Someone gave me a paper book....

[CrystalStarr]

And I turned right around and bought the ebook. I didn't tell her. Actually at first I thought it was one I already owned. I almost bought it not long ago. I just know I wont pick up a paper book. But my friend will ask me about the book. It was a heartfelt gift and I'm appreciative. And I do really want to read it.  But I sort of feel like a heel.

She did tell me to pass it on when I'm done. So I definately will.

[oliewankanobe]

This keeps happening to me.  When I had a Sony Ereader I read ebooks "now and then."  Kindle ruined me.

[sebat]

I have a friend that keeps trying to loan me books.  She doesn't understand why I refuse the offer and then ask for the name of the book.

[NightGoat]

I can't wait for psychology to come up with a name for this. 

[Kathy]

And I turned right around and bought the ebook. I didn't tell her. Actually at first I thought it was one I already owned. I almost bought it not long ago. I just know I wont pick up a paper book. But my friend will ask me about the book. It was a heartfelt gift and I'm appreciative. And I do really want to read it.  But I sort of feel like a heel.

She did tell me to pass it on when I'm done. So I definately will.

I have an elderly neighbor that keeps bringing me books. If they look interesting I buy it and read it so I talk to her about it. She doesn't want it back so I take it to work and put it in our bookcase there so someone can enjoy it. I think she just wants it out of her house and knows I'll take it. 

[patrickt]

I picked up a paperback a few months ago and as soon as I opened it I felt the need to increase the font size one step. Ooops!

[Ann in Arlington]

I have a friend that keeps trying to loan me books.  She doesn't understand why I refuse the offer and then ask for the name of the book.

  Well, you could explain it to her.

[CrystalStarr]

  Well, you could explain it to her.

I LOVE touting the joys of ebooks and Kindles!  Finally got my mom hooked and I'm counting the days until I give her her first Kindle for Christmas.  But this lady... let me try to explain...

1st. I haven't known her long.  But I notice she riles up very easily and takes things to heart or the wrong way very easily.  2nd. She is part of my Bible study... a group I organize via Facebook groups.  SHE REFUSES to get on Facebook for ANY reason!  She thinks computers are "straight from the devil."  3rd.  It drives her nuts that four of us sit with your tablets our ereaders every week instead of a paper Bible.  Plus she's mentioned that our Pastor should put a bin at the door for all electronics and ban them from the sanctuary.  (I laugh at that one, my hubby and I run the technology ministry.  It's our job to set up the Pastors and ministry leaders with laptops/tablets/cellphones etc.  We run a multimedia experience via all kinds of technology for each and every service.  And yet, she thinks it's all from the devil.  Why does she come to our church!)

SO umm... no.  I wasn't going to get into it with her.  She is a totally sweet lady and was totally trying to do all the right things.  It was thoughtful.  Accepting graciously was the only right way to go.

[Ann in Arlington]

Ah!  Then I think it probably is best to just say thank you as sweetly as possible, go ahead and take the loaner, get yourself the ebook, and then give it back when you're done reading.

That said, I've never really gotten people who want to sort of force loaner books on others.   If someone talks about a book and it sounds good, I'm apt to say, "That sounds good. Can I borrow it when you're finished?"  (Though now, of course, I am more likely to say, "Let me see if I can get it for Kindle." )  OTOH, if I'm reading something and someone asks about it and expresses an interest, in the days of paper books I'd say, "would you like to borrow it?" and they could say, "yes, please" or "no, thank you" (or, more often, "I'll let you know" which meant "no, but I don't want to say that." ) and it wouldn't bother me one way or the other.

Then there was the time I heard about a book I thought a friend would like so I was telling her about it -- a kindle-less friend -- and she couldn't decide if it sounded like something she'd want to ask for for Christmas.  So I got on my Kindle, downloaded the sample, and let her read it.  After which she said, "I'll have to remember that; someone can get it for me."  She has no interest in the Kindle, but she is hoping to get the book for Christmas.  And, really, she doesn't read enough for a Kindle -- and still keeps her checking account on paper and pays all bills by check so. . . . .   Oddly, she buys a lot of stuff on ebay. . .go figure!

[sebat]

  Well, you could explain it to her.

I have, many times!  She either doesn't get it or prefers to ignore it.  I've even tried telling her that they just won't fit in the SUV since I only see her between assignments.  

She's actually the only person that has given me a reasonable answer for why she won't own a Kindle.  She's a super fast reader and can read a 400 page book in just a couple of hours.  She claims she chunks more than the Kindle will put on the screen at one time.  

