I was having a look through my iPad last night and I discovered I have several books on iBooks on there – all unread. Some are PDFs that I have been sent to review for my other site truecrimereader.com but there was one in particular that I’d completely forgotten about – and it surprised me. This got me thinking about traditional books versus e-books. The e-book in question was Don’t Look Behind You by Ann Rule. I bought it well over a year ago and I’ve read the first few pages. I keep forgetting it is there.
I love Ann Rule books. Ordinarily it would take me a few days to a week to read one. I’ve whiled away many a pleasant hour (the subject matter is not pleasant but I am a crime nerd and it’s my favourite genre) or two reading her crime case compilations and have been completely engrossed by her longer titles like The Stranger Beside Me and Small Sacrifices.
One thing I don’t like with e-books is that often, there are no photo inserts like there are in traditional print books. Another think is that while an iPad or Kindle is compact and easy to carry, I like to carry my books around with me and fling them wherever I am – the kitchen, bathroom, floor (I use my daughters’ doll house as a shelf too and often find my books,and coffee cups,there).
I just haven’t built the reading relationship with my electronic devices that I have formed for books and magazines. Of course, this is to be expected. I am 36 and have had my iPad for two years. Books, I have had for all my life so far.
I do, however, (and as a newspaper journalist I find this a bit alarming but also a sign of the times) read my news completely online – news apps, twitter. Rarely do I buy a newspaper. (I have jumped the pay wall for newspapers and magazines…I think it’s important to support this. (I was a The Daily app newspaper subscriber and am really disappointed it has been axed. It was my night-time reading!)
There’s something about having a book in my hand, or in my bag (or the at least 10 I have beside my bed at any one time) that just makes my heart sing. I love my books.
Maybe I’ll come to get used to e-books too.
Meanwhile, I’ll get cracking on that Ann Rule book…
Are you an e-book fan?
I love my Kindle. I’m a bit like you; love the idea of books. I love having a bookshelf full of books. Just like I adore having a cabinet full of CD’s. I love walking into people’s homes and going through their collection. It can tell you a lot about a person and even give you some direction what to read or listen to next.
I love my Kindle because I can have a few books going on at the same time. Read according to my mood
And I haven’t bought a newspaper in years. Though I do think that’s having a detrimental effect on my kids. I started reading the news because the paper was casually lying around the house. Might have to re-invest for their sakes
Love & stuff
Mrs M