E-Books take away some of the mystique?

E-Books take away some of the mystique? (Full Version)

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caringlord -> E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:08:21 PM)
So last week I got my very own Kindle (for those unfamiliar it's a very fun e-book reader , I download directly from Amazon.com since that's the company that makes it) and some of the first books I got were the available sleeping beauty books (2 and 3 were the only ones available for download) and the available Gor books (Captive, Assassains, and Outlaw). A friend heard this and was taken aback that I would cheapen them by reading them in this format. Any thoughts?

camille65 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:16:45 PM)
I think your friend is silly. So... how do you like your Kindle? I've looked at them (and keep looking at them) but I really love the feel and smell of a paper book. Plus I am a very quick reader and there simply doesn't seem to be enough books available in that format! Do you have the newest version?

cjan -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:19:00 PM)
I've been thinking about getting a Kindle. The only thing that gives me pause is this . http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/opinion/25blount.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=kindle&st=cse

AquaticSub -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:23:02 PM)
~Fast Reply~ I also agree with the assessment that your friend is silly. While I have no interest in the specific books you mentioned, if it would cheapen one it would cheapen them all and I certainly have books that are near and dear to my heart. These tomes are beloved, usually, both for the words inside them and because they were gifts from those I love. I don't believe it cheapens the meaning these books have to read them over a Kindle or any other for that matter. Quite frankly, I'm always happy to hear that people are still reading and not waiting for the movie...

camille65 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:33:02 PM)
I've always thought that every printed book should be available in audio, that every television channel ought to automatically have closed caption. As to audio books themselves.. alas, I can't stand them. I have never managed to find one where the voice suits, the last one I got for my drive from MI to TX was awful. The reader was male, the book from a female perspective. Every sentence the character spoke the reader did this weird high pitched 'girl voice' that made it impossible for me to even hear the content. I left it as a tip in some diner in Mississippi.

AquaticSub -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:36:07 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 As to audio books themselves.. alas, I can't stand them. I have never managed to find one where the voice suits, the last one I got for my drive from MI to TX was awful. The reader was male, the book from a female perspective. Every sentence the character spoke the reader did this weird high pitched 'girl voice' that made it impossible for me to even hear the content. I left it as a tip in some diner in Mississippi. That's a shame. I've enjoyed several books on tape though the voice does have to be right. What drives me nuts is that I try to get non-fiction books on tape and find that they are abridged even when it doesn't say so on the label!

cjan -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:37:37 PM)
camille, the issue raised in the article I linked to is about royalties rightly due to the authors and publishers. I agree that audio books are great for those who need or enjoy them, but, imo, the royalties need to be paid, especially in light of the fact, as the article points out, that in today's market, often more money is made on audio versions than print.

caringlord -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:39:19 PM)
I love it, my only issues of shortness of titles is some older books. The feel is 100% better. I was always annoyed that it was hard to get comfortable for any long period of time with a book because in most cases (especially paperbacks) you need to hold it open with both hands and if you're lying down you shift between holding it up over you, resting it on your chest, and laying on your elbows with the book under you. Sitting in a chair led to similar issues, this way is great because I can prop it up against my knees and read it and I only need a hand to press the turn page button. I do have the newest version i.e. Kindle 2. My issue with the shortness of titles is split in two directions. One is the one illustrated here, that they have several titles in a series but lack the first volume. How am I supposed to read a three part series when I can't download the first? The other is uneven older titles. For instance I was looking for Starship Troopers, an old favorite, and while there's other Heinlein titles, not any of the ones that are well known. So yeah, more questions feel free to ask.

camille65 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:39:29 PM)
I keep wanting to like them but it just doesn't happen. From the time I could read, every book came with its own supply of voices in my head (uh oh maybe I should stay quiet about that..), fleshing out the characters and bringing them to life. The audio books that I've tried, well it sounds like they try to do that using just one voice and not doing very well at it. Yes the unmarked abridged books are irritating, and expensive!

MidMichCowboy -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:42:26 PM)
Should we go back to reading it on stone or skins? Maybe we should only read books that are hand copied? I don't mean to be a smart ass, but the world does evolve. If someone wants to read only books that are printed out, it's their choice. I have friends who want only hard cover books. I have to read on the go. With work and ummms, I'm always on the go. I've been reading e-books for a long time. The laws (concerning audio books on Kindle) are not up to date. So work to fix it, but don't stop progress. I'd love for my ummms to have all their books on a slim e-reader that wouldn't kill their backs as they carry it home to do homework. In the future, an author will be able to publish his own book, leaving consumers in charge of what they read and not "Professional Publishers". I see the same happening with music. When works are in electronic form, there is things to work through, like copy-write and making sure the authors of the works get fair reimbursement. But those are minor problems compared to a world where a few companies no longer get to filter what we read, watch or listen to.

camille65 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:42:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: caringlord My issue with the shortness of titles is split in two directions. One is the one illustrated here, that they have several titles in a series but lack the first volume. How am I supposed to read a three part series when I can't download the first? The other is uneven older titles. For instance I was looking for Starship Troopers, an old favorite, and while there's other Heinlein titles, not any of the ones that are well known. So yeah, more questions feel free to ask. Well crap. If I can't get a full series, no way do I want a Kindle! I am compulsive about reading books in order and in particular love a good lengthy series. My typical reading position is in bed curled on my side with the paperback held in one hand (I don't break bindings either, major pet peeve of mine), reading until that hand cramps then switching sides til the other cramps or I finish the book. [sm=book.gif]

camille65 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:45:12 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: cjan camille, the issue raised in the article I linked to is about royalties rightly due to the authors and publishers. I agree that audio books are great for those who need or enjoy them, but, imo, the royalties need to be paid, especially in light of the fact, as the article points out, that in today's market, often more money is made on audio versions than print. I think that this advance in technology requires an advance in how things are done. Of course I agree that royalties are important and need to get paid but I think that a new way needs to be created. Sorry cjan I didn't mean to type such a non-answer in my first post!

