World, Writing, Wealth discussion

Especially for our growing Luddite community and Windows XP fans we might as well find out who still navigates the book piles in his/her home and uses envelopes and receipts for bookmarks?

Nik wrote: "Especially for our growing Luddite community and Windows XP fans we might as well find out who still navigates the book piles in his/her home and uses envelopes and receipts for bookmarks?"

(Foaming at the mouth) What's wrong with Windows XP?

(More seriously) I actually still love paper books and still buy some from time to time, even though I self-publish my novels as ebooks. One thing that ebooks can't do for me: to detail and measure scaled drawings from the pages of technical books I often buy on military and space equipment (ships, planes, space systems, etc.), as part of my research for my novels or for my personal education. Also, comparing side by side more than two documents at a time is much easier with paper documents or books.

Michel wrote: "(Foaming at the mouth) What's wrong with Windows XP? .."

Certainly nothing wrong, moreover it's kinda refreshing having no updates sent. While many moved to later versions, there are few dinosaurs, myself including, who stayed with this ancient operating system -:)

I like the tactile version for preference but tend to have one of each, at least, on the go at the same time.

Bookmarks? Anything will do including paperclips! XP? It still works but I keep mine in case the more updated versions crash. Rather like modern cars with all the electronic gadgets, there is more to go wrong. Sometimes old fashioned simplicity is reassuring in our increasingly over-complicated world.

Melanie wrote: "Sometimes old fashioned simplicity is reassuring in our increasingly over-complicated world...."

Yeah, once things were built to last, now, it seems - to live and get scrapped in 3-5 years

I've also got XP still on one of my laptops - when I went to buy it in early 2009 it had Vista installed, but this had such an awful reputation that I asked the shop to "backdate" it to XP. They weren't in the least surprised. As it's now seven and a half years old and the battery's stuffed, no point in updating to Windows 10 at great expense (I've done my other PCs though). I'll probably use it to experiment with Linux one day.

Where were we - oh yes, ebooks. I read plenty of them and really like being able to sample an unknown indie author at low cost. Although all my own books are available in paperback, 90% of my sales are ebooks. For traditionally-published books, though, I don't buy ebooks as they're a rip-off, nearly the price of the printed book - it makes more sense to buy a good secondhand copy from Amazon or Betterworld, it's cheaper!

No receipts or envelopes - real bookmarks, real paperback or hard cover, my preference, but I do read some ebooks. No piles of books either - downsized last year since I decided not to get another bookcase!
PS - I did have a pile, which caused an avalanche, which prompted the downsize!

I live practically up the street from one of the largest bookstores in the world, and in a county with one of the best library systems in the U.S.A., so I tend to prefer paper books simply because they are so readily available. I do have a Nook, which is great for traveling, or reading books that are 1000+ pages; books like War and Peace can be awkward to handle in paper form.

As for bookmarks, I always use the 55th card in a deck of cards, the one that's just an advertisement for other products by the manufacturer, or a blurb about the company itself.

I prefer non-fiction in paper and fiction in ebook, just for convenience sake. I like to read at random times and late at night too. In bed. With the lights off.

With that being said, I read on iPhone, iPad and laptop, just depending on...I dunno haha!

As for a bookmark, I kinda use whatever. Receipts work. Or money. The new Cdn bills are all sleek and shiny and smooth. Plus, I never use cash for anything so it's just laying around anyway LMAO!!

Hugs,
Ann

I read paper books, and yes, I find something lying around to use as a bookmark, butI would read about 15 ebooks for every book.

I also prefer books for scientific stuff, but having said that I have published 4 only in ebooks. I am not sure what that says about me, but I rather suspect someone will tell me :-)

Annie wrote: "As for a bookmark... money"

A true oligarch here -:) A book (or atlas?) with a banknote for a bookmark can be an alternative group pic

*raises hand hesitantly* I do? Lol still old-school, still use paper to write my novels, and then only edit on computer. I use bookmarks and always buy paper books :)

Denise wrote: "Paper!!! I'll be environmentally correct someplace else. :)"

Agreed! :)

Denise wrote:

*clicks on "like" button that doesn't exist* :)"

LOLLLL

Alexa wrote: "Denise wrote: "Paper!!! I'll be environmentally correct someplace else. :)"

Agreed! :)"

using an ereader isn't necessarily better for the environment:

https://www.theguardian.com/environme...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/omega-i...

Finally worked out the last of my kinks on Createspace today, thankfully, so I guess I'll be contributing to both sides of the debate...

Didn't know we had book mutilators here -:)

I once used a plastic bag I got from a jewellery store as a bookmark. I also use price labels from time to time. Don't judge me. LOL

Regarding Paperback vs ebook, I have no preference but like Ann *insert Richie Rich here :p* , I have observed that I tend to get non-fiction book as Paperbacks.

