teruterubozu
Member
Books. I mostly read non-fiction so I'm always jumping around between references, appendix, notes, figures, etc. The location vs. page issue can be a pain when doing research too.
E-readers are better for fiction.
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What are you reading? (May 2014)
- Thread starter Maklershed
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Books. I mostly read non-fiction so I'm always jumping around between references, appendix, notes, figures, etc. The location vs. page issue can be a pain when doing research too.
E-readers are better for fiction.
Kindle Paperwhite was a game changer for me. I can read ANYTHING (almost) ANYWHERE. Right now I'd be carrying the hefty A Storm of Swords and a flashlight everywhere if it wasn't for my kindle.
Kindle Paperweight is one of my favourite gadgets ever. If you like to read when you're about, its much more convenient to carry than a book. Its easier to hold than a book(something people don't talk about much, but is a great positive). I can read in darkness or low-light settings just fine. I can read multiple books without having to handle them all individually. I can adjust the font, spacing and font size of what I read. No licking fingers or fumbling to turn pages, you can do it all super easy, with just one hand. You never have to worry about wear on your books when re-reading your favourite books for the 5th time. Prices for e-books are almost always a fair bit lower than normal books. This is especially nice when a book first comes out in hardcover only, which tend to be pricey - no such issue with e-books.
I could probably think of a few other good things about it. But basically, while there is definitely something nice about reading a real book, the advantages of having my Paperwhite outweigh this massively. In the end, I find I read quite a bit more now and I know I'm not alone in that, which is probably the best thing you could say about it.
I could probably think of a few other good things about it. But basically, while there is definitely something nice about reading a real book, the advantages of having my Paperwhite outweigh this massively. In the end, I find I read quite a bit more now and I know I'm not alone in that, which is probably the best thing you could say about it.
Welcome aboard! =) Glad to see you post here after the thread you made.
Getting an eReader pretty much rejuvenated my love of reading, so for that I am very thankful, the tactile feel of an actual paperback is great and I still go the bookstore to browse and pick up things on sale (bought 2 books last weekend actually for 2 bucks each, 'The Eleventh Man - Ivan Doig", and "Drood - Dan Simmons", so there's always that.
But I just love reading on the eReader, no worries about my collection of books taking up too much space, or wondering where it's all going to go, etc etc, it's just perfect. Buying things is so simple and fast, so browsing for something to read is lots of fun.
backflip10019
Member
Finished up Wool earlier in the month. Are Shift and Dust as good?
For the most part, yes. Definitely finish the series if you enjoyed Wool.
Plasticine
Member
It really depends. If I'm trying out a new author, or it's a book I'm simply curious about, I'll buy the Kindle edition. If it's an author I love, or a classic book, I go with the physical edition. Since I'm fairly selective about adding to my physical library, I stick to nice editions, usually the best I can find. I have no problem laying down $20-$200 for a book, as long as it's a beautiful edition.
Mackenzie 92
Member
I still love the look and feel of a book, especially if it's one I love, but for convenience sake, you can't beat an ereader. Right now I read on my paperwhite at home, and on my phone at work, or when I'm out and about. Also just installed audible on my phone, so I've been listening to stuff while I'm working on my feet, so it really helps pass the time and not notice the work as much.
Right now, Rendezvous with Rama. I'm also reading a couple of Der Spiegel's e-books on the side.
I'm also on team e-reader. Incredibly convenient, and in my experience with a Paperwhite, it's definitely superior to paper. The fact that you can look up and translate unknown words, update your Goodreads status as you're reading, mark and even share a passage via social networks and the ability to buy things on the go, simply put the PW way over paper.
I'm also on team e-reader. Incredibly convenient, and in my experience with a Paperwhite, it's definitely superior to paper. The fact that you can look up and translate unknown words, update your Goodreads status as you're reading, mark and even share a passage via social networks and the ability to buy things on the go, simply put the PW way over paper.
nakedsushi
Member
Yes! I forgot about that feature. It's so handy to have a dictionary lookup when you just highlight the word. I've become so dependent on it now that when I read physical books, I sometimes point at the word and expect the definition to pop up.
Fancy Clown
Member
I needed a good thriller to get me back into regular book reading mode (Going Clear by Lawrence Wright is certainly interesting, but I'm not in a non-fiction mood) so I just got Thomas Harris's Red Dragon. Hopefully I'll enjoy it, I need more Hannibal in my life since the season ended.
Ereader, I'm reading so much more now that I have a Kindle Paperwhite. Can read just about anywhere and have all the books I want in one place. Only way I'm getting a physical book now is for collection purposes or to get them signed.
I completely get the convenience of e-books, and I even bought a Kindle, but I quickly went back to regular books. My wife co-opted the Kindle and reads her romance novels on it now, which is fine. I prefer the tactile pleasure of a real book. I like turning pages. I like the smell of paper. I like a well-designed cover. I like going to bookstores and browsing and finding things I didn't know about. I don't get any of that with an e-reader. To each their own, though.
I mean, I get this, and I even mentioned it in my post above how much I enjoy that, but also, how easy it is to browse online at your shop of choice. I love browsing around Amazon or Goodreads and just click away hoping to find a gem. If anything else a physical bookstore might have clutter and books upon books all over the place, whereas an online interface will always have what you see front and center. Anyway, as you say, to each their own 
I just finished Raising Cubby, and I think Ill give it a 5/5 as well, or at least a very strong 4.5/5 when I write a little review later. Just loved both of these books from John Elder Robison so much. Was debating maybe 4 because it feels like it could be more enjoyable to parents, as John's story he tells his son growing up are probably more relatable, but there's so much I liked about it from start to finish.
