As I go through another round of edits on Post, not only do I wonder when this will come out, but how it will come out. Moreover, I wonder if there will ever be a time when the books we read will be via the Internet. Akin to how we listen to music with MP3s, get news from websites and read about bands via blogs, I wonder if books will be next. I highly doubt it's going to happen in the near future, but consider the question: would you really want to read a novel on your computer?
Books are portable and can be read anywhere at any time. Unlike an MP3 or CD player blaring music, you don't worry if reading a book is bugging someone next to you on a train. (That is, unless you're reading aloud.) Plus, there haven't been any advancements in making a book completely available online and compatible with something like an iPod.
There's something inherent with surfing the Internet: it's hard to stare at something for very long. As much as I appreciate well written articles, blog posts, reviews, etc., I rarely read a multi-paragraph write-up at first glance. So asking me to read a whole book online is a test of extreme patience.
I remember attempting to read Billy Corgan's memoir, The Confessions of Billy Corgan, on his website (currently found here along with other things). Shortly into it, I had to stop. There was nothing wrong with his writing style, but I just didn't have the patience to sit at my computer and read a whole chapter. (I should also add that I was not really that interested to know about the first time he saw his grandmother naked.)
As easy as it would be to throw my current draft of Post up on a website, I think that would be a cheat/retreat in the long run. It would be like serving lasagna after only ten minutes in the oven. Though it may seem like it's been in the works long enough, there are a lot of things at work that say to hold off and wait to publish this in print form.
What do you think? Would you ever consider reading a book on your computer?
Books are portable and can be read anywhere at any time. Unlike an MP3 or CD player blaring music, you don't worry if reading a book is bugging someone next to you on a train. (That is, unless you're reading aloud.) Plus, there haven't been any advancements in making a book completely available online and compatible with something like an iPod.
There's something inherent with surfing the Internet: it's hard to stare at something for very long. As much as I appreciate well written articles, blog posts, reviews, etc., I rarely read a multi-paragraph write-up at first glance. So asking me to read a whole book online is a test of extreme patience.
I remember attempting to read Billy Corgan's memoir, The Confessions of Billy Corgan, on his website (currently found here along with other things). Shortly into it, I had to stop. There was nothing wrong with his writing style, but I just didn't have the patience to sit at my computer and read a whole chapter. (I should also add that I was not really that interested to know about the first time he saw his grandmother naked.)
As easy as it would be to throw my current draft of Post up on a website, I think that would be a cheat/retreat in the long run. It would be like serving lasagna after only ten minutes in the oven. Though it may seem like it's been in the works long enough, there are a lot of things at work that say to hold off and wait to publish this in print form.
What do you think? Would you ever consider reading a book on your computer?
Comments
No I couldn't read a book on a screen, I just can't get into reading things of length on the screen - I always have to print out longer articles.
I also like being able to throw a book into my purse and take it anywear and mark up books with pencil notes. I like holding books in my hand and turning pages. I guess I'm pretty old school too - I wonder if it depends how much of an electronc adapter you are. I'm still quite a "digital immigrant," so I only like electronic do-dads if they improve my experience, and for books it's a non-starter for me.