Hey folks,
No, we aren't at your local grocery store, as the publishing world is changing, less paper and more plastic books are being produced, what say you? I know that many of you are strict paper readers, while others have grasped the new lifestyle of e-book readers and don't want to weigh yourself... or your bookshelves, down with more paper. And whether you think you are doing the Earth a favor by not cutting down trees to produce more traditional books (but in turn it takes petrolium distillates, along with heavy metals to create those e-readers), or not, I'd love to hear your take on both sides including your preference.
Here is my take:
I certainly think that there is room for both! Am I taking the 'political route' by staying mid-stream because I want to sell books? No, for those who just like to read and don't truly care to be engaged by their book, e-readers (and multi-taskers like smart-style phones) are really the way to go. The books tend to be cheaper, and after a while the device pays for itself. But for those who want to be enveloped by their book, paper is certainly the way to go. Many of the books we have produced have maps, pencil drawings and intricate chapter headers that engage your mind's eye before you hit your first stylized word that you don't find in the e-category (as some readers don't do picts and all only use basic fonts).
When you come down to it though, reading is reading. Maybe this should go into another post, but in a country where approximately 50% of us are illiterate (a completely staggering number that I heard a few years back at Thrillerfest), anything to get that number closer to zero is a must. So, regardless of your poison - paper or plastic - it's all good. And be sure to share your input; tell others about the books you enjoy. Whether it is on your blog, person to person, or a review on any/all of the various book retailer sites, your input matters to both us and the readers.
Most of all, be sure to engage your youngin's in a story that makes their minds race, get them turned on to reading from day one. Inspire the next set of readers to become an author, mechanic, soldier, or astronaut (all of them must be literate to succeed).
...Whoa, didn't expect the soapbox to come out, but, glad it did. Literacy is a gift and privilege, be sure to share it with everyone you know - adult or child. If you know someone who is illiterate, support them and help them accomplish their goals. It may be frustrating for you at times, but just think how they feel - and they don't require our pity, just paper or plastic, and a little encouragement.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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5 comments:
There is something magical about cracking open a brand new book... the smell of the new pages, the crackle of the spine, the feel of the paper between your fingers.
I am a purist when it comes to reading. after all,can you see yourself snuggling up with a child at night for a bedtime story with a "plastic book"? i sure can't!
Very true, Goodnight Moon just wouldn't have the same feel in digital text. So certainly, kids books must stay in paper/board. I'm sure the full color iPad will have it's niche when it comes to stuff like this, but I don't see myself giving a child who can destroy a $5 book in a matter of moments an e-reader at $500 that will certainly get destroyed just as quick =)>
I dislike reading on a computer or any of the like. I can’t stand it. Having said that, would I like to have my entire library on a device that would fit into my back pocket? Sure ... it'd definitely make moving easier between houses.
BUT...
I don't want to read on a screen. I want the smell of a book's freshly printed pages; I want ink on my fingers and a signature on the inside cover.
As a book reviewer I hate getting excited about receiving an ARC of a novel, only to find out its only avail in an eBook format. AND eBooks have a bad rap to boot, as I think they are more closely associated with self-publishing, rather than an established author of whom someone's chosen to invest. I am NOT stating that self-publishing is bad.
Yes, Stan, there's room for both, but if it comes down to eBook or no book, I'll have to find a new hobby.
Well said, Stan. Twitter and Facebook are not going to take the place of conversation, and real books will sruvive even as e-books grow. It is a new world, however, an enitre generation that has grown up in the computer age, millions of young people who think faxes and voice-mail messages are archaic. The e-book is the future, so ride the wave.
Dan - yes, that is the biggest argument that I hear. The smell, the feel, the nostalgia. And just a thought, if you are that interesting in checking out a book, ask for it in a printable PDF and print that bad larry out. If they can get it to you in epub and the like, they can get it to you in PDF. Most are already set up in letter size, so you save paper that way and get the best of both worlds.
Nancy - ditto on well said. Thanks for your input. You are so right, and I'm sure the technology for books won't end at the e-reader either. Someone will come up with something new in 5 or 10 years that changes the book environment again... but the standard book will still be around due to traditionalists like Dan =)>. It is what it is - and I'm looking forward to seeing it all go down as it happens.
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