Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Literature, Music, Art & Entertainment => Topic started by: Steve H on December 16, 2019, 11:15:17 PM

Title: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 16, 2019, 11:15:17 PM
Mug, sold by the bookshop, Wigtown, (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MEqLGJxzL.jpg) Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop, in Scotland's official book town, down in the bottom left-hand corner of Scotland. I'd love to visit it, but probably never will. I'm currently reading 'Confessions of a Bookseller' by Shaun Bythell, its proprietor, the sequel to 'Diary of a Bookseller', which I read recently. I agree - Death to the Kindle! Defend real books and real bookshops (especially independent and second-hand ones)!
The website. (https://www.the-bookshop.com/)
Rather clever video of the place. (https://youtu.be/rC-oA4zKZlI)

Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 16, 2019, 11:20:35 PM
Another video of the place, on Youtube, showing how enormous it is. https://youtu.be/n2caiU5Bu-k
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 16, 2019, 11:57:53 PM
If you really want to visit there , make a decision and DO it Steve
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 17, 2019, 12:01:56 AM
If you really want to visit there , make a decision and DO it Steve
If I ever have enough money, I might have a week's holiday there.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Outrider on December 17, 2019, 08:09:22 AM
Up the Kindle, forward to the future! I love my kindle, an entire library packed away in my bag when I travel, not having to guess what I'll feel like reading before I get there, less environmental impact from my reading habit... I don't see a downside, personally.

O.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 17, 2019, 09:51:27 AM
Up the Kindle, forward to the future! I love my kindle, an entire library packed away in my bag when I travel, not having to guess what I'll feel like reading before I get there, less environmental impact from my reading habit... I don't see a downside, personally.

O.
This^. Though I do like a good bookshop, particularly a good second hand one to browse in, and get books that aren't on e-readers, or aren't particularly suited.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Outrider on December 17, 2019, 09:55:04 AM
This^. Though I do like a good bookshop, particularly a good second hand one to browse in, and get books that aren't on e-readers, or aren't particularly suited.

It's a shame that Kindle is a closed platform, it does tie you to Amazon - I know there are other e-readers, and I have the emulators on my iPad for Kobo, iBooks and a few others, but it's still so darned convenient.

Of course, it might mean the hard-copy bookshops expand the graphic novels sections, which can't be a bad thing, right?  I still need to get that new Sandman that came out last year (year before?)

O.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 17, 2019, 10:11:36 AM
E-readers have no soul.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Outrider on December 17, 2019, 10:39:12 AM
E-readers have no soul.

But books make the words crunchy?  Books don't have a soul. Hell, people don't even have a soul. If the story is well written, the words convey all that you need.  I can appreciate that there may be people with specific visual issues that mean screen use isn't appropriate, but on the plus side I don't have to deal with broken spines on paperbacks or finding that people have folded over a corner of a page to serve as a bookmark.

It does make for a sparse bookshelf in my home office, though...

O.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: jeremyp on December 17, 2019, 10:51:24 AM
E-readers have no soul.

They're machines. Why would they need a soul?

And sorry but, if it's a choice between lugging three or four heavy lumps of wood pulp on holiday or a small plastic device that gives me access to thousands of books, I'll take the latter.

Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Udayana on December 17, 2019, 11:24:39 AM
I find the more choice I have the less likely I am to actually read one.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 17, 2019, 12:45:05 PM
Just discovered that one of several claimants to be England's largest second-hand bookshop is in Rochester - Baggins' Book Bazaar. That could easily be got to and back from by train in a day, leaving plenty of time to explore the shop. I'l do that in the new year. Wigtown is a minimum of nine hours by train and bus, and probably costs the earth. Might be good for a week's holiday, but obviously not for a day trip. Hay-on-Wye, with the two largest shops in Wales, is similarly impractical to visit for a day. So - Rochester it is, in the new year.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 17, 2019, 12:47:49 PM
Just discovered that one of several claimants to be England's largest second-hand bookshop is in Rochester - Baggins' Book Bazaar. That could easily be got to and back from by train in a day, leaving plenty of time to explore the sop. I'l do that in the new year. Wigtown is a minimum of nine hours by train and bus, and probably costs the earth. Might be good for a week's holiday, but obviously not for a day trip. Hay-on-Wye, with the two largest shops in Wales, is similarly impractical to visit for a day. So - Rochester it is, in the new year.
I will be in the environs of Wigtown in May. Haven't been in an age.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 17, 2019, 12:57:58 PM
Steve
Wigtown is well worth a visit ( take your bike with you ) lots to explore .
It's a proper weird place , stuck in the 1880s . Mind you , they've got a co-op 😜
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Roses on December 17, 2019, 01:44:06 PM
I LOVE MY KINDLE. :) I wasn't keen when our kids suggested I bought one some years ago, but I am so very glad they persuaded me to do so. My husband is fond of his too. We have been able to get rid of loads of books to charities, thank goodness, we had so many our home resembled a library.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Dicky Underpants on December 17, 2019, 05:37:23 PM
Just discovered that one of several claimants to be England's largest second-hand bookshop is in Rochester - Baggins' Book Bazaar. That could easily be got to and back from by train in a day, leaving plenty of time to explore the shop. I'l do that in the new year. Wigtown is a minimum of nine hours by train and bus, and probably costs the earth. Might be good for a week's holiday, but obviously not for a day trip. Hay-on-Wye, with the two largest shops in Wales, is similarly impractical to visit for a day. So - Rochester it is, in the new year.

