The Bransford household has gone paperless.
Yes, I was recently given a new Sony Reader (more on the Reader next week), which I then gave to my wife, which, after a week of use, converted her to our new paperless overlords. Enthusiastically. We honestly can’t imagine going back to paper books, and in fact, I haven’t read a paper book since I got my Kindle. Which was a long time ago.
I asked this question a little over a year ago, and given how much has changed since then with the rise of the Kindle and Sony Reader, I thought it would be interesting to ask it again and see where things stand:
Dara says
Also, can anyone who ones either of these tell me if you are able to get eBooks from the library on them? I’ve gotten eBooks that way and sometimes I’ll read them on my tablet PC. I haven’t been able to figure out if you can use it for that or if you have to buy the books.
Wendy Pinkston Cebula says
As soon as the new Kindle model comes out, I’m getting one and switching over to mostly e-books. I probably would have had a different answer last year, but I’ve been convinced.
Elissa M says
The thing that always snags me about e-books is the “e”. Not everyone in the US lives on the power grid, ya know. And not all of us who are hooked in have 100% reliable power. Even batteries need to be charged.
And what happens when the reader has mechanical problems? What, you think they won’t wear out? Digital files can be screwed up by so many things.
I’ve got books that are over 100 years old and I can read them.
Just_Me says
Only if my choice is e-book or not reading. I hate straining my eyes on a screen. I can’t enjoy a kindle in the bubble bath. And I’m not paying $100+ to have an assisted reading device. My eyes work fine!
Michele says
No, I will not give up my paper books! I have read some books in electronic form, but to me reading is an experience. The way the paper feels in my fingers, the way the different books smell (old vs new, gloss photos vs no illustrations), the weight of a 1000 page epic opposed to a 400 page novel, and like others have said…there is no way to throw a reader across the room when the ending dissapoints! These are things an e-book just can’t provide.
mary beth says
Reading in the bath is all about the feel of the water, the paper in your hand, the sound of the book in your head, and if you’re really lucky, the taste of the wine or gin or whisky. The addition of a zip-loc bag might end up feeling prophylactic when you want more direct physical contact with something.
Sarah Jensen says
I will never give up paper books. Unless they quit printing them, but then again, I have enough in my home to keep me occupied for years.
I wouldn’t mind having one of those electronic thingies if someone showed me how to use it. But I’m a hard bound girl. 🙂
Anonymous says
Reality Whitehouse has really had my attention, too, as far as reality television shows go.
Anonymous says
Nathan,
I love my Kindle, but I can’t go totally paperless. I love books and the feel of them in my hands way too much. Also, I can actually *peruse* a book faster in hard copy – flipping the pages, etc.
I have a nice library in my home (it’s an extra bedroom in my tiny house) and I love the smell and look of that room. In fact, sometimes I go in there and just sit and look at all the lovely books when I need a lift.
There is something to be said for the experience of the book itself – the art of the cover, the typeset, etc. It is an art form in and of itself.
Also, I have something to keep that transcends the eventual obsolesence of any particular e-reader and its software.
So, for me it’s a 50-50 deal – some on Kindle and some in “real” books.
J.F.
Eugenia Tibbs says
I am addicted to reading so… e-books feed the need so much faster than it takes me to find a halfway decent book store or wait until amazon delivers. If I like an e-book well enough I will gladly pay for the paper version. Because I am a recovering pack-rat and I want to stay married, space is an issue. Plus, my three year old is ratting out all my book hiding places to daddy. My husband is going to buy me a kindle, and he didn’t even balk at the price. It must be true love.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Re: “Reality Whitehouse has really had my attention, too, as far as reality television shows go.”
??
