Learn how to love an ebook
says Cathy Macleod
THAT painful prospect, the reading of ebooks, is something we shall all have to do sooner or later. There is no escape, it is the future of reading. For some of us it is pretty much the present, but not for me, not yet. Nevertheless, I have discovered the easy way to learn to love digital prose.
A lifelong paperback fanatic, I have so far successfully repulsed the commercial persuaders who press me to buy one of those expensive electronic reading devices. People who own one seem happy enough, yet I was unable to enjoy a lengthy onscreen read until I found the effortless way to do it, and at no cost whatever.
The mental process is simply this: stop expecting a book that duplicates your lifelong love affair with paper and ink. An ebook comes on a screen, not pretend paper. Get used to it. But how?
Learning to love words onscreen is just a matter of training, because once you’re into a story it all happens in your mind anyway. Despite my preference for paperbacks, I found the transition smooth when I downloaded the free Mobipocket Reader.
This software comes gratis at http://www.mobipocket.com. It will transform your familiar screen, whatever that might be, into book-reading comfort. If lengthy novels remain a daunting ebook experiment, begin with a short-story, poem or essay. You’ll find a good selection, in various genres, at the major ebook retailers. Google “ebook retailers” if you’re not sure how to access these.
One supplier pushing short texts in particular is Darling Newspaper Press. It is a small independent dedicated to the reading revolution, and committed to keeping prices low.
“There is no printing cost in an ebook,” explained chief executive Charles Bryce. “No paper cost, no burdensome distribution, nor physical warehousing. With the absence of all such overheads the price of a book is easily slashed. What’s more, the author can receive a bigger share of the earnings.
“Sales vary of course, depending on public taste. We have found that ebooks are particularly suited to short-span scrutiny, say text up to 6000 words. Most people are still coming to terms with reading on a screen even if it is hand-held. Our short-stories sell well in digital format, mostly mystery and romance. We offer lengthy ebook novels too, but these tend to lag compared to our traditional hardback and paperback sales.
“Thanks to the Internet, the essay has also made a comeback, although nowadays people call them blogs.”
In keeping with the short-text policy, this publisher has put out a novel in serial form. Run Maggie Run is audaciously described as the best serial since Dickens.
“It blends thrills, humour and outrageous characters,” said Mr Bryce. “That is why we liken it to Charles Dickens. It is interesting to note also that the Victorian novelist used serial form to popularise his novels.”
The Run Maggie Run serial, set in the 1830s, is by experienced novelist John Ivor. The short-stories on offer are mostly by former Ellery Queen author Ann Morven.
Whether you use the costless Mobipocket Reader or a purchased appliance, you get free samples from ebook retailers. And where else would you then buy the complete good read for a meagre 49c!

Thanks for sharing this free e-learning ebooks collection with your readers

Here are two more collections that might interest your readers, too:

101 Free Learning Tools:
http://zaidlearn.blogspot.com/2008/08/101-free-learning-tools.html

101 Free EduGames:
http://zaidlearn.blogspot.com/2008/08/101-free-edugames.html

101 OER:
Coming Soon

Have a great day

P.S. Your site is great! Congratulations

Warm Regards,

Zaid

I hadn’t heard of this ebook before, and appreciate your thorough review, and even more, trust your approval rating. Thanks!