Reviews

‘Christine Poulson’s wonderful sense of place brings Cambridge to life. Cassie overcomes the problems facing her with wit and guile aplenty and ensures the reader’s empathy from first word to last . . . an enthralling and engaging read that underlines Christine’s burgeoning reputation as a crime novelist to watch.’ [Stage Fright]

- SHOTS MAGAZINE

Death of a Kindle!

Posted on Feb 10, 2018 in e-books, Shaun Bythell, The Diary of a Book-Seller | 22 Comments

One of the books on my Christmas list was Shaun Bythell’s The Diary of a Book-Seller – and what a great read it turned out to be. The frustrations of the book-seller’s life are many and they include customers who browse and then buy the book from Amazon online. At one point he shoots a broken Kindle, mounts it in the style of a deer’s head, and hangs it on a wall in the bookshop with the inscription ‘Amazon Kindle Shot by Shaun Bythell, 24 August 2014, near Newton Stewart.’

I am not tempted to shoot my own Kindle, but this has got me thinking about little I use it. There was a honeymoon period when I first got it five years ago, when I used it a lot. I do still take it on holiday with me, and sometimes to read on the train to London, but at home weeks can go by without my opening it. At one time I used to read it in bed when I couldn’t sleep, but now I listened to an audiobook instead. I’ve realised that the light from the screen keeps me awake, and so I don’t read it last thing either. And it seems unwise to read it in the bath . . .

In all sorts of ways I am happier with a print version of a book, especially if is a book that I want to re-read. I like to be able to flip back and forward. I like the book as an object, the cover, the look of the type on the page. If it’s not a book I’ll want to read again, I still like a print version that I can take to a charity shop so that someone can buy it and perhaps be introduced to a new writer and go on to buy their other books.

It seems I am not alone. There was a lot of publicity last year about a drop in e-book sales and a resurgence of the printed book. So, how about you? E-book or (as I think of it) real book?

22 Comments

  1. Kate
    February 10, 2018

    Real books all the way! Not got a Kindle. I can see the uses of them, but like you I like my books as objects in and of themselves. Loving vintage crime fiction as I do, this is even more the case, as often the copies are second hand and have an interesting history of their own.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 10, 2018

      Yes, second-hand copies are often objects of desire, too. I love the Dell Map paperbacks with their lurid covers in the latest box that you sent me!

      Reply
  2. Margot Kinberg
    February 10, 2018

    There is nothing like the feeling of a paper book, Christine. So, I can see how you would find yourself not using your Kindle much. For me, I find it extremely convenient when I I’m not at home. There are also a lot of books that I can’t get in paper form. So I wouldn’t be without my Kindle. Still, I love actual paper books.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 10, 2018

      Yes, as you say, Margot, there are books that are available only as e-books, especially some GA crime fiction. So, yes, the e-reader is handy, but for me only as an supplement rather than a substitute.

      Reply
  3. Patricia Conn
    February 10, 2018

    I really enjoy your blog – especially since you don’t write unless you have something to say. I tto, prefer real books however, I have to note that II have two friends who are avaricious readers who have macular degeneration and could not read if it were not for the e-reader. There is a real need for these devices beyond storing up for a vacation.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 10, 2018

      Thank you, Patricia. This is reassuring as I am aware that I am only an intermittent blogger. Yes, e-readers are a boon for those whose eyesight prevents them from reading print of the usual size and it’s good to know they are available.

      Reply
  4. Kate Charles
    February 10, 2018

    Of course I love books – I’m a writer. But it’s not a contest, and you don’t have to take sides or choose either/or. I also love my Kindle, especially for travelling. And I love reading in the bath, so for me it was a no-brainer when they came out with the new waterproof Kindle Oasis. It’s brilliant.
    And something that a lot of people don’t realise: writers’ contracts usually stipulate higher royalties for ebooks than print books, due to reduced production/distribution/warehousing costs. So ebooks are good news for writers.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 11, 2018

      They do a waterproof Kindle? Wow! I didn’t know. That’s very tempting. Yes, of course you are right about not having to take sides. I am sure I sell more copies of my books now than I did before ebooks. And also one’s back-list can go on being available forever (and generating sales).
      It’s very nice to hear from you. See you at the CWA conference, I hope.

