I had a fun first this weekend.
I was at the Readers ‘n ‘Ritas conference up in Dallas, and a number of readers at the book signing came up to me with smiles and Sharpies and asked me to sign their Kindle cases.
Mari Mancusi and Laura Griffin at Readers 'n Ritas in Dallas (yes, that's a margarita in my hand)
Another sign of the times occurred last week when The New York Times announced that it will publish an e-book bestseller list, for fiction and non-fiction, starting next year. For many authors this is a welcome announcement, particularly those whose fan-base includes people who prefer the digital version, or whose books are available only electronically. I suspect there will be an age slant (more younger readers)Â to these bestsellers lists, so I will be eager to see which titles make the cut.
I still haven’t made the big switch, because I just love the feel of that paperback in my hand and I’ve got too many gadgets in my life already. However, I did do a bit of legwork for you guys, in case any of you are in the market for an e-book this year. Here’s what I discovered through my very non-scientific research (skipping around web sites and reading a few articles).
For your shopping convenience, here is a list of the most common e-readers and their approximate cost (in ABC order, by the way… no bias here!)
iPad– starting at $499.
Kindle–starting at $139
Kobo–starting at $139
Nook–starting at $149, $249 for color
Sony e-reader–starting at $139, although I did see a scaled-down version for $98.
Can you guess which e-reader is the most popular? Actually, it is not a designated e-reader at all, but a laptop computer, which according to a recent poll is used by 34 percent of readers who read digitally. Coming in second is the Kindle, with 32 percent.
So, how do you like your books? Or do you read a hybrid… some on your phone? Some on your e-reader? Some in hardback or paperback? Curious how our MSW audience is trending!
Speaking of electronics, I want to tell you again about the contest I’m running to celebrate the release of UNFORGIVABLE, Nov. 30. I’m giving away a FREE iPOD NANO, in the color of your choice, with engraving. Check out my website for a chance to win! http://www.lauragriffin.com/contest.php
And one commenter today will win a signed advanced copy of UNFORGIVABLE. Yay! Just got my shipment! Nothing like opening that box… I get giddy. 
Just leave a comment for a chance to win!
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Though I prefer paper books (hardback and paperback), I do like how light my husband’s e-reader is. I don’t have an e-reader of my own yet.
I can’t imagine reading on my phone – the screen is tiny! Maybe on an iphone or similar, otherwise the screen would be far too small to be an efficient way to read anything. ^_^
My phone is tiny, too. A friend told me she read my last book on her phone, and I was amazed.
I read ebooks on my computer through the Kindle for PC app. I do buy ebooks, but I still prefer paperbacks. I do think I’ll buy mostly ebooks when I finally get an ereader.
Hi Jane,
You’re one of the laptop readers! I didn’t realize there were so many until I saw that survey.
i like my kindle for travel. that’s what I orginally bought it for, but had also planned to give up paperbacks (at the time my collection was getting way too big). but I still love my paperbacks and want to keep them and the kindle!
Hi Kris,
I love my collection of paperbacks, too. It is getting a bit big, but every now and then I take stuff to Goodwill to keep my shelves from collapsing.
I’m strictly paper books. I don’t own any readers and I already spend too much time reading on my computer (even though it’s mostly my writing). Still, I should probably get an e-reader sometime soon and give my wrists some rest.
I wonder about the wrist thing. Which is worse over time, holding the book or the e-reader?
They’ve got to be lighter than a 400 pg hardcover. Oof.
When I leave my house I always have my Sony eReader, a book, and my phone which has Kindle on it. I prefer a paperback book in my hands out of all the available ways to read.
Hi Shanae,
That is one great advantage. As long as you’ve got the device on hand, no excuse to ever be bored. I hate it when I end up in some waiting room and don’t have a book in my purse.
I *love my kindle. There are so many books out there that you just can’t get without an e-reader. They are faster to read and when you are at the gym on a elliptical you don’t have to worry about the pages flipping on you. That being said…I still get about 1/2 my books in paper. I love to be able to flip around in a book to look for things I might have missed or check a fact. You can’t do that with an kindle unless you know at what % the passage was . you also can’t share your kindle with someone to get them hooked on a series/author. So I like both and will continue to use both
Hi Sharon,
I am a page flipper, too. I like to go back and re-read stuff, especially in mysteries where the author slips in little clues.
