E-books for people without ereaders?

[ling]

There’s been a lot of talk about Barry Eisler’s decision to self-publish his books. I’m not going to debate whether that’s a good idea or not. I don’t have enough data or knowledge to say one way or another. I have an iPad, so I can get my hands on a copy of his new books one way or another.

Chris’s dad, however, is a fan of Eisler’s and he doesn’t have an ereader. All he’s got is a generic flip phone. He’s been a fan of Eisler’s since we bought him that first paperback lo those many years ago. Every time a new book comes around, we buy him the new book either for his birthday or father’s day. Now I’m not so sure how we’re going to get him the new book. There won’t be a paper copy, which means that my father-in-law won’t be able to read the latest book.

I’m not sure there’s a good solution to this besides buying him an ereader, but would it be worth it? Would he really read from it? And is buying a device cost prohibitive? It seems expensive to buy a kindle at $139 so he can read one novel. The likelihood is that he’ll poopoo it all and stick to novelists who have paper copies of their works. He likes the feel of books. I can’t say that I blame him.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Crossposted to Samantha Ling, Dreamwidth and Livejournal

Comments

[thedorkygirl]

just an fyi, but there are several older women (50-70) at my work who got e-readers and love them. my 80-year-old great-aunt got one last year and is addicted! Is an older adult man the same? I don't know. I know that I was shocked to discover my grandfather knew how to use a computer - work had trained him.

The favorite seems to be the kindle for ease and how similar it is to reading off a piece of paper.