In these technological revolutionary times, we have access to so many things at just a click of a button. Anything you want is feasible if you have an Internet connection and a credit card. As we move towards a more paperless society do we loose a little something of the magic of a good book when reading it in an e-book format? For me, when I read articles off the internet or various other forms of information I find myself skimming the words to get to the punch line. Pursuing the links to look at just the captions on pictures and really missing the whole meat of what I am reading. I guess I can attribute this to my Internet ADHD-like focus. It seems as though when I’m doing anything on the Internet I have the attention span of a manic fruit-fly on crack-cocaine. That being said, what is it about reading a physical book that seems to capture my attention more? Does anyone else notice that a 375 page e-book doesn’t resonate as well as in paper format? Does size actually matter when it comes to E-publishing?
What is it about paperbacks that seem to pack the pow that e-books sometimes miss? Or am I simply an old-technophobe who’s geriatric tendencies make me talk about the good ol’ days when you could walk into a bookstore and they would actually have the book you want in print! One thing I have noticed is that when I do read an e-book, I tend to have certain specifications.
1. The length (I don’t like to read more than 250 pages on the Internet. Don’t ask me why I have this specific number but I just do.)
2. The genre. I typically read Erotica as my preferred choice.
3. The price. Who the hell wants to pay $14-$20 on what is essentially smutt! If it sucks then I am stuck for life with a book I can’t give away to the Good Will, won’t give to a used book store, and frankly don’t have the energy to sell online.
So I ask, am I the only one with these strange specifications? What are your thoughts on the e-book revolution?
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I can totally relate to that! Although I like occasionaly to read a book of 300 pages, I prefer the shorter ones (150-200 pages max). The longer ones just seem to stay longer on my ereader because it’s easier to start a new book that’s shorter. I don’t mind the very short (50 pages) ones either. While in paperback format I hardly read shorties.
My preferred genre for the longer books is (erotic) romance, for the short stories of 50 pages it’s erotica since the romance part is in most cases not believable anyway.
And the prize should be less than $10, not more. Like you said, it’s smutt and in most cases they’re not keepers…
I like my ebooks short and sweet ’cause I won’t be at my computer long enough to finish a full length novel in one sitting.
Now getting comfy on the couch with a paper book can claim hours of my time and attention.
I also prefer short ebooks because I do NOT currently have an ereader, so I am usually multitasking on the computer. Shorter stories are easier to get in and out of.
Price: I try to win them all. I know, I’m a tightwad. I will only buy paper books. The rare occasion that I buy and ebook, I have already read it in pirated format and loved it.
@Janna I feel something is missing when I read a paranormal romance or Urban Fantasy book on an ereader…hence why most of my books I read tend to be short stories in erotic romance.
@Anon I’m so with you on that one. I think my page down key is filed down to a nub these days. I’m am done with buying hardbacks, the price just doesn’t seem worth the return, oh & I’m also cheap.
I don’t mind a regular book in my kindle app on my iPod Touch. However, I don’t buy them. I will pick up free books. I just can’t get myself to buy a ebook. I can’t exchange with someone else, give it away, or resell it if I want easily. I can’t seem to be able to read long stories on my computer, however. I think it’s because I don’t have the option to totally relax while reading.
I don’t think I will ever come around to the e-book thing. Like you I skim on screen, I could never read a whole book that way. This blog has really peaked my interest lately by the way and I’ve given you an award. http://englishmajorjunkfood.blogspot.com/2010/01/super-scribbler-lovely-blog-and-50.html
I like ‘em big & long – unless the story’s not good.
I only read ebooks on my Kindle, though, which allows me to relax as if I was holding a book. Maybe that’s the difference?
@Melissa OH god I remember the desktop computer days…my shoulder’s would ache from reading a 100 page ebook. I struggle with buying TOO many ebooks.
@Ash Due to my Internet ADD I do find myself skimming more on an ebook vs a paperback
@Soullumination LOL!!! I love my Kindle but sometimes I love my paperbacks more. I love to re-read books, but only in paperback vs ebook. I’m not sure why.
I was actually never a fan of short stories before discovering ebooks and it is still bloody hard for me to think of 70-80 pages as ‘a book’ . My preference therefore is for long stories about the 200-300 page mark and they’re a-ok to read with my handy little Sony ereader.
Prices of ebooks seriously kill me. I understand that there are still some of the same costs involved as a print book such as editors, copy editors, cover artists, blah, blah, but I totally balk at paying more than $7 for a freaking digital file. Sounds hard, but there you have it…
@Kris The prices for paperback Erotica books kill me! Seriously $10-$15 for PAPER not even Hardback. What also slays me is the different ebook pricing by length. So a 50 page ebook is $2-3.99 *eye roll* then super plus length is $5-9.99. I won’t even mention the Kindle prices.
KC, the Land of Oz is not the place of yellow brick roads and munchkins when it comes to the prices of print books. Regardless of whether it’s PB, trade or hard cover, we can pay anywhere from $10 – $20 more than US readers because of trade restrictions on our books. It’s bullshit.
