Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion
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I like the old fashioned book in my hands feeling. I don't drive far enough to do audio books in the car, and I really dislike reading off the computer (other than e-mail, Goodreads and some short news items. Kindle or another reader would be interesting if they were back lighted, but right now I don't feel the need to add more choices. Except for authors I know personally or have at least met in person, I rely on the library for my reading pleasures. Keep life as simple as possible; it's confusing enough as it is.
ann wrote: Case in point is the soon to be released The Passageby Justin Cronin. Over 700 pages it starts to fit my door stopper criteria to tip towards a Kindle title. It is a Ballantine book and $14.58, over my standard max of $9.99 for buying a Kindle title.ann- wait a few days after it's released. i've found, in the past, that some kindle pre-orders are the same price as a hc but the price usually comes down to $9.99.i think that gail said it might have something to do with the best seller list, but not sure.
btw, i'm looking forward to justin cronin's new book, too.
I'm with Dan. I like the look, the feel and the smell of a regular paper & ink book. Tho I will do an audio book sometimes.....if it's Harry Dresden! The whole idea of e-readers just completely turns me off. My opinion on that may change at some point, but right now I have absolutely 0 interest in any of them.
Thanks for that tip, Sherry! I will watch the pricing as the due date comes and goes for Kindle titles! It looks like The Passage is likely to hit the best seller list.
Sherry wrote: " wait a few days after it's released. i've found, in the past, that some kindle pre-orders are the same price as a hc but the price usually comes down to $9.99.i think that gail said it might have something to do with the best seller list, but not sure."
Dan and Melodie:I love the feel and smell and heft of a paper and ink book in my hands too. I suppose having a commute that is perfect for audio books for the last several decades has helped wean me away from having to have a book in my hand and turning pages to read it. That may have made the leap into embracing the eBooks format easier as well as the incredible convenience of them too. I am not sure that I am ready to characterize a paper and ink book as old-fashioned yet either.
A Kindle makes the reading table a lot less cluttered with stacks! (but doesn't eliminate a tbr "pile")
Daniel wrote: "I like the old fashioned book in my hands feeling. "
Melodie wrote: "I'm with Dan. I like the look, the feel and the smell of a regular paper & ink book. "
I'm with Dan, I want the book in my hands. I also get most of my books from the library, its really hard to beat FREE!!!
I want the print book in my hands, but I can see the advantage of reading a BFB on Kindle--especially if I'm taking a long trip via airplane. I never want to lug a BFB on a plane.
Ann, I love my library HCs, and I love my library audiobooks. I don't have a long commute, but I've pretty much cut out listening to radio or music so I can listen to books on CD, and that suits me just fine. You know that I also listen at home while doing chores, getting dressed in the morning, cooking, etc.I have access to my Dad's Kindle and I've used it from time to time but I haven't loved it enough to develop the habit, and that's fine with me because I think if I were to use it more he'd use it less, and I don't want that. I think in addition to the experience of holding the Kindle taking some getting used to, I find it annoying to have to advance the "pages" much more frequently than a book.
That said, I wouldn't hesitate to take a Kindle on a trip. That would be hands down preferable to packing multiple books, BF or no.
I am a Kindle girl thru and thru. If I can't get it on Kindle, I can be patient, or if really desperate (especially thru these price wars) I have been known to go to the library and get a real, actual book. But I do so love the instant gratification of getting a book whenever and wherever I want one. Really hard to beat!
Liz: I can definitely appreciate the easy access too! I think the Kindle has contributed to my book browsing habits lately; I start several on the Kindle and then read a few pages of each when I pick it up. The chapters and print breaks tend to motivate me to push further when I am reading a real book, I do miss that with the Kindle. Going from 43% to 44% doesn't alert me to the natural groupings of pages as defined by the author and publisher. LizH wrote: "I am a Kindle girl thru and thru. If I can't get it on Kindle, I can be patient, or if really desperate (especially thru these price wars) I have been known to go to the library and get a real, ctual book. But I do so love the instant gratification of getting a book whenever and wherever I want one. Really hard to beat! ."
