If you were stranded on a desert island and had to choose just one book to read for the rest of your life (no rescue is imminent), what would you choose?
It was hard, but I managed to whittle it down. I'd have to go with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Cider House Rules by John Irving, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, all of Harry Potter and Anne of Green Gables, the Twilight series, the complete works of Pablo Neruda and Emily Dickinson, and about 150 others.
Yes, I did say one book. Because I've got this.
And it holds about 160 complete books.
What is this thing? It's a Sony Reader Digital Book. It works pretty much the same way as an ipod, just with different media (although it does have an MP3 player built in as well). You just go to the ebook store to purchase books, download them to your library, and upload them to your Reader.
This thing has been a real lifesaver for me. You all know what a huge reader I am, but not having a car makes it difficult to get to the library very often. When I do go to the library I've been finding myself compromising on the quality of books I choose because I'd rather read something I can hold easily for long periods of time, something small and light. So often I'll end up with Nora Roberts instead of Thomas Pynchon. Okay, Thomas Pynchon is over my head, but you know what I mean. Now I can read anything I want without contracting tennis elbow.
I also really like the bookmark feature. People like to give me bookmarks because they know I read a lot, and I like bookmarks. Unfortunately, so do my kids. They have a collection hidden somewhere that looks suspiciously like mine. They pull them right out of my books and I never see them again, and it takes me a good five minutes of flipping around trying to find my place again. I don't mind dog-earing my own books, but not library books. So I tell myself I'll just remember the page number, but it escapes me the moment I snap the book shut. Digital bookmarking saves me a lot of trouble.
But I'd have to say my favorite feature is that it comes with "dummy cards," information cards you can hand out to people that want to know what on earth that thing is you're staring at. I think I'll make some dummy cards to hand out to people that want to ask me stupid pregnancy questions or why I'm so skinny. My brother gave me a t-shirt for Christmas that says "Judge me for my size, do you?" But maybe a card would be even better.
The Reader came with a generous 100 book credit too, so considering I read two or three books a week, I'm set for at least another eight months. At $300 these things aren't cheap, but neither is an ipod, and the 100 book credit pretty much negates the cost.
So while you're sitting there on your desert island with a ragged copy of your favorite book, I'll be plush under a palm tree with my reader, my laptop, and a frosty pina colada. Because my island comes with an all-inclusive resort too. Oh, did I fail to mention that?
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Hmmm...I was eyeing Amazon's Kindle (for when I strike it rich)...I wonder how they compare?
An all-inclusive resort, OF COURSE! That little Sony looks like a nifty accessory; I wonder what will be next coming down the trail?
That is really cool. I've heard of these, but hadn't really investigated it!
I found you through Neil's site. I'm already hooked based on your reading list. You would need the big Ipod too, though, to hold the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and the PBS special of Ann of Green Gables.
The Bluest Eye - unbelievable.
Like any Tom Robbins?
ohhhhhhhh. I want one.
Ya know... I really don't think I'd like these. No rustle of pages, no semi-musty smell, no notes in the margins, n o histlry of hands passed through... I'm very sentimental and old-fashioned about my books. I'd have to lie on that desserted island and just dream of them I guess.
Sorry, I read my last post and I think I might have lost my mind for a moment. I am back.
That is really cool. I wish I had one but I would neglect it too. Do you know if you can load text books? At least if I am not reading them at least they wouldn't take up my whole room.
I've read about the Kindle and I would SOOO love one of these things, although I do have an abnormal desire for actual paper books; They're a bit out of my reach budget wise and I'm not sure they're Euro-patible. Maybe for next year's birthday.
Very cool - I've been eyeballing those Kindle's on Amazon and considering getting one. Do you find that most books that you want are available in that format?
Okay, I am jealous now!
And what is it with kids and bookmarks? Emma has always taken mine, so I just resort to using little scraps of paper.
This is AMA-ZING, congratulations. There goes the whole concept of Desert Island Discs.
I think the book prices are excellent. They range in price from $1.99 to $18 or so. A new printed hardback release usually costs $25-$30. Without the printing costs, you don't just save trees, you save money.
There are four big difference I see between the Reader and the Kindle.
1. The Reader is very simple to operate. The Kindle looks like it has about a million tiny buttons.
2. The Kindle costs about $60 more, but doesn't come with any book credits that I can see.
3. The Kindle has mobile wireless connectivity, I'm assuming that means you'd have to pay for a service of some kind.
4. The Kindle doesn't use your computer as a middleman. The problem with that is that you can only keep a certain number of titles ever. With the Reader, if your device is full, you can transfer some titles back to your Library to make room for new ones. With the Kindle you'd have to delete. That is a major negative IMO.
How long does the battery last? My eyes pretty much suck, so I always have to have the backlight on on my blackberry.
Ree- the battery lasts for a very long time, about 2700 page turns, because it only uses energy when you turn the page. There's no backlight so you'd have to use a booklight with it if you're reading in dim light. The display looks like real paper, not like a typical electronic display, so it's a lot easier on the eyes.
