Comments on: Friday Bookblogging: Fresh Meat Edition

By: Mags

Mags — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:46:58 +0000

~~The one drawback to the Cybook is that it can’t handle library books~~, (ETA: Not true! The Cybook does indeed handle library book e-book downloads, which are usually DRMed Mobipocket set to expire after the checkout period ends) but at this point my library isn’t doing e-books anyway, and I’m hoping for that to be fixed in a firmware upgrade before it becomes an issue for me.

The pricetag will be a dealbreaker for a lot of people, though I usually buy myself one expensive toy with my end of the year bonus, and this year it will be an e-book reader. It would be different if I had kids to buy toys for, of course. But I dare say the price will come down in a few years, just like the iPod, and they will make improvements and maybe even address the issues with privacy and the proprietary format and of course the fug. That’s why I think the Kindle has real potential. They are on the right track, and the bigness of Amazon doing e-books only helps the rest of the field.

By: Arlene

Arlene — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:13:48 +0000

New to this blogging but thought I would add my 2 cents-I love to go to bookstores but do shop online-and not being able to curl up w/a good book that just wouldn’t be me-Arlene

By: Julie B.

Julie B. — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 23:10:38 +0000

I have been gazing longingly at the Kindle. Much too steep for my pocketbook, and I’m also concerned about the DRM issues. I want a reader I can use for library books, darn it. The iPod certainly had its DRM issues (which are lessening of late) but I could always rip a CD and put it onto my iPod.

And yes, it does indeed put the fug in fugly.

Maybe Kindle 2.0 will be cheaper, less-DRM hobbled and a little more attractive. And in a color besides white.

By: Mags

Mags — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:17:36 +0000

I agree–e-books will never replace pbooks completely, and shopping online will never completely replace the immediate-gratification experience of brick-and-mortar shopping or the pleasure of browsing in a bookstore (and being helped by the friendly booksellers, of course), either. But it will open up backlists like never before, and for those of us who live in small spaces, allow us to grow our libraries beyond our wildest dreams.

That being said, eInk readers are more like reading a book. They’re not backlit like reading a computer screen, so no eye strain; and they’re portable, so you can curl up in bed (with a good strong reading light, just like a book) and on a chair and just about anywhere–even the bathtub if you stick it in a ziplock–and they even make waterproof cases for the beach. I don’t read in the tub but definitely at the beach–but I don’t even take my nice hardbacks to the beach–only ratty paperbacks I don’t care about. Wind, sea air, and sunblock can do a number on a nice book.

By: Sibylle

Sibylle — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:11:58 +0000

Don’t worry, Laurel Ann, nothing can possibly replace a book made of paper and ink. And I can’t stand reading too long on a screen so book readers are not for me I’m afraid This is also one of the major drawbacks given by people who don’t own a book reader.

By: Laurel Ann

Laurel Ann — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:39:22 +0000

Sniff, sniff, honk; – - as Mags rhapsodizes poetic about book readers, the future looks bleak for us old fart stanchy bookseller types who live for book dust, the smell of old paper and getting lost in the catacombs of library stacks!

Oh and, I will be out of a job too! :0

By: Faith-Anne

Faith-Anne — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 05:33:43 +0000

I don’t have the Kindle yet, but I do have a Sony Reader with all Miss Austen’s work. My boyfriend was tired of me carrying all her books everywhere so he got it for me as a birthday present.