E-Readers and Romance
One of the fastest ways for me to forget my problems and get in a better mood is to immerse myself in a good book. I read an article this morning about how publishers are struggling to keep the "romance" in books while moving them into the digital realm. They know the appeal of a good book is sometimes more than just the words of the story.
The publishing world is really hoping that we'll want to curl up and read a good book on our iPads or Kindles in the same way we would with a paper book. The devices are cool-looking and fun to play with and nice to hold.
But I'm not, as they would put it, feeling the romance. I would like to be. I have lots of reasons to want to feel it. I'm all for using less paper and saving trees. And I'm a video blogger and writer who has the web to thank for pretty much my entire career. I love the web. I love technology. And I love that there's a certain kind of storytelling that emerged in the past several years that thrives on interactivity. However there are also times I feel myself rebelling against all the connection. Strange, but romance often requires being less connected.
When I read a good book, I feel like I see the story, and if it's really good, the story sees me back. And we are alone, together, looking at eachother. And that is the romance.
I suppose it would also make my e-reader experience more "romantic" if they could make a device that wouldn't short out if I spilled coffee on him. Any other ideas on how can we make these electronic books feel more like the paper ones?
-Brigitte
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Marie M.C. Thursday, April 15, 2010
I love technology. I love books, magazines and newspapers printed on paper, too. They're different species of the same cat. A hundred years from now someone will pick up a book or magazine and marvel at "the technology". Someone will say: "Look, they could easily pick one up and pass it around. It's printed on good paper and doesn't require electricity or batteries. What a great idea."
When I read a good book (or see a great movie) I "fall into the frame". I'm transported to another time and place. The world outside dims and disappears. That's the wonder and mystery of a great book. The form is irrelevant. Kindle or old-technology book, iPad or magazine -- It doesn't matter.
I didn't have a TV in my home until I was 24 years old. Yeah, that's right. I never felt deprived. We had radio (where the pictures were, actually, much better). Tons of books and magazines. I felt privileged.
Now, if someone tried to take away my PC I'd attack them kicking and screaming, sobbing and crying. The opportunities open for investigation, research and connection the World Wide Web presents is miraculous. You all grew up with it and take it for granted. I don't. I marvel every day at the wonder of it.
I want both.
p.s. Forgive me for expounding on a subject already drummed to death. I just needed to get it off my chest.
romeo Thursday, April 15, 2010
reading has to be a fond intimate occasion or a private event and not an escape.
people may understand the words but not it's meaning.
awareness is perhaps the only true revolution of our time.
i love the mystery of drama. :)
with it's cruel precise and enigmaticly brutal deceptive tactics.
may be it's a permanent condition.
perhaps even a mild sadomasochistic inclination.
a holographic projection of pages helps.
Joe436 Friday, April 16, 2010
Maybe they could make a cover for the kindle/ipad/what ever comes next, out of the same material a book cover is made of now.
Another idea might be to have music playing while you are reading. Something chosen by the author, different music depending on the chapter or page you are on. A soundtrack for your book. Nothing that will distract you from what you are reading, but rather pull you in deeper to the story. Whether an author would agree to this or not, would depend on the author.
Blargal Friday, April 16, 2010
Hello,Brigitte.
There will always be a need for the tactile. Hnadling the cover,and pages, makes the reading experience more real and fulfilling.It may be a few generations, before electronic readers become the norm,and hard and soft bound books become our generation's clay tablets.