Kristin Laughtin says
A majority? Maybe. E-only? Probably not. I’m quite torn, actually. While I certainly don’t mind reading off a screen and like the idea of paperless books (both for the environment, and because eventually I wouldn’t have room to store all the books I want to get), I am still enamored with the tactile sensation and the ability to loan them to friends or give them as gifts (and as a physical object). I expect I’ll buy a combo of both in the future, although I do not currently have an e-reader. I’m still interested in how the trend towards digital books will affect brick-and-mortar stores, methods of advertising, etc.
Marilyn Peake says
Dara,
Here’s an article about eBooks becoming available for download from libraries. My understanding is that the book can be downloaded at home for a certain period of time, then – poof! – it disappears on the date it’s due back. No need to return books or pay late fees. 🙂
Josh says
Just curious how many e-books you would have to buy before you paid for your Kindle?
Anonymous says
“Also, I have something to keep that transcends the eventual obsolesence of any particular e-reader and its software.”
I’m with JF on this. I stopped buying music years ago because the technology kept changing, and I hated having to buy the same songs all over again in different formats.
I have hundred-year-old books in my house that I can still read today: no batteries, no special reading devices required.
Steve Fuller says
T-Anne,
I am the ray of sunshine peeking out from behind Nathan’s storm clouds. 🙂
I am sure many of you already know about this, but Google the “Espresso Book Machine.” Imagine a world where almost all books are print-on-demand. (Which again, lowers costs for publishers.) Couple this technology with eBooks and things look promising for aspiring authors!
And don’t let the economy get you down! In desperate times, people turn to television, movies, and fiction books because they are looking to escape reality. That is why fiction sales went up last year despite the economy tanking.
Publishing contracts for everyone! 🙂
Richard Lewis says
So in the future will there be a used Kindle store, wherein you can browse the cobwebbed aisles and press the buttons to see what titles are in the stacked devices?
A used bookstore is a mysterious and magical place–all those abandoned words thicken the air and thin reality. There’s a reason a lot of stories are set amongst used books. So ten years from now, will we be reading a novel titled THE ZEROETH TALE about a technician repairing Kindles who is finds himself drawn into the pixels…
It’s not just famous titles available cheaply. There are obscure titles you never would have heard of if you hadn’t crimped your way into the depths, head tilted to the side as you examine the spines and spot one that says “God’s Secret Formula,” written by Herr Plichta, which does not reveal any such thing, but does give you a terrific and entertaining and inadvertent insight into an ego (the author’s) that is larger and grander than Valhalla.
Scott says
I could see buying more books if and when I own a Kindle or Sony Reader––as long as they’re priced right. iTunes allows me to pick up an entire record for $10, so that means I buy more. Of course, if my computer goes down, gets stolen or worse I’ve got nothing to listen to unless I’ve stored them all somewhere.
So what do you do if you have all your books on a machine and it suddenly disappears? Personally, there will be books I want to have, binding and all, and some that I just want to read. At least the ones I want to have can’t disappear in a butterfingers moment, and if one does, it won’t cost me $400 to get it back.
So all of those books that I borrow, check out at the library, and/or read at the bookstore over ten cups of coffee, I’ll be supporting the author(s) by picking them up on the cheap and reading them through a small screen.
So “mostly” is possible. “Entirely”? Can’t see it.
Ally Blue says
Man, this blog racks up the comments fast! LOL.
Haven’t read all 116, but here’s my half a cent anyhow. I luuuurve my ebooks. I bet I have upwards of 500 on Admiral Crunchbyte (my MacBook; the boy-child named him; no, I don’t know what it means either). I have the Admiral with me all the time anyhow, and with ebooks in PDF I have a wide variety of reading material at my fingertips at all times. This is a good thing, particularly on long plane trips.
Of course, I also have shelves stacked four-deep with Heinlein, Clive Barker, Lovecraft, and other such things at home, so I’m not giving up my dead tree books anytime soon either. How’s THAT for wanting it both ways?
Onovello says
A year ago, I was one of those who would have voted with the cold dead hands, and then a friend gave me a Kindle as a gift.
