Bear with me here. I know that per the last polling around 45% of you would rather be tasered than part with your paper books in favor of e-books, and thus I would imagine that reading a blog post about the bizarre e-book reading habits of a blogging literary agent can’t be much fun for you.
Sorry about that. I would enliven the post by relating the topic to some reality show like The Hills, but, well, I’m sad to report that The Hills and I have officially broken up. It’s over. It wasn’t The Hills, it was me. I’m just at a different place in my life now. We tried couples counseling and I asked if we could still be friends, but The Hills was like, “THAT NEVER WORKS!” and then stormed off and went in a completely different direction. Thank you for your support during this difficult time.
So… you’re stuck with a post about my bizarre e-book habits without television show references to save you. Sorry about that.
Ahem. As you know I’m an e-book aficionado. The convenience! The portability! No more printing out of manuscripts!
And I really took to both the Kindle and the Sony Reader: the Sony Reader for its sleekness, touch screen, night light, and overall design, and the Kindle for the insane convenience of e-mailing manuscripts directly to the Kindle, where I can download them wirelessly and read them anywhere. E-reading has changed my life and I feel like it’s the way of the future.
You know which e-reader I like the best?
Um. Would you believe the iPhone?
I really, really resisted reading on the iPhone. Just too small of a screen, my brain said. It doesn’t have e-ink. Too hard on the eyes. I had an iPhone for a year before I really tried to read a book on one (nevermind that I read blogs on it all the time via Google Reader).
But then I was on the bus one day, I didn’t have my Kindle, and I started reading a book on via the iPhone Kindle app.
It wasn’t an instant love connection. The screen really is small and took some getting used to. But gradually I began to feel that reading on the iPhone is ultimately the superior experience. Imagine my surprise.
It turns out I really love instantaneous page turns. The Kindle and Sony Reader both “blink” when turning pages and there’s a noticeable delay. Not so on the iPhone. It moves quickly. Just tap the side of the screen and the page turns instantly. Or you can swipe the screen and mimic a page turn with your finger and the next page slides smoothly into place. You can also turn the phone sideways and the Kindle reader goes into landscape mode, which I found perfect for reading.
As a result, the iPhone really disappears in your hands like a book.
I also thought it would hurt my eyes to read on a small screen, but I never actually found that to be a problem. Probably this is due to an important iPhone function: the screen automatically dims or brightens by sensing the ambient light, so it’s always comfortable on the eyes whether you’re in bright sunlight or in the dark. Not so with the Kindle, which needs good lighting to read because there’s no backlighting.
What does this mean? Well, I used to think that dedicated e-readers were the future of book reading. But the problem with extraneous devices is that you don’t always have them handy precisely at those times when you have some down time and want to be reading. It’s also pretty darn expensive to buy a device that does just one or two things. And that brings me to the main benefit of reading on the iPhone: I always have it with me, and although it’s expensive, it also comes with, you know, phone capabilities, which are kind of important. It’s insanely portable and always there whenever I have ten minutes or an hour and want to read.
I realize that phone reading is not for everyone. But to me it just goes to show how the future of e-books probably doesn’t lie in one category-killing e-book reader, but probably some mishmash of devices depending on a reader’s particular preferences. Including those strange devices printed on wood pulp and bound in cardboard.
In any event, just wanted to share. Tell The Hills I said “hi” if you happen to run into it. No hard feelings, I hope.
thelittlefluffycat says
Yes. Thank you. Exactly. Not to mention that you can listen to music while you read, if you so desire. And since I use a touch instead of an iphone, my reading is never interrupted by a phone call, ha! 🙂
Heather Sunseri says
Really? I'm having a difficult time believing this. I don't own a kindle. Can I still read on my iphone? Just curious.
Nathan Bransford says
heather-
Yeah, there are several non-Kindle-related e-reading applications for the iPhone, including one just released by Barnes & Noble.
Margaret Yang says
I always knew that when there was an iPod for e-books, e-books would take off. Turns out there already was an iPod for e-books.
It's small–so what? So are paperbacks and that's what I like about them. I could read my iPhone while in line at the grocery store. I can't imagine hauling out a big old Kindle while waiting in line somewhere.
Jennifer Roland says
Me, too! Me, too!
I haven't the dedicated e-readers, but I love reading books on my iPod Touch. Using the various reader apps out there, I can buy my books in whichever format suits me.
I prefer using the eReader app because it has a little status bar at the bottom of the screen that shows me how far into the book I am. I got so upset reading my first ebook in the Kindle app (Pride by Rachel Vincent) because I didn't realize I was on the last page!
