… as in Ebook. Or Ereader. Or Ewhatchamacallit-but-its-a-device-that-lets-you-read-books-without-the-books.
Now, speaking as an author, I’m all for them. I’m all for anything that allows readers to access my stories in whatever medium they choose. (Legally, of course. I’m pretty anti illegal downloads, natch.) The same technology is transforming TVlandia, what with iTunes or Hulu screening TV episodes online, or watching Netflix on an Xbox, it seems that consumers are insatiable for narrative storytelling, and want it INSTANTLY. As a creator of narrative content, I say thee yay!
However, speaking as a reader, I’m on the fence. There is something very tactile for me about reading a book. I don’t know if I’d get the same experience on a Kindle. Also, I stare at a computer enough as it is. Do I really want to stare at an LCD screen some more, further degrading my eyesight into coke-bottle-glassesdom?
That said… Kindles do seem nifty.
What’s your opinion? Ebooks and Ereaders: awesome supercool wave of the future or horrible and must be stopped at all costs?
Interesting take on the way consumerism is when it comes to entertainment. I have a Sony 505 and I love it. One thing to think about with kindle or sony or whatever ereader you use is that it isn’t the only way you have to read. Since I’ve bought my ereader I haven’t stopped reading physical books. I still use my library and (sadly for my wallet) I still buy books from my bookstore. I’m just amazingly impatient (which I think you’ve already touched on with sites like Hulu).
So I just juggle between the different sources for books (no waiting lines at the library for new books, no gas wasted going to the book store, and the most funny thing is no embarrassing covers, lol).
My verdict would be awesome supercool wave of the future (but not at the cost of losing “real” books forever).
Hey Samantha!
I think you’re right, that the awesome supercool wave of the future is going to overtake me. After all — I too often peruse the internet, come across a book I’d like to read and then forget about it by the time I hit the store. There is something to be said for instant gratification.