What happened after I opened the box and got that gadget into my hands was…well, let’s just say, it was transformative…even revelatory.
No more lugging around heavy books when I travel, which I do more than I’d like. No more weighing the book against the shoulder damage I’ll sustain from carrying the book. No more asking the flight attendants “how long ’til we get there?” when I finish a book mid-flight.
I AM a believer.
I do think e-readers have a long way to go with illustrated material, and art books. And it would be difficult to use an e-reader as a musical score for anything other than study purposes.
But they are remarkably nifty.
Yes, indeedy….
snairdi says
Two words made me answer “never”: “buy” and “mostly”. Right now, I read a lot more electronically than I do on paper, but the electronic books are always free. But would I pay for the privilege? Ha.
Deborah Blake Dempsey says
I am a fan of ebooks. I run around alot and it’s easy to have a single eReader (a PDA in my case) with a bunch of books than a bunch of books and a backache. BUT, I love, love, love holding and connecting with a book in my hands. You can’t get that same level of comfort and conformity out of an eReader. And yes, I am one of those deplorable people who break the spines. To me that’s really getting into a book. Plus, I can comfortably take a book in the bathtub with me.
Deb
Amy says
It’s funny how when it comes to electronic devices, they slowly take over my life.
I am 39 years old and a slow converter. But I answered yes, because after spending the last two years with my Mac Book I can see myself reading electronic books. When the new Kindle comes out I’m buying one for our household. If you would have asked me this question a few years ago I would have said “no way!” I suspect some of the no’s will turn to yes’.
Amy says
I just scanned the comments and ANON 2:34 said something I agree with: I also stopped buying music a few years ago. I just feel so dumb buying CDs because I’m too lazy to download iTunes. Listening to music just became too complicated. BUT, I do listen to it for free on YouTube by pulling up the videos. My feeling is eBooks aren’t as complicated for us less technically inclined individuals.
Vancouver Dame says
I voted ‘maybe’ to buying mostly e-books, if the technology for reading them improves, and the price of the reader becomes more affordable. My husband and I plan to travel in the near future, and if we both wanted to read at the same time, we would need two of the readers – which makes it pricey.
Screen size, weight of the book reader, and affordability would play a part in the decision to purchase e-book readers. Another problem with e-books – will the selection of books chosen by publishers improve? I don’t buy what they consider best sellers. Books by celebrities and reality show contestants make me gag, and add to the glut in the market. To increase the buying public for e-books or any printed books, the quality of the choices must improve as well. Perhaps libraries will find an alternative and make the buying of e-books a non-issue.
britmandelo says
I would have previously said no, but then I wrote an ebook on contract for a new romance publisher. I kind of like the way it looks and how the format sells. That and I can check how well I’m doing on their bestseller list at any time of the day or night. *g*
M Clement Hall says
I can see many persons in the publishing industry will find Kindle/Sony readers very convenient, as will those who travel with minimal luggage.
For myself, although I spend a lot of time on a computer, I like the tactile and visual aspects of a well produced book.
Conversely, I dislike the badly bound book with inadequate inner margin and the “cheapos.” Perhaps the “throw-away” type book, the “quick read and forget it” are the ones to be replaced.
Lisa Melts Her Penn says
OMG, that’s right — what would the bookshelves hold if no paper books? Besides random stuff?
Brigid says
I’d use an e-reader. I just think the price point for both the reader and the books are just too high. With a novel, I can read it, then hand it around to friends and family to enjoy. With electrons, only I can read it, and it’s not like I can forward it to people like I could with a PDF file. With iTunes, I can put songs on other people’s iPods if I want to. From what I understand of the Kindle, even that isn’t a possibility.
Besides which, what’s the demographic on book buyers? Mostly women, right? And mostly over 30, right? No offense, ladies — and I’m a woman over 30, too — but we’re not the same generation as the iPod kids. I just don’t see this taking over as rapidly as downloaded music has taken over the music industry.
