25 Reasons Real Books Are Here to Stay

[J-Sun]

Really nice article: 25 Reasons Real Books Are Here to Stay

2, 13, 15, 17, 22, and even 23 (though more in the tangibility) are especially important to me.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Loved it, but they left out that without my books around me I'd feel like my security blanket of life was gone; they're everywhere and they're all old friends. I especially liked the bath one; as a mum sometimes it's the only place to hide and have a good hour undisturbed, which means a good book.

 

[Dave]

I'm surprised by the lack of a mention of the Zombie Apocalypse there, or the EMP bomb rendering irreparable damage to microcircuits.

Is there a society for these Luddites to join?

Really, get a grip!

 

[Vince W]

Nice list. I still don't own an e-reader. I keep intending to get one, but for some reason I just can't commit. I have no trouble walking into a bookshop and coming out with 3, 4, 5 or more books though.

 

[AMB]

I'm surprised by the lack of a mention of the Zombie Apocalypse there, or the EMP bomb rendering irreparable damage to microcircuits.

Is there a society for these Luddites to join?

Really, get a grip!

No EMP bomb? That's my next short story out the window then...

Seriously though, the thing I take issue with most in that lot is #17. They seem to be saying that because you can't play legacy hardware on newer generation media players and games consoles you won't be able to use legacy software on anything either. Considering that there are abandonware sites full of old games from various defunct consoles and computers, with software available to make them playable on modern systems, I'd have to agree about Luddites.

Oh, and as for #1... I'd never take a book into the bath, I'd fear for their safety.

Otherwise I am most certainly of the opinion that paper books won't become obsolete for a good while. Barnes and Noble apparently found back in Oct 2010 that pbook sales went up due to Nook buyers wanting both electronic and physical copies. They are very different media.

 

[jojajihisc]

5. Collections

I'm pretty sure there's one or two people around here who can appreciate that one.

8. Shopping

This is one I've always liked but it has become very difficult to find a bookstore that carries a wide enough selection for it to compete with online booksellers for my business. I'd very much prefer to buy my books at the store itself if I could.

One to add for me would be the "Distraction Factor." With the many and varied things a computer, IPad, Kindle can do it becomes ever so easy to do something other than reading. A paper book, on the other hand, can do nothing but sit there and be read.

 

[kythe]

I like the list, but there are a couple of points that were missed.

I probably just need my glasses checked again, but I have trouble staring at an electronic screen for too long. If I'm tired, sitting at the computer screen will actually keep me awake rather than letting me drift off to sleep. Yet, I often have a certain "worn out" feeling if I spend too long at a time in front of the computer.

My second point has already been made in this thread - the distraction factor. No matter how good a book is, it's hard to concentrate when you've got the world wide web at your fingertips.

Nothing beats just curling up in the living room chair with a good book.

 

[D_Davis]

Nice list. I still don't own an e-reader. I keep intending to get one, but for some reason I just can't commit. I have no trouble walking into a bookshop and coming out with 3, 4, 5 or more books though.

I got my Kindle last December, and I'll never look back. It is amazing, especially for the more indie and underground authors; I've purchased dozens of cool looking little novellas and collections for like 99 cents each.

Also, being able to sample chapters of a book at a whim, from anywhere there is wireless internet, is awesome.

 

[D_Davis]

I probably just need my glasses checked again, but I have trouble staring at an electronic screen for too long. If I'm tired, sitting at the computer screen will actually keep me awake rather than letting me drift off to sleep. Yet, I often have a certain "worn out" feeling if I spend too long at a time in front of the computer.

You won't have this trouble with a dedicated e-book because they aren't backlit, and they use e-ink, and the screens have a more matte finish. Take my word for it - you will be able to get as thoroughly lost in a Kindle as you can a traditional book.

And now I find it much easier to curl up on the couch with a Kindle than a book. Far easier, and more comfortable.

One thing to consider is that e-readers will allow people with poor eye sight to read more books, because they won't need to wait (and hope) for a large print version. Totally amazing.

 

[gully_foyle]

I like this list and agree with the sentiments. However, I do harbour a secret desire to get a kindle. I have an iPad but mostly avoid reading books on it unless they are really obscure, for the reason D_Davis mentioned. Kythe, I got my prescription updated and now I really feel tired looking at a computer screen. I think I'll file this list along side of 25 reasons to keep your phonograph.

p.s. The anniversary of the Brisbane floods is coming up. Anyone who saw the pics of the mud covered pile of goo that was my lifetime's book collection will understand when I say it's a helluva lot easier to evacuate your digital assets. At least most of my music lived on for this same reason.

 

[Lilmizflashythang]

Just because someone still prefers hard copies, doesn't mean that they are Luddites. I keep paper bills for receipts as well. I don't like going paperless. Then anything can happen. That doesn't mean I hate technology. I have a mp3 player, flashdrives, and other interesting gadgets. Just a thought.

