Getting back to paper books... - Page 2

Blossom · 06-13-2016, 10:26 PM

My library has monthly sales where you can buy a paper sack of books for $1-$2. I can't pass that up and it supports my local library. The bag is stapled shut so you don't get to see what you are getting but they do have the genre written on the bag.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

darryl · 06-13-2016, 10:35 PM

Since I bought my first Sony ereader years ago I've read one paper book and that was borrowed from the library. I have no plans to do it again.

Sweetpea · 06-14-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryem

What I didn't realize until about 20 years ago, about the time I retired, was that over the years I'd lost the ability to write. I can still sign my name and if I have to put something on paper I print it. If it's short and there's a reason to write it I'll try but I usually get stuck along the way. Silly as it seems, I don't remember how.

That'll never happen to me as I do write a lot still. Just not using paper

(got a boogie board, a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and an Asus VivoTab Note 8)

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryem

Right now the idea of reading a paperback is more than a little bit scary. I've been tempted to do it and overcome that because I'm sure I really can, but I can't talk myself into wanting to. I'm not sure there's any point. There are a few books only available in paper but there are so many wonderful books in digital format that it's just not worth the effort.

There a serie of books I'd love to read. But I just cannot get myself to pick up the paper versions (which I do have!), so I keep finding other books to read. If they'd ever come out electronically, I'd buy them again, without even thinking twice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I only buy paper books when there's no ebook available. The immediacy of ebooks holds a lot of value for me. So in the rare event that the paper version of the book I want to read is a few dollars less than the ebook, the wait (and potential shipping charges) cancels any percieved "savings" for me.

Even though I very rarely have to, I've always been willing to pay more for the book format I prefer.

If there's no ebook available, I won't buy it. The only reason I'd buy a paper book is because it would look good in my library. Which is boxed atm, so no book buying at all anyway, right now.

jscris · 06-14-2016, 10:23 AM

This seems in the early stages but may have promise: http://www.shelfie.com/

rraod · 06-14-2016, 12:25 PM

I started buying books from around 1970 onwards and continued to buy them until year 2000. These include fiction novels, hobbyist, technical (mainly computer books) and magazines (both photography and computer).

From 2000 onwards the internet has become easily affordable and most of the information I was seeking was there on internet and my buying books has gradually come to a halt.

Since then, my reading has become completely electronic. In last 16 years, I can hardly count the printed books I bought on my fingertips.

Initially I was reading books on desktops and laptop computers. When my son gifted us a Kindle in 2013, I got hooked to the e-paper and the rest is history...

GeoffR · 06-14-2016, 01:31 PM

I haven't been tempted to buy paper books because of price before, most of the ebooks I have bought were much cheaper than the cheapest paperback edition. However I recently noticed a trick by one publisher where a series is published only as individual ebooks but as a paperback omnibus edition. In that case it works out cheaper to buy the paperback omnibus than all of the individual ebooks. (e.g. Michael Moorcock's backlist being published by Gollancz.)

jscris · 06-14-2016, 01:58 PM

I gave up paper books back when I got the first kindle and have been ridiculed for buying a book scanner and scanning some print books. Guess who's now using the book scanner because reading on his kindle is so much more convenient.

There's an app called Shelfie that lets you scan your book barcodes or spines to find digital editions. Their hope is to be able to provide digital editions free or at a discount for books we already own in paper. Available for IOS and Android.

barryem · 06-14-2016, 10:20 PM

If I'm not mistaken Shelfie only works for books that are readily available in ebook format. That helps cut the price and it's a good thing but when there's no ebook it's no help.

I live in a retirement home and a number of people here read, a few on Kindles or Kobos and most in paperbacks. What always surprises me is how they'll share a grocery bag of books with one another with no care for what they might contain. Quite a few of them, when I ask them what they like to read, can't name an author or a title. They just read whatever might be in the next bag of books they get. They begin each book and if they enjoy it they keep reading.

I can't really fault those people; they're reading both good and bad books, at least by my tastes, and plenty of both. It's easy to say they have no taste but it's just as easy to say they're open-minded. I can't imagine reading that way but they seem to enjoy their reading as much as I do.

I did loan an old Kobo to a woman last year with about a hundred books on it because I couldn't get her to tell me what she liked. When she bought her own she returned it and said she'd read every book that didn't have curse words in it. If one did she stopped and went to another book.

