What do you think of Digital Books?

eqoatl · 01-06-2015, 05:15 PM

I dont care for them. It could be because we're so accustomed to looking at screens that the traditional paperback is a nice escape, an organic feeling, or maybe because I'm old-fashioned.

But I enjoy flipping pages and watching the creases form at the spine after I've been reading for a long period of time. Highlighting and taking notes on certain paragraphs that transported me from my world into the writer's. Going back and reading the same words, accompanied by the same feeling.

There's something about tapping a piece of glass that doesn't make me feel the same. Staring at a display of words feels disconnected, like I can't reach that meditative trance. Its like that intrinsic piece of the writer to reader feels like its missing.

How do you feel about them?

-DB

Pet_Sounds · 01-06-2015, 08:04 PM

I've actually discovered that reading on a Kindle is more enjoyable. I become more immersed in a book when I can turn a page more quickly, without breaking the trance. Plus it's so easy to look up words I don't know.

DeadChannel · 01-06-2015, 09:57 PM

On one hand, I love the idea of having a huge library of books on whatever you want in your pocket. A lot of the technical stuff I've been reading recently on politics, philosophy, math, science, filmmaking etc. are seriously expensive in paper form.

On the other hand, I do feel more connected with a book if I'm reading it on paper. I will probably never go entirely digital due to that fact. I've been trying to buy more books used because it's more economical, environmentally friendly etc.

Moss · 01-06-2015, 10:00 PM

**Frownland** · 01-06-2015, 10:52 PM

Maybe if they had a display on the back that showed what I was reading it'd be worth it to read a book digitally. But until I can both read a book electronically and be considered profound and deep by passersby (I like to sit down in the middle of busy walkways and read the densest book I can find. It makes me feel cool.), I will always hate that form of reading medium.

Just like that ****ing texting. Like you can't talk to me in person even though you're in New York and I'm in California? Or even on the phone even though your wife is giving birth? Come on dude, shove that text you're sending up your ass. They say these devices bring us closer together but I think they're pushing us apart. They should call it the ANTI-social media, right?

DeadChannel · 01-06-2015, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Just like that ****ing texting. Like you can't talk to me in person even though you're in New York and I'm in California? Or even on the phone even though your wife is giving birth? Come on dude, shove that text you're sending up your ass. They say these devices bring us closer together but I think they're pushing us apart. They should call it the ANTI-social media, right?

Are you looking for the cliché thread

DwnWthVwls · 01-08-2015, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

ANTI-social media, right?

Don't steal the f*cking phrase I used to describe myself when I first joined MB. You have to ask my permission first.

On topic, it's definitely convenient but there is nothing like holding a book in your hand and I don't really enjoy reading from a monitor. Plus, what others said. I think books make great decorations.

Chula Vista · 01-08-2015, 07:50 PM

When I go out to lunch I like being the only person in the joint holding paper instead of staring at a piece of glass. Plus I can leave my book at the table while I go to the john without having to worry it'll get nicked.

**Frownland** · 01-09-2015, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

Don't steal the f*cking phrase I used to describe myself when I first joined MB. You have to ask my permission first.

On topic, it's definitely convenient but there is nothing like holding a book in your hand and I don't really enjoy reading from a monitor. Plus, what others said. I think books make great decorations.

You and every other old fart who likes to whine about social media.

GuD · 01-06-2015, 11:34 PM

I hate reading extensively on my computer and even moreso on my phone but kindles seem pretty easy on the eyes. Idk, never read with one. I'm not much of a collector of things and I feel like a lot of people just say they 'want something they can hold' disingenuously. If they're easy to read with and come cheaper than what I've seen on amazon I'd buy a kindle.

01-06-2015, 05:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
eqoatl Groupie Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 5	What do you think of Digital Books? I dont care for them. It could be because we're so accustomed to looking at screens that the traditional paperback is a nice escape, an organic feeling, or maybe because I'm old-fashioned. But I enjoy flipping pages and watching the creases form at the spine after I've been reading for a long period of time. Highlighting and taking notes on certain paragraphs that transported me from my world into the writer's. Going back and reading the same words, accompanied by the same feeling. There's something about tapping a piece of glass that doesn't make me feel the same. Staring at a display of words feels disconnected, like I can't reach that meditative trance. Its like that intrinsic piece of the writer to reader feels like its missing. How do you feel about them? -DB

01-06-2015, 08:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	I've actually discovered that reading on a Kindle is more enjoyable. I become more immersed in a book when I can turn a page more quickly, without breaking the trance. Plus it's so easy to look up words I don't know. __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

01-06-2015, 10:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	Maybe if they had a display on the back that showed what I was reading it'd be worth it to read a book digitally. But until I can both read a book electronically and be considered profound and deep by passersby (I like to sit down in the middle of busy walkways and read the densest book I can find. It makes me feel cool.), I will always hate that form of reading medium. Just like that ***ing texting. Like you can't talk to me in person even though you're in New York and I'm in California? Or even on the phone even though your wife is giving birth? Come on dude, shove that text you're sending up your ass. They say these devices bring us closer together but I think they're pushing us apart. They should call it the ANTI-social media, right? __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.* d e a f b o x

01-08-2015, 07:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chula Vista Toasted Poster Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SoCal by way of Boston Posts: 11,332	When I go out to lunch I like being the only person in the joint holding paper instead of staring at a piece of glass. Plus I can leave my book at the table while I go to the john without having to worry it'll get nicked. __________________ “The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be.”

01-06-2015, 11:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
GuD Dude... What? Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,322	I hate reading extensively on my computer and even moreso on my phone but kindles seem pretty easy on the eyes. Idk, never read with one. I'm not much of a collector of things and I feel like a lot of people just say they 'want something they can hold' disingenuously. If they're easy to read with and come cheaper than what I've seen on amazon I'd buy a kindle. __________________ I spit bullets in my feet Every time I speak So I write instead And still people want me dead ~msc

01-06-2015, 09:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
DeadChannel Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 1,259	On one hand, I love the idea of having a huge library of books on whatever you want in your pocket. A lot of the technical stuff I've been reading recently on politics, philosophy, math, science, filmmaking etc. are seriously expensive in paper form. On the other hand, I do feel more connected with a book if I'm reading it on paper. I will probably never go entirely digital due to that fact. I've been trying to buy more books used because it's more economical, environmentally friendly etc.

01-06-2015, 10:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Moss Scuttle Buttin' Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 972