Kindle Crossing - Why Buy an ebook Reader?
63
Kindle
 | Amazon Price: $79.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $99.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.99 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $199.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.74 List Price: $15.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $6.36 List Price: $15.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.50 List Price: $16.95 |
Nook
|
Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch 2GB, Wi-Fi, 6in - Black
Current Bid: $79.00
|
|
Barnes & Noble NOOK Color 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7in
Current Bid: $150.00
|
|
Barnes & Noble NOOK Color 8GB, Wi-Fi, 7in - Black
Current Bid: $90.00
|
 | Amazon Price: $3.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 |
I went to turn the page but there was none. I had crossed over. I had forgotten that I was reading an electronic device.
I suspect, like many of you, I was fond of explaining why ebooks would never replace real books. Throw them both on the ground and which one could you still read? Which would you rather have at poolside, a $150 dollar electronic device or a five-dollar used paperback? A friend recently told me that she liked to annotate; therefore, she didn’t want an ebook reader. There is always at least one good reason, not to mention the emotional attachments to the smell, the pages on your thumb, the ease of finding random passages.
I had an almost visceral attachment to hardcover and paperback books, so I understood my resistance. On the other hand, I’ve also consistently embraced technological advances that would help with my writing. I started "word processing" on an Atari with my black and white portable TV as monitor. I was eager to "surf the net" and waited patiently while staring at the AOL lightning bolts and listening to the irritating static sounding waiting to get "connected." So why not purchase an ebook reader? Too expensive? Not really, although expense is always a good excuse, especially in this economy.
I came to my kindle through my writing. After having "traditionally" published a novel, short stories, and articles, getting good reviews, winning awards, and being nominated for a Pushcart Prize, I was still suffering. And I kept my vow never to self-publish. Suddenly, however, writers could publish their own ebooks for "free." The electronic publisher takes a cut of copies sold. (What is this doing to the publishing industry?) So rather than go through the laborious query and submission process, I embraced the concept of ebook publishing on Smashwords, Kindle, and Nook. (I offer a money back guarantee for all ebook purchases; merely email me the receipt and a short note explaining your dissatisfaction, and I will transfer the refund amount to your paypal account.)
My neighbor questioned why I didn’t go ahead and buy an ebook reader. Good question. I was ready with my poolside answer. But somehow it didn’t sound convincing anymore. How could I publish ebooks without reading them? It was akin to the occasional student telling me they liked to write, but not to read. So I spent weeks looking at the Kindle and the Nook. Even then I was reluctant to spend the money. It seemed a big step. But when why wife was out shopping, I asked her if she would do the deed, so she bought me a kindle.
Within hours, I realized my mistake; that is, why I had resisted so long. In trying to pile up reasons ebook readers would never replace real books, I focussed on what I couldn’t do with a kindle or Nook. I had failed to factor what I could do.
For example, I can download samples of books within seconds of hearing the author speak on the radio, I can read the sample, and if I like it, have the entire book seconds later. I can hold thousands of books in one hand. Turning the page is easier, especially when lying down. I can change type size to accommodate poor lighting or tired eyes. I can look up definitions instantly. And while it is taking some getting used to, I can bookmark, annotate, and highlight. I’ve only had my kindle for a few weeks, but so far, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I love my kindle. My first kindle ebook -- Physics of the Future.
Will ebook readers fully replace hardcover and paperback books? Probably not anytime soon, but ebook sales continue to outpace traditional sales. Eventually, some sort of equilibrium will occur, but who knows when and at what ratio. Perhaps the technology will progress to make superkindles or supernooks.
All this coming from me, a person who wrote the initial draft of this article with an ink pen. (My kids make fun of me for calling it an "ink" pen, as if there were other kinds.) But I can throw my ink pen and paper on the ground and it will still work. Try that with a laptop.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (6)
- Funny (3)
- Awesome (3)
- Beautiful (2)
- Interesting
CommentsLoading...
Dearest Jeff and Family,
No, regular, hand-held, paper books are not going away! As a people we are way to kinetically oriented! (Scientific way of saying "sensually motivated!")
But there are some things, like quick reading, research, PhD's, and book reviews, in that a Kindle (or eReader) just has the advantage!
Taking a hook out of a calf, not so much! ;-)
Blessings to you and yours for keeping this GREAT Hub going Jeff! Earth Angel!
P.S. Case in point: Book-Review-Dancing-in-the-Footsteps-of-Eve-Retrieving-the-Healing-Gift-of-the-Sacred-Feminine-by-Heather-Mendel
Thanks Cocoa,
BTW, yesterday I was two miles upstream and imbedded a hook into my calf. Had to do a little stream surgery to remove it.