Barry

pwalker8 · 06-15-2016, 07:16 AM

I typically buy only 3 to 5 paper books a year. These are specialized books that aren't available in ebook format and are unlikely to appear in ebook format in the near future. They are mostly history books aimed at a relatively small audience and in most cases were written well before computers became common. My most recent was replacing my copy of Dupuy's Encyclopedia of Military History: From 3500 BC to Present (where present is around 1990). A great book for those really into the subject, but not exactly NYT best seller material.

Hopefully, once they eventually fall into public domain (assuming that ever happens as copyright is expanded whenever the Mouse approaches PD), they will become available.

BearMountainBooks · 06-15-2016, 01:50 PM

I still buy paperbacks. I had stopped for a while, but there's no competing with the used price of some paperbacks. I'd much rather the author get my money, not have to store them (or take them to GW) but the economics are what they are. The last two books I bought were ebooks, but the two before that were both paperback.

BearMountainBooks · 06-15-2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryem

If I'm not mistaken Shelfie only works for books that are readily available in ebook format. That helps cut the price and it's a good thing but when there's no ebook it's no help.

I live in a retirement home and a number of people here read, a few on Kindles or Kobos and most in paperbacks. What always surprises me is how they'll share a grocery bag of books with one another with no care for what they might contain. Quite a few of them, when I ask them what they like to read, can't name an author or a title. They just read whatever might be in the next bag of books they get. They begin each book and if they enjoy it they keep reading.

I can't really fault those people; they're reading both good and bad books, at least by my tastes, and plenty of both. It's easy to say they have no taste but it's just as easy to say they're open-minded. I can't imagine reading that way but they seem to enjoy their reading as much as I do.

I did loan an old Kobo to a woman last year with about a hundred books on it because I couldn't get her to tell me what she liked. When she bought her own she returned it and said she'd read every book that didn't have curse words in it. If one did she stopped and went to another book.

Barry

Those are pretty amusing stories. In the case of the woman you loaned the Kobo to--she probably likes cozy mysteries. The "no cursing" is pretty much one of the hallmarks of the genre (some readers tolerate basic cursewords, but not the more vulgar ones).

Tarana · 06-15-2016, 03:26 PM

I got rid of all my paperbooks except cookbooks and craft books and most of those are going to go this year. I don't really cook that much any more and had to give up two of 3 needlecrafts due to vision.

Difflugia · 06-15-2016, 04:25 PM

Though I almost exclusively buy ebooks, Dollar Tree stores have remaindered books for a dollar. The selection is potluck, but I've found a few books that are worth reading in paper. Even though I don't read many paper books, buying paper books, especially hardcovers, still gives me an emotional charge that I enjoy. When they're $1, I don't feel bad buying five books and only reading one.

Cinisajoy · 06-15-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

I got rid of all my paperbooks except cookbooks and craft books and most of those are going to go this year. I don't really cook that much any more and had to give up two of 3 needlecrafts due to vision.

You have my complete sympathy. What needlecraft can you still do?
Alas my hubby won't build me a new house so we can't discuss your collections.

NickyWithNook · 06-15-2016, 09:28 PM

I can't change the font or type size on a paper book, and I have to hold open a book which, depending on the size, is not something I care to do. I am not moving back to paper books, nor will I.

06-14-2016, 10:23 AM	#19
jscris Addict Posts: 397 Karma: 123456 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central US Device: k1 - KAO2, ipads, h2o, KA1, inkBOOK, T80s, Mars, Nova Pro	Shelfie This seems in the early stages but may have promise: http://www.shelfie.com/

06-15-2016, 07:16 AM	#24
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	I typically buy only 3 to 5 paper books a year. These are specialized books that aren't available in ebook format and are unlikely to appear in ebook format in the near future. They are mostly history books aimed at a relatively small audience and in most cases were written well before computers became common. My most recent was replacing my copy of Dupuy's Encyclopedia of Military History: From 3500 BC to Present (where present is around 1990). A great book for those really into the subject, but not exactly NYT best seller material. Hopefully, once they eventually fall into public domain (assuming that ever happens as copyright is expanded whenever the Mouse approaches PD), they will become available. Last edited by pwalker8; 06-15-2016 at 07:22 AM.

