What do we do BEFORE EREADERS?

[soulfuldog]

I was a regular at my local library but only ever carried one book about with me at a time, unless I went on holiday when I'd buy 3 or 4 paperbacks to take with me. I read a lot more now, and the joy of being able to discover a new book, buy it and have it on my Kindle within seconds still brings a smile to my face every time.

Originally Posted by issybird

I didn't start buying ebooks until I got my first e-ink reader (the first Nook, when it came out), but I read public domain ebooks for over ten years before that, on desktop/laptop/handheld.

I still go to the library, but only to pick up a specific book which I've checked for availability first. No more weekly trips just to see what catches my eye, in addition to specific wants. I miss it in a way. Much more has been gained than lost, in the ease of accessing and breadth of available books, but there's less serendipity now, the discovery of unthought of possibilities. Even those heavy, clunky, space-consuming card catalogues had their revelatory moments, as your fingers walked the cards.

I still make frequent use of my local library. Part of that is I am involved in a volunteer organization that helps collect funds for services and programs that would not be available otherwise due to ever shrinking budgets. Part because it's where I go to read a variety of magazines and newspapers. Also in part to browse the latest fiction and non-fiction acquisitions. Yeah, I sometimes miss the old card catalogs for the same reason.

[QuantumIguana]

Before I got a Kindle, I read a lot less than I did afterwards.

[Tarana]

I actually stopped reading for a decade due to vision damage. Gradually started listening to audiobooks. Tried a Sony at Best Buy but couldn't afford it at the time. When the Kindle Keyboard came out, I was READY and could finally read again.

[leebase]

Like everyone else, I always carried a paperback book with me. It was a lot more obvious that I was prepared to be bored and had carried my own entertainment with me (like at a baseball game).

Now I find it a real pain to have to read a physical book. I have zero use for them and will actively avoid reading a book if I can't get it in ebook format.

Forgot to add: I also read a lot less books. Speaking of my adult self, not my child self.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by tvuongpham

How many books did you have to carry around before your magical e-reader?

I only ever carried one with me for day to day use, but I found that if I was almost at the end of a book then I would tend not to take any due to not wanting to carry the extra book, so the switch to ereaders resulted in me reading more just for that reason.

[Aeda]

I've only purchased my ereader today, so I can tell you exactly what I've been doing up to and including this week: I've had a very sore shoulder most days of my life. I'm fond of not only door-stopping fantasy, but of buying hardcover editions where available. (If it's going to be displayed, it may as well look nice!)

When traveling I always take a bag much larger than I'd otherwise need, because I pack several books. I don't fly, so I've never had to deal with excess baggage fees. These days I ride a bicycle to work, as I'm fortunate enough to work about 2 kilometers from my house, but when I caught the train to work I would take a large satchel bag with me -- and heaven forbid that I'd be nearing the end of a book. I would end up with two hardcover books hung over a single shoulder.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Barty

I read (past tense) less.

Yes. Most books I wanted to read were not translated to Dutch, and/or not available in the library. I had to buy every book, abroad half of the time (amazon.co.uk), which made reading quite expensive. Reading a fantasy trilogy in the cheapest paperback form would come down to €25, ex shipping. (I'd never order a second hand paperback; only second hand hardcovers if available.)

Therefore, I did a lot of re-reading in those days. Some books I've read 5 or more times. Lord of the Rings.... I read it at least 8 times between 1999 and 2009, and read it twice since then. Same for Shogun, and a lot of 80's fantasy (Terry Brooks, David Eddings, and others) and horror (a lot of Stephen King).

[danskmacabre]

I've pretty much always carry a daypack type bag with me and in those days it would have a few books in there I'd carry around, just in case.

[timebug]

I always carried my current book around with me
to read at my own leisure. The added bonus of
ebooks, is that I can now slip a complete set of
books, by an author I like, into my pocket, and I
am ready to go!

[danskmacabre]

Regarding libraries. I still use our library a lot.
I generally only get technical books from there, such as computer programming books. I never take out novels from the library.
They also stock up on the latest magazines, of which I read mostly computer mags.
I also use the library for various club events and various interest events.

So yeah, libraries are great

[danskmacabre]

In the 80s, on top of a bag of paperback books in my rucksack, I'd have a stack of audio tapes for music to play on my Walkman and packs of spare batteries for my Walkman as well! lol.

[conan50]

I hadn't thought about this in awhile. Back in the early 2000's when I would go on vacation I would take a Bible, a book of philosophy, and 4-6 novels as I did not know what I might be in the mood to read. It definitely increased my luggage.