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E-reading and ebooks
Jan. 12th, 2008 08:54 amI have to confess I've never read an issue of Interzone. I wanted to read a single issue, but their online purchase thingy wasn't working for me, or they don't sell single issues--I couldn't quite figure out which one, the process seemed overly-complicated for this electronic age. But I did find Fictionwise, which sells single issues of Interzone. And since I knew had a story in IZ #211, I purchased it to read "Deer Flight." First, let me say I enjoyed the story, it took several unexpected turns and twists and kept me guessing all the way to the end. And I thought the writing pure and evocative, without the over-charged language and emotion that I'm guilty of using. So I can learn something from Alliette.
But this brought up for me the whole concept of e-reading and the question being discussed around and abouts: Will the future of reading be ebooks? To chime in on the issue, I have to say and hope NO. Although I love the ease and convenience of being able to purchase stories online instead of filling out a form and snail-mailing it and then waiting and waiting for the post office to deliver it, I have to say there's a tactile sensation of holding a book/magazine and turning the pages that's satisfying for some reason. Plus I think there's a difference in comprehension in reading something on a computer screen and reading it from a hard copy. I can't figure out why that would be, but there it is. And one has to factor in eye strain, too. Staring at a computer screen for any long period of time gives me more eye strain than reading a hard copy. I don't have a fancy ebook reader, so I use pdf versions on my computer. The final point, and almost the most important one for me is the physical presence of the book/magazine. The old adage, "Out of sight, out of mind" is so very true for me at this age in my life. If I see the book laying around, I'm more likely to pick it up, but hidden away as a file on my computer just gives me a reason to forget about it or to give myself one of those never-to-be-realized promises of "I'll get to it later."
Plus I like to look at all the pretty books on the bookshelves. Which brings to one more final, but only slightly-related point: How many of you judge a book by its cover? I was reminded of this when I was looking at the list I recommended the other day at FantasyBookCritic blog. I have to admit that my first impression of a book is greatly influenced by the cover art. Pretty cover art makes me want to look into the book more than blah cover art. It's not ever the final decision-maker, but it definitely is the first impression interest-maker. So you illustrators are more important that I ever realized!
One final note: Any one know of a site to buy single issues of Paradox? I'm interested in reading one, but their site only lists a mail-in address, and I'm way too lazy for that.
But this brought up for me the whole concept of e-reading and the question being discussed around and abouts: Will the future of reading be ebooks? To chime in on the issue, I have to say and hope NO. Although I love the ease and convenience of being able to purchase stories online instead of filling out a form and snail-mailing it and then waiting and waiting for the post office to deliver it, I have to say there's a tactile sensation of holding a book/magazine and turning the pages that's satisfying for some reason. Plus I think there's a difference in comprehension in reading something on a computer screen and reading it from a hard copy. I can't figure out why that would be, but there it is. And one has to factor in eye strain, too. Staring at a computer screen for any long period of time gives me more eye strain than reading a hard copy. I don't have a fancy ebook reader, so I use pdf versions on my computer. The final point, and almost the most important one for me is the physical presence of the book/magazine. The old adage, "Out of sight, out of mind" is so very true for me at this age in my life. If I see the book laying around, I'm more likely to pick it up, but hidden away as a file on my computer just gives me a reason to forget about it or to give myself one of those never-to-be-realized promises of "I'll get to it later."
Plus I like to look at all the pretty books on the bookshelves. Which brings to one more final, but only slightly-related point: How many of you judge a book by its cover? I was reminded of this when I was looking at the list I recommended the other day at FantasyBookCritic blog. I have to admit that my first impression of a book is greatly influenced by the cover art. Pretty cover art makes me want to look into the book more than blah cover art. It's not ever the final decision-maker, but it definitely is the first impression interest-maker. So you illustrators are more important that I ever realized!
One final note: Any one know of a site to buy single issues of Paradox? I'm interested in reading one, but their site only lists a mail-in address, and I'm way too lazy for that.