Those look so cool. And I was totally down with digital music..but I just don't like reading stuff on a screen...
Do you ever find you get a headache from staring at the little screen all the time? I don't think my head could handle a computer screen all day and then looking at the little book screen at night. And all of the books I read have HUGE text.
Playful- not at all. The print is actually pretty big, and you can enlarge it quite a bit. And the screen isn't backlit so it's just like looking at a book page. That was a biggie for me because I have problems with eye strain.
ya, the kindle is kinda clunky, but wait till the next gen comes out. all those buttons on it are a full keyboard. it only has so much room on it, but you can still keep your books on the site. next version is supposed to use EVDO for continuous connection, and there is no additional fee for it, (as far as i have been told)
I was gona get a subscription to audible.com, so i could listen to books while i work and drive, but its per month, not per book, so no go. hope for changes soon.
Why is Thomas Pynchon hovering over your head? Can't you get a restraining order for such shenanigans?!
Oh wow! That's the first I've seen of that little bit of technological loveliness!
I want one suddenly. I'm materialisitc and covetous like that.
The first thing I thought of when I saw this was Amazon's Kindle. I am not much of a book reader, though, so I don't know what the differences or similarities of these items are but it's a great idea because more and more the world is transitioning towards being paperless.
What is it with kids and bookmarks?! Mine will rip mine out of my book, right in front of my face, with a nasty gleam in their eye, like "hahaha."
Clearly, they are being raised in a barn.
I think these things are great -- takes care of my main problem with reading electronic books, which is that I can't take my computer in the bathroom with me, so I have to pause in my reading -- unexceptable!
The only thing is I worry about the book format compatibility. Can you download like Adobe reader on there and any other ebook formats?
Oh, and wanted to say congratulations on your impending move!
Sweetness!
I'm still waiting for the cerebral input jack so I can download books directly into my brain.
Jane- here is a quote from the FAQ's that might answer your question:
"With the Sony Reader you can take a file from your PC to an SD or Memory Stick™ media card and read on the Sony Reader the following file types:
TXT / RTF / PDF (Unencrypted) / BBeB (Encrypted and Unencrypted) / JPEG / GIF / BMP / PNG / MP3 (Unencrypted) / AAC (Unencrypted)
We recommend using the supplied PC Software to import and transfer files to the Reader, as it will enable faster page turns and re-sizing on the Reader itself. We have also included the ability to import Microsoft Word files to the device. The supplied software will convert the Word document to RTF during the import process as long as the user has Microsoft® Word on the PC (this happens behind the scenes)."
I've thought about getting one (okay, asking for one for Christmas), but I wondered if you are able to change the font type/size. I'm very picky about what fonts I read (I HATE Times New Roman) and would love to read in a more pleasing font. Also, is there anyway to highlight and make notes? Cuz that's vital to the reading process for me.
Ooh, I read the comments that it isn't back lit. That's a huge help...that's why the computer hurts my eye!
Ronnica- You can change the font size, but I don't know about the font itself. I'm not familiar enough with fonts to know which font the books are in either. It looks like Times New Roman to me but I'm not sure.
Sweet.
PS: I made your crockpot meatloaf last night. I substituted honey BBQ sauce for the ketchup and it was REALLY good!
I like the idea of a digital book reader, but I just love the feel of holding a book so much. I think I would miss that and the smell of the paper and ink. And my Anne of Green Gables books are tattered but well-loved. I won't let my daughters touch them. THey'll have to get their own copies.
I have been wanting to purchase this..but was wondering if it was all it was cracked up to be! Thanks for the post!!
i forgot to ask, How is the page turning on that? there have been complaints that the "erasing" of the page before it loads the next one is irritating after a while. the next gen is supposed to solve this, and have "whiter paper"
I want that, but I can't have it. I will just have to dream of having a limitless supply of books...
Jason- I actually read that some people complained of "imprinting" when turning a page, that it can take awhile for the previous page to fade, but I haven't experienced that. The page turns immediately and it looks just like a piece of white paper with ink on it.
Marie showed me this wonderful gadget. I was very impressed. As far as missing holding a book, well it is just like holding a book, a little different because it does not have paper pages but the size and weight are very close. The page turn is good and the print enlargement great. I really think that reading this would be more comfortable than a book because you dont have to hold the pages down, you dont loose your place and you dont have to go to the library to get more books. I go every two or three weeks, get 7 or 8 books at random and that way if I dont like one I just grab another. This Sony thing would be great.
DeDad
I was begging my husband for a Kindle, but I'll have to check in to this one. With 100 book credits, that is something I would really appreciate...
That looks like something I could get into. I love reading, but can't always bring alot of books with me somewhere. That looks like it would solve my problems. Now, if I could just convince my husband...:)
I really love having a book in my hands, but I could probably get into one of those!
And my book....East of Eden without a doubt.
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