Whilst searching for inspiration for this post today I decided to check out Freshly Pressed. I thought, before opening the page that I would write about the first tag that came up. Surely I have an opinion on just about any subject there could possibly be to write about, don’t I?
The first tag was “Books.” What a broad subject, eh?
I could write about the state of out-of-date textbooks in schools, or the price of the one I had to buy (used) when I took my short story course. It was the size of something I wouldn’t pay more than $20 for in a book store, and yet it cost me almost $100 because it was compiled by a bunch of professors.
I’ve written a few times on the importance of editing work in these days of anyone being able to become a published author, and I’ve written about books I’ve liked and not. Right now I’m reading A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling and, while it was a bit difficult to get into because of the sheer number of characters, I’m about half-way through and enjoying it. It took me a good 33% of the book to retain the information that went with all the characters’ names, however.
You know what I hate? Not being able to put a page number on anything anymore. It’s all percentages when you’re reading an e-book. I think that’s what I miss most about reading a physical book. Knowing where the bookmark goes without a digital device advising me.
So that’s my stream of consciousness post for this week. My experience with books of late. Why do I have to put everything in a box? I blame it on WordPress and the damned tags. 😛
February 15, 2014 at 12:55 pm
I know that Nook does go by page numbers – it just depends on your font size how many clicks a page it though – but it is still a better guide than a percentage. iBooks will let me know how many pages to the end of the chapter and that is more important to me than total pages. Often I think I will read until the end of a chapter, but that could be another 28 pages. I think I would like to be a beta tester for ereaders. I have other suggestions for them – like have a clock on it so I know what time it is. I quit wearing a watch years ago since I rely on my phone. But when I’m already using an electronic device, it seems silly to grab another one. Oh, and I read on an eInk kindle not a fire so there isn’t a clock (or if there is, I wish someone would tell me how to activate/find it).
Okay – I’ve rambled enough now.
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February 16, 2014 at 10:52 am
Haha! I don’t have a Kindle – mine is the Canadian version – the Kobo. It’s the cheapest one and it has a clock on it. 😛
I do have page numbers as well, but as you say, they change with the font size, so there’s no way I can tell anyone else what page I’m on. I can, however, remember it for my own use.
Best of luck finding the clock on your Kindle. 🙂
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February 15, 2014 at 12:53 pm
I love this post! You’re so funny, it’s a pleasure read whatever you write! Actually it’s a good source of inspiration taking random tags! I haven’t read Casual Vacancy yet because I fear the difference with Harry Potter…And now that I think about that on my old, very old ereader has the page number!
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February 16, 2014 at 10:49 am
Thanks very much, Franny. 🙂
A Casual Vacancy is nothing at all like the Harry Potter series – it’s definitely not for kids. But being that Rowling is an excellent writer, it’s a good and most especially an absorbing read – definitely best to go into without expectations though.
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February 16, 2014 at 12:48 pm
All right, so I have to prepare phycologically first!
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February 16, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Exactly! 🙂
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February 15, 2014 at 11:38 am
I agree about the percentages thing. I’ve had some people tell me that they found something at a certain percent, which doesn’t help me find it in my own files. Also, I hate putting books in boxes. They get ridiculously heavy.
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February 15, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Worst part of moving – best part of reading e-books. 😉
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February 15, 2014 at 11:34 am
As you know, The Mister is taking classes right now. Most of his textbooks were offered as e-books. I suggested this wasn’t the best way to study (bookmarks, highlighting, review.) Last week he printed out his chapters, and used those paper copies to do his work. It cut his study time in half, and he earned a grade higher than he had on the last 3. And that’s all I have to say about that!
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February 15, 2014 at 12:41 pm
That’s exactly what I thought would happen if I went with the cheaper e-book version. It sucks.
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