Sticking to Paper and Ink

The results of the poll I ran a few weeks ago were definite- the majority of my readers have Print 4 Life tattooed over their hearts. And, I would assume, inked in that curlicue script so beloved of hip hop artists everywhere.

I'll be skipping the tattoo, but I agree with my friends. There will be no ereader for me in the near future. First of all, there's the matter of cost. I just can't justify spending over $100 on a piece of equipment when I'm still paying off student loans, trying to keep my credit card bill reasonable, and tipping a firm 20% on all my drinks.

But it's more than just finances. Since I polled my readers, I have poked at a Kobo while avoiding overeager Chapters employees, and tooled around on somebody's Kindle 2. And I've realized that one thing really bothers me. Most ereaders are about the size of a trade paperback, but the screen is only a part of that. The Kindle 2 felt particularly miserly, maybe equalling half of an average printed page. I can only imagine Kindle users with poor eyesight getting carpal tunnel syndrome of the thumb working their way through Freedom. Just. 6,000. More. Clicks. Of the Next Page. Button.

It's completely irrational, but I'm so used to the average presentation of a page that only seeing half that would feel as if I was getting half of the information. Clearly, there are many people out there who don't share my issues- Kindle downloads outsell paperbacks on Amazon.

And, should anyone find it in their hearts and wallets to gift me an iPad, I'm sure I would change my mind as well. They would have to pry that bit of shininess out of my cramped, desperately tapping, hands.