This post is dedicated to my Sony (touch) e-reader. I’m totally in love with its metallic and utilitarian charm. And here’s why.
It all began with my pre-Christmas read: SHIVER by urban fantasy novelist, Maggie Stiefvater—a lyrical story of alienated werewolves and first love. A poetic and heartbreaking read about living two lives in two forms and the fight to stay human. This book, I read in my hands. I turned the pages with my fingers. And I could smell that synthetic new-book smell of mystery and broken secrets.
Then Christmas happened. And my e-reader entered my nightstand. I wasn’t sure at first what to do with it or how this new bit of technology would change my life. But it did. I decided to purchase the electronic copy of LINGER, the searing sequel to SHIVER (Book #2 in the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy)—the mythical continuation of the struggles of merging wolf and human forms. Another great read. Only this time, I read the book on a flat matte white screen. And in one hand. I turned the pages with the touch of my fingertip. And I could smell that mushroom-like smell of new technology. And I simply 
loved it.
If you’re wondering about the adjustment from paper to screen, it really took no time at all. It was all about the book really. A good story wins hands down. And Maggie had me at page one (aka screen one): “This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.” This e-book, without a doubt, gives whole new meaning to the expression: “a real page turner.”
So, what else makes the e-reader awesome? It weighs about the same as a book. It’s super easy to use. You can make the font-size “granny-large” for those days when you need a little boost. You can hold it in one hand. And you can dress it, with accessories like a leather case and a mini light. The most difficult part has been peeling it from between my husband’s fingers. Apparently, the sacred texts of THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI are quite mesmerizing.
Ladies, be careful what you wish for when you ask for something shiny. You might just get a sparkly new e-reader! A word to the wise: no two e-readers are the same. I encourage you to do your research (Google “e-reader reviews”).
I am officially partaking in the e-reader frenzy and I can’t wait to download the explosive third instalment of FOREVER (Book #3 to be released July 12, 2011) because I absolutely must find out what happens to the wolves of Mercy Falls…
BJas
Andrea
bjas
Sharon
Maria
Restless Writers 
I won a Kindle a year ago and had to take a break because I kept ordering books. It was so easy and I didn’t have to carry anything heavy so I didn’t realize how many I had purchased until amazon emailed me the total… I am still working it off.
Oh ouch, I can totally see how that could happen!!! I am pacing myself. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Another point about the e-readers is some are wireless and some are not. If you want to minimize the EMF radio wave dosage you receive daily, selecting devices that do not rely on wireless signals can be a big step in the right direction. The Sony Touch Reader was selected over others for many reasons, but one of the top reasons was that it was NOT wireless. I didn’t want to give a gift to someone that would also irradiate them everytime they switched it on. Paper books don’t emit radio waves, so why should an e-reader. Hooking up by USB-cable when tranferring data is good enough. It can also help to put an extra step between the impulse to purchase and the need read it NOW.
Absolutely. Most of us don’t think twice about talking, texting, emailing, and now, e-reading on the go, including the possible implications of wireless technologies on human health. I love that my Sony E-reader is NOT wireless. Why not apply the “precautionary principle” to e-readers, even if the verdict is still out on this one. Even schools are beginning to ban or limit the use of Wi-Fi as a safety precaution. Something to think about at home too…
My mom is hooked on her Sony e-reader. She loves books at the touch of her fingertips (finished book 2 at midnight and want book 3, download it from home!). The ability to increase the font size was a huge factor in making the switch – that and lack of storage space to keep her books.
I have yet to make the e-reader plunge. I really liked my mom’s older Sony version (with the paper like screen – the back lit version neither of us liked as well) and how bright it was. I had issues finding a lot of the lesser known authors for download at the time (this was two years ago).
Some day I’ll have to make the jump, because right now 90% of my reading is done on my iPod during the five minute gaps of freedom I grab during the day (mostly blogs). I’m hoping there will be an app to dip my toe in first.
Any suggestions?
I miss reading. Right now I typically have the choice: read, write, or spend time with family – and the reading part typically gets the shaft (hence the iPod reading). Perhaps getting such a device would be the answer.
Nice post!
The Sony e-reader is by far my top pick. Sure, there are apps for just about everything but I like having the e-reader simply for its intended purpose. It also has some very cool features for notetaking, even a keyboard screen, and an editing function (for your own docs), which is great for editing my manuscript on the go. The 6″ size is perfect (not the 5″ pocketbook). Definitely recommend the leather cover, as sometimes the fingers can get a wee bit cold….still, 5 stars. Good luck!
I love technology but have been reluctant about the eReaders. I compromised by downloading the free Kindle app onto my laptop but haven’t used it as much as I thought I might. That may be due to the pile of real books still waiting to be read since before Christmas, but I think it’s also because I like/need the change of reading environment after having spent several hours writing on my computer. Mind you, if I had some $$ to blow I would probably invest in an eReader anyway. I’d also like an iPad. And a new iPhone. It’s not going to happen anytime soon. There are Christmas bills to pay. 😉
I hear ya re: the pile of ‘real’ books requiring my attention, ha. I have the same problem. As for the app for your laptop, there is no comparison to the real thing (e-reader). Definitely can’t curl up into bed with a laptop in the same way you can with the e-reader. It is just. that. easy. I was reluctant too, and I must say, completely, utterly surprised by how simple and comfortable it is to use. There are always lots of tech-toys out there; this is one I plan to keep!
I resisted getting an eReader because I didn’t think I’d get on with it, as I love paperbacks so much. But then…I got a Kindle for my birthday last October and I very quickly forgot all my prejudices and fell head-over-heels in love with it. I love that I can download samples of books and try before I buy; I love that I can now carry around a number of books and pick one depending on my mood, rather than having to second-guess my mood before leaving the house!; I love that I can read people’s books that are only available as ebooks and have discovered new (to me) authors in this way; I love that I can finish a book and download the next one in the series in a few seconds; and I love that I can mail a MS to it and read it on the run – great for doing the reading for reviews.
I’ll never stop buying paperbacks but I am also finding that it is a lot easier to buy and sneak an ebook into the house without being asked why I could possibly need another book. 😉
That’s a whole lotta love for the e-reader! Oh good point, re: keeping book purchases a secret, ha! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I am simply hooked.
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Here’s my question for your, dearest BJas: what about reading in the tub? If you drop a paperback, you can throw it on the heat register; but the electronic version is toast. Having been in your Vegas-style bathroom, I would think this might be a concern…
Thoughts?
xo
@restlesslori
Hmmm. You have a point there Restless Lori. Guess I will have to resort to watching TV then, ha!
I never thought about the bathtub issue, but that could be a problem, coudn’t it? I love my Nook though (older, not color version). I still buy books, but not as many paper versions (only the ones I really love). And I happen to be caught up in the Sam-Grace love story, so I’ll be right there with ya when the next one comes out in July. 😉
Thanks for the comment. Wow, Nook? Never heard of it….I’m with you on the buying ‘some’ books, the stories you love. There are some books you just have to OWN! Oh yay! Another SHIVER & LINGER fan 🙂 I hope I can still remember the plot-line come July….
I just downloaded 2 more books. So easy. So fun. So worth it.