Q&A with Anne M. Carpenter discussion

This is becoming the "new age" question for books, isn't it?

For me, it took awhile to adapt to eBooks. I love the feel of paper in my hands. The weight of a book in my purse. The crinkle of turning pages. Not having to get my shaky and arthritic fingers to master a touch screen.

But I'll admit it...now I read 75% of books on my Kindle Fire. Don't get me wrong - I still continue to collect paper books. But I'm an impulse buyer, and so my Kindle is rapidly filling.

How about you?

AMC

So far I mainly read hardcopy books. However I have begun eto read some ebooks. Still prefer old fashion books.

I understand completely, Greg! It was at least a yearlong transition for me to get used to reading eBooks, and I still have issues with it...namely that I have trouble turning pages occasionally, when my fingers are especially stiff.

Nothing beats a print book, though!

AMC

I love print books. All of the paperbacks on my bookshelf have been lovingly read. The spines are creased, the edges of the paper dirty where sweaty fingers have thumbed them idly as the book has been read. Can't beat a paperback version. It's also far easier to flick back a few pages to check a character's name or remind yourself what happened in a previous scene.

That said, however, I've kind of made the transition to ebooks. Got myself a Kindle. I figured that since I sell most of my books in Kindle format, I should at least see what the fuss is all about. I've read a few books on the Kindle and in a way, I love it. But they I look at my shelf and wish that some of the books I'd bought for the Kindle I had in hard- or paper-back format.

I buy the hardcopy versions of books by my favourite authors, but the Kindle is so convenient. I can read three or four books at the same time, so it's nice to be able to switch to another on the journey to work without having to worry about carrying three or four paperbacks around with me!

You make a very good point, Shaun - it can definitely be easier to flip back through a paper book to find something you've forgotten. I also find the bookmarking function to be a bit irritating at times on the Kindle. I also have issues with the Kindle Fire and not being able to create folders like you could on older gen Kindles. Not being able to categorize my books really irritates me.

Lysa, a cool book blogger, recently put up this post on the topic of eBooks versus print. Highly recommend reading!

ETA: Highly irritating - the link was deleted. Trying to add again. http://books.mommysopinion.com/the-tr...

@Anne: I read Kindle books all the time now. I can hardly remember what it felt like to hold an actual book. I enjoy the fact that I can easily balance my Kindle at all times, instead of putting a lot of strain on one wrist, especially as a paperback is coming to its conclusion.

I don't have the Kindle Fire. I have the keyboard because I wanted something which didn't resemble a computer screen with all the color and glare. I enjoy turning on my flashlight to read at night. :)

@Shaun: I know some die hard paperback fans who will buy a printed version of a Kindle book they've really enjoyed, so they get the best of both worlds. :)

I'm jealous - I had a Kindle with a keyboard as my first Kindle...and my kiddos smashed the screen. So for Christmas - actually a few weeks before, because I had surgery at the start of the month and my husband wanted me to have something to read while in the hospital - I got a Fire. It's harder for me to manage than the older Kindle. I do like a lot of things about it, but I'd almost prefer reverting.

Well, in time, you may be able to own both versions. Something to dream about, anyway. :)

Yes, absolutely! Not in the budget now, but perhaps someday. I'd also like to get a Nook and an iPad just to see how different it is to read on them or do other apps. But that's *definitely* not in the budget right now! :-)

Definitely electronic - It's one less thing I have to dust.

LOVE IT - that's the best reason for eReaders I've heard yet, Elaine!

I usually read books in print. Newspapers online. Slowly converting to electronic through Kindle cloud and app on iPad, and iBooks. My husband just bought a Nook to replace his dying Sony e-reader. The jury is still out.

I think the transition to reading news online was the easiest for me, because I've been visiting sites like CNN and FoxNews and MSNBC for years online. Magazines, now...I have issues reading electronically. I need to feel them, to flip through them. Weird, huh?

How did he like the Sony eReader? My writing partner and I have sold very little in the Sony store and so I'm curious how many are actually out there. Our main sales come from Amazon, Nook, Kobo and Apple with just the sporadic sale or two on the other platforms.

AMC

I love books in all forms. I read mostly on my tablet these days because ebooks are so easy to get.

I definitely love how easy it is to get books! My biggest problem with my Fire is accidentally touching it and flipping pages when I don't want to. I'm used to gripping my books and occasionally trailing my finger under the area I'm reading. Can't do that now, LOL!! :-)

Anne wrote: "I definitely love how easy it is to get books! My biggest problem with my Fire is accidentally touching it and flipping pages when I don't want to. I'm used to gripping my books and occasionally tr..."
Yes! And reading books with the kids on it is tough when they try to touch the pages.

Oh, my goodness. Tell me about it! I have a 2 year old (just turned) and a 3 year old (almost 4) and I got the bright idea to download kids books for them, since they're fascinated with my Kindle. (And their fascination broke my last one.) Well...when we read paper books at home - and we read a ton every day - they get to help me hold the book and turn pages. If they try to help with the Fire? Um, hilarity ensues! :-)

Anne wrote: "Oh, my goodness. Tell me about it! I have a 2 year old (just turned) and a 3 year old (almost 4) and I got the bright idea to download kids books for them, since they're fascinated with my Kindle...."

