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I think it's unfortunate that this article was written by a collector, and that this collector equates himself with "bibliophiles". I like to read. I have fill

I think it's unfortunate that this article was written by a collector, and that this collector equates himself with "bibliophiles". I like to read. I have filled my house with books not because I fetishize books, but because I've read them, find value in continuing to consult them, and plan for our children to have access to a well curated library of books that I've loved -- without them having to rent access or my having to maintain digital copies forever. I also like ebooks, and have a Kindle, but there are usability problems that real books solve very well, and digital books not at all -- and vis versa.

zzalpha 12y ago
Yeah, totally agreed there. The reality is I still take pleasure in browsing and I still occasionally buy physical books. There's enjoyment in that discovery process, particularly in those old, unique bookstores that are so few and far between these days. But I find the digital reading experience, with a good epaper reader, infinitely superior... resizable text, built in lighting, far lighter and more portable... for me, personally, there's really no comparison. To me, and I've said this since the Kindle first hit the street, the perfect compromise would be if I could buy physical books and get a free digital copy as part of the deal. But, of course, that's anathema to the publisher view that I should pay for every medium in which I consume their content.
- tjl 12y ago
  I don't have built-in lighting, but I bought my e-reader before that was a common feature. I'd like to buy a physical book and get the e-book as part of the deal. This was something that Baen did, but I'm not sure if they still do. As things stand, I now usually buy the e-book (or audiobook) and if I love the book, I'll buy the physical book. The only physical books I buy are for series where I've already been buying them as physical books before I got my e-reader (and cookbooks). The most recent physical books I've bought are Jo Walton's Among Others and Nicole Krauss' The History of Love. I'm planning to pick up The Rook at some point too (although I think it's best as an audiobook).

zzalpha 12y ago

Yeah, totally agreed there. The reality is I still take pleasure in browsing and I still occasionally buy physical books. There's enjoyment in that discovery process, particularly in those old, unique bookstores that are so few and far between these days. But I find the digital reading experience, with a good epaper reader, infinitely superior... resizable text, built in lighting, far lighter and more portable... for me, personally, there's really no comparison. To me, and I've said this since the Kindle first hit the street, the perfect compromise would be if I could buy physical books and get a free digital copy as part of the deal. But, of course, that's anathema to the publisher view that I should pay for every medium in which I consume their content.

tjl 12y ago
I don't have built-in lighting, but I bought my e-reader before that was a common feature. I'd like to buy a physical book and get the e-book as part of the deal. This was something that Baen did, but I'm not sure if they still do. As things stand, I now usually buy the e-book (or audiobook) and if I love the book, I'll buy the physical book. The only physical books I buy are for series where I've already been buying them as physical books before I got my e-reader (and cookbooks). The most recent physical books I've bought are Jo Walton's Among Others and Nicole Krauss' The History of Love. I'm planning to pick up The Rook at some point too (although I think it's best as an audiobook).