Anonymous says
550 votes so far (19.30 EST). And that doesn’t include the non-voting window-shoppers.
You’ve got quite a (well-desrved) following Nate!
Ben-M says
I figure it’s unlikely I’ll ever say Never, unlikely I’ll ever say Absolutely, and I think it unlikely the technology will ever be more robust and future-proof than a paper book.
So, being unable to assert my reading future, I find it’s most likely I’m glad that Lost is back.
Which is funny because I don’t watch TV.
Vicky says
Regarding e-reader devices and travel, keep in mind that once the cabin doors close, you must turn off all electronic devices until the jet reaches cruising altitude. And again when the plane begins its descent for landing. NP unless you’re stuck on a runway for a looong time with 40 jets ahead of your aircraft (Think LaGuardia). Also, to Josh regarding a multi-tasker device, keep in mind that for the convenience, your tradeoff is the one device is a potential single point of failure. If you go this route, back-up the device regularly.
Madison says
For reading, I want paper, not a screen. For publication, I want paper and if it gets published in e-format after, then that’s cool. 🙂
Lynne says
Books attract dust, which attracts dust mites. Unless you are x-tremely rich and can afford a great housekeeper and glass-covered bookshelves. I can’t. So, I will miss throwing books against the wall but I won’t miss the dust. And …more trees will live.
Adam Heine says
As I write this, there are 242 (out of 563) votes for “never.”
I love my paper books. I can loan them out, they feel nice, and I’m apparently a much older man than my age would lead one to believe. I can’t imagine moving completely to paperless.
That said, I can’t say “never.” At one point, I thought I’d never have only CD’s. I thought I’d never replace my VHS tapes. I thought I’d never pay for broadband.
Never is too strong a word.
Linda says
Already reading on my itouch and eagerly waiting for the new kindle (my b’day is in April, hint-hint). But I love paper, too, and as long as I keep finding great deals at yardsales, I’ll buy paper. Plus, I intend to keep supporting DEBUT AUTHORS and SMALL PRESSES:
https://leftbrainwrite.blogspot.com/2009/01/hey-you-put-your-money-where-your-mouth.html
I do worry, though, of losing my e-library to a harware malfunction… Peace, Linda
Dimato says
I read some e-books, but I can’t imagine ever buying mostly e-books. Part of the joy of reading for me is holding the book and turning the page to be drawn deeper into the world that is hidden there. I’m very nostalgic about books because as a child it was a way for me to enter into a better place. When I read on my computer it doesn’t have the same affect, but it’s necessary.
Deirdre Mundy says
I read a lot with my kids. My book chewing, book tossing, book grabbing, page flipping, extremely tactile kids…..
It’s have to be some pretty amazing tech before it could stand up to my 1 year old… and be easy enough to use so that he could read it himself……
I could see going paperless for one-time reads.. especially if there was a way to “check them out” from my library without leaving the house…..
But for books I’m going to read again and again, or books I want to share with the munchkins? No way.
Also, I imagine it would be rather hard to lioan an e-book to a friend….. right now, someone can come over to my house, pluck a book off the shelf, start reading it, and take it home…..
Zee says
If I traveled more, I’d think the cost was worth it. The other thing that keeps tempting me is being able to download something immediately instead of getting in the car, driving to the bookstore and hoping it’s in stock.
I do have to agree with some of the other posters that I’d miss being able to pull a Dorothy Parker book toss.
Maybe they could include that “Special foam-insulated pouch for flinging with great force”
Writer Chick says
It would be interesting to know the answers by age group.
Newbee says
Although I see how a physical book is something that I am not ready to see taken from me, I also see the benefit of having a digital copy.
This is my idea…How about selling a digital copy with your book purchase. Kinda like when you buy a CD, you are able to save those songs to your ipod or laptop. I would welcome such a product in the market. Even pay more for the technology. This could be a great idea for a new book on the market. This might be a “free gift” of the digital copy as a selling incentive to get new readers. Just an idea…
Alice says
I don’t even like reading much on my computer screen. Too hard on the eyes. I’ll keep the paper, thank you.