Dear Mr. May...
Firstly, you are too kind! Thank you so very much for your thoughtful reply & ~ even more! ~ for sharing the titles of your work & the places to most easily acquire them, so that the mister & I can enjoy them readily!
I am really looking forward to delving into your fine writing further...& the fact that fishing is involved makes these selections even more tempting!
You really exemplify the true writer's life, the commitment & integrity required (not to mention the grit & determination! *phew*) to really do one's best & see it through to publication in the grand old tradition.
You just keep right on writing, sir, & enjoy your weekend ahead with your near & dear ones.
Warm regards...Cocoa Fly Fishes
Cocoa, I must say you are perhaps the most inspirational, optimistic, and good-hearted person I've met online in quite some time.
I hope, maybe, that you will extend that good will to acually reading some of my fiction:
"Where the River Splits" was praised by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and is available as paperback and ebook on amazon.
"The Wells Creek Route" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and is available here on Hubpages.
"Cynthia and the Blue Cat's Last Meow" is a weird, sensual story full of fishing and fury that is unlike almost anything you might come across and it is available as an ebook on amazon.
I have many other works but do not want to overwhelm you and forgive me here for being so forward.
Thanks again for your generous comments.
Dear Mr. May...
Your hub is informative & delightful to read!
Personally, I see the ebook readers as yet another wonderful way to enjoy literature, rather than the replacement for good old-fashioned paper & ink books.
My only real evidence is the library of beautiful old books (scrolls, handbound manuscripts, & some actual books) in Ethiopia that have survived at least 4 centuries of just about everything.
It's my feeling that if those lovely books can stand the test of time, time & time again, the ebook is no match, just another new friend of literature.
Congratulations on taking the leap into e-publishing, too! It's a wonderful tool for established authors like you to expand the options for your loyal & satisfied readership.
It's so important for established, traditionally published writers to step out into the wilds of e-publishing & self-publishing to keep the standards high & to set a great example for all of those eager, enthusiastic new writers. It demonstrates the skill level required for every kind of publishing & offers an opportunity for everyone to learn more. Thank you for being of service to the writing community in this way, Mr. May, & may you be blessed for your efforts!
Again, thank you for this great hub, & keep on writing! (As if you could stop yourself!)
Warm regards to you & yours...Cocoa Fly Fishes
Hi Twilight Lawns, I don't see print books going away (radio is still here even though we have TV), and aside from the advantages there are still a few drawbacks to ebooks; however, that should not stop you from getting one to complement your library.
Appreciate your comments.
Thank you for an interesting and useful article. As yet, I am not convinced, but I am a bit of a Luddite.
I like buying second-hand books that are clean, but read and enjoyed by someone else... books that are frequently out of print.
What about my bookcases... what do I do with those; apart from dusting them?
I will think of your exclamations as smiles!
Greetings and Blessings to you and yours Jeff!
Yes, the exclamation points are a bit much for me as well! They were/are a request from my God-Children - long before they could read!
To many, exclamation points are like shouting; which is not my style! To my God-Children they are like smiles! Very much my style!
I have seven God-Children all over the country and they are now old enough to read and understand what I write about and stand for!
With each exclamation point they see me smiling at them, sending all my love, and know I am trying each and every day to make the world a better place for them!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been our secret code! Until now!!
Blessings and Namaste' Always, EarthAngel!!
Good point and nice to see you back Earth Angel. I just read that Kindle plans to provide access to libraries (like the Nook).
And nice quote. (Normally, Earth Angel, I'd shy away from all the exclamation points! But it suits you!)
Blessings again from Ms. Sunshine in California!
I love Mr. Mock's writing skill as demonstrated in his comment above! I may not agree with his opinion, but his writing skill is first rate!
eReaders/Kindles are also becoming more popular with people who have severe allergies to dust mites and book mold! In older books, first editions, personal libraries, etc. even with the best housekeeping practices it is nearly impossible to eliminate all the allergens!
Blessings on your day! EarthAngel!
"We can no longer afford the luxury of debating whether the glass is half full or half empty; our survival depends upon us envisioning a glass full for everyone - and then stepping with conviction into that vision." --Sapphire Grace 2007
Hi Fay, thanks. Yes, books will survive!
Nice hub, Jeff. I really enjoy my Kindle when I'm away from home, but I gotta have a book. Preferably a hardcover!
up/useful
Hi Mary, Yes I heard you could access the library. That is a plus for the nook. Thanks for stopping by.