I have a Sony ereader because at the time I bought it, we didn’t get whispernet out here for the kindle. I’ve used it, but not as much recently because I’m not reading anything, regardless of the format.
I’m seriously looking at that color Nook…and composing my letter to Santa
I haven’t written my Santa letter yet.
I was given the Kindle as a gift-when I started using it, I didn’t like it. It was so white. Put a decal skin on it-made such a difference. The white was distracting.
Books–I still buy them. There are some authors I will buy the books, since I have all the rest in the series.
I started a series on the Kindle from an author and all those books go to Kindle.
There’s definitely a difference, but I do like being able to take the Kindle in the car and have waaaay too many books to choose from. If I’m on a trip and I don’t want to re-read a book?? Just download one while riding in the car.
Book/e- reader–it’s a tough choice. I can say, I don’t want to have to choose only one way to get my books. =)
Hi Catherine,
Well, good thing we don’t have to choose. I’m glad to hear so many people are using both formats. I can’t imagine my house without any paper books in it, and yet e-books are here to stay.
I down load free Kindle and B&N books on to my computer (but I have yet to read one that way). I buy ebooks for my Sony and paperbacks. I almost never buy hardback and if I did, it would have to be for a couple bucks or less. I really don’t have the room and it would have to be for a series I really loved.
Hi Anne,
Sounds like you are a true cross-format reader! more power to you!
Love my Kindle and love my real books. Wouldn’t want to give up either one.
Good thing you don’t need to!
I am pretty much 99% Kindle. Love Love Love Kindle. I love I can increase the font size and it is so light to hold. If a book is not available in Kindle format, I will borrow from the library or pass on it. It is so unfortunate when books are not on Kindle. This recently happened to me. I read every single one of Judith McNaught’s books. I had to read via the library but if her books were on Kindle, I would have bought them all.
The only paper books I read now are either library books or books that I am giving for free/win. I really think once you embrace an ebook (whichever device you decide) you’ll never want to go back. I never thought I’d be such a champion of the ebook devices but I do love them. (plus my hubby is pleased he doesn’t have to build me more bookshelves lol)
Quite an endorsement. I haven’t met my e-reader love match yet, but haven’t really looked.
I read on both paperback and my kindle. If I have a particular book or series that deserves a spot on my keeper shelf, I buy it in paperback but other than that it is just whatever I am in the mood for and whatever is more convenient at the time.
I love readers who buy multiple formats of a book! I have done this, too, after lending a book out and never getting it back, or after losing it and wanting a copy for my library.
I’m still reading paperback books even though we received a Kindle for Christmas last year. My husband pretty much uses it exclusively. I’ve read a few books on there and was surprised that I loved reading like that – so easy to hold and turn pages and stuff – but I like to have a visual reminder of the books I’ve loved on my shelves. I wouldn’t mind paying an additional $1-2 to have both the paperback and an electronic version of a book.
Hi Sandy,
Don’t know what I would do without my old-fashioned keeper shelf. Love it.
I read print and ebooks. PDFs on my laptop and html or rtf on my ebookwise reader. Yes, I have a very old fashioned ebookwise…hehe.
I hope to get updated for my birthday and get a German made ebookreader which will only cost me a bit under 100 dollars and looks really awesome!!
Valerie
in Germany
Hi Valerie,
I can totally understand the appeal of e-books if you like English titles but live in a non-English speaking country. Must increase your choices tremendously!
I don’t have an e-reader yet though I know that eventually I will. I think it will interest me more if I saw that it would save me money. Right now I like having a paperback with me wherever I go and the prices good so I don’t feel the need to change yet.
Hi Maureen,
I haven’t felt the burning need to change yet, either.
I thought I’d never give up paper books then I got a Kindle for Christmas. It’s SOOOO much easier on my hands and wrist. I have the Kindle app on my iPhone, too. I love the fact the Kindle and phone sync to the correct spot. I use the phone to read in long lines, the Kindle in bed and other places where I can sit and be comfortable.
