eBook vs Print

Love my kindle to bits, far easier to hold one handed than some of the heavier books I own. Obviously not the same feeling as flicking though a well worn, and dog-eared favorite though.
 
For non fiction it has to be the real thing but fiction is on the kindle. I just wish you were allowed to use them when the seatbelt sign is on... I've read the current FlyBe magazine all the way through about 6 times now and there's at least a fortnight to go before the next one :(
 
I was opposed to ebooks until some friends bought me a Kindle 18 months ago.

Since then I've used it pretty much every day, it's a brilliant piece of kit. I actually can't imagine ever going back, it offers so many advantages that just make reading so much more enjoyable.
 
Haven't read anything other than ebooks on my kindle since getting it just after launch in the UK, so much more convenient :)
 
Print for me ebooks just don't have the same sense of enjoyment about them imo

Plus as A scurvy seadog I find splitting up an ebook between the officers is more difficult than spitting up a map to the treasure.
 
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SixKi113r said:
The freedom people have now to publish their own work and get it read is also amazing I think. Previously publishers and agents would just dismiss things. I was like an old boys club. Also if you move about, books really way you down.

Technical books, I can understand it maybe easier to have them in print, but try reading one on the tube!
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The main reason old paper publishers used to turn people down was generally, to be frank, the writing were not up to scratch*, or the publisher didn't think it would sell enough to be worth it (they have been very wrong at times, but largely stayed in business) - publishing a paper book via traditional means costs a small fortune (tens of thousands of pounds to do it anything like properly once you get through the editing, copy editing, layout, advertising so retailers know to order copies, printing it in a number that is worth doing...).

Ebooks are great for letting authors who have a following or a book that might sell get a foot in the door without a lot of the risks above**, but unfortunately as a lot of "self published" ebooks are done without any experienced input they can lack the editing that can make a huge difference to the pace of a book "you don't really need 4 pages to describe that archway do you?", and can miss out a lot of the human work that goes to spot spelling and grammar issues. Some self published books are great, but a lot aren't, mind you some "official" paper books tied into things like movies and video games are terrible:p
That isn't to say Ebook publishing is massively cheaper to do (it's not), but it is less of a risk as you're not dealing with physical stock which costs to produce every copy and store.

Personally I love ebooks, and have been a bit evangelical about them since I got my Sony PRS 505 before the Kindle was available in the UK, and love the way that it's let me build up a library that isn't constrained by my lack of room, and especially the way that it let me get the entire David Weber Harrington series (amongst others) cheap after I followed a recommendation and read the first one on my PC screen (something I never want to do again).


*And often agents would if they received and saw a manuscript that had promise, but was still below usable quality refuse it with a couple of suggestions on how to improve it (IIRC publishers themselves often refuse to check manuscripts submitted without an agent for legal and practical reasons - they don't have the manpower to read them).

**I recently discovered Sharon Lee's Liaden universe, which apparently had about 3 books published traditionally but didn't sell enough warrent more printed copies, but once they had the rights back they were able to get an ebook deal and do more.
 
Honestly, 95% of publishing a book, in the traditional sense is down to luck or who you know. Agent's rearly read anything, and if they do, most of them are palmed of on young interns. I worked for a publisher for several years, and understand the costs of taking a book to print, in general, you don't start making decent money until the 2nd Print run, if you're lucky enough to get one.

epublishing is the future!
 
I got a Kobo e-reader for fathers day, and will never go back to proper books.
I do miss the feel of a proper book, but it is so much easier to get the books you are looking for on the e-reader, i can just download the authors whole back catalogue and read away.
But i do miss going into a book shop and browsing, as i often used to pick up a few gems, that i have never heard of, just by reading the book cover.
Now i just go by peoples recommendations.
 
For fiction, or anything that is just read beginning to end (autobiographies etc) then I use my kobo ereader.

For technical manuals or reference books where i'll be flicking back and forward then the paper version is a must imo
 
SixKi113r said:
Honestly, 95% of publishing a book, in the traditional sense is down to luck or who you know. Agent's rearly read anything, and if they do, most of them are palmed of on young interns. I worked for a publisher for several years, and understand the costs of taking a book to print, in general, you don't start making decent money until the 2nd Print run, if you're lucky enough to get one.

epublishing is the future!
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Surely if an ebooks gets enough reads then those will go into print anyway?

It might just be a nerdy obsession but I really like looking at my bookshelf to see a vast array of books, some small, some massive and knowing I've read every word between each cover. You just don't get that sense of conquest looking at a kindle.
 
My wife usually reads 2 books a week so we have a massive pile of books at home and nowhere to put them. After much resisting, she has accepted me getting her a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas. I'm not sure how I feel about Kindles etc... I enjoy reading but I want to hold the book in my hand, be able to flick back pages to remind myself of something previous, or to check maps/images. A book is so much easier and better to do this with. The only positive thing I can see about the Kindle, is the amount of books it can hold for its physical size.
 
desires said:
Surely if an ebooks gets enough reads then those will go into print anyway?

It might just be a nerdy obsession but I really like looking at my bookshelf to see a vast array of books, some small, some massive and knowing I've read every word between each cover. You just don't get that sense of conquest looking at a kindle.
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Love my kindle, but miss building physical collections too! Wish books came with a download code to get ebook too, then best of both worlds!

Also found ereaders aren't perfect yet to flick bak and Forth to maps, character lists, etc.
 
I chucked al my physical books out.

You gain nothing from a physical book, and they take up to much room.
although now I prefer audio books, since trying them about 2months ago, going for a walk/run, driving etc. great.
 
My mind wanders far too much with audiobooks. I listened to the Hobbit via audiobook, I must have missed about 10 pages at one point when I started thinking about boobs.
 
The excuses some people come up with as to why ebooks are inferior amuse me no end, it's pathetic, grow a pair and admit you're a luddite. Smell of a book, lmao, if you're into book sniffing you're probably best off keeping it to yourself :p

Can't read an ebook in the bath? Don't be ridiculous.
 
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