It is also why I got to the Emerald City (aka The Book Depository) for most of my books now. Cheaper prices and no shipping fees works very well in my world.
I don’t have any problems with the length of an ebook…I prefer to read them on my kindle, but I just read a 350 page book on my computer because sometimes I am just not smart enough to get it formatted on my kindle and I had no problems. I probably wouldn’t want to do that all them time.
However, if I could read all my books on my Kindle, I would. I prefer it much more than paper.
My e-reader helps me enjoy longer ones. I still prefer paper books, but I will read long books on the e-reader, too. The price does really kill me, though. Especially considering how they won’t let you share and you can’t resell or give them away like a paper book if you don’t like them or are just tired of them.
I have noticed that it looks like BN is selling their e-books for the Nook cheaper which I think is great. Too bad I don’t have a Nook.
I definitely prefer my Kindle… I have never read a book on my computer
Its on the kindle or in paper. I very rarely read short stories. I also almost never re-read books.
Some people just aren’t ebook people and that is ok! I can’t imagine it, but I still love you :p
@Kris {whispers} no shipping? Screw Emerald City sounds like Heaven to me!
@Mandi I know you are a Kindle girl
BL {Before my Lap top} I used to read ebooks on my desktop. Those were the dark ebook book reading ages. The constant clicking annoyed the hell out of my hubs.
@Queen B I’ve been wondering about the Nook. Do you know if they offer as many books *cough cough* like erotica on the Nook?
@Kindle Vixen You never re-read books?!!!! My copy of Montana Sky is practically falling apart at the seams. I would say I am 50% of an ebook person, I do prefer my longer books UF & PNR, Historical to be in paperback.
yep, I can’t think of a book I have ever re-read except maybe Gone with the Wind. I don’t know why… I don’t usually rewatch movies either!
@Kindle Vixen I am the only person on the face of this planet who could not hack reading Gone with the Wind. I’d rather have a paper cut.
First, let me say I lovvvvvvve your new header!! I still don’t have an e-reader, but I would say I’m with you-I’d want to keep the page length down-I think it would be really hard to read a lengthy novel on an e-reader. My eyes would hurt.
I like my e-books like I like my men…big & long. OMG did I just say that? I should be ashamed of me. Anyway, I read all my e-books on my Kindle and as you already know I love my Kindle. I’ll ready any length book, any genre whatever. I especially like my e-reader for books I’m reviewing. Searching the book for specific information is a snap and clipping notes takes a second.
I love your new bloggy design KC. It’s gorgeous!
I don’t mind long ebooks but I have to admit I don’t really care for the short ones most of the time. I think I need more time to get into the story and 50 pages aren’t really enough for that. I prefer paperbacks at the moment but only cuz I don’t have a real ereader and read all the books on my smartphone. That display is really to small and the battery never lasts long enough. But I love the idea of ebooks.
I’ve got a surprise for you at my blog.
@Colette Oh my thank you. Surprisingly the Kindle does not have a back light, it is not supposed to strain your eyes like a computer. I am not sure about other ereaders.
@Fiction Vixen One aspect I don’t like if I’m reviewing a book on my Kindle is that I can’t have post it notes to mark my quotes/notes down. I can’t bring myself to jot down the page numbers in a notebook. I’m just not that organized.
@Susi I lurve surprises!!!!
KC-You don’t need post it’s with Kindle. You can highlight the text you can and save it for quotes or you can type notes directly in your kindle and retrieve them later, or you can just bookmark pages and get them later. The quotes and notes thing is great because you can download them on to your computer and copy and past right into your review, no re-typing!
@Fiction Vixen I think I need to start reading my Kindle directions…I just realized that MY Books and Personal Documents are different. For a minute just like my Mother {who is notorious for breaking any and all computers} I was muttering “this is broken”!
KC–Yes, do read the manual. You’ll learn some good info there. LOL. Kindle does some cool things and you’ll enjoy your ebooks more if you understand all the functions.
@Fiction Vixen I’m still trying to figure out how to increase the font size for some of my PDF’s. So far you can only reposition the layout…I wish there was a zoom in.
KC–You can’t adjust the font on a PDF in Kindle. It’s essentially a snapshot of the page so no text size change. I really don’t like the way Kindle handles PDF so I convert my PDF’s to mobi and it works so much better. I have instructions on how to do it on my blog. It is really easy and only takes a few seconds. Here’s the link: http://www.fictionvixen.com/2009/11/converting-pdf-files-for-kindle.html Or you can use Calibre to do it. I use both methods. Let me know if you need help.
The length of an ebook doesn’t really matter to me. I’m actually finding that I enjoy reading more and more books on my Sony Reader. I don’t have a preferred genre for my ereader either. Anything goes!
But I do agree with you on the cost of an ebook. I don’t want to spend $10-15 or more on one. There is no return on them whether you liked the book or not. At least with the paper books you can trade them on Paperbackswap.com or at your local used book store.
Great post!
Thanx, Fiction Vixen, for all the helpful Kindle info!
I love to read – just not instruction manuals.