Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Fiction

In reply to the discussion: E-reading isn’t reading....... [View all]

jp11

(2,104 posts)
8. I didn't read the whole piece
Fri Nov 16, 2012, 03:37 PM
Nov 2012

I didn't agree with the premise, didn't see the author make a good case for it and I often lose interest when an agenda is beaten over my head especially if I find it flawed/disagree/etc.

I loved reading books as a kid but I don't see any of the drawbacks when reading on my e-readers, they all have touchscreens I can swipe or use buttons. I don't get lost by not holding my finger to a line or word, I don' t think that's happened to me since I was very young. I like that large books aren't so big I can only read them from a certain angle or where I'd need two hands to break the spine so I could see with whatever light was available. There is no pain in holding an e-reader with one arm/hand compared to a heavy book or having to hold it open with an awkward finger depressed in the middle to keep pages from bunching up in the middle.

I'd add I don't really miss paper as in having my sweaty fingers/hands stick to them or feel my spine cringe on touching some really dry paper. It is nice not to worry if I'm bending the spine, getting the book dirty, or on the rare occasion cutting my fingers on pages. I don't miss seeing through cheap paperback pages when I'm reading on my back and I let my death grip on the pages loose enough that a single page is between me and the light above.

Some books just are superior as paper bound objects, many visual pieces, science/technical books, etc I think are better in paper cause you can see two pages at once which may be a single image/graph/etc but primary text stories are better on an e-reader at least for me. I will continue to buy the paper books where that is an advantage and e-books where that is better. Not too long from now dual screen e-readers will be more affordable with color and better battery options that some more books might be appealing to have in that format.

I loved reading the adventures and stories I went through when I was younger but e-readers have removed many negative aspects that just weren't valued or appreciated by me. The story is what a book is about for me not the medium, in many cases I prefer the newer medium over lugging around paper books. I'm happy if I have good lighting, a comfortable place to sit/lay down, and some quiet from there I'd rather have my e-reader than a paper book in most situations.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

E-reading isn’t reading....... [View all] Little Star Nov 2012 OP
I much prefer reading on my kindle than reading a real book. Skinner Nov 2012 #1
In my life there is room for both.... Little Star Nov 2012 #2
Well, I've been reading books for over 60 years, so of course... TreasonousBastard Nov 2012 #3
This message was self-deleted by its author antiquie Nov 2012 #4
Reading has fuck all to do with your fingers. dmallind Nov 2012 #5
I strongly disagree mythology Dec 2012 #40
Tortured analogy at best dmallind Jan 2013 #44
I like both Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2012 #6
And then there's this: print vs. eBooks for kids.. Little Star Nov 2012 #7
I didn't read the whole piece jp11 Nov 2012 #8
One of the things I like a great deal about traditional books is that SheilaT Nov 2012 #9
I have to admit that I have not tried e-reading, Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #10
Me neither & me too.... fadedrose Nov 2012 #12
Yes. One huge drawback to the ereaders is that SheilaT Nov 2012 #20
I had never thought of formatting changes, Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #21
You should be thinking about it. SheilaT Nov 2012 #22
I'll give you long term power failure getting old in mke Nov 2012 #23
Thank you for that information. SheilaT Nov 2012 #24
DRM = Digital Rights Management getting old in mke Nov 2012 #25
You know, it might be amusing to get library books signed. SheilaT Nov 2012 #26
WOW! Yes! getting old in mke Nov 2012 #27
Of course you can. An e-book is just a computer file. dmallind Jan 2013 #45
I do about 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 getting old in mke Nov 2012 #11
Oh, I forgot about audio books.... Little Star Nov 2012 #13
I am far more comfortable reading my Kindle than a regular book. Lex Nov 2012 #14
Why would we have to choose? CaliforniaHiker Nov 2012 #15
Here's something else to consider. SheilaT Nov 2012 #16
However you were able to get to the digitized version of the Life magazines Lex Nov 2012 #28
Admittedly, I wasn't looking that hard. SheilaT Nov 2012 #29
Does e-reading serve any real purpose? Jim__ Nov 2012 #17
I love books - I love how they feel, making a crease in their spines, closeupready Nov 2012 #18
I love my NOOK Mz Pip Nov 2012 #19
I like the Kindle for stuff not available in print pscot Nov 2012 #30
I'm in my 40's, and I love my Nook DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2012 #31
Another problem with an ereader is going SheilaT Dec 2012 #32
Or quickly turning pages to see if a specific character will appear again.. fadedrose Dec 2012 #33
Smiley face here. SheilaT Dec 2012 #34
Thanks for the link to the MJ article. Loss of privacy should enter into the conversation. Little Star Dec 2012 #35
Interesting article getting old in mke Dec 2012 #36
The claim is made that our government is continually SheilaT Dec 2012 #37
David Brin on Transparency getting old in mke Dec 2012 #38
Will e-readers eventually have a negative effect on public libraries? Little Star Dec 2012 #39
I prefer reading a book Xyzse Dec 2012 #41
I don't have an e-reader, but whenever i am reading SheilaT Jan 2013 #42
I can understand that Xyzse Jan 2013 #43
After going through 4 surgeries on my left eye during 2012, you can believe how japple Jan 2013 #46
To Each Their Own. However...... Paladin Jan 2013 #47
Has anyone read a e-book with audio/video capability?... Little Star Jan 2013 #48
There have been children's books from B&N getting old in mke Jan 2013 #49
I discovered yesterday the Amazon Kindle app for smart phones. closeupready Jan 2013 #50
lol! I want to marry the internet because everyday I learn something new on these tubes. n/t Little Star Jan 2013 #51
I have a number of readers on my devices getting old in mke Jan 2013 #52
That's why I always have a book or two with me. SheilaT Jan 2013 #54
Well, my 8-tracks weren't computer files... getting old in mke Jan 2013 #55
There are some downsides to ereaders that are totally overlooked. SheilaT Jan 2013 #56
Nope, not a downside. getting old in mke Jan 2013 #57
I love my e-readers gollygee Jan 2013 #53
There's plenty of room for both. LWolf Jan 2013 #58
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Fiction»E-reading isn’t reading.....»Reply #8