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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
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Latest Kindle paperwhite here. I was using my iPad Pro but it was too big (12.9”) and the display wasn’t good for my sleep since I read at night. The Kindle has had a really positive impact on my sleep, even if the experience isn’t as slick as Books on the iPad given how underpowered the Kindle is. I still prefer paper books but it’s not so easy to find paperbacks in English in Saigon.
I too used to use a iPad Pro, but the lure of other things, made me get rid of it, and recently saw the Kindle Colorsoft Signature edition 2025, and it blew me away.
Oh how I dream of a library (like Bill Gates') of real books. Sadly I travel, and relocate to different countries often, so something portable is paramount.
Ooo that Colorsoft does look quite nice! Looks like it came out just a few months after I got my Paperwhite. Now you’ve given me the upgrade itch.
You rebel you, I have a short stack of books I am slowly going through at home.
Real books for me, for preference.
Volume III
The Quest for the Orbital Jet:
The National Aero-Space Plane Program
(1983-1995)
By Dr. Larry Schweikart
Air Force History and Museums Program
Bolling AFB, DC 20332-1111 1998.
It’s a very lengthy write up but interesting insight into the X30 NASP project.
Some years ago at a lecture I attended on hypersonic, they had a rather large X30 model, that was quite interesting to see it. I assume it would be quite rare.
The Quest for the Orbital Jet:
The National Aero-Space Plane Program
(1983-1995)
By Dr. Larry Schweikart
Air Force History and Museums Program
Bolling AFB, DC 20332-1111 1998.
It’s a very lengthy write up but interesting insight into the X30 NASP project.
Some years ago at a lecture I attended on hypersonic, they had a rather large X30 model, that was quite interesting to see it. I assume it would be quite rare.
Although I have several Kindle devices including two of the original ones, I prefer reading in the Kindle app on my 12.9” iPadPro (4th Gen). No issues with lighting, easy interface, large enough for me to handle but small enough to be about the same weight as a large book. I used to buy books online like crazy but have reduced that to zero. Now my source is either our state’s digital library, or an actual book from our local library. I still like holding a book but two downsides make it my second choice and used only if the digital library doesn’t include something I want to read.
The first is lighting: you need good lighting to properly read a physical book (duh!). The second is lookups. As I stumble across a new word, new concept, rabbit hole that must be explored, it is trivially easy to do so from the digital version. It’s somewhat embarrassing to tap on a word in a physical book expecting a pop-up menu offering options to define that word, among others.
The first is lighting: you need good lighting to properly read a physical book (duh!). The second is lookups. As I stumble across a new word, new concept, rabbit hole that must be explored, it is trivially easy to do so from the digital version. It’s somewhat embarrassing to tap on a word in a physical book expecting a pop-up menu offering options to define that word, among others.
Only if you do it in public...
But yes, it is nice to click on a word like syzygy, look up the meaning, and still not understand it. I understand that it is something like the three-body-problem, but with only two bodies.
Same. I love physical books and am building up a collection. I have tried reading on an iPad, but found myself paying less attention to what I was reading (and not just because I was frequently closing the Books app and browsing the internet). A physical book by natural light is my preferred way to read.
Agreed.
The other thing, and, granted, this may be a generational thing - moreover, friends and former students of mine who are teaching also say that they have noticed this - is that one reads, understands, recalls, material differently, depending on whether it is a hard copy, or has been read online.
When reading an actual book, I find it far easier to recall, and think through - material, far easier to digest it - than is the case with what I read online.
And, physically, the actual act of reading a hard copy of a book is just so much more pleasant (than the alternative), to my mind.
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I dunno. Every time I read a Robert Heinlein novel, regardless if it is one of the paper copies on my bookshelf, or on my ipad, 6 months later I have completely forgotten the whole plot...
I have read on both iPad and a Kindle, but I also prefer handling, reading, and owning an actual book. I am currently reading The Journey of Being Human, by the spiritual mystic Osho, I happen to like him a lot. And I have never read The Great Gatsby, I think I fancy that next.
Never read that, but it's been on my mind too. This is the ideal thread to move into a 'writing' sub forum. Long lasting, informative, many thousands of replies, and nearly a million views.
Kindle scribe for me. And I’m reading The Seventh Floor by David McCloskey. Not as good as his earlier ones in my opinion.
Sounds more interesting than the textbook I'm reading again. Exercise Physiology (Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance) - W.MCardle
Ah you should try a Kindle! The wondrously powerful CPU delivers a browser experience akin to dial-up on a 56k modem. One attempt at distracting yourself with the internet will see you never coming back for more! On a more serious note, I also found myself too easily distracted with browsing and other apps back when I read on my iPad. The kindle has certainly solved that, though I do sometimes find myself reaching for the phone to pull up Apple Maps or Google earth to look at real life places featured in the book I’m reading.
Wouldn't a "writing" subforum be aimed at discussing one's own writing attempts and approaches to various styles of writing? IMHO this thread -- a discussion of what members are reading -- is just fine right where it is. It stands out among other threads in the community section and attracts attention in its own right. It is pretty straightforward, targeting those who hang out at MR who are reading books or other printed material for whatever reasons. I suspect it would all too soon get lost in the midst of a subforum devoted to writing.
A thread discussing already published writing by other writers is quite a different situation than discussing one's own challenges in working with creative writing, professional and technical writing in various subject fields, writing geared to the educational market, etc. Yes, there could be a breakdown of fiction vs nonfiction, plus various genres of writing, etc. within those broader categories. It could be interesting, but I'm not so sure that there are that many members of MR who are actually aspiring writers.
I'm in agreement with you on this.
Personally, I like this thread exactly where it is - and would be concerned if it were to be removed to a sub-forum where it may get lost, be over-looked, and, most certainly would not attract anything like the amount of traffic it currently attracts and generates.
Actually, this thread is one that I visit daily when I am prowling around the 'community section', and I must say that I am always interested to see what others are reading, not to mention participating in some of the subsequent discussions, some of which are extraordinarily interesting.
For that matter, this thread has introduced me to some works that I might not otherwise have encountered, and, for that, I am most grateful.
However, as @Clix Pix rightly notes, not everyone who wants to read - or, who likes to read, - may wish to take up a pen (or put their hands to a keyboard, or fingers to a touchscreen) in order to write something.
It was just a thought, and a little bit of 'plugging'. But both yours, and @Clix Pix arguments were well presented and articulated, and I have to concur.
Ok, now back to books.
I'm reading Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road, by Matthew Crawford (the same fellow that wrote Shop Class as Soulcraft).
To say that this book is thought provoking is an understatement. It's unfortunate that it wasn't around when I was earning my Master's degree in public management and policy. I'm reasonably sure that at least one of my professors would have made it required reading.
I'm reading Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road, by Matthew Crawford (the same fellow that wrote Shop Class as Soulcraft).
To say that this book is thought provoking is an understatement. It's unfortunate that it wasn't around when I was earning my Master's degree in public management and policy. I'm reasonably sure that at least one of my professors would have made it required reading.
Almost exclusively on my Kindle. Unless it is a comic book or graphic novel, all my books are consumed on a Kindle. I have a few real books, I am not a prolific reader by any means, my graphic novel and comic book collection is bear to move, add in real books, yikes. So I use a kindle.
I’m enjoying some light reading - picked up a new book - The book of Mandalor; a Spiritual guide for the modern Mandalorian.
