Why you shouldn't buy an e reader

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 4:30 am

I thought this article on yahoo echos what a lot of us have said before. We're so smart

Anyway, I thought it was sound advice. I was shocked that most americans only read 7 books a year. We outrank them for sure. Still, even with all the reading I do, (and I know you guys do more than I) it still isnt' worth it to me to buy the Kindle.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/ar ... love_money

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 4:56 am

Actually, it doesn't say Americans read an average of seven books per year, it says Americans purchase an average of seven books per year. Not quite the same thing.

But I am sure you're right that on this forum we read much more than the average of whatever country we are in!

Amanda · Post by **Amanda** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 8:41 am

Most of us here blow that 7 books bought per year stat right out of the water!

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 11:30 am

I can buy 7 books a week!

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 1:19 pm

But Amazon has given the device a cellular connection and a keyboard so you can access its online bookstore any time, any place, to buy a book. Good for them. Not so good for you. The results are predictable: You may end up making lots of impulse purchases. Don't be surprised if you spend hundreds of dollars on books in your first year.

So this is a bad thing?

I'm getting my Wi-Fi only Kindle today. While I see the article writer's point about mainstream e-books being too expensive, I'm looking forward to buying some independently published books for 2 to 3 bucks that I wouldn't buy if I had to pay the cost of a paperback.

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 1:44 pm

I think one of the big selling points for Nook, Kobo and Sony is that you can check out books from a library if your library offers ebooks. The library near my office is getting Overdrive, so I'm excited about finally having access to library where I can use my Sony for checking out ebooks rather than purchasing them. I think we are going to see more and more libraries offering ebooks in the future.

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 3:10 pm

[quote=""Madeleine""]I can buy 7 books a week![/quote]

Up until this year I was starting to buy quite a few books myself. This year, well, I've tightened the belt a bit.

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 3:19 pm

Excellent points in that article. I love the line about rational markets.

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 3:35 pm

Other reasons not to buy an eReader in the form of "Advantages of the Paperback:"

You don't have to call customer support if you accidentally drop a paperback.

Trying to fix a paperback yourself does not void the warranty.

Paperbacks never need batteries charged.

You will not electrocute yourself dropping your paperback in the bathtub.

Paperbacks can safely be loaned to a friend.

You don't have to go online to buy another paperback.

If stolen, a paperback can be easily (and affordably) replaced.

A paperback can be autographed without impacting its legibility.

Feel free to add your own ideas to this list.

LoobyG · Post by **LoobyG** » Fri August 27th, 2010, 4:47 pm

Too true LoveHistory, you have a good list there

With an e-reader too you lose the fun of reading a book with an embarrassing cover!