Nathan Bransford says
jennifer-
Yeah, that is one drawback of the Kindle iPhone app — you have to click away to see where you are in a book. You also have to actually go to the web in order to buy new books rather than buying them directly through the app.
jscolley says
The Road would read great on any medium.
clindsay says
I agree. I read exclusively on my Palm Tungsten E for about six years; it was a great experience. You could add your own fonts and change the font sizes. The autoscroll function meant I could take it to the gym, set it down on the elliptical to read and never touch it to change the page.
When my Palmie died I was heartbroken.
I purchased and use a Sony now and – while I do like the Sontas a reader – the smaller screen Palm was a better reading experience.
I've considered getting an iPod touch just for reading…
Enjoy your iPhone, sir!
clindsay says
PS –
eReader Pro from eReader.com was the first iPhone reading app and still one of the best. That was what I used on my Palm as well. You might want to try it out!
C-
Karen Schwabach says
Oh geez. I always thought "The Hills" was something you had made up. It's a real show?
This is very disillusioning.
Laura Martone says
I love reading books on my Sony – I'm, in fact, reading a PDF version of a fellow beta reader's novel right now… and it's so cool seeing her words in book form!
For financial reasons, I have yet to buy an iPhone. But I'm pretty happy right now with my e-reader and separate cell phone. As if I don't have enough distractions without getting calls on the very device I'm trying to read!
Geez, Nathan, how do you do it? It's a wonder to me, I tell you. 🙂
Tami Klockau says
I just got an iPhone a few weekends ago. Two days before that, Barnes and Noble came out with their free iPhone app. I must first say that I am against e-readers. I don't own one. I love the feel of a book and the "high" I get browsing the store and carrying my purchases to the counter. Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, I LOVE reading on my iPhone! The B&N app comes with a few classics, and I've found myself reading them. On Friday I purchases a collection of Poe, because I figured it's an easy pick up and put down book. Just like Nathan, I get pulled into the pages and am not even aware that the "book" is actually my iPhone.
dan radke says
I never wanted to say this, but The Hills just brought you down. This break up, it's really for the best.
But guess what? A friend of friend told me that Battlestar Galactica thinks you're cute.
Anonymous says
So if this multi-device is the way forward and not dedicated e-readers, then in the future, instead of calling them 'e-books', we will call them 'phone books'….? Er, no. I suppose that would be confusing.
Steph Damore says
Wait, you have an iPhone?
I'm so jealous.
But I do agree with you. I borrowed my brother-in-law's and read Twilight off it during my husband's graduation ceremony this past spring (shhh! Don't tell him) The size of the font wasn't bad at all, especially in landscape mode. Watching movies wasn't bad either (hey, it was a l-o-n-g ceremony).
Laura Martone says
That's funny, Steph. I read all four Twilight books on my e-reader! Just couldn't bring myself to display the print versions on my bookcase, I guess.
Pamala Knight says
I've been reading eBooks on my iPod touch for the last year and a half and I agree with all of your reasons. The Bonus for me was when I scored a Kindle for Mother's Day, I just pointed all my downloaded iPod swag to my Kindle2 and BAM (said the lady–sorry Nathan), I'm in business. And the ambient light thing is such a WIN that Kindle3 needs to get on that pronto.
I usually have my iPod with me (in my purse, my bag or strapped to my arm if I'm running) so I'm always armed with some reading material.
Kristan says
Nathan, to my IMMENSE surprise (and everyone's disbelief) I feel the same way about reading books (via Kindle app or Stanza) on my iPod Touch! My only issue is battery life… I don't usually like reading white text on black (or other similar variations) but I'm thinking about trying that to help me get through more "pages"!
Holly Bodger says
Jeez Dan. I really can't believe I had to hear the news this way. I mean, Battlestar and I just went out last week!
I guess it's sloppy seconds from The Hills for me…
sex scenes at starbucks says
I have a new Blackberry bold. It has a screen, though small, to rival the resolution of the Iphone. So far online reading goes fine. Wonder how reading a book would be on that thing? Ok. Gonna have to try it and report back.
Althea Hayden says
Hi Nathan, thanks for this post! I too have recently discovered the joys of reading on the iPhone – it's addictive!
I have been using the Stanza app. I didn't realize there was a Kindle app out now.
Yaay!
Jamie D. says
I'll admit it – I laughed when I read this. People think I'm crazy all the time for reading on my Palm TX. "Isn't that screen too small?" Nope. Not at all.
I love it though, and I can get a few pages in wherever without having to carry around a larger or dedicated reading device. I have the background colored a light tan that's easy on the eyes, and just dim the back light when I need to.
