I have always loved books: the joy of a new book, spine unbent, virginal; or the musky smell of an old tome, the delight at finding someone's pencilled notes inside, written fifty years before.
I was convinced that I would never stray to the dark side and adopt the e-book, certain it would not be the same as holding a volume in my hand. But I have modified my opinion somewhat in the last few months.
I can hardly look down completely on the e-book now that my own work is being published in that format. E-books have given me the chance to break into the world of publishing and, because of them, I can call myself a real writer. However, I will still be hoping to move into the realm of print in the future because that it where my passion lies.
For me, this will be used for set purposes:
- Storing my own PDF's of my stories
- Buying and reading e-books by emerging writers like myself
- Reading ARCs from NetGalley
- Possibly when travelling
I joined NetGalley yesterday. As a 'professional reader' (thanks to my reviews on Suite101), I can apply for free ARC e-books, often ahead of the publication date. Two have already been approved and I look forward to reading them in the coming days.
So, now this 'print-only' girl has a foot in both worlds. I am enjoying the chance to move between the two formats, but I know I will never abandon print entirely. I'm far too old fashioned for that. My 1000+ print books are here to stay - now I just need a bigger house in which to store them all!!
You know what I've been doing with e-books? Printing them out. I tried reading them on the computer screen and on my iPhone, but it's just not the same!
ReplyDeleteE-books are like e-mail for me: Although it has been around for years now, I still write letters by hand. I take the same approach to books: I need to be able to feel the paper between my fingers. I need to be able to bend it, crease it, mark it: Evidence that I've read it, enjoyed it (or not), made it mine - all act as a reminder of what it meant to me (in many cases what it still means to me), or what it possibly meant to someone else. But alas! I cannot do that with an e-book - unless I print it out first. ;)
~S. xo
Yes, I know what you mean. I will still love print books most. But I am thrilled at the idea of getting the free ARCs from NetGalley now. I looked at it months ago, but because I hate reading off the computer screen, I didn't sign up. Now I have my ereader I can get them...I've asked for 7 so far and already received 5 of those. There are some others that looked good too - but I'd better get these ones read first!
ReplyDeleteI've been anti-ereader since e-readers first hit the scene. My husband asked if I wanted one for my birthday. "NO!!" He asked if I wanted one for Christmas. "NO!!" He wanted to buy me an iPad for our anniversary. I thought, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I have a perfectly good laptop, I don't NEED an iPad."
ReplyDeleteAbout 3 weeks ago my friends started getting Kindles and Nooks and Kobos. Well, I guess peer-pressure isn't just for teens, because all of sudden I think I want an e-reader.
I sheepishly told my husband. "Hey, y'know what? I think I'd like to have one of those Nook colors."
"NO!!!"
lol
Hi Dawn
ReplyDeleteI resisted for a while, but now I like my e-reader...though I like to swap back and forth between print still...
Hope you enjoy your NOOK!