Comments about ‘You can't curl up with a good wireless device’

Like so many before her, the author creates a false choice between a Kindle and physical books. As one who enjoys both, I would not give up either. I have to say, however, that e-books are becoming a larger and larger part of my collection over time. It is nice having 100 books at my disposal when I travel compared to the 5 or 6 I used to bring with me.

Ricardo has missed the point. The point is that so-called ebooks are simply a bait and switch tecnique designed to take people away from reading and get them hooked on internet activities so that they eventually abandon reading books and spend all their time playing video games and using Facebook.

When the giant solar flare, or the weapons of the alien invaders, or the clever virus wipes out all electronic data on the planet and civilization collapses, it will be those bibliophiles who hoarded books hard and soft who will save us. I-PAD = Invaded Peoples Are Doomed. Kindle is short for Konquerors Swindle. (Aliens can't spell).

When the giant solar flare, or the weapons of the alien invaders, or the clever virus wipes out all electronic data on the planet and civilization collapses, it will be those bibliophiles who hoarded books hard and soft who will save us. I-PAD = Invaded Peoples Are Doomed. Kindle is short for Konquerors Swindle. (Aliens can't spell).

I don't have an e reader and don't plan on getting one any time soon. I will, however, say this. The same could have been written five years ago about the iPod. People have the same fond memories of buying a record, cassette, and CD, and viewed them the same way. In the end, for most people, the format isn't the most important thing, it's the content that we enjoy.

I will never quit buying a good, old-fashioned paper book.

Kindle can't do those things, but the iPAD can. The iPAD displays each page exactly as it appears in a paper book, including illustrations. You can even turn pages in the same way that you would with a paper book. Just a flick of a finger.

Of course it's personal preference if you want to cuddle with a paper book or an electronic book. If you're having a love affair with paper book, then by all means stick with them. If you're having a love affair with electronic gadgets, then stick with the iPAD. In either case, the content is the same in meaning and in appearance. If you're having a love affair with your library and enjoy seeing all those dusty books on your selves, then stick with paper books. If you're limited for space and don't miss the dusty book racks, then stick with the iPAD.

And, if you iPAD lovers get nostalgic once in a while for a paper book, go to your library and walk around the shelves, or keep some paper books at home for your R&R from the iPAD.

Re: John Charity Spring

As usual, you speak with a single minded determination to miss the point and advance your own agenda, all while showing your own ignorance. The Kindle is hardly the platform if you're looking to enjoy internet activities. Yes, you can browse the web on it, but it is painful, and slow. You can't play games.

That being said, I absolutely love my Kindle. I thought at first that I would miss the tactile sensations of reading a print book, but I find myself now groaning at the thought of having to read a print book instead of reading my Kindle. I have over 300 books on my Kindle, and if there is nothing there I am in the mood to read I can purchase a new book from the Kindle wherever I am.

As far as the Ipad, I think if you want a multimedia device that you can also use as a reader, it's a great option. A replacement for the Kindle or Nook it is not. Too big, too heavy, and the LCD screen, while great for games and videos, is hard on the eyes after reading for hours.

My husband is now reading books on his iPod. That's great for him and I encourage it, but you will pry my print books out of my cold dead fingers. I travel with a stack of books that I picked up at the used book store and leave them at hotels for other travels to read.

I won't buy a Kindle until I can "check out" books like I can at a library. I'm not going to pay $15 to download a book I'm going to read once.

Whatever about the Kindle. The other night I had to watch the first 30 minutes of Glee three times because neither of my kids were around to show me how to pause the On Demand thingy. I don't know what I'd do if books had buttons?!

Ann, I want you to know that I mostly read your column online, but on the rare occasions I actually get to see it in the "real" newspaper, I enjoy it lots more...Something about the ways it's laid out, or feels, or something.
Funny, huh.

I once complained to an 85 year old woman about computers. I mistakenly thought she would be an advocate of my viewpoint. We were trying to figure out a problem at the family history library...and I was whining. She put one hand on her hip and one finger of her other hand in my face...."computers are here to stay! Get over it, and get to learnin' em!!" She stormed off leaving me there alone with that dumb computer. I have tried to learn, and I have tried to like them. We have a detante.. that is the best I can say.