[Ann in Arlington]

I have, many times!  She either doesn't get it or prefers to ignore it.  I've even tried telling her that they just won't fit in the SUV since I only see her between assignments. 

She's actually the only person that has given me a reasonable answer for why she won't own a Kindle.  She's a super fast reader and can read a 400 page book in just a couple of hours.  She claims she chunks more than the Kindle will put on the screen at one time. 

Tell her to get a DX and put it on the smallest font!

Seriously, though, in your case, it sounds like she's just ignoring your preference because, after all, it isn't her preference so it must not be worth thinking about!   So the only thing to do is to say, 'no thanks' or ask the title, mentioning you'll check it out on your Kindle.  And then let her rant if she has to.   Or brag about how fast she reads, or whatever makes her feel better.

(Though I wouldn't buy the argument that one book won't fit in your SUV.   Now if she's trying to give you boxloads that's a different thing! )

[mooshie78]

I'm all for reading a book I got for free personally.  I also generally still prefer the experience of reading a paperbook to an e-book, and I do the vast majority of my leisure reading at home so portability isn't a concern.

I don't generally by paperbooks for leisure reading any more as I seldom re-read and thus hate having to find room for paperbooks I likely won't touch again (or hassle with donating them etc.).  But I still check out paperbooks from the library sometimes and read books people give me etc.

[CrystalStarr]

So I started to read the book she gave me... well at least the Kindle version I bought.  It's a great book!  I took my kindle into the bathroom and propped it up in a stand.  I read while I used the hair curler dryer thingy.  It was great!  I didn't even have to hold the Kindle (or book).  All I had to do was reach down every so often to tap and turn the page.  THIS is why I've stopped reading paper books.  I'm always multitasking while reading.... fixing my  hair, stirring a pot, rocking a baby.  These things are so hard to do while trying to hold open a paper book.  I wouldn't have been able to crack open yet other wise.  I just might be able to have it done by Bible study this coming week. 

[Annie]

So I started to read the book she gave me... well at least the Kindle version I bought.  It's a great book!  I took my kindle into the bathroom and propped it up in a stand.  I read while I used the hair curler dryer thingy.  It was great!  I didn't even have to hold the Kindle (or book).  All I had to do was reach down every so often to tap and turn the page.  THIS is why I've stopped reading paper books.  I'm always multitasking while reading.... fixing my  hair, stirring a pot, rocking a baby.  These things are so hard to do while trying to hold open a paper book.  I wouldn't have been able to crack open yet other wise.  I just might be able to have it done by Bible study this coming week. 

I'm the same way. I multitask, which is why stands are awesome. I love being able to eat while I read, or doing activities that don't require a lot of brainpower.

[sebat]

(Though I wouldn't buy the argument that one book won't fit in your SUV.   Now if she's trying to give you boxloads that's a different thing! )

It's always a box load, Ann! 

Since our entire life is in that SUV and we don't unpack it between assignments, it is packed to the ceiling.  (Think moving van only smaller. ) We just got home from 8 weeks in Vermont.  I had planned to pick of some maple syrup, cheese and smoked sausage from the store before we left until I discovered I'd have to hold it all the way to IL.

[pitbullandfire]

My mom still gives me books and buys me novels...I keep trying to tell her to stop, but she keeps forgetting... 

[R J Askew]

Hmmm, maybe the givers of all these pbooks are all kindle owners who are quietly ridding themselves of there pbook baggage. Because they love books they can't bear to just bin them, recycle them or use them as kindling when the hard weather c-c-closes in and they have a log fire to light ... before which they will sit a-reading their kindle for ever more.

[Kimberly Llewellyn]

She is part of my Bible study... a group I organize via Facebook groups.  SHE REFUSES to get on Facebook for ANY reason!  She thinks computers are "straight from the devil." 

You are very sweet! I don't think God minds how we read the Bible, as long we are reading!

Besides, didn't we kinda' start out reading the Bible on a tablet of some sort (like clay?) long, long ago? Guess we've come full circle!

[caseyf6]

Crystal Starr, your church sounds awesome!

And on another note, what was the book? 

I have been giving lots of my paper books away to the library and to friends who really like to "own" books.  I just like to READ.  There are very few books that I want to "own" and keep forever, so while I have many bookshelves they aren't filled with books to read so much as filled with books that are part of our history.  That and Far Side/Garfield/Zits/Baby Blues collections, lol.

[Todd Trumpet]

The O.P. scenario may be awkward for Kindle owners...