 

[Dave]

Since I think that was directed at me (I said Luddite) I will respond. I did mean it partly in jest, and I'd never suggest that everyone feels this way, nor even the author of that "25 reasons why..." piece, but there is certainly a tendency among some people that it will be a terrible, terrible thing if books ever disappeared. Now, don't get me wrong, I also like collecting real hard-copy books too, but I also know that trees need to be cut down to feed my habit. If books ever did disappear then they would do so only because e-readers really were better and had won the battle in people's hearts. No amount of crying about it or reminiscing for the past is going to change that. If you continue to buy books then they will be safe. And I can't really subscribe to the idea that we need hard-copies because all the electronic copies might get corrupted or deleted because many historically important libraries have burned down in the past. Some books were lost forever even then.

Oh, and the difference with mp3 is that there is a significant loss of sound quality with those files. That is why vinyl is making something of a comeback. There is no loss of quality between the text in a book and an e-reader.

 

[Connavar]

I read horrific news that for the first time made me see e-books as threat against real books.

1/3 of libraries in Sweden was closed in 2011 because they couldnt afford the budget for the millions of e-book people loaned. They simple cost too much for libraries to buy in.

I dont care what people buy for themselves, cheap kindle, free books of public domain authors is one thing but closing libraries just because e-book is popular trend is simple horrible.

Library system over here is great, i have got 60% of the books i have read thanks to libraries. I mean paper books. Their worth to potential new readers and avid reads is too much.

 

[Lilmizflashythang]

I wasn't aiming it at anyone. I am getting tired of all the paperless...um what would you call it...raves around. Sorry if I caused offense.

 

[richrock]

My wife has carpal issues with her wrists, and she extensively uses an ereader because she's not forcing her wrists to hold a book open, with both hands. All she has to do now is push a button

She's read more books in the last year (of borrowing my reader) than the last ten. I think certain formats of books will never go, but fiction (and similar wordy books) may slowly fade into the special edition territory with ebooks becoming the new paperback.

 

[Vince W]

I read horrific news that for the first time made me see e-books as threat against real books.

1/3 of libraries in Sweden was closed in 2011 because they couldnt afford the budget for the millions of e-book people loaned. They simple cost too much for libraries to buy in.

I dont care what people buy for themselves, cheap kindle, free books of public domain authors is one thing but closing libraries just because e-book is popular trend is simple horrible.

Library system over here is great, i have got 60% of the books i have read thanks to libraries. I mean paper books. Their worth to potential new readers and avid reads is too much.

I hate to hear news like this. Libraries around the world at taking a beating and it is not a good sign. Libraries are a fundamental source of knowledge and education, especially for those who cannot afford e-readers or traditional books.

 

[Metryq]

Horses Are Better Than Cars

* Horses don't drift out of the lane while you're busy texting (or reading your Kindle).

* Horses know the way home in case you fall asleep in a drunken stupor after the party.

* Horses rarely get stopped for speeding.

* The EMP from a nuclear explosion will not knock out a horse's ignition control microchip or GPS.

* Horses are smart enough to run away from zombies during the apocalypse, in case you're still distracted by your ebook.

* Horses have a nicer texture and smell than cars. (At least some people think so.)

* Horses aren't back-lit and won't cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

[Connavar]

I hate to hear news like this. Libraries around the world at taking a beating and it is not a good sign. Libraries are a fundamental source of knowledge and education, especially for those who cannot afford e-readers or traditional books.

People who dont use library until they must for school work take it for granted. I have currently 4 books at home from 3 different libraries in town.

Not only do i get books i want to read for my own literary pleasure, i have got 20 or so books in the fall term for my Uni classes. I didnt even have to use Uni library when the city library has so much knowledge, source for education.

It would have cost me alot to buy expensive course books otherwise.

 

[steve12553]

Horses Are Better Than Cars

* Horses don't drift out of the lane while you're busy texting (or reading your Kindle).

* Horses know the way home in case you fall asleep in a drunken stupor after the party.

* Horses rarely get stopped for speeding.

* The EMP from a nuclear explosion will not knock out a horse's ignition control microchip or GPS.

* Horses are smart enough to run away from zombies during the apocalypse, in case you're still distracted by your ebook.

* Horses have a nicer texture and smell than cars. (At least some people think so.)

* Horses aren't back-lit and won't cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

Wonderful. Both point and counter point in the same post. I both agree and disagree.

I am now up to three ereading devices. One of them is obsolete but still has a few dedicated fans (Palm Pilot), but I still have have books in five bookcases, two sets of wall shelves and I never managed to get all of them out of moving boxes from my last move. I love to read and collect. And although I can adopt a new medium, I cannot bear to abandon an old one.

 

[Liese]

I like to cook or do household chores while reading. Regularly I have to let the book fall down to rescue a pot or prevent inundation. Works well with a paperback but not with an electronic device. In Germany there is another reason for sticking with real books, the electronic version isn't cheaper than the regular one by law. So if a book is new and out in hardcover you'll pay at least 20 Euros for the electronic version.