Paperback book woes - Page 2

crossi · 03-03-2014, 12:18 PM

The last time I reread one of my paperbacks I found the small print uncomfortable to read. Even though some of my favorites are not yet available as ebooks I probably won't be reading them again until they are.

GreenMonkey · 03-03-2014, 12:49 PM

I like hardcovers fine - at least you can open them up and the pages stay open. The fat paperbacks are the worst.

PurpleStar · 03-03-2014, 12:53 PM

I never liked trade paperback or hardcovers, always found them too clunky and uncomfortable. A mass market over 500p would be uncomfortable as well. Thank goodness for ebooks!

QuantumIguana · 03-03-2014, 02:53 PM

I can't tell you what to do with your money. If the convenience of having it as an e-book is worth it to you, then go ahead and buy it. If it is not, then read it in paper format. Personally, I'm disinclined to buy an e-book when I already have the paper book, but what I would do ought have no bearing on what you should do.

Fluribus · 03-03-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrilson

So now I'm in a conundrum, do I bite the bullet and buy the ebook, or tough it out? Wish my library carried the ebook.

You are a rabbit and a samurai. Endure the suffering, cut it without mercy, or simply hop along. Choose.

I love big books. Better in hardcover though.

meeera · 03-03-2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemurion

I can still do hardcovers and trade paperbacks, but that's about it.

I used to like hardbacks and TPs too, until I developed joint problems. I can't stand how so many books are only published in TP these days - and those books are often not available as ebooks at my library.

twowheels · 03-03-2014, 08:40 PM

I can't stand pbooks any more. Last summer while on a solo bicycle tour I took a few paperbacks as I didn't want to worry about breaking my Kindle. Hated the experience. Trying to read while eating is a pain as the book closes if you put it down. The wind making the pages flap is a pain. Losing your page due to the bookmark falling out is something I'd nearly forgotten about. Having twice as much text to search for where you last left off (left side AND right side). etc... Worse, laying in my hammock at night and trying to read while holding a flashlight which puts a bright spot right in the middle of the page was horrible. I finally found that if I took my sheet of paper that I was using as a bookmark and held it over the lens of the flashlight it would diffuse the light well [wish I'd have figured that one out as kid!], but it was nowhere as nice as my Paperwhite!

I think I'll just risk the Kindle next time.

Victoria · 03-03-2014, 08:52 PM

I'm firmly in the 'I hate paperbacks" camp now - they are too uncomfortable. I also resent thinking about storing them afterwards, so if I can't buy the book in an ebook format, I pass on the book. But if you are just going to read it once, and have the library copy.....

soulfuldog · 03-04-2014, 07:57 AM

Tough it out and just finish the book. Then let it serve you as a reminder of just how much you love your ereader and never be tempted to just pick up a cheap/library paperback again!

I was given 3 books as a gift not long after I'd bought my Kindle. Just standard paperbacks so not too big nor thick, but I hated holding them open to turn pages, and couldn't get as comfortable lying in my bed reading compared to the ease of using my Kindle. I read them, but it just made me appreciate my Kindle even more and I haven't read another physical book since.

Anthem · 03-04-2014, 10:14 AM

My experience has been the opposite. With my beloved e-readers I find that there are really only one or two ways for me to hold them (being thin flat rectangular slabs of plastic and glass) and my hands will begin to get stress points due to all of the monotony. Especially due to the fact that I can't put my thumbs on the screen somewhere, which is exactly where my thumbs want to go to be relaxed but I have to force them to the side or bottom, which is stressful over time.

With paper books one of the primary advantages for me is the myriad of different ways that I can hold them. So I try to toss a paper book in every once in awhile between the ebooks.

PurpleStar · 03-04-2014, 11:41 AM

I'm reading the paperback I got from the library now. At first it was a problem to hold and my hands were sore/cramped and was tempted to give up and get the ebook. But now I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bother me to hold anymore. I just miss the Kobo Glo light! lol There is an adjustment period for sure, but I will be able to finish it, since it's such a little book, only 218 pages.

arturg · 03-04-2014, 11:56 AM

I try to support ebooks as much as one person can support in order to make them more successful here in Finland, so in a way I am boycotting paperbooks. If the book is available only in paper version I bombard the publisher just to make them publish it in ebook and get rid of me

Anthem · 03-04-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arturg

If the book is available only in paper version I bombard the publisher just to make them publish it in ebook and get rid of me

Nice!

Jarulf · 03-05-2014, 03:01 AM

Somewhat ironically I work in a second hand book store. The other week a customer gave us a bunch of fantasy paperbacks and suggested I read one or two before putting them on the shop shelves. I took a couple of them home, and started reading the first. It lasted about half a page before I gave up and got it from Google Books instead.

This was a fairly averaged sized paperback, but the tiny print and the weight made me realize I'd have to struggle to finish it. I'm middle-aged, near-sighted and prefer to read without glasses when possible, and have trouble with pain in my hands and arms.
It was no contest.

Waylander · 03-05-2014, 09:27 AM

I'll probably raise some hackles but here goes. I don't see what the problem is! A MMPB is not that heavy! I know they have a lot of pages, but they do not weigh that much, even after reading from them for a long time. Also, if the font is too small, wear glasses. I do and it's then fine. The amount if complaints about paper books makes it sound as though you are all going through torture. A little perspective please! If you have an eye condition for instance and find reading from paper difficult then that is another matter, but reading a p-book is not the horrible chore it is being made out to be.