I didn't think I would like a Nook, but received one for Christmas and just love it. I have several books that I am reading now and don't have to sort threw a pile. I just click to the one I'm in the mood for and I'm all set. An advantage of Nook is that no matter where you purchased it, you can attend classes at Barnes and Noble for no cost. I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but you can also download books from your local public library and keep them on your e-book reader for two weeks.
Thanks for the chuckle... be sure to come back and comment after you've bought your kindle.
This just in:
LEGIONS OF LITHIUM LIBRARIES LANGUISH
A caldron of words filled the floors of lithium libraries as the worlds largest lithium recall interrupted looping limbaugh’s public broadcasting. Spilled words were stuck to shelves and found on the bottom of shoes. Words dripped out of back pockets and stained the bottom of purses. Shakespeare and Sappho pooled to distraction. Backpacks with puddles of Plato are reported nationwide. Seniors were called together to try and put the words back together again to no avail.
Great to have such distictly opposing voices in Earth Angel and Mocking Bird. Perhaps we will see the same sort of balance between "real" books and ebooks.
I have some old books left over from my parents and grandparents, but mostly they are out of date. My wife has been after me to get rid of them. When I die, I will bequeath my kindle to my kids.
To Ginn. Thanks for stopping by with your inspirational voice. It's great to hear you are able to read more using new technology!
Your presence is so bright. However, enthusiasm is not an argument. So I will give another example. The kitchen phone, one with a tangled wire attached to the wall has worked for twenty-five years. An untold number of cell phones have been purchased as each goes to that great microprocessor electron heaven in the sky.
And my point because I can’t seem to make one metaphorically is that you will not purchase one Kindle but many Kindles. Your digital books will vanish, yes their existence possibly will be preserved, but not for your heirs.
And to touch on a point Jeff made, soon there will not be used books stores to browse. The marketplace will not support them. Which leads us to On-Demand publishing where the price of the works are often in the hundreds of dollars.
How long before your kindle announces IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL ?
Good Morning from Ms. Bright Eyes Happy Face!
Ahhhhhhhhh, after a good night's sleep and a wonderful cup of chocolate chai coffee, I am ready to take on the world of writing/books/publishing, and Mr. Negative-Knickers!
First off, I am with Ginn Navarre! Go Ginn! And always with you Jeff!!
Obscure books get much more attention with an eReader/Kindle! Assuming, of course that the titles have been converted for downloading!? A hard copy book in which I had semi-interest but passed on at $29.95 is sure to get my purchase at $9.95!
Mr. Mockingbird, you are still unconvinced!? I am beginning to think you own stock in Amazon/Kindle and this is your reverse way to get many people singing the eReaders praise!
I think your comment above about digital photography, photo albums and the family history being frozen in pre-digital time is what gave you away Mr. M!
Most of us take many more photos than we used to! Just like Ginn said above, she reads a lot more!
It's time to scan your family albums Mr. M and upload them to your daughter's Kindle!
The sun is just rising here on the West Coast and it is a beautiful bright morning! I am full of appreciation and gratitude for all the diverse opinions, and options, we are privileged to share!
Blessings always, EarthAngel!
Okay all you YOUNG whipper-snappers listen-up. This 79yr ole Arizona gal is here to tell you I would have to shoot it out at HIGH NOON if anyone tried to take my Kindle or ipod from me.
Some seem to have the idea that paper books will disapear?? and you have no choice. I'm the kind of person that belives you should not be negitive about anything utill you have tried it yourself.
I have read more books in this format than I would have ever been able to read otherwise. Stop and think of how many doors this has opened for the visual impared folks out there?? because what was not mention here was the fact that the Kindle will read aloud to you when you wish.
I have written several HUBs on this very subject and this one gets a thumbs-up. Great!!!!
"the more obscure titles will not have the demand and will fall by the wayside" -- Isn't that what happens now? The only difference is that they can be recalled with an electronic browse and a download. As much as anyone, I used to enjoy roaming old bookstores finding obscure used books, and will continue to do so, but finding old titles will become easier for me with a kindle. Nothing will be "out of print." Of course, when the electricity goes out and our entire power-based electric society goes blank, that's another matter.
"It could be argued that fewer books will be lost because we have so much more storage space." - Sorry, I'm back. A more likely sequence will be, the classics will remain available, and the current/popular/ but the more obscure titles will not have the demand and will fall by the wayside. I realize that I am arguing from the proverbial 'plank' but there it is.
