I've gone e-book

Had you asked me a year ago, I would have told you that an e-book reader would never have been for me. Last weekend I purchased an iPod Touch and discovered that it happily performs as an e-book reader in a number of different formats. Just download the app for the kind or brand of ebook you would like to buy and you're off and reading.

I love it!

I live on a small island with only three Border's Books, all of which are at least an hour away. The most decent of the three stores is, of course, the furthest. I also live in a culture that has no real affinity for the genres I like, Science Fiction and Fantasy. These genres belong to the historically industrialized nations and cultures. Spanish culture is agricultural and pastoral, not industrial, so no Sci-Fi. The best of the three Border's Books only give two racks of space to Science Fiction and Fantasy!

Anywho... In one minute flat after downloading the book reader to my iPod, I found the book (Nova Swing by John Harrison) which had eluded me for almost two years and was happily reading away.

Has anyone else gone E?

I haven't yet but I am seriously considering publishing my first novel that way. I'm honestly getting sick of playing the waiting game. Patience has never been one of my virtues. lol

I've never purchased a book this way. I would love to have a Kindle.

I will not own an e-book device until they install a smell button on the side that will dispense a whiff of real book fragrance. LOL

NaClmine wrote:I will not own an e-book device until they install a smell button on the side that will dispense a whiff of real book fragrance. LOL

Hmmmm...... I see a niche market for an accessory device/doohikie/somethingorther for e-book reader owners. Maybe a protective cover for the device impregnated with book paper smell. Yes?

I'll make millions!!

My eyes would kill after trying to read from a screen for that long. And weird as it may sound, there's something I find theraputic about flipping pages.

Sounds cool though, especially given your location. Who knows. Maybe in five years, my mind will change.

SarahP wrote: Maybe in five years, my mind will change.

Why wait five years? Isn't changing of one's mind a female prerogative?

Garmar wrote:I've never purchased a book this way. I would love to have a Kindle.

Well, Gary.... Don't know what your other needs are, and not to sound like an Apple salesman, but my iPod Touch also supports Kindle, as well as a number of other formats, giving me maximum 'spread' across the e-book purchasing universe.

Um, it also plays music... and videos... and photos... and games... and connects to the internet via WIFI... and a bunch of other stuff.

They're a lot cheaper too. Do you have to sign up with a contract and monthly fee for an iPod?

Also, how large is the screen, comparably? I have bad eyes and can't read for prolonged periods unless the conditions are just right. Matter of fact, I read for several hours this weekend and haven't been able to read at all today - eyes are blurry. Computer screens I have no problem with though.

Garmar wrote:They're a lot cheaper too. Do you have to sign up with a contract and monthly fee for an iPod?

Also, how large is the screen, comparably? I have bad eyes and can't read for prolonged periods unless the conditions are just right. Matter of fact, I read for several hours this weekend and haven't been able to read at all today - eyes are blurry. Computer screens I have no problem with though.

Nope, no monthly charge in addition for the iPod. The internet connection is WIFI, just like your laptop computer, via your home network or any other hot spot. It is not like connecting to the internet via a regular cell phone. You do pay for many of the apps to download them from the Apple Store to the iPod Touch. The ebook readers I downloaded (Kingle & eReader) were free for the actual programs. Of course e-books cost depending on where and how you get them. The screen is 3.5 x 2-ish (?) Not the biggest screen, true.

Gary,

You might be better off with the dedicated eBook devices as they are about the same size as a paperback and the font size is adjustable.

NaClmine wrote:Gary,

You might be better off with the dedicated eBook devices as they are about the same size as a paperback and the font size is adjustable.

Also true with the iPod Touch, five font sizes to choose from. Saulty is correct about the screen size, though. The Kindle gives you a screen comparable in size to your average paperback novel. This might be a make-or-break option when eyesight is an issue.

The Kindle gives you a screen comparable in size to your average
paperback novel. This might be a make-or-break option when eyesight is
an issue.

This is one of the reasons Kindle appeals to me. I seem to be able to read on a computer screen longer than in print. I guess it's because the screen is back lit.

I am a book lover. I love to take them into the tub and to bed with me. My husband is jealous.
Also, I agree, after sitting all day long in front of computer trying to edit my stuff, when it is time to read, I do not want to look at a computer screen anymore.

Of course, I know not all agree. I am not saying it is a bad idea.

I want a Kindle too! You can impregnate mine with the smell of fresh roasted coffee beans. Hahaha, I'm sure you all saw that one coming.

I've been reading Anne of Green Gables in ebook format today, since I ended up home-bound with a sick baby and didn't make it out to Borders...I'll get there one day!

Garm...the Kindle isn't backlit, is it? I thought it used a different technology.

Garm...the Kindle isn't backlit, is it? I thought it used a different technology.

I'm not sure...I'll have to look into that.