*old time book mutilator and proud :p*

I am a Luddite (have a library of hundreds of hardcover books, and my first Smith Corona which I was using when I arrived in the USA more than 30 years ago.) HOWEVER have been dragged into brave new world kicking and screaming, and once there find I cannot go back to the old days.
For example cannot imagine being without my kindle. If I'm reading in the middle of the night about a book that sounds really terrific, I can just go to Amazon right there and then and buy with a click. Similarly, although have been Apple/Mac fan for about a decade, recently (meaning just about a couple of weeks ago) discovered Scrivener software for writers. Already am wondering how I ever wrote a book without it.

Converted Luddite! -:)

Yes. Good description. And you know what they say about converts to any "religion?" Usually more zealous and committed than those born into it!!!! Right?

They say, but you should know -:)
With religion though 'more zealous and committes' coincide with my personal observations, but I know very few converts

Paper or ebook 4 u?

ebook for me! For one thing, we don't use precious wood-produced paper to make them. Secondly, and most important for me, it makes it a lot easier to be a self-published author. Having paper books published by myself costs money, money that I don't have, so ebooks finally allowed me to realize a dream and publish my stories. Another advantage of ebooks over paper books: readership is instantly worldwide, thanks to the Internet, while the circulation of a paper book may be limited at first to one or a few countries.

I have stuff publish both in paperbacks and ebooks, but I prefer to read paper. My eyes get more tired reading ebooks. :-)

I am with Michel. The ebook is much cheaper for me to publish. If I put all my books into paper, I would; have spent serious cash that I doubt I could recover. As for reading, I concede that paper is better for reference books, but for other purposes, paper takes up too much room. My house is already loaded with books in all sorts of places, including piles not the floor. The ebook takes away that problem.

With Print on Demand options available at different venues, having stocks of printed books isn't mandatory anymore...

Nik wrote: "With Print on Demand options available at different venues, having stocks of printed books isn't mandatory anymore..."

I was thinking of the reader, not of the store. If you print a POD book, you still have to put it somewhere.

As a reader, I still prefer a paper book.......it needs no power source and if it is accidentally submerged in the bathtub it can be easily replaced. I like used book sales........and I have some lovely antique bookcases that would look ridiculous holding e-books.

I must confess I would not take an ereader into the bathroom, but there are other places to read :-)

I tend to read more paper than anything...though if a book isn't too long, ebook is ok.

I prefer paper, but age (and the size of print in many paperbacks) insists that I also have a Kindle. Much kinder on my eyes than using a magnifying glass (yup, tried it).
Now I read from computer, Kindle or the blessed paperback depending on light and eyes.
I've found that some authors aren't available in paper, presumably because that costs self-publishers too much.
Bookmarks - anything including a strip torn from a tissue (I had bending pages beaten out of me many years ago.

For me, nothing beats the sensual pleasure of holding a book in my hands and turning pages. I sometimes flip to the back of the book and look at the author's photo as I'm reading or flip to the front to check the publication date. The blurbs on the back often lead me to other authors I want to try. I'm a library person, so I don't feel too bad about the use of paper - printed books are going to be there regardless, and I hope they always will be. I only buy a book these days if it's something I'll want to refer to again.

And what about you: paper or e-?

Ian wrote: "I must confess I would not take an ereader into the bathroom, but there are other places to read :-)"

I am on the my 3rd one. I dropped 2 in the bathtub. One the rice trick worked. When I bought my 2nd paperwhite, I confirmed it included dropping it in the bathtub on the extra coverage and bought it. So 1 free replacement thus far.

Scout wrote: "For me, nothing beats the sensual pleasure of holding a book in my hands and turning pages. I sometimes flip to the back of the book and look at the author's photo as I'm reading or flip to the fro..."

I agree Scout. Especially hardcovers with dust jackets. Certain series of books, I will continue to buy in hardcover. Others, I buy in paperback but look for used ones that are less expensive.

Reading a kindle paperwhite or similar, I can't see maps or colored covers. On the other hand, it's a lot easier to read the words since I can change the size of the text on an e-reader.

There will probably come a day when local print libraries no longer exist. It makes me sad to think so. There's just something about turning an actual page that's a part of reading for me . . . and for children who are being read to at bedtime. Physically turning the page to see what's next is something wonderful.

And pop-up books just aren't the same on an e-reader...

My 3 years old granddaughter will let me read her physical books, but she has no interest in me reading to her from a tablet (which allows for colored pictures unlike an e-reader). She does use her tablet for video and games.

Yes,I do have lots of physical books.But I'm running out of space,and hate to throw away the ones I have to make room for new ones.So I've had to shift to e books a good deal.

Just as an update, my paperwhite extended warranty/insurance plan, has replaced it 2x now. Each time, anything I didn't get from Amazon, I have to re download. Why don't I just leave them sitting in Amazon (because I do email them to my kindle account when I get free author ones to review or books through bookfunnel)? I don't trust they will be there.

