In which Anna speaks up for all types of books

[annathepiper]

I feel the need to make a clarification on my previous post, which is intended to be more about my general bemusement about not getting the “old book smell” thing rather than a statement about print vs. digital in general. And yet, I’ve already started getting comments from various folks about “I prefer print because…” or “I prefer digital because…” Not just “I prefer”, either. I’m getting words like “aversion” thrown around, too.

Because yes, this is a contentious topic. And trust me when I tell you, folks, that I’ve heard all the various arguments for people’s preferred reasons for reading in whatever format they prefer. Many of them I do indeed adhere to myself.

I like print because…

• You don’t have to recharge a print book
• You don’t have to go to the trouble of cracking the DRM
• You can more safely read it in the bath (though I note I’ve actually dropped more print books than ereaders into the bath water)
• You can read it when the power goes out
• A well-designed book IS a thing of beauty and a joy forever
• If I ever lose my ereader, I still have the backup print copies of books by my most admired authors (the people I buy in both formats)

And I like digital because…

• It’s way easier for me to carry my ereader on a commute
• I have lots more books at my disposal on the commute
• I can immediately start a new book if I finish one partway through my lunch break or bus ride
• Ebooks take up no shelf space and the number of them I own is limited only by the space on the device
• There are some books I can in fact only get digitally, like all my fellow Carina authors’ books
• It’s way easier for me to buy Quebec SF/F in digital form than it is to order the books from Quebec
• I own so many print books already that I’m chronically out of shelf space, so I pretty much HAVE to buy digital right now

Notice here though how I say “I like…”, not “I prefer…” Because yes, I do like both formats. Both have their good points. Both have their bad points.

And I’d like to ask all of you out there, no matter which type of book you prefer, to be aware of how you present your preferences. I think I speak for digitally published authors everywhere when I say, for example, that it’s hurtful to hear someone say to you, “Well gosh, I’d love to read your book, but I only read real books.” As if that story you labored over for several years to get written, edited, accepted by a publisher, and then edited some more until it was fit to ship is somehow less worthy, less real, than books manifested in paper and ink.

I’m here to tell you, people, to the people that wrote those ebooks and to the people that enjoy reading them, those stories are every bit as real.

Likewise, digital advocates, be mindful of how you present yourselves too. It’s equally hurtful for people who love their books in physical form to hear “you’re behind the times” or “you’re stuck in the past” or “you’re being hurtful to the environment because your books are using paper” or whatever.

Those of you who know me well may recognize the similarity of this argument to ones I’ve put forth advocating against computer or phone evangelism, too. It’s the same principle, really.

Because what it boils down to is, people like what people like. You don’t have to explain it. You don’t have to defend it. Just remember, the feelings of the people who love print are every bit as real and valid as the feelings of the people who love digital, and vice versa.

And as I pointed out in the previous post, books themselves are powerful creators of emotion throughout our culture. Justifiably so.

On that, I think we can all agree!

Mirrored from angelahighland.com.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Totally agree-- totally love both. And I have had the same thoughts about ereaders and the bath!

[annathepiper]

I am fortunate in that my particular bathroom is large and well ventilated, and there's plenty of room around my tub to carefully place a device. I also make a point of keeping a towel within immediate reach, though, just in case!

[beaq.livejournal.com]

<3

As far as "book people" being belligerent, I know that I personally feel threatened with the (currently distant) possibility of losing ready cheap access to print, including the legal ownership of my copy of a book. That can make me react with a little bit of hostility when ebooks are presented as equivalent products.

I'm perfectly happy with books that are electronic-only. I dunno, it's just what they always were meant to be?

[annathepiper]

Not having legal ownership of an ebook is hands down the biggest beef I have against DRM, and it's why I make a point of supporting publishers who sell no DRM on their titles. My own, for example. Also Tor and Angry Robot. But also small presses and self-pubbing authors who put out stuff I want to read.

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

Definitely agree with these! I don't have an e-reader, but I follow news about them because I want to understand the legal ramifications (which seem to be changing quickly).

[annathepiper]

*nodnod*

I have all sorts of horses in this race--not only because I'm a digitally published author but also because I'm a reader AND a tech geek, so I'm interested in this from all sorts of angles!

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

A question about e-books did occur to me - are cats more or less prone to sleep on, chew or play with e-books than printed books?

[annathepiper]

Assuming you're actually meaning reading devices and not the ebooks on them, then I've certainly seen my cats cheerfully lie on my ereaders or my iPad if the devices somewhere they want to be lying down (like, say, the couch).

Which is why I definitely try to keep them out of kitty proximity. George in particular is documentedly a fan of plastic and he's been known to chew on computer and CPAP cords.

Re:

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

My cats will actively seek out and lay on/paw at something I am currently reading. Jerry also chews plastic as well as paper.

Apparently, reading is a physically interactive activity for cats.

Re:

[annathepiper]

George has been known to try to scent-mark the edges of my laptop screen, though he doesn't actively chew on it. But my e-ink devices are small enough and the covers might be attractive to him that um yeah let's not let the kitty get a hold of those.

Though in general George IS all about just wanting to be in my lap, regardless of whether I'm handling the laptop, a print book, or an ereader. ;)

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

I WISH my cats would sit on my lap. Jasper has to be on my shoulder, and Jerry likes me laying down.

[annathepiper]

Fred is all about the shoulder. Mostly because I think he thinks he can use my shoulder for a jumping off point to get to all the interesting tall places in the house.

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

LOL! Do you need shoulder protectors?

[annathepiper]

Sometimes. ;)