I can only imagine. LOL

I struggle to read anything of length at my computer screen. I did read somewhere (which I did my IT degree) that it takes longer to read something on screen than in paper format. However, I think that's down to the uncomfortable position/size of the screen. A Kindle (I used that as a reader, because I've now got experience with it) is almost akin to a book. So it's easy to hold, whether you're sat on a train, in the bath, in bed, or even on the loo. I'm working my way through "War and Peace" on the Kindle ... and I'm not sure reading it on the Kindle is any more onerous than reading it in paperback format!

In short, I love my Kindle, but I love reading a paperback book as well ...

And @Norma, yeah, I must confess there are a couple of books I've bought in both formats ... by my favourite authors. Though there are one or two I still buy purely in paperback!

I still love going to our local Barnes and Noble - one of the massive stores, two stories, larger than my entire neighborhood block - and browsing for awhile. I don't get there often (I have 2 toddlers; how often do you think I get out, LOL!) but when I do, I go with a nice-sized budget and stock up on books for awhile. In my area, we also have Half Priced Books. They have this program called "Books By The Yard" and my husband typically buys me a box or two for my birthday or Christmas, and that, plus my BN trips, keep me in print books for the year, while the rest comes from Kindle these days. I don't think I could ever do just one or the other.

AMC

I'll always prefer print copies, but I'd have to live in a mansion - oh yes, and servants to dust them. I've compromised with a Kindle and it's good for price and storage for the millions of words..love 'em! :)

I can't remember the last time I read a paperback - must have been a year ago. I received an ARC of Full Disclosure, a new title Dee Henderson is releasing this fall, so I'm curious to see how it feels in my hands.

Ooh - I love Dee Henderson - hope you enjoy your paperback experience!

Anne wrote: "Ooh - I love Dee Henderson - hope you enjoy your paperback experience!"

Well, right now, I'm caught up in reading When Love Abides. Yeah, I know I wrote it but, sometimes, I take my books and begin to read and lose sleep as though I haven't a clue about what is going to happen. Strange, or what?

As for Dee's book, the font is very small. I need some great lighting to read it but will wait until next week, perhaps, so I can get more of Soul Confessions written.

Not strange at all - sometimes, I'll go back to one of my as-yet published (some as-yet finished) manuscripts and read them and not remember them at all! Sometimes with my short stories as well!

Well, in my case, I remember what is going to happen but I'm still intrigued enough to keep turning the pages. :)

I love my Sony ereader however, sometimes I revert back as I miss the feel of an actual book in my hands. I do seem to read books quicker on my electronic device. I also have the Kindle on my pc and enjoy that as well.

I always have 4 p/back books on the go and one kindle book and I just change to the next in my list dependent on which I finish first.
I tend to read p/backs at home and kindle when I am out.

I'd be interested in chatting with you on your Sony reader, Tammy - of the ereaders on the market, that's the one I'm least familiar with. I'm glad to hear that you love it, though!

That's a smart practice, Adele! I can remember packing for trips and trying to figure out where I was going to stash all of my books to read...and now, with just having to pack 1 little ereader, life's much easier on the go!

I'm mainly ebooks for now. If it's a book I read and loved, then I'll go back and find it in paperback. Or if it's only available in paperback and I want it, then I'll purchase it.

Anytime Anne! I can answer any questions you might have about it.

Oh, Glynis...if I were related to your son in law, I'd probably move in and chomp my way through box after box of books. What an awesome thing!

You make a great point that ereaders don't tolerate coffee or crumbs. That's what I love most about walking into my home library - seeing all of those lovely spines lined up, just the sight bringing back memories of a story I loved.

I'll always treasure a print copy, but also enjoy the ease and flexibility of reading on the computer, ipad or whatever. Just something special about a print book, especially when it is signed by the author as many of mine are lately.

That is definitely neat, Angel! I love my signed books as well, although I only have a couple. I've considered playing with Kindlegraph to autograph eBooks but haven't gotten to test it yet. Could be a neat way to bring the same feel to electronic books.

@ Glynis - I love to abuse my paperback books! That's part of the enjoyment of reading. And on bookshelves, they look great because they look READ. Hate it when somebody has lent me a book and they say, "Oh, don't turn the corners over, don't crack the spine."

I like both, actually. Downloading a novel instantly is pretty gratifying, as is getting away from a screen every once in awhile to give the old eyes a rest. :)

I will always prefer print books and I love old books from those rickety bookshops that are rarely found anymore.

I love the feel and smell and the history of them.

Though now in the age of e-books, I've had to compromise - one, for price and two, for space. My Kindle has so many on it to read, so I've stopped downloading free books until I can get through the stories I have.

I also read a vast amount of self-published work. I not only like to support them by reading and reviewing, but also find such a wonderful variety of stories, unlike most that are on the traditional bookshelves.

As a self-published author, I find that I can offer e-books far cheaper, although all my books are in print too. So I use, Amazon for Kindle editions and Lulu and Createspace for prints.