I tend to buy new books for the Kindle. For a few authors, I also buy the paper versions to go on the shelf. Some books/authors are just “keepers.” Plus, there’s the whole storage situation. We converted our former dining room to an office/library with floor-to-ceiling shelves on one long wall with another shelf on a short wall between doors. We’re out of bookshelf space again. Two bibliophiles should never marry. Just sayin’!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Ha! Two bibliophiles… We don’t have that problem around here. And yet we’re still out of shelf space…
Only when I have to make the switch will I. Holding a book in my hand, turning the pages, the smell of the book are all parts of the reading experience. I’m not ready to give that up.
Congrats on the release and heck yeah, sign me up.
Hi Holly,
Thanks for the congrats! I love the sensory experience of a real book, too. I keep a copy of The House of Seven Gables on my desk, so old it doesn’t have a copyright date on it. I’m sentimental about it because it smells like my grandmother’s house.
HI Laura,
I can’t wait for Unforgivable to come out – thanks for a chance to win a copy early
.
For the most part, I read books in paper format – paperback and trade being the majority with some hardcovers thrown in. I don’t have any kind of e-reader, so the few e-books I buy (usually if e-book is the only option) I read on my computer. This is not the most relaxing way, since my computer is a desktop in my office and I usually get a crick in my neck by the end of the book. I think my family might be getting me a Kindle for Christmas this year -they asked if I wanted one. I was on the fence because I really love the feel of an actual book, but an e-reader will be a great secondary option if I can’t get to a bookstore or I’m commuting. As for the type of e-reader, I think I prefer a Kindle because they seems to have a large catalog of books to choose from. So, I think I will be one of those readers that buys both formats, but probably still paper book first.
Hi Jennifer,
I cannot believe so many people are reading on laptops. I don’t think that would be very comfortable for long stretches. And I spend enough time at my computer for work.
Thanks for the congrats!
E-books, e-books and e-books! I have a Kindle and I love it to bits! I think it’s so funny — like, traditional — when people say they like the feel of a paper book in their hands or a the smell of a book. Umm, to me, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t care what it smells like, and, really holding an e-reader is so much simpler. Like, with the book, you have to hold it open. You always need to have your hands on it, twist yourself around in bed to keep it right. With my Kindle, I can just place it on my bed and rest it against a pillow, and, bam, no hands, just my finger to pass the page
I’ll read on my iPhone if I’m at the mall or something, but, mostly, it’s the Kindle. I hardly ever buy paper books anymore — but I’ll read them if I get them as gifts, of course! 
Hi Barbie,
Another Kindle lover. Gee, must be a trend.
Congrats on Unforgivable.
Most of my reading is with paper books. This year, I’ve been keeping track of the ones I read electronically (on my computer, most borrowed from library) and it’s about one-third. I think it’s time I look to buy an ereader, though I probably still will lean to paper books.
Interesting that you are keeping track. Probably a good idea before you invest a lot of money in something.
oh, and thanks for the congrats!
Paper. I’ve bought a few e-books for my iPad, but I haven’t read them yet. I have bought a couple research books for my iPad because iBooks has a fantastic searchable function which also lets you bookmark your searches. But there aren’t enough of my research books available electronically. I’ll probably replace my research library with electronic simply because of the search function. But for pleasure, I’m still a paper girl all the way (and I’ll read hardcover, trade, or mass market–no bias there!–but I tend to save my hardcovers and treat them better than paper books.)
Hi Allison,
Hadn’t thought about using the search function for my research books. What a great idea. I have no clue whether these massive tomes I use for reference are available digitally yet…
I love the look of my books on their shelves just waiting for me to reread them and enjoy them again. I love the feel of them. I love the smell of them. I will continue to buy both hardbacks and paperbacks…I will just buy more bookshelves .
Yes, more bookshelves. Hurray for that!
I read paperbacks some hardbacks and ebooks. The benefit of an ereader was apparent from a few years back for me since we lived abroad but could not buy English books very often and it was heavy to haul on trips home. My family gave me an ebookwise and though not light or sleek, I still use it often.
So beneficail for those living abroad! Tracking down new releases in a non-English speaking country can be difficult and expensive.
My first choice is paper books. Love the feel of a book in my hands as I read. But I do have a Sony ereader that I read ebooks on. When I am traveling, I like how I can take my ereader with me and have lots of books to read.
