The Next Best Book Club discussion

I love to read and buying a brand new book is my ultimate high, but they were beginning to drain my wallet (and apartment space). Then I discovered ebooks. My fav ebook site, booksonboard.com, has great prices, selections, and specials. I discovered I could download almost anything I wanted to onto my computer or ebook device for much less money than buying a papercopy. I highly recommend ebooks, check them out everyone!

I love the idea of ebooks and I have the B&N book reader on my Blackberry, but I still haven't managed to get into it.

To me, there is no other feeling in the world than holding a book. The way the pages feel or even the smell of a new or used book. I also like to share my books....how do I share the love of a book....if I can't lend it to someone b/c its in ebook format?

I guess I'm just one of the few that can't give up the paper copies.

Melissa wrote: "I guess I'm just one of the few that can't give up the paper copies. "

Me too. They're so much more intimate. I love having shelves and shelves of books, looking for weird/rare copies of books I love, and just everything about books.

This ties right into our Kindle talk too....
I have tryed to read online, which doesnt bother me really, but like Melissa says, there is nothing that can replace curling up with a book in my hands....

I don't find books really to be a money issue anymore. Certainly if I could I would do nothing but buy books. The beauty of books, however, is there are so many great library systems which is also free. I prefer to spend my time there picking out the physical book and then getting to enjoy it for free. I have a job that requires me to stare at a computer screen all day long, so quite honestly by the time I get home the last thing I want to do is anything more difficult on the computer than checking my email. I have also tried audio books and can't seem to wrap my mind around them either - I'm too easily distracted by everything around me.

I love the feel of books. When buying books, I pet them, feeling the paper and cover. I also smell them, especially if they are used, but even if they are new. One of the things I loved about The Time Traveler's Wife was the quality of the paper.

I have a question and didn't know where to post it. I was sent a "chain" letter where you send a book to someone the letter has passed and then six letters to friends with your mailing label. I don't usually do these, but thought this might be intereting. I need three more people to send it to - if anyone is interested, let me know.

I'm not sure how good this would work even if everyone who receives it participates -- since my guess is people would be more willing to send books they didn't like. Anyway, if you're interested, let me know.

Ebooks are all the same layout and the same font, you don't get the pleasure of the bookbinders' or publishers' arts in anyway. Nor with audio books. I don't like audio books at all. Someone else reading them puts emphasis where they feel it fits, rather than where my imagination does. But I expect if I lived in a big country rather than a small island and had long car trips or commuting then I might change my mind about audiobooks.

Serena- I did this about a year ago, but I think we had to send it to 7 people and original person who sent it to you, you had to send them a book. I sent it to all readers and did not get one book back! I hope it works out for you :)

I just use swaptree and swap with other readers or go to the library. The last book I bought was the last Harry Potter!

Angela wrote: "Serena- I did this about a year ago, but I think we had to send it to 7 people and original person who sent it to you, you had to send them a book. I sent it to all readers and did not get one book..."

Angela,

Thanks. I suspected that's what would happen. I did go ahead and send off a book - at least she'll get one. Oh well, ...

I agree, having a paper copy in your hands is wonderful but since I move a lot it is easier having an electronic book because it's less weight and therefore cheaper to move. I will buy a book in paper if it's an important one, like a classic, but for my trashy romance novel and crime novel addictions, ebooks are the way to go for me. When I am waiting in the doctors offices etc and tired of reading one book, I can read another since each can hold several hundred books. Some of the devices let you highlight, take notes, mark pages, etc so it's almost like having a paper book. The technology is getting better with them and the prices are coming down so it's a good deal if you travel a lot and read a ton but don't want to spend as much money. Sometimes I read books on my computer since you can save a copy on there too which is nice. I read recently that a school in Boston has all of their library books and text books on the computer/electronic, did anyone else hear about that?? I wish I could have had that in college, woulda saved me tons of money!