Drop an e-reader in the bathtub is both more expensive and more time consuming than dropping a paperback.

As Wsm mentioned, I hate giving away books. Real books give you a sense of ownership and a physical connection that I don't experience the same way with ebooks. But I have almost 500 unread books, and I read an average of 200 books a year over the past 5 years, so I can't even imagine where I would have been able to put them all if they were physical.

Lizzie wrote: "...I can't even imagine where I would have been able to put them all if they were physical"

Back in the USSR there was a program where citizens could get a new book for a certain amount of paper brought for recycling (something like 10 or 20 kg).
Today trade-in works for cars, bikes and other stuff, you just need to give up on 'keeping' them forever -:)
Wonder how "used books" market is doing on Amazon and why "used" are priced higher than "new" paperbacks?

Nik wrote: "Back in the USSR there was a program where citizens could get a new book for a certain amount ...
Wonder how "used books" market is doing on Amazon and why "used" are priced higher than "new" paperbacks? "

Did you get to choose the new book? Was there a store or where did you go to "recycle" the paper?

My last car was totaled so no trade in as the insurance company kept it when they paid me the value. The previous one had almost 275k miles on it and the engine was burning oil faster than gasoline. I traded it to my mechanic in exchange for work on another vehicle. My current vehicle is a 2006, that I bought in 2012, and due to becoming disabled, I don't have 100k on it yet. I think about trading it for a newer model but haven't convinced myself that I want a car payment again. If I had to choose between trading my current vehicle or my books, it would be the vehicle.

I have always wondered why ebooks cost so much, the same or sometimes more than a paper version. Used books on Amazon are expensive, although sometimes I find some good deals through 3rd party vendors. I do not understand book pricing, especially when ebooks are more than physical books. Certain series are difficult to find in places other than major book retailers (Amazon, Barne s& Noble, and BAM). (I miss Borders.)

The Kris Longknife series is one that I can't find in used books stores, but I keep looking for them and have a friend who checks the used bookstore in the nearest city (Tucson) for me. I am surprised that I have only found 2 of them in the last 5 years, during my travels, but they only cost me $1.50 each vs. the $7 Amazon wants or the $5 their 3rd party vendors list. I would read more of Scalzi's books but I refuse to pay $10 for an ebook.

For "pool side" reading, I buy used books from our local library, which has a half price day once a month, so most paperbacks cost me 75 cents and hard cover $2 or less. I then donate them to a local charity if they survive in decent shape. It is only science fiction that I collect.

Also, back to the original question in this discussion on bookmarks, the local used library has stacks of them for free, The 3rd party vendors that I buy used books from almost always include some bookmarks that have their name and contact info on them. So plenty of bookmarks these days lying around my house, stashed in night stands, on the coffee table, in drawers, and even in the bathroom cabinet next to the TP.

Lizzie wrote: "...Did you get to choose the new book? Was there a store or where did you go to "recycle" the paper?..."

As everything, including books, was in "deficit", the choice was limited and usually not very exciting, but still a way to procure something new to read.
Yeah, they had recycling hangars where they weighed papers one brought and gave coupons for books valid for bookstores. As many families subscribed to a few newspapers and a few journals recyclables weren't that hard to collect. And that beyond a norm of recyclables that each student had to bring to school: newspapers, metal & chestnuts.. -:)

Chestnuts?

Chestnuts is likely something relevant only for Kiev, which rivaled Paris (maybe unbeknownst to it) in quantity of chestnut trees. So in September- October we were asked to collect & bring chestnuts to school, which then were used in pharmaceuticals, we were told

Some chestnuts were used to make medicine for varicose veins. It is also an anti-inflammatory, and reduces water retention. So it probably was being collected for the pharmacy industry. I don't know if these days big pharm still use chestnuts or use some chemical instead (aescin). Especially since chestnut trees have suffered various blights and diseases, I would expect that the main ingredient is now manufactured.

In WWI, the British paid children to collect horse chestnuts because they could be used to make acetone, which was needed to make the current form of gunpowder. I am guessing that use was outdated by the time Nik was collecting them in Russia.

I remember my grandmother telling me different parts of the plants were used for different things, like most herbal remedies, used alone and combined with other herbs, ingested and topical. (She was born in 1901. A blight killed the American chestnut tree and they were wiped out where she lived by the time my father was a child - in the 30s?) She said they used it for epilepsy, migraines, menstrual cramps, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, sprains, gout, arthritis, all the breathing stuff from asthma to congestion. (Also, very nutritious and was a staple food in the old days and the distant past.)

My grandmother was big on herbal remedies. In my 20s I realized she was growing certain poppies in her flower bed to help with her migraines. She was an interesting woman.

Lizzie wrote: "...Used books on Amazon are expensive, although sometimes I find some good deals through 3rd party vendors...."

I look at my titles at Amazon and some 'used' paperbacks cost more than new ones. Doesn't make sense