Hi Crystal,
I can see why people who travel a lot would quickly adapt this technology. No more schlepping all those books in the carry on bag.
I love my nook. It was last Christmas’s present. I love the ease of getting a book instantly that I want. But, I also keep paperbacks for while eating and for trips. I am just so afraid of losing the nook or someone stealing it. Can’t wait to get your new book, Laura.
Thanks so much, Jill! Hmm… hadn’t thought about the “while eating” thing. I wonder what would happen if one were to get one’s Cheeto dust on one’s e-reader?
I love that someone asked you to sign their Kindle!
I buy on my Kindle and read the book on there or off my Kindle iPhone app. So handy. My book is always with me. Love it.
I’ll still buy a conventional paperback or hard cover for authors I collect but I enjoy the convenience, easy page turning, and font growing features of e-reading.
Hi Rochelle,
I know lots of people love the font feature.
Laura, I’m still reading paper, but I have no objections to e-readers. I just haven’t taken the plunge yet. My sister just got a Kindle and loves it. I suspect I’ll end up being a switch-reader
Me, too! I think this may be the season that I cave. I suspect a device under the tree this year… we will see.
I prefer paperbacks, but also read on my laptop and Kindle.
Hi Estella,
Another hybrid reader. This seems to be a theme today. Good thing we don’t have to choose.
I really only read paperbacks and hardbacks. I dont have an ereader and after working on a computer all day I dont want to sit at a desk at home and read on one either. Should I ever get a ereader that might change a little but I dont think I can ever convert all the way over as I do love the feel of holding a book and turning the pages.
Hi Donna,
I know the feeling! Sometimes I get bleary-eyed looking at a screen all day.
I usually read paperbacks. Occasionally I read ebooks on my desktop computer. I love the idea of the space saved with ebooks.
Hi Chey,
Space saving is quite a plus! I could free up an entire closet if I would get rid of the books… and yet I can’t bring myself to do it. Maybe one day I will get brutally selective and trim down the collection.
I just started reading books on my Kindle, my son bought it for me and I love it.
My Nook Color is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I had an eBookwise for years — LOVE IT! But it’s becoming harder to find content after the explosion of all the other readers with their dedicated stores.
I chose the Nook Color for one reason: it’s back lit. After years with my eBookwise, I’m Totally Addicted to reading in bed. In the dark. No blowing out my retinas if I want to read at 2 AM to get back to sleep.
All the other features are way down on the list.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I’m tempted to try an electronic reader but I really do enjoy holding the book and turning the pages. The most tempting time is when I’m trying to eat and read.lol.
I prefer paper books & hard books… Its hard for me to get use to new technology changes. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
I prefer my books in paperback but I do read ebooks. I read PDF on my computer, Kindle for PC and Borders for desktop. I do plan on getting a Kindle soon but I will still buy a lot of books in paper and hardback.
I am mostly eBook now. I will read the occasional hardcopy book, but the times when I’d want to do that are very few and far between.
I have a few paperbacks on my “To Be Read” list, but other than that I find a goodly amount of books to be total space hogs.
BJ
I think I may prefer paper books, but I could be swayed. I have an over abudance on my bookshelf and it is starting to piss my husband off. LOL, my overfill is sitting in a box at the end of our bed and he trips on it every morning. I love having my books sitting on my bookshelf, but I can’t make an opinion about a reader because I have never tried one. Who knows, there may be one for me in the future if my husband has his way. A girls gotta have her hobby, I leave him alone to rebuild a car every year, he can leave my books alone LOL
I’m enjoying my Kobo but for travel purposes. I love choosing a book off the shelves, reading the blurbs,holding a book in my hands and putting it on my keep shelf.
I had so many books that I ran out of room. I got my kindle and love it. Now the only books that I buy in print are those series that i collect. The ones that I read over and over again. Even though I enjoy reading in any format, there is just something about holding a real book in your hands; the feel of the paper, the smell of the print; you just don’t get that with an ereader. Although the thousand or more books I have on my kindle, sure take up a lot less room than if I had them all in print. I do believe that I would be divorced by now if that were the case. Hubby is tolerant, but only to a point.
I’m late to your blog! So sorry. I love the feel of a book in my hand, but, i’m going to buy a kindle by the end of the year. i’m really looking forward to it too!