Carol:we think alike except for the timing of listening to audio books while doing chores! ;) I am glad to hear your Dad is using his Kindle.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Ann, I love my library HCs, and I love my library audiobooks. I don't have a long commute, but I've pretty much cut out listening to radio or music so I can listen to books on CD, and that suits me...
I have access to my Dad's Kindle and I've used it from time to time but I haven't loved it enough to develop the habit, and that's fine with me because I think if I were to use it more he'd use it less, and I don't want that."
100% kindle here. I hate holding paper books...they make my tendonitis worse. Dislike shopping for paper books, not being able to find the titles, having to wait or shop around to get the next in the series, waiting, really dislike using the library here...all big negatives for me. The biggest negative about physical books...what to do with them when I'm done. I read 2-3 books a week, so the books really pile up. Moving them around, taking up valuable space, lending to other people, or donating. Just for that alone I would have the kindle. Everything about physical books takes up time that I can devote to reading. the only books I have now are reference books, computer books and signed books. Ann...I have recently been reading alot of the nordie authors and prefer to get them on audio so I can hear the cool accents. But they frequently are not available on audible, or kindle, so I've been as frustrated as you sound. I can't read alot of the titles I would like to read, but I still can't bring myself to order the hard copies...I'll wait!
Mary QC:I am waiting too, and will still look out for the audio when I can find it. ...as for the convenience of the size of the Kindle vs. tottering stacks of books, it is rather fun to have sixty books sitting in one 8" x 5" short "stack" ;)
Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "100% kindle here. I hate holding paper books...they make my tendonitis worse......I have recently been reading alot of the nordie authors and prefer to get them on audio so I can hear the cool accents. But they frequently are not available on audible, or kindle, so I've been as frustrated as you sound. I can't read alot of the titles I would like to read, but I still can't bring myself to order the hard copies...I'll wait! "
I generally choose between hard cover and soft cover. Electronic is coming, but I am not there yet. My biggest hurdle is all the book swapping I do to feed the habit.
Barry:Yes, that is one of my contentions. I like to share my books with others so purchasing an eBook seems selfish in a way that borrowing a library book doesn't.
Barry wrote: "I generally choose between hard cover and soft cover. Electronic is coming, but I am not there yet. My biggest hurdle is all the book swapping I do to feed the habit."
Barry, besides no page numbers and no covers, the fact that I cannot share with anyone unless they are on my account is a major downer. But I am learning to live with my selfishness. :)
Liz: DD has suggested that I get her a Kindle and she can use my account and we will be even... ;) Thinking about it. She needs a new laptop more. LizH wrote: "Barry, besides no page numbers and no covers, the fact that I cannot share with anyone unless they are on my account is a major downer. But I am learning to live with my selfishness. :)"
If my "usual gang" all got the same format reader, this might work, but I am not expecting that soon. I also do not plan on indenturing myself to Amazon.
Currently I'm only a print book person. Especially since we have an awesome library system. However, at the end of June due to budget cuts we might lose our ability to browse and request books online, and the library might lose the interlibrary loan feature. If that's the case, and I'm limited to only what my small library carries, that might be enough to push me towards the Kindle.
Dawn:I hope that doesn't happen to your system.
Recently mine instituted a new policy on "hit list" top author books for 7 day checkout (all books are currently 3 weeks no matter when published) I assume this was to help them satisfy more patrons with less books in circulation. Some new release books have had 200-300 people on the hold lists and months to wait for a best seller once they stopped buying so many copies. I have't seen a title with that designation yet.
Dawn wrote: "Currently I'm only a print book person. Especially since we have an awesome library system. However, at the end of June due to budget cuts we might lose our ability to browse and request books online..."
