by Raelene Gorlinsky
I have an ebook reader. (Well, okay, it belongs to the company, but it is mine, mine I say!) It's the first I've really used for my own personal reading. I know, I know--I work for an e-publisher, how can I not use an e-reader? Well, I work on a computer all day, I read submissions and releases on my laptop. I stare at a screen enough, I didn't think I'd want to do that for pleasure reading. Plus, I just didn't see how I could enjoy any screen that displayed less that a full paperback book page. Yep, all the typical excuses of the non-e.
Then, a week ago, this e-reader arrived in the office. And I'm addicted. I've spent more time reading for pleasure in the past week than in the past month--and all on the e-reader. I read myself to sleep at night, and amazingly, it doesn't hurt when the reader slips out of my hands and drops on me as I fall asleep.
Notice that I haven't mentioned which e-reader I'm using. Because that isn't the point. They all have pros and cons. The big negative for me, a device I would not want, is any that can only use proprietary-format files (like the Kindle). My device reads pdf, prc, txt, epub, and more. But the point I'm trying to make is that I, who firmly support digital books but never got into e-reader devices, am suddenly a convert. My boss is going to have to pry this thing out of my hands if she ever wants it back. Company property be damned--it's MINE.
What happens in the Cave doesn't always stay there... Conversations and news from Ellora's Cave Publishing, an erotic romance publisher.
My e-reader is just a few weeks old as well. I nearly made myself sick over the decision, but as soon as I started reading my first download, it was true love. Now I can read in bed without flipping from side to side for every page turn. When the old eyes start to flutter, I simply up the font size. Love it, love it, love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I love the font size adjustment. And I should have mentioned another benefit. I have carpal tunnel syndrome, and the e-reader turns out to be better for my wrists, I'm getting less pain and numbness than I do when holding a paperback and turning the pages.
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Have had mine two years. I not only love the ability to take my reading anywhere--vacation, doctor's offices, park benches--but I also love the way it allows me to introduce other readers to the concept of e-reading (and my books!) Spectators can't resist asking about that odd device. And it's always a thrill to demonstrate it for them!
ReplyDeleteI've had my reader over a year. I'm crazy about it. It lets me take my reading with me. With 4 kids I spend a LOT of time in dr and dentist offices.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have answered oodles of questions about it.
My husband likes it because it's easier on his eyes than paper. And when one of your favorite authors is consistantly printed in 6 pt font, that size button is a great thing.
I got one for my birthday, and once I jumped through the loops to set it up ... mmm! Everyone who likes to read should have one. I miss the colorful covers, but other than that? Mmmm!
ReplyDeleteI just got an iPhone, which isn't QUITE the same, but I put my ebooks on it and I'm in HEAVEN! A book wherever I go! And the font thing....that's the best!
ReplyDeleteAfter Diana Gabaldon's last massive tome fell on my head, I switched to an e-reader and fell in love. These days, while I still read paper books, I prefer e.
ReplyDeleteNow, if only publishers would stop using DRM'd Adobe DE... Or maybe one day the promised collaboration between Stanza and Adobe will come to fruition.
Despite being an e-book author, I'd pretty much given up reading e-books. My eyes just couldn't take it anymore, not after spending all day at the computer writing. Reading anything longer than a Quickie/Novella = a lost day and a half of work because of eye strain...until my parents surprised me with a reader earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteNow--totally hooked on ebooks again. I don't buy print anymore unless absolutely forced to, or after reading a story in ebook format, it's a book I think I'd like to reread multiple times. (A major Keeper in other words.)
Can't figure out why I didn't invest in a reader a lot sooner.
I publish on the kindle and love it. I also use mobipocket to reach those I cannot on kindle. The mobipocket can download to almost anything including a PDA or a PC. If you have readers from all over the world this is very important.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading ebooks on my Palm Pilot for several years now, so much so that I found myself trying to click the bottom of the page on a paperback recently!
ReplyDeleteE-readers are a wonderful thing but I live in fear of dropping my PDA or having the thing die on me. And, like Jory, I've gone out and bought the hard copy when I knew the book was a "keeper."
And there's always that instant gratification when you can simply download a book anytime day or night and it's there to read--no driving to the bookstore or waiting for the UPS guy to drop off the box from the online bookseller.
Now, if only the darned things weren't so expensive...
Peggy
I fell in love with mine the first time I took a trip out of town. I packed one slim e reader instead of 4-5 books and had 160 books at my fingertips. E readers are here to stay!
ReplyDeleteI wish they had them around when I was in college!
I really, really, really want an e-reader, but in the meantime I'm using my newly purchase iPod Touch. Yes, the screen is small, but it works for me. I'll probably go broke from all the ebooks I'm buying right now, but oh well.
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