Autographs and Author Safety

U2 or Write?

E-book vs. Paperback: I want to read it NOW but—

ID-10073138

*

 

What do you do when you want to own a book in paperback but want to read it right away in e-book?

I just finished reading The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg and want to read books two and three immediately. I got the first book from the library and there was something so familiar and comforting about turning the pages of the paperback. It makes no sense really, but I want all three books in physical form to sit on my already crowded bookshelves.

But I want—no, need—to read the rest right this very minute. A quick search at Amazon shows me that the e-book price is reasonable. Except I’ve got my heart set on the paperbacks and the thrifty part of me is having trouble with the idea of buying both versions.

Heading to the library branch that has one book would cost the same in bus fare as buying the e-book. The third book is on hold. And it would take days to get them via mail. (For the record, the next person who tells me to my face that patience is a virtue will get a smack up the back of their head.)

This is a different kind of agony than the time I borrowed The Riddlemaster of Hed by Patricia M. McKillip from the library many moons ago and discovered it left on a gut-wrenching cliffhanger. I had to wait an entire night before driving to the nearest bookstore to get book two.

Now I have choices. It’s driving me crazy. And I can see this is a dilemma that will happen again.

What would you do?

 

 

* Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

6 Comments
  • Jeff • July 13, 2015 at 12:48 am

    Crazy when bus fare costs as much as the book. If it will cost the same to travel to get the book for free as it would to buy it then give in to the dark side and buy the e-book.

    • J. M. Levinton • July 13, 2015 at 1:03 am

      You mean, buy both versions?

  • jan • July 13, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    I’d probably download the email book. I’m not very good at waiting for anything!

    • J. M. Levinton • July 13, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      Well…I admit it, I caved. It’s still a dilemma though.

  • chris • July 13, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    I have the same problem!

    • J. M. Levinton • July 13, 2015 at 7:11 pm

      LOL At least I’m in good company.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives
Recent Posts