...but bodes well for paper book readers.

At least, in the short term.

You can already buy paper books (literally) by the boxful for a few bucks at many yard sales, library sales, and swap meets.  As the Kindle becomes more and more prevalent, and people begin to increasingly shed their paper shelf fillers...

...maybe they'll eventually be paying buyers to take them away!

Todd

[WilliamEsmont]

This happened to me last year when a coworker loaned me a copy of The Hunger Games. I pulled the book out as I was going to bed and started trying to read. The fonts were too small. The text seemed to vanish into the fold (?). I could barely see, so I tried to attach my Kandle (old school Kindle light) to light up the pages, but then I couldn't turn the page. So - I picked up my Kindle, ordered a copy (it was on sale, yay!) and returned the paperback copy the next day.

[caseyf6]

Books have always (at least in my lifetime) been available for cheap at used stores, yard sales, and the like.

[valleycat1]

LOL.  My in-laws know we both have Kindles & that our bookshelves are slowly emptying as I donate to the library Friends.  They're of the "it's just another fad toy" persuasion - even though they're both devoted readers.  For Christmas they gave each of us a well-funded B&N gift card.  And they keep sending us DTBs once they're done with them. 

That said I do still read DTBs & probably wouldn't buy the e-version of something instead of reading a gift book, and of course illustrated books don't work so well on my keyboard Kindle, so will find good use for the B&N cards.

[LaraAmber]

That said I do still read DTBs & probably wouldn't buy the e-version of something instead of reading a gift book, and of course illustrated books don't work so well on my keyboard Kindle, so will find good use for the B&N cards.

Well as long as B&N sells coffee and cheesecake, I can use any gift cards.   

[Ann in Arlington]

Well as long as B&N sells coffee and cheesecake, I can use any gift cards.   

There are folks here who have nooks as well. . .or use the nook app on some device.  If the gift cards work for ebook purchases -- you might find someone who would trade you for the cost of an Amazon GC. . . . . .ask down in the buy/sell/trade/barter section.

[matilda314]

My mom, who is terrified of technology, made my day a week or so ago.  I finally got her to get a Kindle for her birthday in September.  It took her awhile to get used to it, but now she loves it and never leaves home without it.  At her holiday party last weekend, a friend bought her a huge bag of paper books.  The next day she told me about it and said "I know it was nice and he's done it for years, but how do I break it to him that I've all but given up paper books and only read on my Kindle."  She realized what she said and just laughed.

[CrystalStarr]

The book was Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo.  I finished it in 2 days!  I'll be passing the paper copy on to someone who would benefit from it.

I get to give my mom her kindle tomorrow!  I preordered it minutes after release on announcement day!  I've had it for a while and I've been dieing to give it to her!

[DH_Sayer]

I can always count on one or two physical books from my reader friend for Christmas. I always play along and buy him a physical book, too. One of these days I'm gonna have to talk someone into going in on a kindle as a joint xmas gift for this guy.

[Beatriz]

And I turned right around and bought the ebook. I didn't tell her. Actually at first I thought it was one I already owned. I almost bought it not long ago. I just know I wont pick up a paper book. But my friend will ask me about the book. It was a heartfelt gift and I'm appreciative. And I do really want to read it.  But I sort of feel like a heel.

She did tell me to pass it on when I'm done. So I definately will.

So long as she doesn't know and doesn't read the Kindle boards (smile, smile) you have nothing to worry about.  Kindle has spoiled us all I'm afraid.

[BTackitt]

My inlaws just left. And Now I stare at three books by Fern Michaels that MIL gave me. I'm lucky, she won't want to discuss them with me, so I don't have to read them. I just don't know what to do with them. Everyone in my family now has Kindles. Well, everyone except my 93 yo grandmother who used to read historical romances, but doesn't read anymore because it just tires her too much.

[Ann in Arlington]

My inlaws just left. And Now I stare at three books by Fern Michaels that MIL gave me. I'm lucky, she won't want to discuss them with me, so I don't have to read them. I just don't know what to do with them. Everyone in my family now has Kindles. Well, everyone except my 93 yo grandmother who used to read historical romances, but doesn't read anymore because it just tires her too much.

Donate to a charity shop. . . . .someone will be able to use them. . . .or take them to a senior center or someplace like that. . . .or your local USO if there is one. . .or women's shelter.  Or save them to re-gift.

[acellis]

Wow. This is a sign of the times!

[Serena Fairfax]

Have you thought of donating  them to Books For Africa? www.booksforafrica.org?