Monday, March 22, 2010
I love to read. Give me a great chair, with lots of padding, with some device that allows me to put my feet up, a good lamp and a quiet space. The phones off. Soft music helps, with no commercial interruptions (pandora.com isn’t what it once was in that respect – I guess they want me to buy a membership); but no lyrics, just relaxing instrumentals.
There is something of substance in the Mozart effect. Research, I’m told, indicates improved intellectual performance when Mozart plays quietly in the background. I use it often – both when I read and when I write.
A good book must hold my attention. Sad to say, too many so-called “Christian” books fall short on that score. Come to think of it, “how to” books are usually boring. Give me a fascinating biography or good fiction or history. I usually have pen in hand and make my comments in the margin. If the book gives me new perspective or fills in some of the gaps, I’m all over the linear process of a sustained literary journey. It is nourishing. Spiritually satisfying. Good writers are entertaining. They connect emotionally, from an outburst of laughter to a swelling of the throat.
Reading does that.
So I’ve been wondering – can I read a digital book? Will it be the same as holding the volume in my hand?
Several friends now carry a Kindle, Amazon’s popular digital reader. Surprisingly, all of the owners tell me the new fangled thing has actually enhanced their love of reading. It’s unanimous. Like everyone else, I read on my computer; but it’s not the same as reading a book. I read articles and blog entries and email and do my research. I compile data and prepare for writing on my laptop. But not books.
Until a couple of weeks ago.
Before I shell out the cash for a digital book reader, I wanted to know if I’d read it at all. So I went to Barnes and Noble where they have an eReader software for my MacBook. Then I bought a book.
The eReader emulates a digital device on your regular computer. I bought Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. Within seconds, I downloaded the entire text. Ten bucks. No shipping.
Then, as a complete newbie, I spent a little time setting up the monitor just as I would like. These aging eyes do better with larger print. I chose a black background to give me a break from the glaring backlight. I tutored myself on highlighting the text and making notes. And off I went.
Game Change is a fast paced, back room, behind the scenes look at the 2008 race for the Presidency. A real page-turner. I read the whole thing on my notebook computer. It didn’t take long. All the joys of sustained reading kicked in. The pages flew by. When I stumbled across an unfamiliar word (e.g., fealty – a feudal tenant’s or vassal’s sworn loyalty to a lord), I clicked it and voilá – the dictionary popped up. If I wanted to go back and review a passage, a word search got me there. If I wanted to share a quote, cut and paste. If I’m sitting there in the waiting room, I can pick up where I left off on my iPhone. (There’s an app for that.)
I’m part of an early morning men’s group. We decided to read a Tim Keller book – The Prodigal God. I checked B and N, and there it was. Click and download. I’ve got it. No waiting for UPS.
So what will it be? The Kindle? The Nook? Or… the coveted iPad?
I gotta get me one of those.
Copyright Kenneth E Kemp 2010
Hi, Ken. I like to feel the book, smell the book, and write in the margins. I think books are pretty sitting on my book shelf, like a friend there to support me. I like the colorful cover and the sound of the book beling placed on the table next to my chair. I hope books don’t go away. Blessings to all….
Just finished The Brothers Karamazov on my Kindle–a Christmas gift from my kids that I hadn’t asked for–and it was a great experience. I had always found the prospect of reading it daunting, over 1000 pages and a bit bulky to take on a trip.
I’ve discovered that it’s great for the devotional books I like to read each day. My current favorite, The Gospel According To Job by Mike Mason.
Can I find the occasional dollar I or someone else used as a bookmark in an “ebook?” At least the crumbs don’t fall out when you “turn” the electronic page.
I wonder how libraries will fit into this brave new future? Hmmmmm? Perhaps there will be ‘coffee’ houses that look like libraries, complete with smells, sights, sounds and thousands of volumes at your finger tips. Perhaps there will be a virtual librarian to read to children’s groups? Hey, wait, perhaps the children will be virtual too 🙂 Ahhh, such a world we live in and so many new things to dream about. Change is inevitable. May God make me flexible and discerning in all things.
I have a Kindle – believe it or not. I can download approach plates, airport flight directories, oh yea books as well.
You can’t hug an ebook and hold it close to your heart. You can’t go to the book shelf and sort through the exact book to reference something. As I understand it the ebooks can only be saved up to a few in number…
There is something “living” about a honest, solid, hold-in-you-hand book. It becomes part of you and you become part of it.
I think e-books are great for mobility and convenience, but lack the old fashion feel of a paper book.
