Yes. Kindled. Set alight. Well sort of...
I took the plunge and swallowed a bit of pride and allowed the contentious Kindle to settle between my fingers. Have I been converted? Um, fifty-fifty. It's not a book, which may seem a very duh observation - what was I expecting? - but that was my first emotion as I began to read from it (The Once and Future King, T.E. White).
What I don't like about the Kindle:
What I do like about the Kindle:
But the Kindle is not a book, and for me it will never replace the pleasure of penetrating the hardcover of my favourite author's latest; of wandering the aisles of a good bookshop (especially the second hand ones with hidden gems in every darkened nook and cranny); of that moment of deliberation, torn between wanting to preserve the integrity of a paperback whilst at the same time having an overriding desire to break its spine and fold the pages down flat.
The Kindle, for all its worth, will never smell like a book, it will never feel like a book, and it will never read like a book. Like good tea sipped from fine china, words are best enjoyed on paper.
Even more exciting than the Kindle was the arrival of the Writer's and Artist's Yearbook 2012. If you don't own a copy of this then put it on your shopping list or go to your local library and get a hold of it. Aside from containing the most up to date directory of contacts for the publishing industry it is also crammed full of advice from established and first-time authors of all genres, commissioning officers, agents and publishers. It offers support and encouragement to people like us who are striving to get our manuscripts out there. It's big and red and shiny! It smells great! I love it!
I took the plunge and swallowed a bit of pride and allowed the contentious Kindle to settle between my fingers. Have I been converted? Um, fifty-fifty. It's not a book, which may seem a very duh observation - what was I expecting? - but that was my first emotion as I began to read from it (The Once and Future King, T.E. White).
What I don't like about the Kindle:
- You can't smell the pages (come on, we all do that!)
- I don't know what page I'm on - only what percentage of the book I've read.
- I can't flip through the pages in an absent-minded fashion or rest the open pages over my eyes as I nap in the beautiful British sunshine.
- I still need to turn the bedside lamp on to read at night.
- I can't chuck it across the room when I get frustrated with the plot/characters/denouement.
- I can't use it to remedy a wobbly table
- Okay I'm scraping the barrel now!
What I do like about the Kindle:
- If i suddenly decide I want to read let's say...The House at Pooh Corner then I can download it to my Kindle in little more than a minute (without embarrassment). Perfect for our 'have now' society. Instantania!
- I can hold it, I can lay it down on the table, I can prop it up, any angle, and the pages don't flop shut.
- When taking a flight I needn't use up my baggage allowance on books - I can have all that in just 200g (approx - I used my kitchen scales)
- It meant I could buy my short story (yes, I know, I bought my own short story - someone has to - available now at amazon.co.uk if you're interested!)
- The author portrait screen savers are a nice touch.
- Actually there are quite a few things i like about the Kindle.
But the Kindle is not a book, and for me it will never replace the pleasure of penetrating the hardcover of my favourite author's latest; of wandering the aisles of a good bookshop (especially the second hand ones with hidden gems in every darkened nook and cranny); of that moment of deliberation, torn between wanting to preserve the integrity of a paperback whilst at the same time having an overriding desire to break its spine and fold the pages down flat.
The Kindle, for all its worth, will never smell like a book, it will never feel like a book, and it will never read like a book. Like good tea sipped from fine china, words are best enjoyed on paper.
Even more exciting than the Kindle was the arrival of the Writer's and Artist's Yearbook 2012. If you don't own a copy of this then put it on your shopping list or go to your local library and get a hold of it. Aside from containing the most up to date directory of contacts for the publishing industry it is also crammed full of advice from established and first-time authors of all genres, commissioning officers, agents and publishers. It offers support and encouragement to people like us who are striving to get our manuscripts out there. It's big and red and shiny! It smells great! I love it!
Hi
ReplyDeleteI agree a Kindle is not like a book - you really do loose the smell and the feel of the pages.
But as you said, it's great for travelling light, and I do love the fact that you can download a sample for free to see if you're going to like the book before buying.
It will never replace a book for me, but in a house which is overflowing its certainly space saving.
And I do like to have options.
Hope the editing is going well. Your direct approach to your task has inspired me to get a move on with the editing of my own book. Thank you.
Linda