I am also a reviewer for other sites and am often given pdf copies but find I have to read them on the PC, as they don't translate easily to Kindle. It's not ideal but I understand that many authors can't do it any other way and I, for one, can only give away pdf copies, although I have 'freebies' on Amazon when allowed, in the hope of exposure.

So, in the end, I love books in print, but, more importantly, I delight in a great story from whatever source.

I love books. I love printed books and used to have a huge collection until I moved to the States (I'm from Costa Rica). I kept my favorite ones. Then lost most of them to Charlie, Jeanne, Ivan and the other hurricane that hit Florida in 04.
I'm a truck driver so the Kindle works for me. Lots of space saved! That said, I can never get enough of paper books.

Anne, The Sony ereader runs pretty much like any others out there on the market. It will read pdf, epub, and text. Unlike the Nook and Kindle that only take specific forms. I can convert mobi files to work for my e-reader. It is pretty cool. I can also down load pics and music to it as well or audio books. It is touch screen and I have owned it for 3 yrs now and love it. I do sometimes convert back to real books as I call them as they are one of my most treasured possessions! I am a book fiend I can't get enough! Books are like a treasured friend to me!

I like printed books also, but ebooks are the future. I converted pretty quickly, against my will. I was reading a printed book and became irritated because when you read at night you have to tilt the page towards the light to see it properly, not something you need to do with an ereader! If I can convert to an ereader then I think anyone can.

Love my Kindle, my netbook ereader app, I also have Sony and in a pinch I can use my Blackberry. Left behind paper a while back. So easy to carry several hundred books around with me since I ride a bicycle everywhere. About the only time I touch paper these days is when I'm checking a proof copy. Will state my one exception is Crowell Roget's Thesaurus (1946), the best one ever made. My 1896 Fannie Farmer cookbook also, best one I've ever used once I got used to the way she mentioned oven temps.

I miss bookstores soooo bad, just cruising around, looking at all the paper books. Cookbooks are always paper. Gone With the Wind I ordered in paper. I'm saving for my Ipad but for now I have my Kindle on my computer!! Nice too read all the comments about the Fire, etc. Thanks.

I am a bookstore junkie. I love the hardbacks :)

Although in the long term, e-books will probably become the norm, I prefer paper because I can show off how well read I am by filling my shelves with all the books I have read. A kindle, or whatever e-reader you use, looks the same whether it has 1 book or 10,000 books in it. Also, if you're reading a paper book in a public location, passers by can see the cover and tell at a glance that you might have similar interests and be worth the effort to start up a conversation. With an e-book, they will have to look over your shoulder which will come of as being rude.

I grew up in the age of paper so I naturally still lean toward having paper books on my shelf. I will buy a hardcover or paperback book a month to keep generating income for paper selling books. It is my way of giving back to that world.

Having said that, I do own an iPad and will generally read anything whether it's on paper or on screen. I'm in graphics and therefore spend a lot of time in front of the screen. Information coming to me from any source is like a drug...

My writing is done on screen and my self-published books are in e-format, so I try to promote both forms of publishing. E-format just seems so handy, readily available, and can be treated as 'work in progress.' On the other hand, the feel of paper seems complete.

When I am on holiday, I definitely buy paper because I need to get away from the screen.

Sorry, I do have to add that I went to live in Europe for 2 years and during that time, paid 100$ a month to store ALL my books (LOL). Yup. And, my thought was furniture can always be repurchased but some books are getting harder to find in paper.

Now I think most people really want the printed version most of all. What I think ends up actually making the decision though is maximizing what's in someone's wallet. What Adam Smith stated in one place in Wealth of Nations is what I think still holds true. Basic economics guides the behavior. "I have x amount of dollars and I need to maximize what I'm getting out of those dollars." You can substitute whatever currency you want to but its the same guiding factor.

Being a self published author I can't help but look at all kinds of pricing issues. Just wander through the Kindle store some time and notice the prices. Especially with Indie's like me the Kindle's price is about 1/2-1/3 of the paperbacks price.

I really don't think that hard covers and paperbacks will ever totally disappear because people really do want them. They just won't ever sell like they used to and they're going to become more of collectors item more than anything.

Hi everyone :)

I only read paper book. The reason being, I haven't got a Kindle yet lol so I have no experience with them as yet. I would like one though. I just bought the 4th book in the 'Clan of the Cave Bear' series and it was proper expensive. Plus, my children's MG novel was published in January and I had to wait until last week to get hold of a copy myself bow it's in print haha!! That's nearly a whole year to get my own book!

But saying that, I do love printed books :) They are so real.

CC - I love that you describe information as a drug. You and I are kindred spirits! :-)

Brian - I'm with you. I don't think paper books will every totally disappear. I've begun doing something a little different. I always used to be a paperback-only gal, before the day of eBooks. Now, if I'm going to buy a print book, I buy the hardback - last longer, looks prettier in my home library. If it's something where I'd be more likely to want the paperback, I now get it in eBook form, if it's available.

Thanks for joining in, ya'll! I appreciate you!

AMC