ebook honeymoon
NOTE: In 2011 I bought my first Kindle and never looked back. I’ve owned many Kindles since then and now also read on my phone, and I am still in love!
By Carol Ervin / May 17, 2011
What I love so far about reading ebooks:
Sample chapters: much better than browsing shelves and reading first paragraphs.
Review sites: I bought my first ebook (and a Kindle) based on a review by Marion Sipe on GoodBookAlert (http://goodbookalert.blogspot.com/ ). After reading her review and sampling the book, I realized I was missing out on good writing if I didn’t immediately buy an ebook reader. (Marion, you should get a cut from Kindle). The book, a bargain at 99 cents, was Ice Blue, a cleverly written mystery by Emma Jameson. My second ebook purchase was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, a young adult novel featured by Mooderino in a blog post analyzing the first chapter. (http://moodywriting.blogspot.com/). Thanks, Mood—I not only liked the book, I learned a lot. Third was The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarity. I can’t remember where I found this one, maybe Kindleboards. Price–one cent. Can you believe that even at one cent, I downloaded the sample before purchasing? Loved the book. A few days later I saw its price had risen to something like $5.35. If the one-cent price was a marketing scheme to raise the book quickly in the Amazon rankings, it worked.
The ebook reader itself: easy on the eyes, wonderful for one who gets eyestrain from too many hours staring at a computer screen. Like the words to that old song…”lovely to look at, delightful to hold, and heaven to [substitute “read”]. Thanks, Diane, for the red leather cover.
Ebook hunting: I might be able to pay more but I love to pay less. I love the fact that many authors are independently publishing at prices that are good for them as well as for buyers. Unless it’s a book I think I must have, I’m bypassing ebooks over $5, especially if I can buy a cheaper used copy in excellent condition. Of course, no money goes to author or publisher that way. [UPDATE: in those days I still read physical books.]
Textbooks: Much as I love glossy, gorgeous textbooks, I look forward to the day when learners from primary school to college will not have to lug around pounds and pounds of books. This will not be good for textbook printers, but hopefully the prices will be good for everyone. UPDATE: This is now reality. I am told that many (all?) high schools don’t even have student lockers because there are no physical textbooks, just tablets. I don’t know what kids do with their coats! If you know, please leave a comment!
Magazines and newspapers: I’m not getting my news via ebook yet, but I think the honeymoon will last. UPDATE: because of the digital revolution, we can now get the news in many formats. Yay, us.
2024 UPDATE: Readers still love physical books–but my ebook honeymoon persists!
#1 I’ve enjoyed your writing so much…all on my Kindle. I’ve tried many times to encourage my physical book reading friends to try a Kindle but like all of us, they like what they like. Myself, it’s Kindle all the way!
Angie, I know what you mean. Some people just like to hold and own a physical book. I’m glad there’s a method for everyone!
When I was a kid growing up in a small town in northern West Virginia, I fell in love with books at an early age. I read so much during the school year, but come summer, it was a struggle to find something to read. One of the neighbors traded around her comics, but it wasn’t the same. The year a turned 10, an old school bus pulled into the neighborhood and parked. Lo & behold, it was the bookmobile. I still remember that feeling of stepping onto that bus, seeing rows of books, checking out what I want, and knowing they’d be back in two weeks. I am 73 and have to admit, that feeling was never lost and has been eclipsed only by the birth of my children – maybe. I have lots & lots of books now, still go to books sales with all of the excitement of the first one. I blame my massive amount of books on my childhood and the bookmobile not getting there soon enough to curb my obsession. I also read a lot of books on my tablet….PS. Our little town has had a library now for 40 years. I no longer live there but I’m happy for them.
I love your story, Susan! Thanks for your comment.