It would be a big leap for me. In that same vain, I can’t imagine life without going out to the driveway in the dark of the morning and picking up two newspapers and then sitting down with a cup of coffee to see what in the world is going on, or went on the day before. Just like I don’t read news on the computer, I don’t think I would enjoy reading books that way, especially on the beach under an umbrella during a summer vacation.
By now we should all understand the futility of resisting technological advancement. As a purchaser/owner/user/lover of the Kindle I feel somewhat compelled to speak on its behalf. Let me begin by saying I rarely leave home without it. It has become, in simple terms, indispensible. The only thing I worry about is spilling that ubiquitous cup of java on it. Other than that I can find nothing to disparage. Contrary to my original concerns (namely, like Ken, will I be able to adjust from my love of reading a physical, tangible book?) I have come to appreciate and relish the complementary functions. Unabashedly, the pros far outweigh the cons. To wit, one can immediately download the first chapter of an interesting book – for free. The dictionary is so addicting I find myself lamenting its absence when I return to read “the old-fashioned way.” It has an audio function (male and female reading voice) which, although it sounds robotic and klunky, allows for easy listening in the car. Finally, many books whose copyright has expired have been converted to e-text and are available at drastically (or, gasp, free) reduced rates. There are no monthly internet charges and access is via Sprint 3G network which I have found to be highly accessible.
Like booklovers everywhere, I hope physical books never disappear entirely. My children often “lose” themselves in good books. Yet the landscape constantly shifts.
Perhaps I should buy stock or become a spokesman. One last thing, I openly confess to downloading referenced books from sermon texts during the service. Guilty as charged.
bye bye paper carrier since you can get good newspapers on your kindle or like me kindle on iPhone.
Oh my goodness! Don’t know what I would do without my Kindle! I have Kindle for PC as well and it is fantastic! The ability to have a book in seconds is wonderful. The screen is easy to read and you can change the font as well as read landscape or portrait. I have a cover on mine so it seems as though I am reading an actual book.
I highly recommend a cover to protect your Kindle as well as the car charger for the Kindle.
Reading a Kindle seems quicker for some reason. I have finished so many books on the Kindle it is amazing! I think it has something to do with it telling you the percent complete that makes me want to read more! Who knows.
It also has given my library a break. Simplifies the clutter!!!
I have a subscription to the paper and reader’s digest that automatically are downloaded.
LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kindle!
Hmm… I don’t know. How do you put a Kindle on a library shelf? Or, maybe, why would you put a Kindle on a library shelf? I’m afraid I will be a hard sell. I am so invested in library shelves.
I love books. The smell, the feel, the history of the book itself. I am a frequent visitor at multiple libraries. Having said that, I bought a Kindle. Why? Because books weigh a lot and I can’t take them all when I travel! The Bible costs less than 10 dollars on Amazon.com, and I can take it everywhere. For casual reading at home, no. But out in the world–absolutely!
I have a Sony Reader…the portable version. Similar to the Kindle. I got it for my birthday after looking at them in the store. Love it. I took it on a long international flight, and sure enjoy the small size and ability to hold it in one hand! Our library at home (including ministry books in my office is extensive. Nice to have books that don’t take up more space. I’m sure I’ll want to buy some books along the way, but if I do, they will be books I’ll be sure that I want on my shelf for easy “at home” access.
Ken, I suggest that you buy an iPad and give us a review so that we can have a more complete understanding of how the latest toy compares to the other two already reviewed so far by our mutual friends.
Thanks for you insightful comments on digital versus “analog” technology. It’s like I still wear a watch even though my cell phone has the time. In the same vein, there is something about a hard cover book (yes, I prefer those to paperbacks) that the computer can’t reproduce. Is a Bible still a Bible without the rich, Corinthian leather (sorry, that was Ricardo and the Cordoba)?
Anyway, there are places–airplanes for example–where a digital book makes sense and easier to handle. So my generation is stuck betwen two worlds yet I love them both!
Thanks, Mike. Call when you can. I’m at home. Glad you are feeling better.
Ken
Ken Kemp http://www.leaderfocus.net http://www.toeverythingaseasonthebook.com
Oddly enough, I have almost my entire theological library on an iPhone app. Can’t wait to get an iPad so I can actually see it :-).
Thanks for your comments, bro,
Scott
I’m using the Sony eReader Ken. I can now carry the entire assessment binders for four Arrow classes along with 451 books – like bringing along my private library. I highlight books, write notes to myself and mark pages for future reference – love it!