In case some of you book bloggers have lots of free time on your hands lately, I recently discovered that the NY Times has book reviews SINCE 1981 posted on their website. I wasted far too much time there recently, but you may wish to check out some of the reviews.
In another interesting, but sad, bookish article in the NY Times, each month for the last (3) months Kindle eBooks outsold hardcovers on their website. Don't you find this sad? I do, yet I like having the option of reading an eBook as well from time to time -- maybe we can't always have it both ways.
I don't find that last bit sad. I think more people are reading now more than ever before because of ebooks. Reading has become cool again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that link. I'm sure I will spend some time browsing the reviews tomorrow.
That does make me sad about the ebooks - as long as they dont start outselling paperbacks too because I will say hardbacks can be hard to carry around. I always prefer a paperback personally but I still dont have an ereader!
ReplyDeleteIts going to be ages since kindles will be affordable in my part of the world so I do hope the publishing world still continues!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say thanks for the links to NY times. I will enjoy reading this.
ReplyDeleteI tend to check out NYTimes book reviews as we're approaching Christmas, looking for ideas from your side of the Pond for pressies for people.
ReplyDeleteAs for Kindle, yes, I think it's sad news, too, but I'd rather people we're reading something than not bothering to read at all.
I do like to check out reviews on NY Times online now and then.
ReplyDeleteI do find that a bit sad, yes. :( I think it's great that people are reading and with the high price of hardcovers I can understand the desire to purchase an ebook instead (not to mention it's way easier to lug around) But in general, I just don't like this whole electronic book thing.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by that statistic, but it was for just hardcovers. Wonder what it would be if paperbacks were included. I do think e-readers have gotten more people reading.
ReplyDeleteI find it sad, yes, but I agree with Ti - either way, books are being enjoyed, and that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I have to delete & quickly empty my trash on Friday's when the NYT book reviews email comes to me... simply because I will spend too much time there. It is good to know (maybe) there is a back up plan. Thanks - I think - for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAs a highly tactile person I do find it sad that e-books are outselling paper ones. There is, imho, nothing to compare with the sensation of cracking open a spine to a new book for the first time. Still I do understand e-books popularity (and will probably purchase a kindle eventually). Aso if it helps instill a love a reading to those that might not otherwise be inclined to purchase a real book, then this is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is a mixed bag for me.
PS Thanks for the tip about NYT reviews.
I read that hardcover sales are way down at amazon, but they're up at other places, so that fact is a little skewed. I think you always need to take what amazon says with a grain of salt.
ReplyDeleteI do find that last part a bit sad; however, I do think that actual book publishing will continue for a long time because many people buy books who are not able to (or don't want to) buy an e-reader. As long as that does not change, I think we will still have "real" books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the NY Times links!
That is sad, but I think it will be a cycle like everything else and eventually the hardcover will recover. But then again, I never buy hardcover books...ever! I'm too cheap and usually get them from the library or wait until it comes out in paperback.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the reviews! I will have to check those out.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how to feel about the e-book news. While I do really love print books, I also like e-books. I wouldn't want to have to make a choice between them, and I wouldn't want to only be able to get e-books. I am glad that more people are reading though, and sometimes it's just more affordable to buy an e-book version of a title.
You've really got me thinking now!
I am beginning to think maybe we should ALL be purchasing MORE print books, JUST in case they ever become extinct...LOL
ReplyDeleteWe will all become "book hoarders" if there is a chance of that I am sure.
I think that's how the market is going these days. With all the new e-readers coming out, more and more e-books are becoming available and guess what, more and more people are reading as a result. So i don't think that its necessarily sad. I do however think that everyone should still keep an interest in hardcover books. There are certain experiences that you have with a hardcover book that you simply cannot have with an ebook
ReplyDeleteI am trying really hard not to despair. My sense is it will all shake down at some point. I wonder if people are reading all the ebooks they buy or if there are electronic tbr piles. :<)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link - I'll def. be checking that out!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the NY Times Book Review podcast. I download it to my iPod each weekend and listen to it while I cook dinner! I download it from iTunes but it's probably also available on the NYT site.
ReplyDeleteSue
I wonder when the NY Times Book Review is going to mention book bloggers, and our influence on readers! :)
ReplyDeleteI doesn't surprise me that Kindle is starting to outsell physical books--I think it's only a matter of time. This does make me sad but also hopeful that it means more people are reading?
ReplyDeleteI have a reader, but I rarely use it. I prefer 'real' books!
ReplyDeleteI'm scared to go to the NY Times link! I have way too much time on my hands sometimes, but it's slowly dwindling because I keep clicking on links people post. lol
ReplyDeleteAt $26 for a hardcover book, you'd better believe I'll be ordering and reading them on my iPad Kindle app instead. That's just too much. Usually, though, like Staci, I order them from my library.
It does make me sad about e-readers outselling print books. I am resistant to the ways technology is invading every area of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI don't fine the kindle news particularly sad. I wouldn't want HBs to die, but they sure are costlier. I also find that I would buy a HB only if I really really really want it and they are usually pre-ordered. But when reading on my ereader, I don't buy a book I am really looking forward to. It's usually a book that caught my fancy but not enough to make me want to buy the HB. Could be that others are of the same thinking.. I don't know. I at least hope this means a lot more people are reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that there's a place to find the older reviews. I need to get on the NY Times website a bit more often. I read the paper on my Kindle and rarely venture onto the actual newspaper site.
ReplyDeleteI do find the e-book info sad....but then I have been called a dinosaur because of my concern about the future of books.
ReplyDeleteI must say I love books more
ReplyDeletebut have a kindle which is rather fun.
Anything to get people reading
and good to get the prices of books down.......