I've owned a Kindle since October '08. I enjoy its portability. I don't travel, but it's obviously handy for readers who do so. I was even going to buy the new Kindle, but decided I enjoy the greater reading experience of a 'real' book. Reading, for me, is more than the words on a page or a screen. I will use the Kindle for certain kinds of reading: the free previews of new(er) books, if they're available in the Kindle format, which isn't a given, and reading free books, such as the classics and other reading available free online (as long as they're available in the Kindle format).
I just finished reading "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," in hardcover. At an emotional, perhaps at even a spiritual/psychic level, I enjoyed the story more because I held the book, turned the pages, knew instantly how much there was to read until it ended (which I didn't want to happen), and the visual enjoyment of the printed page. Perhaps reading in paper in someway got into my soul a long time ago so that it's an important part of my overall reading experience. I think also that having the physical paper version of the book to put onto a shelf carries some aesthetic meaning, as in when I see the book there on my bookshelf it reminds me of the pleasure I felt reading it. Having a book on a shelf is in some way a luxury, and a gift I've given myself.
There's something repetitious and bland seeing the same form of the printed word on the same looking screen as it appears on the Kindle. Perhaps when color comes to e-readers its appeal will increase because of the variety of the displays possible.
I feel a twinge of environmental irresponsibility buying paper versions of books, but I'm going to live with it because of papers' pleasures...for the time being.
So, there's my two sense/cents. Happy reading, in whatever format you desire!
Kindle User; Book Lover
By bruceesFri, 02/20/2009 - 18:01
I've owned a Kindle since October '08. I enjoy its portability. I don't travel, but it's obviously handy for readers who do so. I was even going to buy the new Kindle, but decided I enjoy the greater reading experience of a 'real' book. Reading, for me, is more than the words on a page or a screen. I will use the Kindle for certain kinds of reading: the free previews of new(er) books, if they're available in the Kindle format, which isn't a given, and reading free books, such as the classics and other reading available free online (as long as they're available in the Kindle format).
I just finished reading "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," in hardcover. At an emotional, perhaps at even a spiritual/psychic level, I enjoyed the story more because I held the book, turned the pages, knew instantly how much there was to read until it ended (which I didn't want to happen), and the visual enjoyment of the printed page. Perhaps reading in paper in someway got into my soul a long time ago so that it's an important part of my overall reading experience. I think also that having the physical paper version of the book to put onto a shelf carries some aesthetic meaning, as in when I see the book there on my bookshelf it reminds me of the pleasure I felt reading it. Having a book on a shelf is in some way a luxury, and a gift I've given myself.
There's something repetitious and bland seeing the same form of the printed word on the same looking screen as it appears on the Kindle. Perhaps when color comes to e-readers its appeal will increase because of the variety of the displays possible.
I feel a twinge of environmental irresponsibility buying paper versions of books, but I'm going to live with it because of papers' pleasures...for the time being.
So, there's my two sense/cents. Happy reading, in whatever format you desire!
Bruce
San Rafael, California