And a last point to make about cost. How many digital devices do you own that still function that are say, five years old?
And a disclaimer, my daughter has been Kindled.
Hi Susanjk, thanks for stopping by to comment, and confirming what most people find out. Once they actually own a kindle, the do enjoy it a lot.
I got a Kindle for christmas and so far I love it. It is easy to read and convenient.
:) I love divergence, and diversity, and my kindle. I wish writing about it was a business strategy, because that would imply that I’m making money. So far, I haven’t (at least here anyway.)
Earth Angel: P.S. Speaking of ideas, how about a few from you on the bright side? Some of my book reviews might satisfy this requirement.
Jeff, sorry to diverge from your thread. Writing about the Kindle is very smart business strategy.
Earth Angel:
I resolve not to impose my humor on Hubbers.
I resolve not to impose my humor on Hubbers.
I resolve not to impose my humor on Hubbers.
I really don’t think ‘digital’ is better. Family photos is my strongest arguement. There are photo albums all
over the place, that is until we switched to digital
cameras. Now, the family history, is frozen in a
pre-digital time.
Thanks for stopping by my Hubpage. Where by the
way, more dry humor can be rooted out.
mckbirdbks Hub Profile: "Parallel to a real jobs, I have been selling books as Mockingbird-Books for twenty years via the Internet. Along the way we have raised three daughters, paid for a small house and still manage to laugh now and then."
Dearest Mockingbird Books,
Please forgive my blonde brain for not realizing you were teasing in your dreary comments above! A couple more of those and I would think you need an intervention of some kind!
Alas, humor does not always translate onto the page or into the written word! After reading your short profile I understand that books and the Internet have been pretty good to you and your family over the years!?
With so much experience, we should be coming to you for advice! Please keep up the good work! Yes, most of us LOVE to hold "the real thing" in our hands; but isn't writing/reading really about "ideas??"
Doesn't the exchange of really good ideas, a solid debate between two people well-versed in their field producing deeper knowledge, a string of illuminating "aha" moments and flashes of personal insight just motivate you even more to continue?
Ultimately it's about the ideas, not the pages and binding!
Blessings to you and yours and all your publishing endeavors!! EarthAngel!!
P.S. Speaking of ideas, how about a few from you on the bright side?
Hi mckbirdbks. Your dystopian view seems a bit extreme, but I understand why you feel that way. I hope your business continues to thrive.
As this trend continues, as it obviously will, books will become less accessible to kids. They’ll all grow up to be gang members, robbing and stealing from everyone; our streets will become unsafe, pretty soon, only complete nincompoops will hold public offices; and before you know it the country will go to hell-in-a-hand-basket.
Hi Pam, good question. I think I gave my answer above, not that it is accurate. Probably no one will sign ebooks.
Hi mckbirdbks, what's in a boo? You make some excellent points. The same can be said about email, the loss of old letters (I have a hub-poem about that topic). Will hidden manuscripts be "found" in a "pile" of electronic data? It could be argued that fewer books will be lost because we have so much more storage space. But, as Pam asks, where do we sign? I don't think that paper books will disappear altogether, but that ebook will become the first step in the publishing process. If enough are sold, then paper and hardbound copies will be printed. If their work sells, writers will be paid more than in the traditional methods. And it has always been about the money. Purely literary magazines will continue to flourish as they are now.
There will be no collectibles, no hidden manuscripts, no future discoveries of long lost treasures. And writers will soon throw in the towel because there will be no place that monetarily values their contributions.
I just thought of something. With everything going digital what do authors sign now when they go to book signings?
boo - Mike, Mockingbird Books
Hi Earth Angel, your comments made me feel good; that is an accomplishment. I love your enthusiasm! I’m in my fifties as well so I really appreciate enthusiasm!
The first book I completed on a Kindle, Physics of the Future, suggests that we might just live to 120 and beyond. So here’s hoping we both get there and enjoy every moment! (And here’s hoping you might want to download one or two of my novels.)
Jeff May (Jeffrey Penn May)
Dearest Jeff May,
What a GREAT Hub and a GREAT dialog that has followed! You'd think we were all 120 years old with our resistance to eBooks and eReaders! Myself included!
I have been the ultimate book collector all my life! Thousands of books line shelves in every room! Organized by subject and easy to locate, I cherish my mountain of paper and bindings! My own personal library! I love everything about books!
That's one of the reasons I became a publisher! And I too, had the same long list of reasons for being resistant!
What I realized however, is that my resistance really had less to do with the new technology and more to do with me just wanting things to stay the same for a bit!
