Confessions of a Teenage E-reader Hater

A recent GalleyCat article highlighted a study indicating that kids prefer e-books. The study’s organizers obviously made a conscious choice to steer clear of my sixteen-year-old stepdaughter. Sure, it was a study for ages 3-6, but still. Wisely done, organizers.

Not a loner in the traditional sense of the word (she's on the phone or hanging out with friends too much to claim that), Q.C.L. has chosen to isolate herself against legions of e-book lovers across the nation and world. She is…not a fan of the e-reader.

She agreed to sit down with me for a few minutes to answer questions.

What do you love about reading?
It takes you to another place, and gets your mind off things. I love getting hooked into a story, and escaping into it. I definitely put myself into characters' positions, and think of what I would do in their place.

What kind of books do you read?
Fiction—Dystopian, historical fiction. Not so much contemporary. I like series~ I always finish them! Some nonfiction~ travel books, philosophy/religion books.

What are the last two books you read?
Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and Inheritance (Christopher Paolini’s final book in the Eragon series)

*She’s a big reader—an e-reader seller’s dream, in theory*

Do know know of people at your high school who have/use e-readers?
Yes. Teachers, friends, students—I see students in school with them—girls and boys—sometimes teachers encourage e-readers for textbook reading, because they’re cheaper. They’re definitely gaining in popularity. I see kids using them during assemblies, and in class.

You’ve never asked for an e-reader for a gift, but you ALWAYS ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards—what’s up with that?

First of all, don’t say, “What’s up with that?” like that. Okay, I don’t…hmm. I feel as if it’s not actually reading a book when you’re looking at a screen. For me, a big part of reading a book is turning the pages and holding the story in your hand. Like, having the whole story in my hand and feeling the weight of it. For me, I want a bookshelf, but when you have a Nook or Kindle, you can’t have that. I want a bookshelf—I don’t want a thing that can hold a thousand books. I want to look at them. They lose their beauty in digital form.

I know of people who agree with me, but they tend to be adults.

What do you think of e-readers?
I get them. I just don't like them. I don’t like looking at the screen. I like turning pages.

What are the negatives of e-readers for you?
If the battery dies, you can’t read your book. And what’s so interesting holding a silver tablet in your hand? It’s cold and doesn’t have a smell. I get that you still see the book and words, but I feel like it loses part of its value.

Do you think you’ll change your mind in the future?
No. I don’t. Maybe one day for convenience, and maybe because teachers are already recommending them. I don’t like taking notes and marking things with touch screens. But I think it’ll get to the point where e-readers are required like lap-tops basically are at school.

Do you consider yourself an e-reader hater at this point?
Yes. Yes, I do.

There you have it, folks.

Frankly, I’m okay with Q.C.L.’s opinion of e-readers. As it is, we have to drive her to the bookstore so she can spend money. With an e-reader, where it’s so easy to keep downloading if Daddy happens to pass over a credit card (meant to be used on 2 books)…*shivers*…. Let’s just say our girl could do some damage.

Happy Friday!

Oh! And get your booty over to Kimberly's post on her blog, Meetings With My Muse~ she's handing out $100 to attend a Writer's Digest Webinar (or you can spend it as you like). No strings attached~ just follow her and leave a comment. I won this last year, and attended an awesome Mary Kole webinar.

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