I found every genre, and many available formats, including those adapted to iPods, cell phones, and audio books.  So if you want to try ebooks, and haven’t yet, you can pick your preference and within minutes, you’ll be reading.

The following list is just a few of the many on my google search for “ebooks”. Yep its as easy as that.

http://www.ebooks.com/

http://www.fictionwise.com/

http://www.booksonboard.com/?gclid=CP-x-qzLupQCFQVfFQodTDoUTA

http://www.discountebooks4u.com/page/page/5528839.htm

http://www.free-ebooks.net/

http://www.mobipocket.com/en/HomePage/default.asp?Language=EN

http://manybooks.net/

http://e-library.net/

I saw that I could download free reader software to my Palm.  After first putting the ereader for Palm  (ebooks.palm.com) on, and finding that it wasn’t compatible to any of the languages for the books that I already have (most are in PDF), I went to fictionwise and looked around.  I found several free downloads and picked the Mobipocket for Palm.  Both were simple and short downloads, and after purchasing several books that were “multiformat” from fictionwise (neither accept PDF), I down loaded them, then I found one that was Palm’s ereader format and downloaded that one too, and now I have a handheld reader.

Not just a reader but one that I can adjust the colors, font, size, and page set up (n Mobipocket, the Palm reader doesn’t have the same flexibility but is still very readable).  There are also  toolbars that I can put nine icons on (in Mobipocket, the Palm reader icons are set), one of the ones I chose was the batter life indicator.  My only minor complaint is (and it could be caused by the age of my Palm) that I have a hard time moving back to any other of the menu data, an minor problem that I’m sure I’ll overcome.

My next step is to find more books.  I’m working on that problem, check out tomorrow’s post on ebook resources.

     Still, I have to tell you the many reasons I read e-books.  Due to a childhood bout of meningitus, I have lousy vision.  The sight in my right eye is correctible only with hard contacts–which I am only supposed to wear for so many hours a day–usually enough for work.  So e-books are a source of large print books for me.  And it’s a much wider range of large print than I usually see anywhere else. 

    So that’s one reason to read e– or two if you like: vision and choice.  I should add that e-publishers are much more likely to publish books in genres that other publishers may not.  Been looking for a great new time travel romance?  Think e.  Need a book on Ruby computer programming?  Think e-books.

  People who travel might like e-books given the charges that the airlines now have on that extra bag.  Take your palm telephone loaded with books.  You know you were taking that phone anyway so it’s no added weight to you.  And yes, you can read on it.  Take your kid’s PSP for that matter.  There is software on the web to make it an e-reader.  Reading might help his grades more than the movie he wanted to watch during the flight.

     And you know how you like to read in bed, but it drives your spouse nuts?  Many e-readers are back-lit so you can read without disturbing him.  

   E-books don’t take away anything from people who like to read.  They just add options.  I’m a big fan of options.

Do you read paper books or ebooks?  Does it matter?  Of course not.  What matters is that you read and enjoy what you’re reading.  But with the costs of books, shipping and even the ebook readers, every option has to be considered. 

Hardbacks were the backbone of the publishing/reading business since the first printing press.  But today we still have the tried and true hardback, and have added the trade paperback, mass market paperback, and the newest, ebooks (in a variety of formats).  Everyone who reads has a preference.  Me too.

As a published author, I want my readers to have options.  My book is available in ebook and print (trade paperback) as a POD, print on demand is one of the best things that’s happened to small press publishers.  Books are printed as they are ordered, saving storage, and printing.  But the most economical way for a reader to purchase a book, and the publisher to produce it is in ebook format. 

Ebooks can be read on a computer, or reader.  There are no shipping, printing or storage costs making the book about as inexpensive as it can get.  Of course if you want to take it to the beach, you’ll need that reader, and they are not cheap.  So consider the options provided by each producer before you make that leap.  Make sure your new reader will store as many books as you will want, and will have the reading options that you will need.  And don’t forget to check out the bonus offers.  Some producers are offering a selection of free book downloads from a select bookstore.  I’ve put a link in the “sites of interest” on the left sidebar that compares the most popular offerings.

As a reader, I love the feel of that print book in my hands.  It can be paperback or hardback, turning that page and touching the paper page completes my reading experience.  I like reading in bed, and when I fall asleep, the book falling on my face wakes me, my auto alarm.  I would miss that, but I am shopping for a reader.  There are so many good books out there that are only in ebooks, it’s a shame to pass them up.  I also remember the stack of books that I pack for a vacation; wouldn’t it be simpler to have them all in one handheld reader?