Nathan Bransford says
Reading a Kindle or Reader is not like reading on a computer. It’s like reading on paper. Man, Sony and Amazon needs to get some advertising on this.
Heather Wardell says
I already DO buy mostly ebooks. My to be read pile has 43 ebooks and 13 paper books. I read ebooks on my Palm Treo. I tried one on my laptop and did NOT enjoy it, but reading on the Palm is absolutely no problem.
Interestingly, most of the ebooks I bought at full price, and nearly all of the paper books were from the discount tables at my local bookstore.
I welcome any overlord that makes it easier for me to read while in the line at the grocery store.
Newbee says
So, I just looked up the “Kiddle” product. I think it’s a great idea for people who read hundreds of books a year.
I personally think the average person would find it to be just another electronic device to carry. After carrying a cell, pda, or laptop with you almost everywhere I find it redundant to tote around something else that Amazon comes up with that includes a proprietary code.
For me, I’d rather have a book or digitally compatible file. I don’t think I would find it economical. That’s just my perspective. I can see how someone like yourself Nathan, would use this more than the average person.
superwench83 says
I just don’t know about the Kindle or Sony Reader yet, not having ever held one in my hands. So I can’t say. But you can bet I’m glad Lost is back!!!
Jeff Sypeck says
As an author whose publisher made his book available for the Kindle as soon as the device hit the market, I’m enthusiastic about the Kindle’s capacity to indulge impulse purchasers, I like the higher royalty rate, and I like that it helps authors reach “early adapters.” To my delight, I keep hearing from people who might not have bought my book in the first place if not for the Kindle edition.
That said, I doubt I’ll buy an e-book reader until it’s sophisticated enough to accommodate unconverted PDFs, footnotes and graphics and all. I’m a non-fiction writer; I need to be able to take piles of scholarship on the road with me, and I need to cite real page numbers from the original documents. Also, a month or two ago, I tried to develop a small, independent e-book for the Kindle and found its formatting options woefully inadequate, especially for a book that needed to include notes and precisely formatted poetic stanzas. A more sophisticated Kindle would be a great way to deliver niche books to scholars, scientists, and other specialists; the current model just isn’t there yet.
I’m sure the Kindle is a great way to read normally formatted prose, but I’ll hold out for a professional-quality device. We’re probably a generation or two away from that, but I fully expect that when it does come along, it will transform how (and where!) I write.
Anonymous says
Even though I currently read both electronic and paper books, my first thought is that it would be hard to give up paper books. Then I thought about what the more environmentally responsible decision ought to be, and maybe I should give up paper.
David Quigg says
This is 2009. Aren’t we supposed to get all our entertainment via virtual-reality goggles strapped permanently to our faces?
When you think about some of the dystopian notions that have been floated over the years, I think the mere fact of this debate is something to celebrate. The underlying premise of the debate is this:People want the written word. That’s spectacular.
Ben-M says
I see that the observation has been made that trees are saved having not printed a book.
It may very well be the case that an e-reader is more environmentally friendly, but I'd love to see the figures include the cost of the e-reader itself, rather than overlooking it as if it had zero-environmental cost.
Can we compare the total environmental costs in producing and maintaining a consumer electronics item with a paper book? There can be tremendous energy consumption, pollution and waste in the mining & refining of metals or production of plastics and other chemicals used in the electronics industry.
Just because we're not feeling guilty about consuming trees or because a device is manufactured overseas in a polluted third world nation from non-renewable resources doesn't mean that the environmental cost isn't there.
Yet a cursory google for 'environmental cost' on the Amazon Kindle will mainly net acclaim at how it doesn't consume trees and ignore the cost of the device, or the waste as the device is made obsolete later.
I'd love to know what the real cost is.