The one where I confess a sin
Posted under Books I love
I’m squirming in my seat as I write this. The words ‘I was wrong’ might actually have to come out of my mouth. That never sits comfortably with me to be honest. Still, good for the soul and all that.
In the past I have been quite forthright in my criticism of reading books in any other format other than ‘the right one’, i.e. an actual book with paper and a cover. I may even have blogged about how reading isn’t just about the words, it’s a sensory thing. I may, possibly, have been very critical of MrSpud and his strange love of reading books on his iphone.
Hmm. Funny how things come back to haunt you sometimes isn’t it? Damn you blog, for providing evidence of my fickle ways…
Two weeks ago I read three books in five days. But that’s not what this is about. I had a day of very, very long train journeys and I decided to experiment by downloading a couple of books on Kindle for the iPad (which, I gather, is on its way out?). I was dubious. I was so dubious I took my book, an actual book, as well which perhaps defeated the point. In one day I galloped through Caitlin Moran’s How to Be a Woman and I loved it. Encouraged, though shame faced, I quickly downloaded Tina Fey’s Bossypants. I don’t even know who Tina Fey is really, but I enjoyed that too. In a rush of KindleLove I then bought Grace Dent’s How to Leave Twitter and that was pretty good too.
I’m no book reviewer, and this isn’t a book review. En passant I will mention that Caitlin Moran’s book is absolutely extraordinary, it blew me away actually (once I’d got over its no mucking about straight up tell it how it is style). I have never considered myself a feminist because, it turns out, I never really KNEW what feminism means anymore. I thought it didn’t apply to me. Turns out I’m stupid. You’ll have to read it to get it. If you’re a woman, or a man who loves women, you need to read it. Hey, I read it in a DAY. I don’t give over a day of my life for any old crap you know.
But this isn’t about the book. This is about the medium for the reading thereof and I think you know what’s coming. I read the book on my iPad. And I really, really enjoyed the experience. I thought it would be a kind of clinical experience, and it is in some ways. But the convenience, the beauty of the backlight typeface, not having to hold a heavy book is quite beguiling. I’m ashamed of myself.
I don’t want to fall out of love with books (the real ones). I LOVE books, they do so furnish a room, they feel and look just right…I keep postcards and newspaper cuttings in them (well, I did when I read newspapers..before the internet came along…hang on….there’s a theme here). I would hate never to feel the weight of a good book, smell it, admire its cover and run my fingers over the paper to feel how it ‘is’. But there’s a place in my life now for online reading.
I have a half-read copy of The Tiger’s Wife by my bed. It’s been half read since I started reading How to be a Woman. Since then I’ve read Bossypants (on the iPad), How to Leave Twitter (on the iPad) and I’ve made a start on Home (also on the iPad).
Shameful. Absolutely shameful.
I loved ‘how to be a woman’. I felt like Caitlin Moran had been following me around (or I’d been following her) absorbing drunken feminist rants for the last decade. I especially agreed with her on yellow shoes, lap dancing clubs, birth, weddings and waxing.
How extraordinary; not only have I been lusting after a Kindle (secretly though – because it was recently my wedding anniversary and whilst I would love to buy myself a Kindle I do NOT want one as a 10th wedding anniversary present, I prefer sparkles. Some hope…) Anyway, not only the Kindle thing but I also just read Caitlin Moran’s book and LOVED LOVED LOVED it – she just talks sense – but am halfway through Bossypants as well. We are clearly both women of great taste…
Mwuhahahahahaaaa! You’ll be buying a Kindle before you know it. (Even better when not backlit, no glare in the sunshine – which of course, we have LOADS of.)
I was the same, to be honest, but came round to the idea of a Kindle on the basis that if I wasn’t taking 10 books on holiday I could take an extra couple of pairs of shoes. And, you can read COMPLETE AND UTTER TRASH in public and no-one will know.
How to be a Woman is AMAZING isn’t it?
I’ve been on public transport lately and seen a few of those ‘things’ in action. Can’t stand the way the text displays. Can you change the font? I much prefer books with either a modern or typewriter font…
i love your love of words and books, wish i had more time to read, lame i know x
Oh look at all the Caitlin lovers in here! yeah, Raynah is right (as ever)….books v shoes? No contest….;-)
Ha ha. I love my kindle and have turned so many of my friends. Think of those trees you are saving. This it the 3rd time HTBAW has popped up on my radar this weeks so I’ve just popped it on my kindle in between reading your post and writing this reply.
