Jul 30 2006
Ebook Weekly: Ebook Reader Diary Entry #2
No. Actually, I only buy from Fictionwise. I used to also buy from ebooks.com when I was at the height of my frenzy, but that was quite a while ago. The only reason I never bought anything from epublishers is because this is the first I’ve heard about it. I found the other two places only by doing a search on Google (though ebooks.com wouldn’t have been too difficult to figure out!); epublishers doesn’t appear on the first few pages of search results.
My ebook interests are really sporadic, so I don’t really have a per-month estimate of how many I buy. Sometimes months go buy without a single purchase. Other times I’ll buy 6-10 at a time. It all depends on my mood.
I used to be really interested in Victorian literature and all the classics, so I stocked up on those first. Then I started buying literary and popular fiction, which is what I usually get these days. Once in a while I’ll buy something in the suspense genre. I’m easily scared, though, so I like mainstream fiction with more substance than fluff.
I haven’t done away with all the paperbooks acquired during and immediately following my college years, so I haven’t had the chance to miss them. I also have a number of hardcover paperbooks that I need for my editing business. I don’t think ebooks will ever be able to replace those, as there’s just something about flipping through an index in a style manual that can’t be duplicated by taps of a stylus.
What bugs me sometimes is that I can only read for as long as my battery lasts. This isn’t a problem on PDAs (I can go days without recharging), but my UX180P dies within about 2.5 hours. Very annoying if I’m reading a real page-turner. This annoyance doesn’t have anything to do with ebooks themselves, of course, but it’s my only complaint about the e-reading experience. It’s a weak one, though, as it would kind of be like saying I don’t like mp3s because my mp3 player suffers from poor battery life.
A better complaint is that I wish ebooks weren’t permanently tied to their specific formats. Why can’t there just be a universal format that all software can read? Being stuck to one format makes buying a new device difficult (and I love buying new gadgets!). For example, using Microsoft Reader renders all of my eReader books useless.
Instant gratification! I love that I can buy ebooks wherever I have an Internet connection and start reading immediately. And if I’ve never heard of a particular book before, I can read all the reviews or ratings often listed alongside the book title or I can just do a quick Google search. It’s so much better than driving to the book store, browsing the shelves, choosing something based on the book jacket, standing in line at the register, and driving home.
I want to thank Jenn again for stopping buy and answering some questions about her ebook reading habits. Anyone got good ideas of about Victorian literature?
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Jul 30, 2006 @ 09:50:28
Fantastic interview! It was interesting to hear from someone who came to ebooks via the electronics road and cares about the reading experience, not all the other stuff.
As usual, thank you :-)
Jul 30, 2006 @ 20:34:13
Yes, the UMPCs look very cool. Samsung’s got one called an “Origami” which just sets off all my “I-want-I-want” bells for new gadgets. But it’s $1000! $1000 for what would mostly be a PDA-replacement is ridiculous. I just can’t justify it.
And, as Jenn has already commented, battery life for laptops and UMPCs is horrid, if you want to use it as an ebook reader and not be plugged into the wall somewhere.
Even my PocketPC isn’t great – the eBookwise so far has the best life by far. And while I’m curious about Sony’s new reader, it’s yet another piece of hardware with a proprietary eBook format. Gak!
Jul 30, 2006 @ 22:51:13
I appreciate Jenn taking the time out of her busy life to answer a few questions. I am green with tech envy. The Sony Reader fascinates me. I think the pictures of it look fabulous and if it is around the $250.00 mark I may have to purchase one. Just for the edification of the blog readers, of course.
Jul 31, 2007 @ 22:08:47
Jane, I heard a rumor – if you’re willing to sign up for (and are approved for) another credit card (co-branded with Sony), you’ll be able to buy one of the ebook readers for $50!! (For a short time).
I’m a so very tempted…even though I’m very happy with my eBookwise, and think I would miss the backlight feature…
Jul 31, 2007 @ 22:19:03
Miki – I heard that rumor too but haven’t received my unit yet so didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.
Dear Authors 2007 Christmas Buying Guide for Ebook Readers: The MultiFunction Device | Dear Author
Nov 14, 2010 @ 16:12:14
[...] I first started ebook Sunday, I interviewed Jenn from Pocketables.Net. Her reader of choice was an ultra-mobile computer, the Sony Vaio UX180P. [...]