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Change In Reading Habits
updated: Jun 02, 2009, 10:42 AM

We know that today, more people are reading their news online, instead of reading it in a newspaper. But news is not the only thing we read. How have your habits changed with regard to books and magazines? Are you still reading as much? Kindle? Audio Books? Wait for the movie? Where are you purchasing the books you buy?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 29389	2009-06-02 11:07 AM
Well, google scholar is fantastic for journals that would otherwise require looking through a library's offerings. Aside from that, I still adore reading physical books. I like the experience of turning the pages, the feel of a book (vs a laptop or kindle), etc are all part of the reading experience for me, it makes me feel unrushed and immersed. And books that I truly love, I buy extra copies of and loan to friends. I usually buy through Amazon since I can get new or used copies (used for textbooks) in one location.
COMMENT 29390	2009-06-02 11:15 AM
The internet is fine for looking stuff up, such as wikipedia or a recipe site, etc. For everyday reading, nothing beats an old fashioned paper book from Amazon or Paperback Alley. Anyone who thinks the Kindle is so amazing should try reading the terms of service. With a device like the Kindle, you never really own your content...here is a funny comparison between the ToS and Orwell's 1984. http://diveintomark.org/archives/2007/11/19/the-future-of-reading
GOWEST	2009-06-02 11:51 AM
Has everyone seen this video about the Medieval Helpdesk for people learning to use books. Very Funny! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAWR6hzZek
COMMENT 29401	2009-06-02 12:54 PM
The practice of cutting down trees to make paper so we can put ink on it to record our thoughts is VERY slowly but VERY surely disappearing. It will take a long time, but books will go the way of vinyl records. They will never totally disappear, but they will be used by only die hards.
COMMENT 29428	2009-06-02 03:11 PM
Unlike for printed newspapers, I can zoom in to enlarge the appearance of text and images on my computer display.
COMMENT 29436	2009-06-02 04:22 PM
Unlike a computer screen, I can take my newspaper or paperback to the beach.
COMMENT 29437	2009-06-02 04:41 PM
I read my news in a mixture both print and online. The online will cut back some as the expectation is from all sources that most newspapers and magazines are finally going to begin charging for online content before to long. At that point will probably be cherrypicking the national and state sources that are relevant in terms of cost. Its unsure if the AP will fall under that umbrella although they are owned by a lot of the sources involved in which case it also cuts down on the tv news sites who post their content.
EDONE	2009-06-02 05:06 PM
How about books? Is everyone still reading books?
COMMENT 29440	2009-06-02 05:21 PM
Having just returned from a nice quiet sit, reading a good book while munching my lunch, YES, I still read books! Thank goodness for the library and Amazon.com. But I do use the computer for news.
COMMENT 29441	2009-06-02 05:33 PM
I'm with CheriDiane and MichieB. I still love to start the day with breakfast and a newspaper. Alas, no more SBNP. We get the LA Times but I miss the local tidbits. Online I read national and international news free. And books and audio books are still a big part of my life. Nothing beats an audio book for all the driving time needed as a member of the sandwich generation (kid in school, elderly parents who need driving help, household to run, odd jobs to do). And nothing replaces a book at the end of the evening for unwinding. Library, Amazon and Chaucers...
COMMENT 29443	2009-06-02 06:14 PM
The internet and the tv are one eyed monsters..ain't nothing like a book or newspaper..except of course the Santa Barbara News-Press that's not good for nothing
COMMENT 29446	2009-06-02 07:14 PM
My wife and I each generally read a book or two a week. Most gotten used from Paperback Alley. Worth a trip as the summer reading season approaches.
PATRICK	2009-06-02 07:25 PM
I really miss reading the NP in the morning and refuse to buy the LA Times. (I live in SB, not LA.) I wish there was some other local (or semi-local, like Santa Maria or SLO) paper available in SB for home delivery. I cruise the internet, trying to fill in my paperless void each morning, but I'd prefer a real paper. Since we ditched cable, I read (books) a lot more. Don't really see the appeal of a digital book -- I'd rather have a real book that I can read anywhere.
PATRICK	2009-06-02 07:47 PM
Also, I guess I should have mentioned that most of the books we read are from the library or friends or The Book Den (where we keep exchanging used books for store credit). If we want a new book, we head to Chaucer's first, chains second. I had a college roommate who would leave his old books on bus benches as a gift for some stranger -- I kind of like that idea, but don't do it too often because I am afraid the book will just become litter.
COMMENT 29454	2009-06-02 10:22 PM
Books from Chaucer's. News from Edhat and NPR online. I wish the News Press was worth the paper it's printed on.
YVES	2009-06-02 11:03 PM
I read EdHat on my Kindle during the Jesusita fire. Pretty slow to load the whole comments page, but I could read the whole thing, and the display was much better than my phone screen.
YVES	2009-06-03 07:05 AM
Books mainly on Kindle lately. I've been catching up on some classics I missed because many of them are free. News from Edhat and sites it links to. We get print copies of the LA Times and Daily Sound delivered. Still like having something to pass around the table at breakfast. The kids are using the library more instead of Borders. (BTW, which local used book store is best for kids books?)