Ann, me too! Its so nice for the kids and their research papers...we can request material and within 2 days or so, its delivered to our town library..saves me from having to drive all over Morris County! Also, most periodical articles are online, so they can research "print" references on the computer. We can return books to any library in the county. All our current and new books can be checked out for 2 weeks, with one renewal, unless there is a wait list, then you can't renew. But the system tells you if anyone is waiting, how many books in the system, etc. The wait list is for the whole county, so the next available book can come from from any library, and the wait goes so much quicker than it used to. Its really great. While I understand the crunch we're in, especially my state, it would be sad for the libraries to lose all of this.
Ann...a word on STORM PREY by John Sandford. Last week when a kindle version was not available, Amazon priced the hardback at $9.99. Yesterday, the kindle version was available for $14.99 and the hardback for $12.13. Now I'm not one of those boycott folks who won't pay over 9.99 for anything. I don't mind paying a bit more for something I really want. To put it nicely, I feel I'm being taken advantage of here. As much as I love Lucas Davenport, I think I will wait this one out.
Ann, if you can, wait a few weeks. I have found that the prices do come down, especially after the initial rush. I have only paid $12.99 for one book, and it has killed me that I did that. I don't buy many at $9.99, but I will for a favorite author.
Mary QCYes, Amazon has been doing that with MacMillan titles or other publishers when the price wars over Kindle $9.99 pricing resulted in no Kindle title on release date. It makes for good opportunities for hardback buyers, and eventually we get the Kindle title at the 'agency model' price. I'll use the library. ;)
Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Ann...a word on STORM PREY by John Sandford. Last week when a kindle version was not available, Amazon priced the hardback at $9.99. Yesterday, the kindle version was available for $14.99 and the hardback for $12.13..."
Liz:I will definitely wait and that is part of my annoyance with format options. If I buy a hardback on first day release and then don't read it until it is available in pb, I still have the hardback to show for my purchase. If I pre-buy a wanted Kindle title and pay more than the price when I read it, I have nothing to show but less money due to my own impatience.
I am putting samples on my Kindle to remind me of titles and to check back on pricing when I am ready to read.
LizH wrote: "Ann, if you can, wait a few weeks. I have found that the prices do come down, especially after the initial rush. I have only paid $12.99 for one book, and it has killed me that I did that...."
Ann wrote: "Dawn:I hope that doesn't happen to your system.
Recently mine instituted a new policy on "hit list" top author books for 7 day checkout (all books are currently 3 weeks no matter when published) I..."
Re "Hit List"-- My library system has "Hot Picks" which are seven day only. The library rents a great many copies of these popular books from Barnes and Nobles. Then when the demand has slackened, those books can go back to Barnes and Nobles and there will be a few regular circulating copies.
Ann:The function of "samples" is one of my favorites on the Kindle. Whenever I hear of a good title or someone recommends one, I download the sample for me to try later!
Like you, Liz and Mary, I'm firmly on the Kindle bench but I do use the library for books which are either above my $9.99 self-imposed max or unavailable for kindle. And like you, Ann, I also use my "samples" as TBR reminders. I'm still traveling lots between coasts and I happily settle down in my airplane seat with about 10 possible books and a newspaper to read - all on my kindle.
LizH wrote: "Ann:The function of "samples" is one of my favorites on the Kindle. Whenever I hear of a good title or someone recommends one, I download the sample for me to try later!"
me, too, liz. i use it all the time!
Melodie wrote: "I'm with Dan. I like the look, the feel and the smell of a regular paper & ink book. Tho I will do an audio book sometimes.....if it's Harry Dresden! The whole idea of e-readers just completely ..."I didn't think I ever would be interested but I am now. My library doesn't always stock some of the titles I want and I don't want to buy hard books and clutter up my house any more...I just got rid of a ton of books.
I really want a Kindle...