Laurie Boris says
The Hills was never my type from "Hello," but I do love my Kindle. Love it so much that I e-pubbed one of my novels on it. While I do love books…the feel of them, the sound of the binding cracking open, even the smell of the ink…you can't beat taking six or seven books (and a bunch of blogs) on the train with you…and getting updates on the fly. And I'm glad to hear that the iPhone Kindle app isn't totally unpleasant. More users, more readers!
DebraLSchubert says
Nathan, Fascinating, as usual. I told my husband I want some type of mechanical reading device for my b-day in December. Picking which one, however, is the trick…
Pink Bug says
I'll let Lauren know you won't be by Nathan. 🙂
I'm all about multifunctional tools. I don't like to carry too many items with me. But, I can see myself with an iphone. Hmm…I think I'm up for a new phone too. Thanks Nathan! (picks up car keys and runs out the door)
Precie says
Dammit. I've been trying sooooooooo hard to suppress the devil on my shoulder who keeps insisting I need an iPhone. Must. resist.
Don't need a new phone (but the iPhone would be so much more than a phone!).
My functional old Nokia works just fine (but it deserves to retire after its years of honorable
service.
arghhhh.
I mean, um, thanks for the enthusiastic review. Sigh.
Melanie K says
i resisted the Kindle for a LONG time for the same reasons most book lovers do: i love books. i love the feel and the smell of books. I like to pet them. i like to shop for them. it's possibly an unhealthy relationship 🙂
short story shorter: i finally gave in. i LOVE my Kindle. i love that i can just change books when i'm in the mood, no matter where i am.
not sure that i'm ready to read on my iPhone yet–doesn't it get in the way when people text you all day long?
Other Lisa says
I've been waiting to buy an iPhone for my Treo 680 to finish its long, slow death…(and for Apple to release my favorite Chinese dictionary application from its beta prison) – this is an additional incentive for sure!
Question for those of you using the iPod Touch – what's the deal with that, anyway? I have a video iPod with a click wheel. Am I better off with one of those Touch thingies and a separate cellphone? Or an iPhone and my current click wheel iPod?
Stephanie Faris says
I still love my paperbacks. I read while on my exercise bike every morning. I'm wondering if the bouncing screen would be a problem, although the backlighting would make it easier to read. Just one more year 'til I have my own iPhone… Have to wait for my Sprint contract to be up.
Loren Eaton says
I've read one book on my iPod Touch using Stanza. And even though the book was awesome, the eye strain got so bad about halfway through that I wanted to gouge out my peepers with my thumbs.
Nathan Bransford says
lisa-
iPod touches are basically iPhones without the phone part. You can connect to the internet wirelessly, use apps, and do a lot that click wheel iPods can't.
Now that iPhones come with 32 gig memory, though, if you're going to upgrade it probably makes sense to just go with an iPhone over buying a new phone and a separate iPod touch. You can still use your click wheel iPod to store music that you don't have room for on your iPhone.
T. Anne says
I have the ipod touch and I use it as much as my kindle! You're right I have it with me everywhere so it's always on hand.
Regina Milton says
Too true. I read the classics on my BlackBerry with Barnes & Noble's app. My phone is always there and I am always in need of some classic brush-up-ness. I love the Kindle, but the phone is the new thing. It is there with you while you commute, when you're stuck at a boring event, or hanging out with friends who start to watch TV shows you don't care for (yes, The Hills included).
Aerin says
I'm not sure I'd have as much fun reading on my iPhone if I couldn't break to play games and make random crank calls. (Yeah, that was me, sorry.)
Vacuum Queen says
Totally. I don't read books on my iPhone, but I sure do everything else, including reading your blog! I'm curious to hear the Apple eReader's (whatever it's going to be called) reviews. I think the winner shall be my dad's Christmas gift. He refuses to get a cell phone, though…so iPhone is out. Does the iTouch have this app? I'm sure it does…hmmmmm…..
Mira says
Well, that's a short story waiting to be written. Couples counseling between a T.V. show and a human. Funny……
This was helpful to me personally, thank you. I just got my student loan money. Did you know they give you EXTRA? EXTRA money. It's amazing how much junk is suddenly absolutely essential to my upcoming education.
Like an I-phone. You can call on it. You can read on it. Could there be anything more desirable in human existence? I think not. Not when I have money in my pocket to burn, baby.
But is the I-phone the best option? Well, you convinced me with the ambient light thing. That is SO important. So, thank you. Very helpful.