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06-13-2016, 10:26 PM	#16
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	My library has monthly sales where you can buy a paper sack of books for $1-$2. I can't pass that up and it supports my local library. The bag is stapled shut so you don't get to see what you are getting but they do have the genre written on the bag. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

06-13-2016, 10:35 PM	#17
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	Since I bought my first Sony ereader years ago I've read one paper book and that was borrowed from the library. I have no plans to do it again.

06-14-2016, 12:25 PM	#20
rraod Bibliophile Posts: 59 Karma: 2017058 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Somewhere in the middle of the desert. Device: Kobo Aura H2O	I started buying books from around 1970 onwards and continued to buy them until year 2000. These include fiction novels, hobbyist, technical (mainly computer books) and magazines (both photography and computer). From 2000 onwards the internet has become easily affordable and most of the information I was seeking was there on internet and my buying books has gradually come to a halt. Since then, my reading has become completely electronic. In last 16 years, I can hardly count the printed books I bought on my fingertips. Initially I was reading books on desktops and laptop computers. When my son gifted us a Kindle in 2013, I got hooked to the e-paper and the rest is history...

06-14-2016, 01:31 PM	#21
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	I haven't been tempted to buy paper books because of price before, most of the ebooks I have bought were much cheaper than the cheapest paperback edition. However I recently noticed a trick by one publisher where a series is published only as individual ebooks but as a paperback omnibus edition. In that case it works out cheaper to buy the paperback omnibus than all of the individual ebooks. (e.g. Michael Moorcock's backlist being published by Gollancz.)

06-14-2016, 01:58 PM	#22
jscris Addict Posts: 397 Karma: 123456 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central US Device: k1 - KAO2, ipads, h2o, KA1, inkBOOK, T80s, Mars, Nova Pro	I gave up paper books back when I got the first kindle and have been ridiculed for buying a book scanner and scanning some print books. Guess who's now using the book scanner because reading on his kindle is so much more convenient. There's an app called Shelfie that lets you scan your book barcodes or spines to find digital editions. Their hope is to be able to provide digital editions free or at a discount for books we already own in paper. Available for IOS and Android.

06-14-2016, 10:20 PM	#23
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	If I'm not mistaken Shelfie only works for books that are readily available in ebook format. That helps cut the price and it's a good thing but when there's no ebook it's no help. I live in a retirement home and a number of people here read, a few on Kindles or Kobos and most in paperbacks. What always surprises me is how they'll share a grocery bag of books with one another with no care for what they might contain. Quite a few of them, when I ask them what they like to read, can't name an author or a title. They just read whatever might be in the next bag of books they get. They begin each book and if they enjoy it they keep reading. I can't really fault those people; they're reading both good and bad books, at least by my tastes, and plenty of both. It's easy to say they have no taste but it's just as easy to say they're open-minded. I can't imagine reading that way but they seem to enjoy their reading as much as I do. I did loan an old Kobo to a woman last year with about a hundred books on it because I couldn't get her to tell me what she liked. When she bought her own she returned it and said she'd read every book that didn't have curse words in it. If one did she stopped and went to another book. Barry

06-15-2016, 01:50 PM	#25
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	I still buy paperbacks. I had stopped for a while, but there's no competing with the used price of some paperbacks. I'd much rather the author get my money, not have to store them (or take them to GW) but the economics are what they are. The last two books I bought were ebooks, but the two before that were both paperback.

06-15-2016, 03:26 PM	#27
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,038 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I got rid of all my paperbooks except cookbooks and craft books and most of those are going to go this year. I don't really cook that much any more and had to give up two of 3 needlecrafts due to vision.

06-15-2016, 04:25 PM	#28
Difflugia Testate Amoeba Posts: 3,049 Karma: 27300000 Join Date: Sep 2012 Device: Many Android devices, Kindle 2, Toshiba e755 PocketPC	Though I almost exclusively buy ebooks, Dollar Tree stores have remaindered books for a dollar. The selection is potluck, but I've found a few books that are worth reading in paper. Even though I don't read many paper books, buying paper books, especially hardcovers, still gives me an emotional charge that I enjoy. When they're $1, I don't feel bad buying five books and only reading one.

06-15-2016, 09:28 PM	#30
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	I can't change the font or type size on a paper book, and I have to hold open a book which, depending on the size, is not something I care to do. I am not moving back to paper books, nor will I.

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