Do you like e-books?

Hey Everyone,

It was pretty cool to hear your thoughts about audio books, it sounds like most everyone has at least tried one before. Now, what are your thoughts about ebooks?

Ebooks are much more contraversial that audio books or books in print. There are many reasons why an ebook is liked or disliked. Personally, I just can't read stuff on a computer screen for too long. When I use the computer for hours at a time, I'll wear my glasses instead of contacts but I still cannot read for hours. I've noticed publishers giving free ebooks for the 1st of a series and that's really awesome! But I usually read about 40 pages before my eyes get tired. I'm some one who likes to read a book in one sitting and it's just not possible for me when I'm reading it on the computer.

Now, that brings up the Kindle and other electronic devices. I've talked to some people that love the Kindle and rave about how amazing it is. Right now, I do not find the price affordable but I'm sure that one day Kindles (or devices of similar or better quality) wont be such a splurge. One day they'll have Kindles in vending machines like they do with ipods (Yes, I've seen many ipod vending machines-- I'm not joking). But even then, will I be reading the ebook version or the traditional book? I'd like to think that I'd be reading a book, not an ebook.

Now, another issue about ebooks is they can be pirated easily. I was mentioning to a few different people online that I have Catching Fire but have yet to read The Hunger Games. I know, I know... I need to read The Hunger Games! I've even gone to my local bookstore to buy it but it's always been out of stock and I forbade myself from buying hardcover books-- I'm not going to order it! If it happens to be there, then it was meant to be, right?? Well, back to my point, I have been telling many people that I haven't read The Hunger Games yet... Much to my surprise when I had a pirated copy of The Hunger Games in my e-mail inbox. I thought that it was a hoax and when I opened it up, it appeared to be the same thing that I've skimmed in the past. I deleted it instantly as if was porn. I did not want an illegal copy of a book in my inbox! Plus I was very offended that someone would think that I would accept the book. If I want a book, I'm either going to buy it, go to the library, or enter every single contest that has that book. I'm not going to read an illegal download! I've heard some arguments that passing around a pirated version of a book is the same as going to the library. But it's not. There is a huge difference between checking a book out and receiving a copy on your computer for free.


So what do you think? Do do you like ebooks? If so, which ones have you bought or read? Do you just read the ones that are out there for free? How about the Kindle? Is it worth it-- why or why not? What do you think about pirating books or reading pirated books? Any other thoughts?

More later,

~Genevieve