I have raced for years to keep at least within striking distance of cutting edge! I owe that to my authors, and to myself!
Now in my fifties, with years of publishing under my belt, I want to enjoy the knowledge I have gained through hard work!
Not going to happen!
Truthfully, so much of what I have learned is obsolete! Instead of sitting back and enjoying my expertise, I am at my desk until midnight like a college student cramming for exams!
Heck, some of the things I learned about publishing six months ago is outdated!
When I am not so tired, like this morning, I actually like the fast-paced, technology driven, Internet-influenced publishing industry!
Mostly what I like is how the Internet has leveled the playing field for authors! GREAT content trumps all!
We have lightening speed connections with the far reaches of the world! No more having to order and pay for and wait for and store and distribute 5,000 copies of a new title! Books are printed and delivered within days of order!
eBooks and eReaders are a marvelous invention! More people are reading! Fewer trees are being harvested! The cost to readers is less! The profit margin to authors is more!
So speaking on behalf of all us "old fogies" who resist change, this is one we can get excited about! Plus, consider all the new brain cells/connections we make by embracing new technology and learning new things!
Another GREAT Hub Jeff May! Soooooooo glad to learn you put your book out to the world as an eBook for eReaders! May you live to 120 years of age with a brain just a sharp as it is now!
Blessings always, EarthAngel!!
Hi Pamela, two dictionaries are already on it. But you can download all sorts of stuff also.
I have drug my feet in making that decision too. My house is full of books; I love them.
I didn't know you could look up definitions on them. Do they have a built in dictionary or do you have one downloaded?
kathryn, you won't regret it. (But of course, rememeber to type in my name Jeffrey Penn May and buy my books:)
I found that very useful as I have been thinking about getting one.Thank you.
We are both Arizona desert rats and loving it!
Thanks 50 Caliber and thanks Will. Are both you guys from out West somewhere. My brother lives in Wyoming, and sister in law in Colorado, and I spend lots of time out there.
My Kindle also has 3G connectivity, Whispernet, and WiFi, so if your cell phone has a signal, your Kindle can probably download a book.
I log on to Amazon, find a book I like, buy it, and seconds later, it’s on my Kindle!
Jeff, looks like I can make and patent a holder and get rich over night!LOL
As promised I voted all up.
I think I'll go onto Amazon and see what kind of pricing I find and order one, having no TV gives me reading time in the recliner every evening and there is a room full of books I want to read sans glasses, with larger print instead. I have my eyes on 89 novels, over 250 short stories by Louis L'Amour and author Patrick F. McManus, who wrote for field and stream and has a host of fun books like "They Shoot Canoes Don't They?" that is not my favorite but it does have a memorable title, I recommend his books to any guy who had a mischievous streak as a kid.
Thank You, Jeff for pushing me over the edge, Dusty
Hi 50 Caliber. I used to get neck aches reading in bed all the time. My wife can lean forward and read without any problem. With a kindle, I've found that I get fewer neck problems because it is light and all you have to do is press a button, easily located, to turn pages. I think most have very small keyboards. The kindle keyboard is small, like texting on a phone, but you really don't need it for much. Most of what you want you can get to with the arrows. Depending on the device, they connect to the internet anywhere or on your wireless network, at home or work, assuming work has one. You merely download samples, then buy with a amazon credit card. Holders? Well, it is light, so you could probably rig something up if you needed to, but you might not need it. Hope this helps.
I like books but have been thinking about the electronic books, I know nothing about them and have never seen or held one. I wish they came with a holder like Bob Dylan's around the neck harmonica holder and a remote for turning a page forward or back or scrolling. My busted up shoulders in my young age make holding a book up for long hurts like heck.
I saw pictures of ones with key boards, what can you do with them?
How do you get books on them?
What kind of classics are free?
I'm not to good at electronics and how they work, I've just begun to learn this computer stuff and the lap top I started with is just too hot to hold in my lap.
Voted up and useful, fill me in and I'll vote them all up he he smiles, 50
Great! Thanks Will. (Now I'll spend more time reading and less time watching politics on TV.)
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3
(Just scroll down to the free ones)
Hi Will, thanks for being the first to comment. I haven't downloaded any free classics yet. Sounds great.
I got one for my birthday, and soon discovered that many classics are available from Kindle for free. Now I have a virtual library that weighs mere ounces and can be taken anywhere.
But I too love the feel of a real book.
Jeff May Hub Author 11 months ago
Hi Earth Angel. I saw that title and was intriqued... now I'll go read your review. Thanks for stopping by with your usual good cheer.