      Reply
  5. Lyn
    February 10, 2018

    I read both e & real books although I’ve noticed a tendency to read more real books lately. I read a lot of 19th century fiction which is often out of print but available as a free eBook which is handy. Also, if I’m reading a hardback I often have an eBook on the go as well so I can take the Kindle on my lunchtime walk & cafe stop. I think eBook sales have dropped because publishers have pushed up the prices. Initially they were cheap as publishers tried to encourage people to take them up. Now the e price can be only slightly cheaper than the paper (for new releases) which is annoying. Also, there was only ever going to be a finite audience for eBooks. people who love technology, need the convenience of enlarging the font or the light weight of the Kindle compared to a book, can afford a device to read them on & have access to wifi etc. Physical books have become more beautiful in design as a response to eBooks & I think that’s a lovely thing so I’m all for the competition!

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 11, 2018

      I agree about ebook prices, Lyn. With Cold, Cold Heart there was hardly any difference in pricing between the ebook and the paperback when it first went up on Amazon. I raised that with my editor and the marketing department dropped the price and now it seems about right. Yes, it is great to have some choice.

      Reply
  6. diana
    February 11, 2018

    I do not live in a country where the books I want are readily available on a shelf. I would need to make a special order, cough up the scary postage charges so for me and people like me the kindle is nothing short of a godsend. I cannot even begin to count the books I would not have been able to read were it not for being able to buy ebooks! Oh and the joy of those inexpensive ebook reprints of long forgotten books! And the free out of license books! Yes, i would love hardcopy books but I would rather be able to read the book than not at all.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 11, 2018

      Yes, that must be wonderful and I too have relished ebook reprints. I have read all Helen McCloy’s Basil Willing mysteries that way.

      Reply
  7. Antony M Brown
    February 11, 2018

    As a writer, as well as a reader, I’m always interested in hearing people’s views on this. My view is that the Kindle is generally better for non-fiction books, especially if you are researching – you can highlight, make and export notes etc. But a physical book is usually better for the overall reading experience. It is not just the look and smell of a new book, but also the touch – a tactile experience that makes it more intimate. More real.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 11, 2018

      Thank you, Anthony. Yes, for me a new book is a treat in a way that an ebook isn’t. And then there is the frisson of taking a book off the shelf and seeing an inscription from a friend perhaps long forgotten. And the memories of where you read the book… Physical books have a life and a history of their own.

      Reply
  8. tracybham
    February 12, 2018

    I like that an author’s back-list can not be more easily available, and I know that the Kindle is often the better choice for many people, especially those like me who need larger print and better lighting. BUT I don’t really enjoy reading on the Kindle. And I have the problem with the reading before bed thing messing up my sleep.

    I am trying to figure out what types of reading I can do easily and happily on the Kindle. I am reading Les Miserable a chapter a day and the Kindle is perfect for that. I have several short story books to try. But unless a book is really a lot less on Kindle, I am going to go paper. And the beauty of a well-designed dust jacket or paperback cover will really pull me in.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 12, 2018

      Thanks, Tracy. This is very much how I feel too. It took me a while to realise that when I read my Kindle last thing it was harder to get to sleep. But it is a useful supplement to print books and yes, great that backlists are available!

      Reply
  9. Susan D
    February 13, 2018

    I recently was given a leftover Kindle Fire at the end of a conference, and decided, hey why not? Well, it’s sort of useful, but not very friendly. I can easily read bona fide Kindle books with it, and, with great difficulty, other books that are supposedly (but not) Kindle friendly. Especially not Overdrive books from the library.

    It is handy for travelling on public transit, waiting in line, or odd moments when it’s the only bookish thing around.

    All other reading involves paper and binding. Lots of it.

    Thanks for asking.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 13, 2018

      Thanks! Good to hear from you. Yes, that’s mostly when I use mine. The word ‘friendly’ is apt, because print books do become old friends in a way that e-books can’t.

      Reply
  10. moira @ClothesInBooks
    February 15, 2018

    This turned out to be a hot topic didn’t it?! Fascinating to read all those comments.
    I love my Kindle – last year I lost it, and I was miserable without it, I had to buy another one straightaway – but then Kindle were just about to launch a new product so I had to wait, and I found it very difficult. (I also assumed I would find the old one the moment I had committed to the new, but that didn’t happen – no idea what happened to it). Anyway – I love the notes and highlights facility, and the way I can cut and past an excerpt for my blog posts. And I really want to reduce the number of books in the house: the kindle ones take up so little room 😉 But most of all – I love not having to worry when I’m travelling or holidaying about how many books I have with me! No more choosing and agonizing and no more fear of running out…

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      February 17, 2018

      I can see all this, Moira, and I am glad to have mine for travelling, but still, it is a backup for me, not the main event. Do you ever succumb to the lure of a lovely crisp new paperback with an attractive cover, or have you gone over to the other side completely?

      Reply

Leave a Reply