The reality of e-books

With e-readers, it's easier than ever before to have books instantly.  Plus, beloved writers can put out short stories and novellas for free or lower prices and tide readers over until new books come out.  New writers unable to get an agent/publisher or unwilling to make crucial changes can also reach out to readers and be successful these days.

Having instant access to thousands of books at one's fingertips in such a lightweight format is amazing.  For every pro, there are definitely embarrassing cons, though.

A lot of families share books and don't want to buy two copies.  This leads to a mishmash of books on a nook.  Right now, I'm embarrassed to bring my nook to work because it shows up that the most recent purchase is FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, which isn't something I plan to read, especially since I don't condone writers who re-work and sell disguised fanfiction.  I don't want to explain to everyone why this shows up on my nook's homepage.  Sadly, there's a lot of smut on my nook.  It was easier to hide on the original nook if I hung out in My Documents and not My Library.  The new Simple Touch, however, throws everything together!

I did purchase novellas by Rae Carson (Author of the amazing THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS) and Sarah J. Maas (Author of the upcoming THRONE OF GLASS, releasing in August, with a review to come soon) today, but it's not enough to wipe out the recent additions.  I'm just glad there are no children on the account, because that kind of thing is hard to hide.  I wish there was a way to toggle and only see my books, because the combined library is crazy huge.

I'm also a little annoyed that my new nook Simple Touch only allows for 240 mbs of non-BN content when my old original nook didn't do so and newer tablet nooks let you adjust the way your content is distributed.  The last update is over 100 mbs, which counts as "non-BN content" even though it IS BN content.  For most people, this isn't a deal breaker.  As a reviewer, it's annoying that I can't have more than 30 review books on my nook without getting a memory card.  This is a mix of "keeper copies," and expiring review copies from Netgalley, Edelweiss, etc.  I don't want to put things that expire on a memory card.  If it's a "keeper," I don't want it to get lost on a card.

In this way, I do miss my original nook.  At the same time, it's soooooooo light!  I will never be able to hold a heavy book again.  Last year when I reviewed PROGENY by R.T. Kaelin, the book was about a thousand pages and super heavy.  It takes up a lot of space on my shelf, too.  Maybe it's just me, but when a book is heavy, I can't read in as comfortable a position and it takes longer to read a book...or feels like it does!  I am a little jealous that newer e-ink readers have their own lighting system now, but I'm still holding out for color e-ink, so this isn't a deal breaker for me!

Overall, despite the cons, there are so many pros that I love my nook.  It doesn't take the place of my physical books, which you all know I'm still buying due to my weekly blogs despite having had a nook for two years now. I have to have matching authors/series/etc. in hardcover/paperback/ebook/etc.  If Sarah J. Maas had come out with THRONE OF GLASS last year and the novellas last year, I'd have a physical copy of the book.  Next month, I'm planning to start the series as an e-book purchase, and this is perhaps the first time I've bought a book at the $9.99+ price point.  I still like my real books, but seldom buy Big 5-published titles on my nook unless there's an awesome sale.  It's mostly for buying free books, indie books, classics, and free samples (my half of the account, at least...).  So things are slowly beginning to change!  I'm definitely an OCD packrat who wants a library like Belle and Beast's someday, though...!

What are your thoughts on the e-reading craze?

Comments

  1. I've had a Kindle now since November, and being a reviewer myself I find it to be absolutely perfect for review copies! I hated having to read those e-copies on my computer. It strained my eyes so much! But having my Kindle, which is also super light is amazing and perfect for carrying around in my purse, and going anywhere.
    In fact, when I was reading book the size of Harry Potter and Twilight, it would break my zipper on my purse all the time! I've went through quite a few purses because of heavy books! Plus when I go to school, and have all my textbooks, I don't have to worry about carrying an actual reading book on top of all those heavy textbooks, and just slide my kindle into my backpack!

    I'm sad that book stores are having trouble keeping open, because of the ebooks, but like you said there definitely are pros and cons to everything! I still buy books all the time, because I refuse to pay $9.99 on an ebook when I can get the hardcover with my Barnes and Noble membership for a dollar or so more online. That just makes the most sense to me! :)

    Thanks for sharing!! :)

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    1. I agree, books really do destroy our purses! And what if the purse is too small? Sometimes, I pick a purse based on the book... But my nook slips right in!

      It is sad that bookstores are struggling. I never want them to go away! There's still something about an actual book, about being surrounded by others who love books, by being able to browse and discover new titles.

      I agree about the pricing, which is another reason I haven't bought a major release on my nook so far. I get free express shipping as a B&N member and get emailed coupons at least once a month. Pair it with a book that's already 30-45% off and I pay under $10 for that shiny new hardcover...I'd rather do this. I was really mad I didn't get sent the mystery coupon last week, though! I definitely had my eye on the new Sailor Moon manga and the new Carlos Ruiz Zafón book to choose from, grr!

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    2. I do the exact same thing with Barnes and Noble! :)

      Why pay $9.99 for a ebook when you can get the hardcover for like $10.99?? PLUS free shipping! I get that $20 membership fee together SO fast!

      And I actually rarely go into bookstores anymore, mainly because we don't really have anymore in my town. If I go, I go to the library book store, which sells used books for cheap. But our Barnes and Noble is ALWAYS so Busy! And I get the books cheaper online anyway, so why spend that extra money in gas plus that extra $5 for in store? I mean I do it once in a while, when I go with a friend or something. I can't walk out of a bookstore without buying SOMETHING! lol

      :)

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    3. Agreed! Although I do go to my BN and do a Ship to House on the book to get free shipping and the online price, but let the store get the credit for the sale instead of online so it can stay in business. Then again, there's a BN really close to me and I'm there all the time!

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    4. Oh so you can go to the store and get the online price?? I'll have to remember that, if that's the case, for next time I go there. Yeah, I go there rarely, because the nearest BN store is about 30 minutes away, driving.

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    5. Yes, as long as you do a "ship to house" at the register, which means they mail you the book. It's the same exact thing as doing it online, except by placing the order in the store, the store gets the credit and the online site doesn't. You can do it over the phone if you give them a credit card or gift card number, too. Doing it straight online is easier, but it also puts the stores out of business faster. Win / Lose

      Haha, yeah, I have one five minutes in one direction and fifteen in the other. I'm lucky!

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    6. Yes, as long as you do a "ship to house" at the register, which means they mail you the book. It's the same exact thing as doing it online, except by placing the order in the store, the store gets the credit and the online site doesn't. You can do it over the phone if you give them a credit card or gift card number, too. Doing it straight online is easier, but it also puts the stores out of business faster. Win / Lose

      Haha, yeah, I have one five minutes in one direction and fifteen in the other. I'm lucky!

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    7. Oh ok I'll have to remember that for next time I head over to the store! :)

      Thanks!
      And wow, TWO Barnes's SOOO close!! You can pretty much walk to the one! AWESOME!! :)

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