For a while now I have being wanting to do a comparison with all the new and the old (or the classic) ways/options we now a days have to enjoy a book.
I understand perfectly the readers that do not like the new Era. Its is not the same thing. The feel of the book is something that is calming and this reader at least gets some comfort out of that. I remember the first time I read from a Kindle. I was completely lost. It was confusing, disorienting even. One trusts you sense of tact to tell you more or less where in the book you are, maybe even without realizing this until you change it.
That first book I read in the reader; well I kept having to look at the little bar at the bottom to tell me if I was at the middle, end of beginning. Because I was used to be able to feel it, you know, more pages on either hand, really no mystery there...
I have reached a conclusion, there is nothing like a book; a hardcover good ol'fashion book.
With that said, I will give you also my input about the other ways that technology has provided for us, the readers and give you a Pro/Con list, I will try to keep it short ad sweet :)
Kindle Reader/App, other apps for Android or Apple that need a device. (Overdrive, Kindle App, iBooks,etc)
Pros
- You can read anything, anytime. There is no need to get out of your house. This also becomes very convenient when you are reading that really good series, but you just finished the book. It was so good that you can't keep sleeping... Now with this, just go to the library, purchase the next one and read on!
- You have tons of books (depending on your device's space) at a click distance. You can customize your library the way you like it. Organize it your own way.
- With these apps there is also the availability to read for free, there are plenty of books that can be found for free, the most common ones, believe it or not, the Classics. Ana Karenina, Jane Eyre, Moby Dick, Tess d'Urbervilles, Little Women, The Picture of Dorian Grey.... They all are in my Kindle, and they cost me time to look them up, but not one cent.
- Because you are reading something of a e-reader the prices for kindle books, or e-books (I just have a Kindle and everything has become Kindle in my mind) are considerably lower than what a hardcover or paperback book would be. Also, the device weights considerably less than a 300-600 page book, so hand cramps are diminished very much!
- Last but not least, Libraries have this apps now a days, you can add those to your tablet, readers, etc and get books for free as well, some have a wait list, yes, and they are borrowed, but you do have more possibilities, and if you can read it for free, why would you pay for it?! Right!
Cons:
- Batteries. This happened to me not so long ago, my Kindle decided it had enough and proceeded to die on Me. Of course, on the best part of the book. So this is a con for me; you could always plug it in again of course. But it was just annoying, and then there is the cable, and your outlets does not properly reach, and the you need an extension cord because they never make the cables long enough to reach an outlet... Anyways, you get the point.
- Light... Make sure to get something the allows you to read in the sun. For instance, that commercial about readers being made to be read in the sun and iPads being difficult, 100% true. Don't get me wrong, I love Mac, always have, always will. I have and iPad that I adore, but reading with that in the beach, or the pool, or any place that the sun will reflect of a body of water, or is simply bright on that day makes it a bit uncomfortable. So make sure you get something that will allow you to read in any weather condition.
- The same goes for the night time, make sure this is something adjustable, since for instance, mine tents to sort of blind me at night with the low setting, which is where the iPad is just perfection.
I can not think of any more cons. I have become an avid e-reader and love all the Pros that it brings to the table. If you do have some more Cons or Pros, fell free to comment below and let us know.
This leaves Audiobooks.
Cons:
- They are Expensive. Capital E! If you have audible you know they range from 6 or so, to the 30's or 40's for one book. That's a lot to pay for one book, specially if you latter don't like it...
- The thing that I find with audio books is that if I don't like the narrator, even if the book is good, I won't like it. It happened to my with Game of Thrones, I could not understand half of what he was saying and I felt like I wasted a credit. So if you plan on purchasing something, please listen to the Sample that they have, that should give you a Preview on the Book and also on the Narrator and help you make up your mind.
- A few of my friends tell me that it puts them to sleep; this for me is not a problem, but maybe for some people it is.
Pros:
- Its great to have while driving. Music/Radio this days tents to be very repetitive, I have heard the same song over and over and over again. Audio books solve that problem.
- You will be literally listening to someone tell you a story. How great is that!?
- Its lets you keep up with what you are reading. I will put an example. Lets say you are reading a very good book, and said book is also available for Audiobook, you are in a great part, but life gets in the way and wants to burst your bubble, you have to get ready for work. Enters audio book! Plug your ear buds and start where you left off. While doing the dishes, cooking, driving (here hands free of course, like Link phone to Car sort of thing) no disruption necessary.
This is all I could think of, again if you have any more, please go ahead and let me know.
My point is that I love everything that could allow me to do what I love the most, read. And the beauty of it is that one does not have to choose, you can mix and match, combine and pick what will fit your lifestyle the most and let the magical world of books follow you where ever you are.
Keep the books and their magic coming! :)
Like always,
Hope you have a great book (no matter what format it is in).
XOX
