I have a Kindle, the convenience of which I love. The closest brick and mortar bookstore is over 35 miles away. I'm at an age when I'm trying to downsize my "stuff" for the sake of the people who will have to look at it when I'm gone and say, "What on earth are we supposed to do with all this?" I seriously try not to add anything without first taking away a bagful.
But sometimes a book reaches right out from the shelves in Walmart or the grocery store and grabs me. I love the feel of pages on my fingers, the scent of a new book (or an old one--sigh), the bright splash of an honest-to-goodness cover.
Because there's something about print.
My publisher, Carina Press, is doing an experimental foray into Print on Demand. My second book with them, Jar of Dreams is part of the experiment. http://www.amazon.com/Jar-Dreams-Liz-Flaherty/dp/0373427662/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 I am grateful that my digital-first-and-foremost publisher is doing this. Even though the book is to my mind way expensive, I'm glad it's available to readers who have taken the high road and stayed with paper and ink.
For myself, I can't wait to get my hands on it.
Because there's something about print.
What about you? Have you made the complete transition to electronic or are you still being grabbed (and held) by paper?
I'm half and half. I wouldn't want to give up my Kindle. I'm going to Florida this month and it is so convenient to carry a Kindle in my purse than the sack of books I used to take on vacation. Nevertheless, I still love books too. (You never have to worry about forgetting to recharge a book). I am reading the latest in the Outlander series and there something so satisfying about Gabaldon's fat books. You know when you pick it up, it is going to provide you hours of reading happiness. So, I'll take both books and Kindle, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYup, I think that's where I'm at, too. One thing Kindle has that I love is the sample you can get of most books before you decide. It replaces--sort of--standing in the bookstore reading the first chapter before purchase. :-)
DeleteI'd almost convinced myself that I was a total e-book girl--my Kindle is my constant companion. But last week, I dusted the bookshelves and found great pleasure in touching my mom's Gene Stratton-Porter novels and the copy of All This and Heaven Too that I bought at the Purdue Library sale when I was a freshman there. I'm currently wrapped up in the paperback teen novels by Rosamund du Jardin that Husband bought me as a birthday gift...so I guess I'm still into the print thing. I hold out hope that both will live happily together in the future. Now, back to Marcy and her adventures... ;-)
ReplyDeleteAre they holding up, Nan? I know we talked about them, but I haven't read du Jardin since high school!
DeleteNan--I looove those books! My Marcy books are tattered library resales but I wouldn't part with them for anything. The other day I was mowing my lawn and thinking I should re-read them, now you've inspired me to pull them out :)
DeleteCongrats, Liz! I love my Kindle, but a paper book is just soooo nice.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Liz. I'll look for the print copy next time I am in B & N, although I downloaded Jar of Dreams the day it was available on Kindle and have read it several times. Although I swore I would never give up my print books I am slowly moving everything over to my Kindle. There are a few series I will still keep in print (J. R. Ward, Karin Slaughter). Like you, I am slowly clearing out my shelves of books so I will not have to move them or so someone else will not have to decide what to do with them when I am no longer around.
ReplyDeleteIt won't be there, Carolyn. I think it's one of those Amazon-only things. (There are too many different directions for me to keep track of.) I'm clearing out, but I still have a bunch of books. I imagine I always will. :-)
DeleteYay on hitting print - you know I love that book!
ReplyDeleteI'm a mixture of both - most of my books I get on my Kindle...but some, from favorite authors, I also buy in print. I know they'll always be on my Kindle, but there is something about collecting the physical books that appeals to me.
That's one thing I love about "real" books--they're easy to pass on!
DeleteA couple of years ago I couldn't imagine choosing electronic over print, but I do it regularly now. The two biggest reasons are cost and convenience. Plus, I have the Kindle app on my phone and I can--and do--read anywhere.
ReplyDeleteBut in my heart of hearts, I mourn the decline of print books.
I do, too, Margie, but even more, I miss brick and mortar bookstores.
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