I love my kindle.
Lyanne – you can change the font and the size.
(#kindlepusher) waaaah
Another H2BAW fan here. Had me roaring with laughter, esp the bit about leaving hospital post-birth like a lactating Tina Turner. Except I had a Mulberry handbag, which suddenly seemed quite shallow.
I’ve just now purchased my very first e-bookbook. I love weighty, visually stunning cookbooks even more than I love books of the literature variety (which is to say, a lot), and while I’ve largely grown accustomed to reading book-books on my iPhone/Pad, I’ve resisted buying cookbooks for the iPad. Now, being at negative bookshelf availability, my desire for a certain cookbook won out over my reluctance to buy e-cookbooks.
In a way, bookshelf space (and lack thereof) aside, it makes more sense to buy the e-version: the iPad, propped up on its clever little cover, takes up far less of my precious kitchen countertop real estate. Still, I feel a little dirty about having bought it.
I have also been loving How to be a Woman. And reading it on my Kindle. I much prefer the Kindle to the iPad for reading – it’s loads lighter and not reflective – although I think your iPad is a lighter one than ours? I am getting round the ‘not very tactile’ problem with the Kindle by using a green leather cover – it’s a thing of beauty and feels pleasingly substantial. I have Bossypants on my wishlist, but somehow I find myself reading trashy free novels when I get the chance.
Et tu, Brute?
I’m a paper and print kind of girl myself so I’ll just say gah but also, I agree with Kirsty, the Kindle will be a lot easier to read on than an Ipad because it’s designed to look like paper.
That said, I won’t be buying a Kindle until they make it a far nicer design. The nasty keyboard at the bottom *shudder* Oh and they start making e-books a more reasonable price and allow sharing and use of e-libraries with it.
Matt has the Sony e-reader – it’s not very funky but it’s not as ugly as the Kindle and it’s less restrictive on what you can buy/borrow/beg/steal to read on it.
ps, the manufacturer has a graph showing that the expected price of a Kindle is likely to drop to zero – ie, free if you buy a certain number of books or similar. So no rush from me, lol.
*weeps*
I too, prefer the book in the hand, but would so love to have some kind of e-reader for traveling, waiting at the doctor’s office, waiting for son to get out of the locker room, etc.
I read Bossypants a few weeks ago and was howling at times. If you want to know more about Tina Fey, look her up on YouTube and be prepared to cry with laughter! Her SNL “commercials” are the best! My favorite is “Annuale”.
I bought a Kindle on my way home from hospital. I was looking at four weeks of recovery and my wrist (weak at the best of times) looked like someone had used them as a pin cushion. I had huge bruises up my arms and could hardly lift anything. The Kindle was my saviour those first few weeks, and I haven’t put it down since!
The weight difference alone is brilliant. I’ve been able to read really thick books I’d normally struggle with. My only complaint is that the Amazon covers nearly double the weight of the Kindle, which slightly defeats the point.
Noooo. Real books are the best and they always will be! Sob sob.
Being able to change your mind is a sign of greatness or something like that…
I love proper books, I love reading them and having them and being able to have that whole sensory thing
And you can read them in the bath
But reading books on my ipad has been fabulous (tell me really that the kindle app isn’t on the way out?) and has let me carry a range of books when travelling and does mean I always have a book with me. Yes its not great in the sun but hey it means I get to read more and that is a good thing.
Do I love it as much as a brand new Persephone, no way, but its not a complete slouch either
ah… Welcome to the dark side, Spudlette! I absolutely love reading on the glorious iPad… And the convenience of it is just incredible. I gave my laptop to my kids and use it exclusively to write and blog, to play games, read, surf the net… Good to hear you were able to pry it out of Mr. Spud’s hands for your trip! And the good news is, if you have the Kindle App on your iPhone, it will sync to your bookmarked spot on your iPad, so you are never without reading material! Pretty tricky!
I swore I would not get in to ireaders, but I too have fallen in love with reading books on my ipad. I am not ashamed and do not need a 12 step program!
Oi… my hubby actually won a Nook Color something or other, it’s on it’s way and seeing as we’re married naturally it’s gonna be mine; I discussed the guilt of that assumption with a friend and she totally vindicated me of any wrongdoing and agreed that’s the way it should be. I am after all the reader in this marriage. My first purchase will be this Caitlin chick on your recommendation… it better be as good as y’all are saying… hee hee.
Tsk, tsk…
;^)