The New York Times reviews Stanislas Dehaene’s new book Reading in the Brain: The Science and Evolution of Human Invention. The review discusses some interesting insights regarding our brains and reading. I thought the insights regarding how we read differently now in the Internet age were especially intriguing given my task as an English teacher.
NPR examines how e-books are changing reading as well. Some folks considered it a big shocker when more e-books than paper books were sold this Christmas. Considering how easy they are to download, and also considering the fact that a lot of folks probably received Kindles for Christmas, I’m not surprised. I looked all over the place for my copy of Outlander when I wanted to re-read it recently, and I just couldn’t find it. I checked Amazon and discovered the book was available for Kindle, so I purchased it to read on my iPhone Kindle app, and it was on my phone immediately available. No trip to the library or bookstore. No waiting for it to arrive by mail. And it was cheaper, too. The only downside, as I see it, is that Amazon doesn’t appear to allow you to use gift certificates on Kindle purchases. I, too, have affection for paper books and their beautiful covers, but I have found reading on my iPhone very easy and convenient.
photo credit: TheCreativePenn
Dana, is that Gabaldon's Outlander you were re-purchasing? I love those books! But I haven't sprung for the Kindle yet.
Yes, it was. Just re-read it. If you have an iPhone, the Kindle app is free.
I have Stanza and some other "reader" on my iPhone. I think I am waiting to see if Steve Jobs changes the game again with the coming Apple tablet.
Did you enjoy that most recent "Claire and Jamie" book (as all the women I turned on to the books call them)?
I haven't read it yet. I haven't read the last three, as a matter of fact, which is one reason I'm re-reading them.
Hi Dana,
I just found your blog and have enjoyed poking around in it for the last little while. I too am teaching English, freshman comp. at CSU, Chico. I'm a grad student in English lit, and this will be my second semester of teaching. I found your blog while getting more familiar with our library website and its internet links.
I love reading on my iphone. I'm currently working my way through Les Miserables. Having it available in my pocket to read when I have unexpected down time is wonderful.
I took a quick peek at your reading list for '09 and saw Gardner's "Grendel" there. I read it in November for a project in my medieval lit grad seminar. I enjoyed it, and yes, Gardner's Grendel is quite different from the Grendel found in Beowulf.
I'll be bookmarking your blog and checking in as time allows. Thanks for writing.
Janis, I don't know if it is of use or not, but I blog about English Education at my other site, huffenglish.com.