Actually I love Goodreads for finding books, but love going to a book store to see what's new and to see where people are browsing and just the whole experience of being around books and people who love them. The net is a great way to pinpoint books you want to read, but people in a bookstore might point a book out you'd never thought to read. I think both options are great.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Wool was great. 5/5
Just reaching the last 5% of Shift now and it's been a slog. Likely to get a 3/5 from me.
I hear Dust is great so I'm hoping it can re-energize what I loved about Wool.
Talking? In a bookstore? Surely you jest
Thanks for the recommendation. Doing a bit of reading on it and I should probably pick up the other Theban plays along with it.
I find employees are always will to talk to me if it looks like I'm going to buy a book.
Finished Skin Game last night, another enjoyable Dresden book. Im glad it didn't end with as many WTF moments (
) because it makes the wait for the next book so much more manageable.
Like Molly becoming the Winter Lady in Cold Days
Glad Harry finally got to meet his daughter their little bit int he book together was quite sweet. I guess we also get introduced too Dresden's new "Kid" in the next book as well.
Just finished The Golem and the Jinni. I bought it on Kindle daily deal sale with no real expectations and it was absolutely superb, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Just started House of Blades, I bought this on sale ages ago and finally got around to checking it out. It's pretty decent magical fantasy fare, I like the Simon character and the magic system seems neat so far too.
Just started House of Blades, I bought this on sale ages ago and finally got around to checking it out. It's pretty decent magical fantasy fare, I like the Simon character and the magic system seems neat so far too.
BlazingDarkness
Member
One of my favourite books, I absolutely loved it!
Currently reading Zero Sight. It's pretty interesting so far!
I've read the first 2 books for this. The whole premise and stuff is cool and interesting, but it does a feel a childish compared to a lot of other works.
If you can put aside the teen-level writing at times it's not so bad.
Just started House of Blades, I bought this on sale ages ago and finally got around to checking it out. It's pretty decent magical fantasy fare, I like the Simon character and the magic system seems neat so far too.
I've read the first 2 books for this. The whole premise and stuff is cool and interesting, but it does a feel a childish compared to a lot of other works.
If you can put aside the teen-level writing at times it's not so bad.
postcyberpunk
Banned
Unless I am teaching a novel, it's ebook. The Paperwhite 2nd ed is amazing. For poetry, literary criticism, and literary theory, texts. And I didn't even think I would like ebooks...
Had no idea Heaney translated Antigone... :bought!
terrdactycalsrock
Member
Okay long story short, my copy of the Gunslinger (dark tower book 1) was lost in shipping. Im thinking about getting the kindle version, because I have a midnight shift tonight, and would really like to read. While I can, I dont want to spend the extra 5 bucks because of someones mistake. Someone sell me on this book, so I can make bad impulsive purchasing decisions........
The 2014 Hugo Award Voter Packet has been released! This is available to all voters, and contains (literally) thousands of pages and millions of words of SFF goodness, including the entire Wheel of Time series, a ton of short fiction, and some graphic novels.
If you're interested, I'm giving away a free download of my own contribution, a collection of ten essays and reviews from several Hugo-nominated writers, away for free on my (Hugo-nominated) blog, A Dribble of Ink. You don't have to be a voter to download it!
Started this on my lunch break... edit: like it a bunch so far. Figure this could be a quick read over the weekend.
Now Reading..
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Now Reading..
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Ellen Datlow's new anthology is part of the current Humble ebook Bundle (https://www.humblebundle.com/books)
so:
so:
That's great, you have a lovely website and congratulations on the nomination.
Tor.com has received several Hugo nominations for short fiction and the site is giving them away on their website: Get Tor.coms Original Fiction Hugo Finalists for Free
There are Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes links on the page.
Thanks! I'm not sure I stand a chance against my co-nominees, but it's a fun opportunity all the same.
Almost all of the short fiction nominees are available to reader for free on the 'net. SF Signal has a great link collection: http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/20...ard-1939-retro-hugos-with-free-fiction-links/
Mackenzie 92
Member
Started this on my lunch break... edit: like it a bunch so far. Figure this could be a quick read over the weekend.
Now Reading..
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
One of my favorites.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Just finished Shift by Hugh Howey. Definitely struggled with this one. I'll put up a review on Goodreads in a bit.
Gonna jump back into Cornwell's Saxon series with Death of Kings before I finish up the Wool series.
Gonna jump back into Cornwell's Saxon series with Death of Kings before I finish up the Wool series.
I am currently reading Quicksilver, book 1 of the Baroque Cycle by Neil Stephenson. I am only ~150 pages into it, but the book is a really interesting piece of historical fiction so far. I don't think I would recommend it to everyone, given the heavy focus 15-16th century natural philosophy and mathematics, but if you are a science or history person, give it a try. The book gets into the calculus feud between Leibniz and Isaac Newton, the creation of the Royal Society of London, and the political/cultural climate of England and the American colonies at that point in time. Given that I'm reading part 1 of an 8 part series, it probably covers other things as well.
TestMonkey
Member
Just started:
It's interesting take on the working poor because of when it was written. The book was written between 1998 and 2001 before the financial crises and it still shows as bad. I don't think the author ever imagined how much worse it would get.
It's interesting take on the working poor because of when it was written. The book was written between 1998 and 2001 before the financial crises and it still shows as bad. I don't think the author ever imagined how much worse it would get.
Maklershed
Member
You're right, I'm into book 2 now and it's super tweeny, they even have that whole everyone-belongs-to-different-factions trope that's so huge right now. It's fairly enjoyable though so I think I'll quickly burn through the rest of the trilogy.
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