COMMENT 29463	2009-06-03 07:28 AM
Paperback Exchange, on the Mesa for kid's books! And everything else! I read the news online, saves on all that paper, but nothing beats a real book in your hands.
RLMCDON	2009-06-03 07:42 AM
I cancelled my newspaper subscriptions (there were 2) in part to help pay for my iPhone monthly service, which is now how I read all my news. I still read books the "old-fashioned" way, mostly going to the library, or using Bookins and Bookmooch to swap books that I don't want to have to give back (like recipe and knitting books) for books I don't really want anymore.
COMMENT 29466	2009-06-03 08:17 AM
Books, real books - to the point where they take over our house. Everything else online, though - haven't bought a paper newspaper in years. I get a few magazines through the mail but need to stop - they just clutter the house and take away room I could use to store books :) I have to say, though - the immediacy and interactive qualities of online news are as much a draw for me as the paperless aspect....
COMMENT 29474	2009-06-03 08:43 AM
I still like newspapers - we read almost everything that is made available locally. But at the same time, I read several emailed news sources (like EdHat) and several blogs. The news there is often more up-to-date, and sometimes the stories are longer. Plus, I read a lot of blogs on my iPod Touch. In addition, I read books on my Sony eReader, and very much like the small size and convenience of books on my iPod Touch. It is handy when sitting waiting in the doctor's office.
COMMENT 29475	2009-06-03 08:47 AM
For me, the internet is more for news and sports, while paper items such as library books and magazine subscriptions are for mind development and leisure.
COMMENT 29477	2009-06-03 08:55 AM
Still reading books, as much or more than ever...love to hold a book in my hands, can't imagine ever not doing that! Find that I keep paper copies of media longer (magazine subscriptions) now that we don't get a paper newspaper anymore...for the same reason as the tactile experience with books, probably. Have adjusted to reading all daily news online pretty well, though...they don't deliver a decent newspaper in my area or I would otherwise still subscribe to one, I think. Interesting comments, timely topic. Wondering how people feel about the Kindle...
COMMENT 29479	2009-06-03 08:59 AM
Yves, you can't beat the children's section at Chaucers Books in Loreto Plaza...very helpful, friendly people WHO KNOW THE BOOKS INSIDE/OUT work at that store, in all areas, but the children's section is especially broad and magical!
COMMENT 29484	2009-06-03 09:51 AM
I guess we are old fashioned but preferr to be comfortable reading the newspapers, books and movies in the living room and bed than reading a small computer screen. I plow through several books a month and like to take them where ever I go.
COMMENT 29495	2009-06-03 11:01 AM
Reason #472 that I know I'm getting old...I have never heard of "Kindle".
BOOKLADY	2009-06-03 12:46 PM
As you can tell from my handle, I am a reader. I used to be a print news junkie, now get my news online...local news from edhat, the independent, and the daily sound...national news from the ny times, washington post, and la times. I listen to books on my ipod when walking or working in the yard. But nothing beats the feel of holding a book in my hands. I love the feel of the book and the smell of the paper (at least most of the time, occasionally the stuff printed overseas really stinks). I read books from the library or when purchased from Chaucer's. I am a daily reader of all types.
SKOOBY	2009-06-03 02:05 PM
My handle states my feelings: "Why books!" backwards. When I read a book, prefering to curl up on a couch or sit on the patio with the printed version, my brain works in wondrous ways and my body relaxes in healthy ways. We have great resources in our community, as mentioned by other commentators. Mahri at Chaucer's has a knack for stocking a super selection. If you're downtown, don't miss Border's. They've been outstanding through the years supporting SB nonprofits and writers. When they have a signing, they make room and put the author in good light. If you ask for help for a fundraiser, they don't give that old "gotta talk to corporate" but jump in to support grassroots organizations like CALM, Book Festival, the Granada (this weekend with "Forbidden Broadway" signings), and many other community activities. Now, it's our turn to support these and other book stores in town!
COMMENT 29536	2009-06-03 05:39 PM
I'm with 8ball--kindle? I read lots of books, subscribe to local paper (in S Maria) a few mags and get fresh news from internet & EdHat. I also watch TV and smooz with fellow swimmers, but a real book stands alone! I buy used-go to library-trade at senior center and buy at Costco. Sorry trees, but I love books!
YVES	2009-06-04 10:42 AM
Kindle: electronic bookreader sold by Amazon.com. You download books, magazines, newspapers to it wirelessly (anywhere a cell phone works). It's just a bit bigger than a paperback, and very light. You can curl up with it on the couch or wherever. It feels very nice, and I'm a bookreader with a housefull of paper books. The screen uses a technology called "electronic ink" which isn't a lighted screen, so the battery lasts much longer and the screen isn't as hard on your eyes (but you need a flashlight in the dark). Actually, the sales are more to middle-age folks like me than young adults. They have a new larger version they are trying to market as a textbook reader, and are working on color support. You can change the font size to larger or smaller, so I think it would be a good device for older eyes.

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