Books in spite of kindle.

[ina/puusty]

The push for an ever expanding number of ways..to learn, to read, to transmit information..will never cease. Growing..is healthy..and curr. info. is rocking the people boats with a mechanical item..thought by many..to make paper books obsolete. Long story short..the expansion of ..local blogs..world wide..will also expand and morph..to those who do their own types of artistic printing/designing and both small print editions and hands-on..ink and paint designs..will sell. An edition of 10..or..100. Those that become winners in the field of battle..will rise and become as gemstones. Over time..people will seek out those ..Creations..and big money..will change hands. More small printing situations..will rise..and be patronized by those..who have an eye, and a mind..for quality. Just as shopping for created-bling..went mass-trolling for customers via home-tv programs..so did it not ever touch..those who understand a true, ruby..of flawless quality..clarity..and not needing plastic..'stabilization'. At this point in time..kindle answers a fascination with 'how to carry'..an instant info..to feed the 'perception of need' for information..as cell phones have done..for many. I have held..the machine..and read the print. It is interesting..but much like a fast food burger..or an inexpensive chocolate..it fills the moment..but not the soul! ina n HB n Kesa

 

[NessaM]

I have the Kindle application for my iPhone, and I use it all the time. I use it whenever I am on the go, and stuck someplace where I could use reading material - doctors' offices, the vets', the local oil & lube place when I'm waiting for my car, etc etc. It's freaking fantastic on vacation - I used to have to pack 5 to 10 books every time we went away, and they were so heavy, and took up so much space in my baggage! Now I can travel with 150 books, including all of my favorites, and the ones I still need to read. It's awesome. If I'm having a conversation with someone, and we argue about a quote, or I make a reference to some point of philosophy from a novel, etc - we can refer to the original material immediately.

But I buy the books in their physical hard-bound form also. I love books, and I love having the 'real thing.'

 

[suse]

Times are changing so fast, aren't they? I, for one, never thought the idea of a Kindle was a good idea. One is missing out on the smell of the paper, the feel of the pages, the sound they made when being turned, the ability to write in them, mark them, make them truly yours.

Now I want one. I want one for the beach, for plane travel, for the convenience and ...to not feel old and like I can't keep up with changes.

And I appreciate it for what it does for students with reading difficulties...research is being done presently...for some reason, the backlight of the page makes it easier to read, the one pagedness causes less distractions....some downloads are FREE...so people who used to not read are now trying it....Are these people missing out on the book experience? Perhaps...but some didn't pick up a book because it was too difficult...if they are reading now because it's on a Kindle...YAHOOOOOOO!!!
(Can you tell I'm a learning support teacher? )

 

[Newfobsessed]

It's books for me too!! I understand the convenience of Kindle, but there is something magical about being able to turn the page of an actual book... to have it on your lap while reading it, and seeing the actual drawings or pictures in it. I love to buy used books as they have their own history that comes with them. I just hope they don't go the way of the dinosaur and the newspaper....

 

[Tug]

Perhaps it's going the way of the original books.
Those with Mass Market appeal will remain in Cyber-space.
Those that prove to be Classic will transition to paper and be valued above.
The question would then be; who decides?

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

I, for one,love the heft of packing several books to take on vacation---taking old friends along. I agree there is a place for Kindle and other new technologies and if, as Sue says,they help students who might otherwise never read at all, then Bravo. But give me the feel of pages turning, the textures of paper and cloth covers, the smell of ink, the time to think and absorb and wonder at the words before me...they seem more real to me on paper. Just call me a romantic bibliophile.:book:

 

[Windancer]

not being familiar with this tech....I am visualizing reading on a phone sized screen......is this the case??? lordy...or even the larger sized phone screen..still small.

 

[dannyra]

With the 3D tv's coming out and everything going to electronic, I've been thinking of the book "Fahrenheit 451" a lot lately.

 

[MMtnmom]

my daughter was going to get me the Kindle...not for me. Then the phone app came out and I thought, no big deal, no initial investment and found that the print on the iphone is actually very acceptable. I still use the library excessively, and purchase occasionally...but I like the fact that when I'm stuck somewhere sans book...I've got one on my iphone. I downloaded a biography of Dietrich Bonhoffer and I am slowly inching my way through. Oh yes, since my vision is exceptionally poor, my comment about acceptable print size is pretty reliable.

 

[NessaM]

You can change the print size on both the iPhone Kindle App and the Kindle also, to whatever you find most comfortable to read.

I'd like to point out that this means that people with vision problems can get books via kindle or iphone kindle app and read them in an extra-large size font, even if those books have never been released in a printed 16 pt font version for the visually impaired. Just sayin'.

Personally, I'm lusting for the iPad. The Kindle app for that sucker is Beeeeeyoooootiful...

