Comparative Review: Books vs e-Readers

It's the modern-day debate that has divided the classic 'nerd' camp into two: the old-school bookworms representing one side and the techie geeks on the other. The debate? Which is better, a classic book or an e-Reader?

Archaic artifact or old-school cool?

I will divide this post into sections, tackling the merits of each, as well as the disadvantages. I have strong opinions on this of course, having grown up loving reading more than any other activity. Which one is preferred by a reader totally depends on which factor is most important to the individual: access, convenience, and emotional value - what I call the 'A.C.E.' factors.

Powerbooks Slaughter

Finally got to spend my gift certificates! I took this opportunity to get the pricier books that I cannot normally acquire without first saving up for them. To say the very least, I had fun. :D






That should keep me very busy for the next couple of months!
Much thanks to Powerbooks book attendant Trishia for the guided tour on Bronte classics, personal opinions on books-to-movies incidences, and of course, the company from a fellow bibliophile.

The damage.

Also had some grilled chicken on black pepper at Secret Recipe, which was conveniently near Powerbooks Midtown.

I could sing "Oh Happy Day" right about now. :D

Jay~

Books Galore

Okay, I splurged. :P But no worries, it's a cheap splurge, because I have discovered buried and hidden treasures in a second-hand bookstore in Robinson's Place Ermita. The shop is called Booksale (ground floor, across Mercury Drug and quite near to Dairy Queen), and they carry some really good titles for obscenely low prices.

The financial damage was not very great at all, and my large bookshelf is increasingly looking small. :P Good thing I bought a new study table with a bookcase (Blims has the best furniture in Manila, I swear) and I will post some pictures either later today or perhaps tomorrow. Still arranging it. :)

Timeline by Michael Crichton. As many of you probably know, I'm a fanatic of Crichton's works, and this is my eight Crichton novel. Bought the paperback edition for only $2.00. :P

Next by Michael Crichton. This was a hardbound copy, and guess how much I got it for? $1.50. ROFL! This is 'bargain' defined.

Gai-Jin by James Clavell. Hardbound copy as well, for only $3.50. Amazing. It's a pretty large tome, and I'm a little intimidated to start reading it. :P

White by Christopher Whitcomb. Bought this because I have Black (the prequel to this novel), and since it was only $1.70, what the hell.

I found a hardbound copy of Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy (I already have the paperback edition) but when I came back to the store it was gone, hence why I bought Gai-Jin. I will probably visit Booksale at least once a week, since most of their books are in excellent conditions. Next and Gai-Jin both look like they're brand new. Good for me. :D

Jay~

Because I Read

Just a fraction of my total books, but these are some of my most precious. :) A friend once told me, "a learned man is a rich man", and I can definitely say that my wealth is in the amount of books that I have read, and not in the paper in my wallet. If only I had my complete collection.. There are a LOT more scattered in various places, like Nicole's home, Terence's car and home, and a lot of other people who I have trusted with my most precious possessions.


If there is one thing I can tell anyone, it would be get off the Internet once in a while and read a real book. The sort that involves your smelling the paper as you turn the pages, and inspecting the front and back covers for dog-ears.

Books. Because I read. :)

Jay~

Bargain Books

Where can one get two books for $5? (Or P200/RM13)
And not just any book. These two books have been on my list for a while now, and who cares if they are a little battered, when the pages are still fine. :)

Michael Crichton's Prey

Michael Crichton's Sphere

Got them at the 168 Shopping Mall (where they sell RIDICULOUSLY cheap items). Both books for 200 pesos, or a little under $5. :D
Jason is very happy.

P.S. I finished Sphere in slightly more than 6 hours. Wow. LOL.

Jay~

Memnon

Thanks to my Dark Throne friend, Stephen Homer, otherwise known in the game as Blueie, for giving me a wonderful present. :)

A historical fiction book. Specifically, a book about Memnon of Rhodes.
(You all should know about my fascination with ancient military history :P)




It arrived ahead of schedule! :)Thanks again, Blueie!

Jay~

Men of Cosmopolitan

LOL, this is not a post about models or what; I bought a new book that I've been looking for since August, and Gayle got herself this month's Cosmopolitan magazine. The book I bought was Men of Bronze, by Scott Oden.





Book was pretty good! Then again, a history buff like me would be biased towards history-based novels. LOL. Not too sure about Cosmo though. I think I'll stick with MH. :P

Jay~

Reading Crichton and Pelzer

I bought a new book, Jurassic Park, by the late techno-thriller genius Michael Crichton, and Gayle is currently reading My Story, by Dave Pelzer, and when we have new reads, we go to Coffee Bean. :D

Finding CB at Midtown is really a blessing. Starbucks here in Manila is way too over-rated, and is increasingly getting more populated by rowdy crowds. :( Not exactly a place to mull over a novel.








Ah.. That book was awesome! I'm definitely going to get the sequel, The Lost World. I cannot believe I put off reading that book for such a long time!

Jay~