Heya guys, it’s a shorter one today (well, it would have to be after that gigantic blurt-out last time)
My topic in this entry is a word that makes my flesh not only crawl, but contaminate everything that I love. They hold no emotions in their metallic cases, no adventures in their dull, grey screens. What are they? KINDLES. I apologise in advance if some of my readers own them, but I for one, cannot stand them.
In so many ways, technology has developed in such positive ways, excluding these horrible contraptions. We have the magic of social media, allowing us to market ourselves in the literature universe and connect us with other writers, making friends and sharing our joy of the written word…. but Kindles in my opinion don’t belong to this same world.
They are ugly, boring, and only seem to be there in order for people to show off that they have one, simply because they can be ‘cool.’ However, through my eyes there’s nothing less cool.
Why would you want to read your favourite books off a screen that (if it could speak would probably have a monotone voice and wouldn’t care one iota about any of the words it was possessed by?)
I might lose followers with this post, but I think we should all be allowed to express our views and I have made mine very clear lol. I remember when Dad wanted to buy me a kindle for my Birthday and I went around the shops and absolutely hated them. It’s not a big issue to most I suppose, but personally I enjoy inhaling the smell of a book. I delight in flicking through the pages, even getting a papercut! (At least it’s natural)
The only exception I make for Kindles is when people have to travel all over the globe and need lots of books in order to go places. I can understand why they’re created in this sense but still I would prefer to carry a slightly heavier suitcase than know I have to press buttons and scroll down my favourite book on a flat screen devoid of a soul.
Unfortunately, the publishing world has turned to E-books for the future and some bookshops have been closing down because of technology. The idea that my novel would be turned into an E-book would thrill me a lot less than if it was brought out in paperback. I know a few authors have brought out books ONLY on E-books and I – well – I couldn’t do that (only if the publisher told me it was an E-book or nothing!)
To conclude:
Paperbacks have heart.
Kindles have stone.
And no, I’m probably never going to change my mind 😛
rebauthor 
Well *this* is quite an interesting post for me. Personally I think Kindles are a great invention, and I have a Paperwhite that’s really cool – a few months ago, I would have been livid with this post, and angrily typing a rebuttal declaring all of eReaders’ benefits.
In fact, up until about April, I was reading exclusively on Kindle (caveat: prior to December, I hadn’t routinely read in six years, but anyway). Then for some strange reason I decided to order the complete Divergent series physically – and something magical happened. My whole childhood came flooding back to me in the *smell* and the *feel* of a book. It’s utterly indescribable and intrinsically *human*, it possesses – as you said – a soul of its own. I enjoy holding it, grasping it, literally seeing my progress through the book rather than being told via a percentage.
And then of course came Instagram – Becky (B.A.) Wilson encouraged me to join and I haven’t looked back. Taking Instagrams and sharing photos of books, book hauls, fancy covers etc, it’s a magical world and a great community – and it can’t be done with a Kindle.
So I don’t quite hate Kindles – I think they’re cute, and they’re pretty nifty. But for reading, I can’t go back to eReaders – I’m a physical convert for life!
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Heya Brett 🙂 Hahaha, it’s absolutely fine that you didn’t like this post. To be honest, I knew it was going to be an incredibly controversial subject as the world of literature is E-books so much now. I’m glad I didn’t write the post a few months ago then, not quite sure how I would have responded!
PaperWhite? Yeah, I have no idea what that is….. I’m assuming it’s a Kindle that’s white? (This is honestly the extent of my technology knowledge when it comes to E-books)
Divergent? This is a completely different subject, but what is that like? I was going to read it. EXACTLY. That’s what I mean when I say about the paperbacks having a soul and yeah who wants to be told a percentage when you look at the progress you’ve made, flipping through the pages? I’m about 150 pages into ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell’ and I’m loving how much I’ve read and how it’s not measured by digits in a corner.
I really must utilise Instagram for this purpose. Otherwise, I’m just using it to take pictures of my phone or my puddings 😛 etc
I am very pleased that you have decided to be a psychical convert for reading.
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Well, you have a very potent opinion on this one! I myself find no difference between eBooks and regular books, except for it’s easier to write on regular books—I’d never use an eReader for anything I had to read for school!
Anyway, there’s no way I’d give up my Kindle, but it’s not like I don’t read paperbacks. I enjoy a healthy dose of both, I think, and that is plenty to make me happy. Still, yours was an interesting opinion, and thanks for sharing.
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I knew this was going to be a controversial subject 🙂 Don’t worry! It’s only my opinion, and I probably would be of another mind set if I had a Kindle, it might be my age as well. I’m nearly 27 and I just don’t like how technology is overtaking everything and the worry about libraries closing and books only published as E books….. not good! I’m glad you enjoy your Kindle though and thanks for your feedback yet again.
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While I love my Kindle Fire and find it incredibly convenient, I get what you’re saying here.
I actually go both ways. Since eBooks are (usually) cheaper, I can buy more and gobble them up like the glutton I am. And it’s easier when I’m traveling for work, since I find myself on planes or in boring hotels fairly often nowadays – I don’t have to lug around a bunch of hardcovers with me.
But I also LOVE bookshelves. LOVE THEM. And bookstores. So I’ve made myself a deal – if I LOVE a book/series on Kindle, I’ll go one step further and buy the hard copy too. I feel like I’m keeping the book stores around me in business, and I can fulfill my dream of having a room with nothing but bookshelves for walls.
Since we’re talking about Divergent too – that’s the last series I bought before I got my Kindle, and I can’t imagine never leaving tear stains on a page again. Then when I lend it to people, I get to explain to them how it totally destroyed Thanksgiving 2014 for me. Hehe.
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Heya Samantha, sorry for the late reply.,,, been away for a family gathering and haven’t been able to answer properly. Ya know what, I actually love this opinion. You’re revelling in paperbacks but embracing technology as well and that’s amazing. That’s the one exception I’d make anyway :):) when people go travelling e-books are perfect, especially if you want to pack so many books. Oh right, the Divergent series is something I’ve been considering reading (keep finding the collection for like ten pounds in various shops) so I’ll check that out when I can…. Thanks for the marvellous review and see you on Twitter!!!!
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