And there’s a new generation of e-book readers coming to the USA in 2009.  The flexible reader.  Check out this article that appeared in the New York Times on July 6, 2008.  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/technology/06novelties.html?oref=login

Yep, new and bigger things are a-foot, or is it at-hand?

stack of books

Publishers today are looking for the best writers, the most appealing and/or exciting

amazons ebook reader

 stories, the most realistic and believable characters–AND the in some cases the least expensive methods of producing books for a demanding public.

In this week’s blogs you will read the opinions of the authors of BBAH. What about you?  What types of books do you like to read?  Why? 

So I suggest that you look in the “other” events in your newspaper, check with your local library, and ask at those big book stores to see if they have groups meeting to discuss books.

Our local newspaper has its own reading group that meets in a local books store once a month. And the Barnes and Nobel on line book store has an on line discussion.  I joined one of these once and was very disappointed. The discussion was not a discussion, it was answers to questions that were posted to guide the participants in what they should look for and make comment on. I have several issues with the book, a good book by a well established author, but there were a few things that bothered me. They just weren’t logical. All of the remarks seemed to be how great the book was and how wonderful the author was.

Though the author was toted as being available for comments, I never read any that he made, rather the readers sent him praises and well wishes.

This is the reason I would want a smaller group, and open discussion. I do know that there are several small groups in our area, and perhaps sometime in the future I’ll give them a try.

There are many other on-line bookstores, and some of them also offer membership (in return for a discount), and free shipping with a minimal order.  I suggest that you check around for the best deals, but also look at their catalog to make sure they have the book titles, authors, and type of book that you’ll want (more on types in a later blog).  Some to consider are:

http://www.powells.com/

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?redirect=1

But don’t stop at the bookstores.  The publishers and distributors also make the books available.  If you have a favorite, look them up and see what they have that tweaks your interest.  And the online ebook distributors, like Fictionwise who have free book offers, and deep discounts on ebooks.  Some of the ones I use are: 

http://www.harpercollins.com/

http://www.zumayapublications.com/

http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/

http://www.simonsays.com/content/browse_books.cfm?tab=2

http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/mystery.html

http://www.wings-press.com 

http://www.fictionwise.com/home.html (ebooks sometimes with deep discounts)

 And never forget the library.  They are free, and no shipping necessary.  I love libraries, the smells, the quiet–oh well, in today’s world we tend to sit at the computer rather than a table in the library.

Now think about what you’ll do with all those books that you get real cheap.  I know you’ve read my other posts and know that I read a lot, for reviews and for pleasure.  What do I do with my books?  I mentioned the local library–ours is not funded by any branch of the government and they make their money by selling books at book sales.  I donate my read books to the library, and the hardback books often find their way on the shelves rather than in the sale.  I’ve also donated many books to the troops out of the country through an organization that I belong to.  They send “care” packages to troops, and they include some of the books I gave them.  Don’t forget hospitals, homes (you can even take the books and read to the patients.  Make it a project.)

Well, I doubt that I’ve covered everything.  As you will learn at a later day, I tend not to lean toward ebooks, though my own is out in that format, but I do purchase and receive for review a load of hardback, paper back and trade paper books.

   Rec Arts Books   http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.books/  This is a news group but if you sign in to google you can subscribe to an email version where you can read the posts. 

  FictionL http://fictionl.webrary.org  Ask any question on any book you’ve ever read—this is the group.  They are always helpful and unlike some groups I’ve never seen flame wars.

Bookstorejunkies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  Got a book on your TBR list you absolutely can not find anywhere?  Put a post up on this group and members will look for your book as they go shopping at used book stores. 

Http://www.Myshelf.com  This website has it all.  If you just are dying to read Junior a halloween themed book, Myshelf has a list.  If you want to read a mystery book, Myshelf has a list.  Need to know if your fav author has a new one out?  Myshelf has great reviews.

Http://www.Goodreads.com  This site lets you set up bookshelves of what you’re reading, what you’ve read, what you’re going to read and rate the books.  It’s easy to find friends whose reading  tastes are similar to yours and check their book reviews to see if you want to add something to your TBR list. 

Got another wonderful site where you find great reads?  Let us know!