The Book Page

By Melvil Dewey

September 11, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

As a librarian, I understand the benefits of e-books- they can inexpensively and rather dramatically expand a library’s holdings. They are very useful for research and other purposes, but as far as taking an e-novel to the beach to read, I don’t think I could do it. I enjoy the tactile sensation of turning pages and the absolutely clear definition of a printed page. If you are interested in reading an e-book, however, check your local library before you pay Amazon a bunch of money. You may be able to access it there for free.

By NA

September 11, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

I’ve read three ebooks. It’s pretty cool. If there is something you need to research, you don’t have to worry about going out to a library or bookstore. “Instant grantification.”

By Melvil Dewey

September 11, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Well, NA, I would encourage you to check out your local library. We are a lot more advanced than you might think, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the selection of e-books available. You may not have to “go” to the library either. Most libraries have a wide variety of services online. In addition, at the library, you can take advantage of the FREE services of a highly educated professional researcher who can help you make the most of your research, either in person, over the phone, or online. These researchers are highly skilled in information retrieval, interpretation, and use. Most of them have several years of graduate education. They’re called “librarians.”

By ron

September 11, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

 I have read some shorter works on the internet and enjoyed the experience,but a full lenght novel would ,for me,be a different story.I wouldn't down lowd and read a complete book.I mean,on a rainy day,how do you curl up with a good computer screen?

By Jeff

September 11, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Well, I know one author in particular (Christian Sci-Fi’s Randall Ingermanson) that will send you the PDF version of any of his out of print books for free, with the catch that you spread the word on to three other people about his books. Works on the honor system, but I think it is an ingenius way of getting word of mouth publicity.

I’ve read two of his novels this way, though I printed them out rather than reading them electronically. Other than having to keep the pages in order yourself - and the cost of actually printing 300+ pages yourself - it actually seems to be as good as getting your hands on the publisher-printed version.

And, like with music, the digi-revolution would allow relatively unknown (or completely unknown) authors to get a wide distribution of their books (potentially) without going through the terrors of trying to get on with a major publisher.

So I’m all for it. While I would never actually READ it on my computer screen, I WILL print out an e-copy I get and read it!

By ron

September 11, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

O.k.,so for some reason the AJC doesn’t print my full comment.So what?I really don’t care.

By Phil Kloer

September 11, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Here is Ron’s full comment. I don’t know what the glitch was, Ron. Sorry.

I have read some shorter works on the internet and enjoyed the experience,but a full length novel would, for me, be a different story.I wouldn’t down load and read a complete book.I mean,on a rainy day,how do you curl up with a good computer screen?

By Linda

September 11, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

I just finished taking Biology I & II at a local university. Instead of carrying around the heavy textbook to study at lunch time, I read all assignments using the electronic version of the book. I’ve also read a couple of novels electronically, but like a previous person stated, there is nothing like curling up on a rainy day with a good novel.

By Barry

September 11, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

I read ebooks all the time and have done so for years. Because I can read them on my PDA and smartphone, I actually get through the books faster than paper copies. I’m looking forward to improvements in electronic ink and readers to make ebook reading even more convenient.

By Camille

September 11, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

No, I would not read an ebook, unless it was a relatively short one. I hate it when my online courses use e-books instead of actual textbooks because trying to read the book on a computer screen is a pain and it would cost too much to print it all out (in addition to having to actually pay for the class). Besides, it’s much more relaxing/easy to be able to carry an actual book wherever I go so that I can continue reading whenever I get a minute.

By Jeff

September 11, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Camille:

What I did with the Ingermanson text was print it off, punch holes in it, and stick it in a 3 inch 3 ring binder. Essentially made my own book out of the ebook. It worked beautifully for me, but I understand that not everyone wants to go through those hassles.

By Jj

September 11, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

NO thanks, it’s not for me, personally!!! I have a life AWAY from my computer. I prefer to read a BOOK.

By KA

September 11, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Yes, I will read anything anywhere. I read newspapers online every day. And I have read e-versions of books that I have purchased from Amazon, reference and self help books, that I can access at work on my computer. I do prefer the hard copy for the majority of my reading.

By One

September 11, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

I love to read, and I’ve never read an ebook or listened to a book on tape. I, too, like the actual book in my hands, and after staring into the computer at work all day (7.5 hrs), and then going home to check email and whatnot online, the last thing I want to do is read an entire novel on the computer. If I did, it would have to be short and FREE!! Plus, one of my favorite outings with my daughter is going to the library. We read waaayy too much for me to even try to purchase all the books we read. The library rocks!!!

By Phil Kloer

September 11, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

I hear ya, One. I was just reminiscing to my Well Read Wife the other day about being a small lad way back in the pre-digital age and how cool it was when my dad would take me to the public library after dinner and let me browse the books and take out a few. It was one of those old-fashioned libraries with actual stone lions flanking the steps out front, the Broad Ripple branch of the Indianapolis public library system.

By Anna Burke

September 11, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

I’m not a Luddite, but the idea of curling up with a good computer just doesn’t work for me. There’s nothing better than a rainy Sunday, a screen porch and a good book! And libraries are fine, but I loooove bookstores: the bright, fresh new covers; the displays of genres and special interest choices scattered around the space; the weird remainder selections; the sneer of the staff when you ask for one light, chick-lit book amongst a selection of eight others… Oh, wait! That last one I don’t like so much. My POINT is I love books. Period.

By Jen

September 14, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

I have to say that the bulk of the e-books I’ve read are e-books for a reason. Like self-published fiction that has not had the benefit of being either edited or rejected by a proper publishing house. So, occassionally you get a good one and a lot of times you get baaaaaaaaad stuff.

But, I hear that a lot of main stream publishing houses are starting to offer top-shelf stuff as e-book.

There are occasions when an e-book would be preferable to me than a hard or soft-bound paper book - like in a loooooooooooooon board meeting where everyone has their laptop out to follow a presentation that’s already projected on the wall. ;)

But most days I prefer my standard issue paperback.