Way Back Wednesday: Are You Team E or Team T?

I had so much fun going through the archives last week, I thought I'd try it again, so I'm sharing another vintage post this week. 

Are you Team E or Team T?

When e-books first emerged onto the scene, many predicted they wouldn't last. No technology, no matter how wonderful, could replace the feel and smell of a beautiful, brand new book. E-books (E) might be a nice diversion, but they'd never overtake traditional (T) books.

To be honest, I was one of the skeptics, and, when it comes to certain books, I still am. I used to have rules -- non-fiction (e-book) vs. fiction (traditional book), books I'll end up donating (E) vs. books I want to keep (T), books I want to take to the beach or with me when I travel (E) vs. books that will stay home. I might dabble in e-books, but my heart belonged with Team T.

Pixabay

Over time, the rules got blurry. Non-fiction books I wanted to use for teaching needed to have paper pages I could highlight and write on, as well as page through in class. Novels were sometimes more fun if I could hold them in my hand; curling up with a book was just more fun than curling up with a Kindle. But, on more than one occasion, price won out over format or impatience swayed my decision. Having the book I wanted to read in my hands right away meant siding with Team E over Team T.

Pixabay

As an author, I feel strongly about making my books available in both formats because readers face many of the same dilemmas I do. Should I get a paperback I can get signed? Buy the e-book because it's 99¢ this week? Do I have a place to store something that will take up more space than a simple computer file?

In the end, as both author and reader, I've decided to go with a sentiment I've felt all along: the more books I have, the better.

And any format that makes that possible is fine with me.

Win a Book!

Last year, after Christmas, I wrote my Holiday Superlatives. Today, I'm going to have my characters answer some of the same questions, along with a few more I've dreamed up.

Despite the December weather, Angel, Marita, Charli and Bets have agreed to join me on the porch swing (in the cold!) and answer the questions. Can you tell who said what? The first three people to correctly attribute 8 or more answers will win a Kindle copy of Chasing a Second Chance.

To enter, email your answers to me at jerseywriter@yahoo.com. That way, no one else can peek at your brilliant responses :-)

Win me!!

Best Christmas advice: Enjoy every moment. It goes by too fast.

Best Christmas attitude: I will not let other people steal my joy.

Favorite Christmas song:  Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

Best Christmas present: My daughter.

Favorite Christmas tradition: Decorating the tree.

Christmas songs I'll miss: Santa Baby

Christmas song I wish I'd heard but haven't yet: Breath of Heaven.

Christmas task I always put off till the last minute: Shopping!

All I want for Christmas is... for everyone to get along.

Best gift of the season: Time.

What do you think? Who said what? Send me an email with your answers so I can send you a Christmas present!

Team E or Team T?

Pixabay

Are you Team E or Team T?

When e-books first emerged onto the scene, many predicted they wouldn't last. No technology, no matter how wonderful, could replace the feel and smell of a beautiful, brand new book. E-books (E) might be a nice diversion, but they'd never overtake traditional (T) books.

To be honest, I was one of the skeptics, and, when it comes to certain books, I still am. I used to have rules -- non-fiction (e-book) vs. fiction (traditional book), books I'll end up donating (E) vs. books I want to keep (T), books I want to take to the beach or with me when I travel (E) vs. books that will stay home. I might dabble in e-books, but my heart belonged with Team T.

Pixabay

Over time, the rules got blurry. Non-fiction books I wanted to use for teaching needed to have paper pages I could highlight and write on, as well as page through in class. Novels were sometimes more fun if I could hold them in my hand; curling up with a book was just more fun than curling up with a Kindle. But, on more than one occasion, price won out over format or impatience swayed my decision. Having the book I wanted to read in my hands right away meant siding with Team E over Team T.

As an author, I feel strongly about making my books available in both formats because readers face many of the same dilemmas I do. Should I get a paperback I can get signed? Buy the e-book because it's 99¢ this week? Do I have a place to store something that will take up more space than a simple computer file?

In the end, as both author and reader, I've decided to go with a sentiment I've felt all along: the more books I have, the better.

And any format that makes that possible is fine with me.

Sale Today, Event Tomorrow, Giveaway Tuesday!

I thought that the second day of the second month provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate my second novel, Chasing a Second Chance. Stop by on Tuesday to find out how you can win a copy for your Kindle. Or, if you live in the York area and prefer a paperback, stop in and see me at the Village Library in Jacobus tomorrow, February 1. I'll be there from 3 - 5 pm.

Meanwhile, the Kindle version of Casting the First Stone is 99¢ through tomorrow, and Chasing a Second Chance goes on sale Tuesday, so that even if you don't win a copy, you can join the celebration.

Don't waste a second.

Friday Freebie: What I'm Reading Now in Ten Minutes or Less: The Aroma of a Good Book

Tokyo Milk Paper & Cotton 17 Perfume

As I prepare for my beach vacation, I face the recurring question: paperback or Kindle? I know I'll toss at least one paperback into my beach bag (along with the library book I checked out yesterday), but I also know the lightweight convenience of a Kindle can't be beat when I'm lugging a week's worth of necessities to the car -- or the beach.

R. Nichols Read Candle

Since I'll have the smell of sand, surf and salt air for atmosphere, I won't miss my new book smell on the beach. But would it perhaps be worthwhile to pack one of these for my reading back at the condo?

Kindle Love

My sister vows that I'm contributing to the demise of the printed word. My husband fears that instant access to seemingly endless titles will drive my amazon bill to new heights. They may both be right to a certain extent, but still, I love my Kindle.

A birthday gift from the very man who scrutinizes our credit card bills, my Kindle is absolutely my new favorite toy. Truth be told, I was a little unsure of whether or not it would be worth the price tag. It took merely days for it to earn its keep.

I love the instant gratification - er - access. I heard about a book on NPR today, looked it up on my Kindle tonight, and I already have a sample of the book awaiting me, at my beck and call.

I love being able to read the newspaper in a confined space, without getting my hands and clothes dirty.

I love being able to carry around a pile of books in a compact, lightweight, lime-green encased rectangle. Perhaps best of all, I can feed my insatiable book appetite and flip from title to title without having to worry about where I will shelve all the books when I am finished with them.

True, my Kindle doesn't have the feel of a book, though with the cover, it comes close. It doesn't have the heft, either, which is both gratifying and a little sad. As an author, I'd readily agree to make my book available this way, but I'd also feel a little cheated if it wasn't also available in traditional book form.

Much as I love my new toy, however, I still can't imagine abandoning traditional books completely, although I must admit to being more selective about which ones I'll purchase in that form, for reasons of both space and price. I have no intention of ceasing my weekly trips to the library either, believing firmly as both a reader and a writer that there is a place for all kinds of books - hardcover, paperback, electronic, audio - and that my Kindle love is simply proof of that belief.

So, if you'll excuse me, I have a newspaper, several book samples, novels and non-fiction electronic texts clamoring for my attention. Having all of those optionsl literally a touch away may be the best part of all.