Scott says
I suspect that e-reading devices will continue to evolve. I'm anxious to see what Apple's tablet gizmo will do/look like. I think we're eventually going to walk around with something that looks like what Jon-Luc Picard had on STNG.
I have to admit I sometimes wander to Amazon and look longingly at the Kindle. But I just can't part with that kind of cash, espeically when my children keep requiring stupid stuff like clothing.
Anyway, feel free to OCCASIONALLLY update us on your e-reading exploits, Nathan. I'll just have to live vicariously through you for the time being.
Kim Rossi Stagliano says
I adore my Kindle – I don't have an iPhone – I have a Samsung Omnia – it lets me comment mod my site, my Verizon Treo did not. But I digress, as usual.
First thing I asked my agent when we got an offer, "Please make sure it's on Kindle." I'm frustrated now when my favorite releases aren't there. What's the rhyme or reason, or is there any, as to what books get onto Kindle. Some I can pre-order even – others? Just. Not. There. Waaah!
Hobert says
Does this mean you'll be looking to move your Kindle for some low, low price, Nathan? 😉
Other Lisa says
Thanks, Nathan! Plus my click-wheel iPod is in great shape, so it seems kind of silly to not make use of it. I kind of like using devices until they die.
Dearth of Reason says
My iPhone is so cool I wish I could do my writing on it, let alone reading. But it's not ready for that yet. I can type faster than I can think (convenient in many ways until they invented a "send" button), but I can only type with my thumbs on the iPhone. So writing on it will unfortunately require a direct bluetooth link with brainwaves, and that may not come standard until version 3.0, plus we will need USB jacks implanted in our jawbones.
Meantime, my little darling can read to me, play with me, soothe me when I'm down, sing to me. My TV shows are so jealous!
Danielle Thorne says
The only reason I haven't bought an ereader is because I have an iphone. Not super to read for hours in bed-but on the go, in the car, all the infernal waiting one must do…it's right there in my hand and already paid for. I love it.
Dick Hannah says
No, "THAT NEVER WORKS". I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but… but it might work for us.
LCS249 says
This is really helpful, Nathan. A review by someone who understands.
I've been wondering (suspiciously) about the e-book phenomena and you've helped put it in perspective.
David Pogue, of the NY Times (technology desk) doesn't like them precisely because they lack the traditional attributes of a book … being able to hold it like a book, being able to pass it on, etc.
Laurie says
I recently discovered all the reader apps for the Iphone too. I've got Stanza (my favorite), eReader, Barnes and Noble eReader, and Kindle for Iphone. (You don't need an actual Kindle reader to use the apps on your Iphone or Itouch.)
It's surprisingly easy on the eyes. You can increase the font, change the color of the text and background, change the actual font, etc. Reading in bed is much easier. No lights to disturb the significant other. You don't have to prop yourself up because you can hold the phone with one hand and turn pages with a touch of a finger or thumb.
I was skeptical at first which is why it's brilliant that publishers are offering free books on their websites. The apps are free, some of the books are free, you've got nothing to lose.
If I had to pay, I'm not sure I'd have tried it. Now that I know I enjoy reading books this way, I've purchased several already.
Steve Fuller says
I just bought the new Google Phone. It has a book app called Aldiko (which is amazing).
Welcome to the future.
ryan field says
Interesting post. I read somewhere that in Japan there's a huge number of books downloaded to phones. I read this piece fast; I could be wrong.
Patrice says
Nathan,
My sentiments exactly. I read on my iPhone all the time, everyday almost. But you left out the best part: The Kindle and iPhone wirelessly sync with each other.
I'm a busy mommy of four and I run all day. I do take my Kindle with me, if I know I'll be having a little down time. But sometimes, I don't have it with me and soccer practice runs late, or the hockey game ended and the kids are taking forever to get to the car – well, you get it.
The phone's the thing.
PurpleClover says
There are a few of us willing to read NB's blog from our uninteresting-uneasy-on-the-eyes blackberries despite the fact we don't have an e-reader or even watch The Hills. This is because of the phenawsomeness of this blog.
Jenn via her 1st generation Blackberry Curve.
Kayanna Kirby says
I love to read on my iPhone. There are many ebook reader apps. I actually read the twilight series on my iPhone using the iceberg reader, which I kinda like more than the iPhone kindle app. With the iceberg reader you can increase the font.
What I am totally digging are audiobooks. I love them. That to me is the next bug thing. I got my brother who dosen't like to read listening to an audiobook which he really likes.
I can work out, clean up, drive, etc while listening to the books. I even fall asleep sometimes while listening to audiobooks.
I listen to audiobooks on my iPhone.