03-03-2014, 12:49 PM	#17
GreenMonkey DRM hater Posts: 945 Karma: 2066176 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Device: Nook ST glow, Kindle Voyage	I like hardcovers fine - at least you can open them up and the pages stay open. The fat paperbacks are the worst. Last edited by GreenMonkey; 03-04-2014 at 11:38 AM.

03-04-2014, 11:41 AM	#26
PurpleStar Wizard Posts: 1,625 Karma: 11387182 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)	I'm reading the paperback I got from the library now. At first it was a problem to hold and my hands were sore/cramped and was tempted to give up and get the ebook. But now I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bother me to hold anymore. I just miss the Kobo Glo light! lol There is an adjustment period for sure, but I will be able to finish it, since it's such a little book, only 218 pages. Last edited by PurpleStar; 03-04-2014 at 11:43 AM.

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03-03-2014, 12:18 PM	#16
crossi Guru Posts: 997 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	The last time I reread one of my paperbacks I found the small print uncomfortable to read. Even though some of my favorites are not yet available as ebooks I probably won't be reading them again until they are.

03-03-2014, 12:53 PM	#18
PurpleStar Wizard Posts: 1,625 Karma: 11387182 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)	I never liked trade paperback or hardcovers, always found them too clunky and uncomfortable. A mass market over 500p would be uncomfortable as well. Thank goodness for ebooks!

03-03-2014, 02:53 PM	#19
QuantumIguana Philosopher Posts: 2,034 Karma: 18736532 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch	I can't tell you what to do with your money. If the convenience of having it as an e-book is worth it to you, then go ahead and buy it. If it is not, then read it in paper format. Personally, I'm disinclined to buy an e-book when I already have the paper book, but what I would do ought have no bearing on what you should do.

03-03-2014, 08:40 PM	#22
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,854 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	I can't stand pbooks any more. Last summer while on a solo bicycle tour I took a few paperbacks as I didn't want to worry about breaking my Kindle. Hated the experience. Trying to read while eating is a pain as the book closes if you put it down. The wind making the pages flap is a pain. Losing your page due to the bookmark falling out is something I'd nearly forgotten about. Having twice as much text to search for where you last left off (left side AND right side). etc... Worse, laying in my hammock at night and trying to read while holding a flashlight which puts a bright spot right in the middle of the page was horrible. I finally found that if I took my sheet of paper that I was using as a bookmark and held it over the lens of the flashlight it would diffuse the light well [wish I'd have figured that one out as kid!], but it was nowhere as nice as my Paperwhite! I think I'll just risk the Kindle next time.

03-03-2014, 08:52 PM	#23
Victoria Wizard Posts: 1,017 Karma: 19767610 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Canada Device: ipad, Kindle PW, Kobo Clara; iphone 7	I'm firmly in the 'I hate paperbacks" camp now - they are too uncomfortable. I also resent thinking about storing them afterwards, so if I can't buy the book in an ebook format, I pass on the book. But if you are just going to read it once, and have the library copy.....

03-04-2014, 07:57 AM	#24
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	Tough it out and just finish the book. Then let it serve you as a reminder of just how much you love your ereader and never be tempted to just pick up a cheap/library paperback again! I was given 3 books as a gift not long after I'd bought my Kindle. Just standard paperbacks so not too big nor thick, but I hated holding them open to turn pages, and couldn't get as comfortable lying in my bed reading compared to the ease of using my Kindle. I read them, but it just made me appreciate my Kindle even more and I haven't read another physical book since.

03-04-2014, 10:14 AM	#25
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	My experience has been the opposite. With my beloved e-readers I find that there are really only one or two ways for me to hold them (being thin flat rectangular slabs of plastic and glass) and my hands will begin to get stress points due to all of the monotony. Especially due to the fact that I can't put my thumbs on the screen somewhere, which is exactly where my thumbs want to go to be relaxed but I have to force them to the side or bottom, which is stressful over time. With paper books one of the primary advantages for me is the myriad of different ways that I can hold them. So I try to toss a paper book in every once in awhile between the ebooks.

03-04-2014, 11:56 AM	#27
arturg Zealot Posts: 148 Karma: 483146 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Helsinki, Finland Device: Kindle PaperWhite 5 (10th gen)	I try to support ebooks as much as one person can support in order to make them more successful here in Finland, so in a way I am boycotting paperbooks. If the book is available only in paper version I bombard the publisher just to make them publish it in ebook and get rid of me

03-05-2014, 03:01 AM	#29
Jarulf Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sweden Device: iriver story hd, Nexus 4, Nexus 7	Somewhat ironically I work in a second hand book store. The other week a customer gave us a bunch of fantasy paperbacks and suggested I read one or two before putting them on the shop shelves. I took a couple of them home, and started reading the first. It lasted about half a page before I gave up and got it from Google Books instead. This was a fairly averaged sized paperback, but the tiny print and the weight made me realize I'd have to struggle to finish it. I'm middle-aged, near-sighted and prefer to read without glasses when possible, and have trouble with pain in my hands and arms. It was no contest.

03-05-2014, 09:27 AM	#30
Waylander Guru Posts: 667 Karma: 2905052 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 5 16GB, Kindle Paperwhite 6, Kobo Clara,	I'll probably raise some hackles but here goes. I don't see what the problem is! A MMPB is not that heavy! I know they have a lot of pages, but they do not weigh that much, even after reading from them for a long time. Also, if the font is too small, wear glasses. I do and it's then fine. The amount if complaints about paper books makes it sound as though you are all going through torture. A little perspective please! If you have an eye condition for instance and find reading from paper difficult then that is another matter, but reading a p-book is not the horrible chore it is being made out to be.

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