that was long out of print so I bought a Kindle to read it. I've been hooked ever since."

02-01-2011, 05:45 PM	#27
GA Russell Stampeders are hot! Posts: 7,692 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	I had this conversation with my sister a few weeks ago. I told her that all the eBooks I read are free, and that my jetBook Lite paid for itself in three months. So now I'm reading for free. (Thanks Patricia and Harry and Munceys!) I also told her that many of the books that I read in 2010 are out of print in their paper editions.

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02-01-2011, 05:58 PM	#28
Under the Covers Night Reader Posts: 127 Karma: 4314 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rocky Mountains (US) Device: Sony PRS-650	My response? "I used to feel that way too, but now when I read a paper book, I end up wanting to double-tap a word to bring up a definition, and ... oops ... can't. And I can't increase the print size for my older eyes, and it won't remember which page I was on when I put it down, and DTBs are harder and often heavier to hold ... but, hey, whatever floats your boat." I find that with humor I can slip in a few points they might actually think about later on. Arguing or attacking merely causes the other person's defenses to automatically go up.

02-01-2011, 09:05 PM	#30
teadonkey Zealot Posts: 132 Karma: 2179008 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	Since I bring my Kindle to school and read between class, I get asked all sorts of questions by all sorts of people. I have the Amazon lighted cover for mine, so I often times hold it like a book. That pretty much ends the discussion of "holding a real book". I've only had one person say that to me, and I agreed with them and opened my case to demonstrate. (: I don't get snippy about it. I understand that eReaders aren't for everyone, and the beauty of living right now is that there is an option. In the future there might not be, but for now, if you want paper, you can have paper. I also always tell people I have really little hands so holding open a paperback book for an extended period of time seriously makes my hands sore. Especially if they're the smaller paperbacks that are cheaper, the ones I generally bought.