Ann wrote: "Barry:Yes, that is one of my contentions. I like to share my books with others so purchasing an eBook seems selfish in a way that borrowing a library book doesn't.
Barry wrote: "I generally cho..."
I don't have anyone to readily share with so purchased books are wasted...
Dawn wrote: "Ann, me too! Its so nice for the kids and their research papers...we can request material and within 2 days or so, its delivered to our town library..saves me from having to drive all over Morris ..."And I think my sister read they are going to stop the getting from other libraries. With the system the way it is now with the reserving it takes forever to get a book. my sister has me use my library for books she wants to put on reserve if she uses her card since she doesn't live in town they told her that a person that is from town that reserves gets the book first before she would. You could wait forever for some books doing it that way. And I'm sure that is why it takes along time waiting. Very few books I reserve come from my library because I always check which library the book comes from. Then the automated service that calls you has problems half the time so it you get a call and it's not working then they have no way of knowing and neither do you. A few times I could tell that happened because I saw on my caller Id something from the county.
Cathy...Amazon has a 30 return policy...no questions asked. If you try the kindle and don't like it...you can get your $$ back. Pretty sure they will ship it to you for free also. Their CS is amazing...good luck with your decision. I have not regretted it for one second.
Have you seen that Target stores nationwide are now (starting Sunday) going to be selling Kindles? Good place to go and get a feel for it.
Marcy wrote: "Have you seen that Target stores nationwide are now (starting Sunday) going to be selling Kindles? Good place to go and get a feel for it."great idea!!!
Oh no I'm in trouble if they are going to be that easy to buy. Because that is one of the reasons I'm holding back.
"Marcy wrote: "Have you seen that Target stores nationwide are now (starting Sunday) going to be selling Kindles? Good place to go and get a feel for it.""
Gee, I wish they were available today, which is my usual errand day....But I guess this will make it a little easier for my children to get me one...
I wonder if Amazon CS will be as available to people who buy from Target?
Or, they might argue, for you to get them one, LOL!Cathy (Catsluvbooks) wrote: "
Gee, I wish they were available today, which is my usual errand day....But I guess this will make it a little easier for my children to get me one..."
I knew there had a be a reason I held off a week to go to target. I tried this great trail mix last weekend and my niece told me to get this other one which is better. It's targets brand and is better than the one we had open. So I want to go for that one.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Or, they might argue, for you to get them one, LOL!Cathy (Catsluvbooks) wrote: "
Gee, I wish they were available today, which is my usual errand day....But I guess this will make it a little easi..."
My kids aren't the readers that I am. My older daughter is too social to read much. Younger one is preparing for nursing school this fall.
Cathy:I read constantly as a teen and then didn't read so much when I was in my twenties, then picked back up again after that.
Cathy (Catsluvbooks) wrote: "My kids aren't the readers that I am. My older daughter is too social to read much. Younger one is preparing for nursing school this fall. ."
To complicate matters these days we have a daunting array of formats to choose from - for me, library books in print or audio format to borrow or download, Kindle titles or other format eBooks to buy, purchased hardbacks, purchased paperbacks, audio books to purchase and download, to burn to CD or to stream online, or to add to a portable device, etc.
I love audio books. I have almost all of my ten maximum library hold list devoted to audio books. I like the Kindle for reading, especially a door stopper size book like Under the Dome. I just can't always decide which way I want to go. Case in point is the soon to be released The Passageby Justin Cronin. Over 700 pages it starts to fit my door stopper criteria to tip towards a Kindle title. It is a Ballantine book and $14.58, over my standard max of $9.99 for buying a Kindle title. It is only two dollars more on Amazon for a hardback I can loan to DD and others to read too. It is available at the library in hardback to pre-order, but I am unlikely to get through a book that size in the borrowing window and don't have room on my hold list - if I did, I would be number 15. It meets my criteria for a book I should love on audio - but not yet available on audio at the library. sigh, too many choices (and isn't that actually great too) ;)