AquaticSub -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:50:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 I keep wanting to like them but it just doesn't happen. From the time I could read, every book came with its own supply of voices in my head (uh oh maybe I should stay quiet about that..), fleshing out the characters and bringing them to life. The audio books that I've tried, well it sounds like they try to do that using just one voice and not doing very well at it. Yes the unmarked abridged books are irritating, and expensive! Ahh. You have the problem I have with movies. If I know a book I want to read is going to be made into a movie, and I believe I want to see the movie, I watch the movie first. That way I can enjoy the movie without sitting going there going "BUT THAT'S WRONG!". Most of the audio books I've listened to don't try to do a huge variety of voices, only changing pitch enough to let you know who is talking.

caringlord -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 3:54:28 PM)
While I respect that audio issues are certainly something that require attention I think a number of things need to be taken into account. It's ultimately somewhere between difficult and impossible to police data, audio, visual, or literary. If Napster taught us anything then there we go. As for the text to speech function. It's nothing amazing, it's a half step up from the old speech function on my computer that I used to tell me how cool I am. It makes for a fuzzy line. Is it illegal to put software that attaches a robotic voice? Or A good robotic voice? Or Is it illegal to read it aloud without legal written permission?

camille65 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 4:08:35 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AquaticSub quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 I keep wanting to like them but it just doesn't happen. From the time I could read, every book came with its own supply of voices in my head (uh oh maybe I should stay quiet about that..), fleshing out the characters and bringing them to life. The audio books that I've tried, well it sounds like they try to do that using just one voice and not doing very well at it. Yes the unmarked abridged books are irritating, and expensive! Ahh. You have the problem I have with movies. If I know a book I want to read is going to be made into a movie, and I believe I want to see the movie, I watch the movie first. That way I can enjoy the movie without sitting going there going "BUT THAT'S WRONG!". Most of the audio books I've listened to don't try to do a huge variety of voices, only changing pitch enough to let you know who is talking. Psssst. Please go to your nearest RedBox (or Blockbuster) and rent the movie 'Blindness'. Taken from the novel by author Jose Saramago it won the Nobel Prize in literature. I haven't read the book but hot damn the movie was stunning, first time I watched every single credit and behind the scenes thingies. A total... wow.

cjan -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 4:18:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: caringlord While I respect that audio issues are certainly something that require attention I think a number of things need to be taken into account. It's ultimately somewhere between difficult and impossible to police data, audio, visual, or literary. If Napster taught us anything then there we go. As for the text to speech function. It's nothing amazing, it's a half step up from the old speech function on my computer that I used to tell me how cool I am. It makes for a fuzzy line. Is it illegal to put software that attaches a robotic voice? Or A good robotic voice? Or Is it illegal to read it aloud without legal written permission? As the article points out, it's not illegal or unethical to "read" a book aloud , as long as it's not for profit. Some of the same issues, as you pointed out, in downloading music or videos for non-profit motives. The audio issue is one where profit is , indeed , involved and royalties, imo, should be paid.

slaveluci -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 6:01:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: caringlord So last week I got my very own Kindle (for those unfamiliar it's a very fun e-book reader , I download directly from Amazon.com since that's the company that makes it) and some of the first books I got were the available sleeping beauty books (2 and 3 were the only ones available for download) and the available Gor books (Captive, Assassains, and Outlaw). A friend heard this and was taken aback that I would cheapen them by reading them in this format. Any thoughts? Cheapen the Gor novels? Is that possible? Poorly written sci-fi drivel in print or as an e-book is still drivel.[8\|] I got a Kindle right before Christmas and I love, love, love it. I'm a librarian and I love having a big, hard.....wait for it.....book in my hands[;)] and a Kindle will never replace that. It is simply an enhancement. I still check out tons of books from our library system and I still buy actual books. I only purchase certain types on my Kindle but I especially seek out anthologies/collections. That way I can have a little bit of everything right at my fingertips. E-books don't "cheapen" anything. If it's not your friend's preference, so be it. But saying it "cheapens" them is pretty off the mark................luci

littlesarbonn -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/2/2009 6:55:28 PM)
I use kindle to sell one of my mainstream science fiction novels. The company that originally published it set the paperback book price way too high, but I had not given up electronic rights, so I was able to sell it through kindle. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people are offset by the high price of the kindle itself, so not a lot of people buy into it. But people buy the book steadily, so that's a positive thing. I haven't put any of my bdsm novels up on kindle yet, mainly because I was testing kindle out with a vanilla title first. One of these days, when I get some free time, I'll probably put one of the bdsm ones up there just to see how it sells. The problem is that my bdsm novels are written under a different name, and amazon loves to link names together, which they tried to do with one of the bdsm novels as well, which made a lot of questions I didn't really want to answer to people who were fans of the vanilla fiction.

MissGingerrella -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/3/2009 12:12:40 PM)
'Blindness' is an amazing book, I haven't seen the film yet though, but I'm looking forward to it.

devotedOwner19 -> RE: E-Books take away some of the mystique? (3/3/2009 1:30:21 PM)
I myself am great lover of books, and while i appriciate the ability to read online or listen to a book and all the other formats available. i have to say it takes away some of the sheer wow factor to walk into a room and see writen books on every shelf and to see hundreds or thousands of books in a library.

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