Julie - if you're using the iPhone Kindle app, then yes, you're reading on a phone screen. The iPhone screen is the largest in the business, of course, but it's still about the size of a large rectangular post-it note.

The actual KINDLE device has a screen that is roughly the same size as a paperback novel. So no real difference there between a book and the Kindle, and as previously mentioned, you can change the print size until you're comfortable with it - an option real books don't come with most of the time.

You're also able to dog-ear pages, highlight things, and make notes in both the Kindle device, and the Kindle iPhone application. Unlike real books, the Kindle and iPhone Kindle app collect these highlights and notes into a searchable database that allows you to quickly locate notes and highlighted passages. Very handy, especially if you're reading something that you wish to highlight heavily.

 

[louienewf]

Have a kindle...love it for the convenience..BUT....I do miss, at times, the feel of a real book and getting cozy on a rainy day, turning the pages of a real book..BUT..I do like my kindle.

 

[Garden_girl]

I do read books online and I hate it. I need to use all 5 senses to complete the experience or it just doesn't seem right. I love the feel (and the sound) of the cellophane from the books at the library. I love the smell of books (purchased or from the library) and I need to hold them and feel the pages turn underneath my fingertips. Whenever I walk into a school, I can smell books. What does technology smell like?
Taste-hmmm? I guess I could enjoy the taste of whatever I'm eating while I'm reading with a Kindle, too! :whistling:

 

[KodysGrandma]

Have an old high school friend trying to talk me into a Kindle. Can't quite imagine it except for places like doctors and vets, anywhere you're stuck waiting. But then you have to have brought it with you, more weight and my handbag is way too heavy now. I'm a read in bed person, love to flip the pages and the serendipity of what you find in non-fiction when you do that. Pulp fiction maybe OK

 

[mrsnamsherf]

Hmmm...Kindle would seem to have its uses. My husband does virtually all of his reading on his Droid. I, however, like books...lots of books! :nod: And since practically everything I read is out of print...Kindle does not have much use for me. So I have bookshelves...and I have two more in the garage being painted...so I can buy more old books. And haunt more old bookstores. And trade in ones I do not want anymore for credit so I can buy more old books...:lol:

Also, I worry about reading something that is backlit all the time. My husband is a computer programmer, whose hobby is also computers (big surprise), and now he reads on his phone too. He now has very little night vision, and changes his work schedule in the winter, so he does not have to drive home in the dark. I have often wondered if there is a connection...

Marie

 

[Henrys Mom]

I love my Kindle! I can take so many books with me where ever I go! If I am on vacation and finish the book I'm reading I can just buy another one without having to find a store. I do still buy some books but I read for pleasure and I read lots of different books that I don't need to keep so the Kindle is perfect for that.

 

[NessaM]

Also, I worry about reading something that is backlit all the time. My husband is a computer programmer, whose hobby is also computers (big surprise), and now he reads on his phone too. He now has very little night vision, and changes his work schedule in the winter, so he does not have to drive home in the dark. I have often wondered if there is a connection...

Marie

Ah HAH! But the Kindle is not lit at all!!! That's what makes it easy to read, even on the beach.

 

[HeidiPeterson]

I have a kindle and I love it. I had to start wearing reading glasses when I read a book. With the kindle I don't. And I love the convenience of having so many books in one small package!

 

[911Newfs]

Books for me - thought about getting a Kindle, but just not ready to give up the smell and feel of paper, turning of pages, being able to slip in an old bookmark. Falling asleep and waking up knowing that, while I may have to flip back a page or two to find where I left off, at least I don't have to worry about recharging a "book" - I simply start reading again. I love old books, out-of-print books, etc. I guess in one of my previous lives, I must have been a librarian of some kind. Don't let me see a bookstore anywhere - Ill never walk past - will always go in and at least browse.



_

 

[wrknnwf]

Well, I took the leap based on the rave reviews here. Have pre-ordered the latest generation Kindle. Won't get it until early Sept and I can hardly wait! I haven't read much in the last few years since my old eyes don't like the small print anymore. Hope this solves that problem!!!

This version is pretty neat! 3G wireless, wi-fi and holds up to 3500 books!!!

There are a number of wonderful free sites (like Project Gutenberg) that have downloadable books and also, for those of you who like to be read to, Libravox has free audio books for download. And if you're able, it's nice to support those organizations with donations.

 

[NessaM]

Jane, I hope you love it! It's not a factor for me because I read all my news from an Associated Press app on my iPhone, but you CAN set up subscriptions for newspapers on your Kindle, and have them transmitted wirelessly to your Kindle at release time, automatically. So you could wake up and find the new releases of all your favorite newspapers on your Kindle in time for your morning coffee.