Anyone know anything about the Book Barn in Somerset? I've passed it a few times, but never visited. Is it indeed still trading?
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 17, 2019, 06:51:19 PM
I LOVE MY KINDLE. :) I wasn't keen when our kids suggested I bought one some years ago, but I am so very glad they persuaded me to do so. My husband is fond of his too. We have been able to get rid of loads of books to charities, thank goodness, we had so many our home resembled a library.
ahh ! Charities , that great dumping ground that combines sanctimony and a clear conscience that you're doing good whilst getting rid of your old tat
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Robbie on December 17, 2019, 08:24:13 PM
Charities don't sell old tat, Walter, only clean stuff in good condition. Tatty books go in the paper recycling bin, clothes into the rag bag (they sell rag)(but we're talking about books).

Steveh, I've been to Baggins' Book Bazaar, it's a really good place.
http://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/bookshop-reviews/baggins-book-bazaar-rochester

I looked up ways of travel to Wigtown from London, there are several with cheapish options (eg night train). Depends what you want. It looks fairly interesting apart from books and there's plenty of accommodation. If I went I'd want to go for the book festival.
https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/London/Wigtown




Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 17, 2019, 08:44:59 PM
Robbie ,
I didn't say charities sell old tat . I was referring to people who give their old tat to charities .
There is a difference 🙈
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Robbie on December 17, 2019, 08:54:39 PM
Oh yeah, there is a big difference:-). There must be some (not pleasant) surprises when charity shop workers open up the bags of donations. I don't understand why people can't just throw things away when they are so far past their use by date, it's an insult to donate rubbish to charity shops.

Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 17, 2019, 09:05:42 PM
Here's something that might amuse you Robbie .
When I sold my house and packed up all my stuff into boxes before setting off on this trip I inadvertantly gave three big boxes of important personal sentimental stuff to a charity shop and put three boxes of ' tat' into storage .
It was about a year later when this all cam e to light
Too bloody late then !
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 17, 2019, 09:07:30 PM
A bookshop I love that used to be relatively close to me:

http://www.scarthinbooks.com/
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 17, 2019, 09:13:51 PM
A bookshop I love that used to be relatively close to me:

http://www.scarthinbooks.com/

This is my best local


https://bookriot.com/2018/07/13/voltaire-and-rousseau-bookshop-glasgow/
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 17, 2019, 09:25:29 PM
A bookshop I love that used to be relatively close to me:

http://www.scarthinbooks.com/
looks interesting until I saw the Vegan Cafe .
I won't be visiting there !
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Aruntraveller on December 17, 2019, 10:15:28 PM
looks interesting until I saw the Vegan Cafe .
I won't be visiting there !

There is a chippy just down the street.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 17, 2019, 10:18:59 PM
Charities don't sell old tat, Walter, only clean stuff in good condition. Tatty books go in the paper recycling bin, clothes into the rag bag (they sell rag)(but we're talking about books).

Steveh, I've been to Baggins' Book Bazaar, it's a really good place.
http://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/bookshop-reviews/baggins-book-bazaar-rochester
Brilliant! thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 17, 2019, 10:23:44 PM
A bookshop I love that used to be relatively close to me:

http://www.scarthinbooks.com/
That looks bloomin' fantastic.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 17, 2019, 10:38:08 PM
There is a chippy just down the street.
  https://youtu.be/QccPUSTMriM
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Roses on December 18, 2019, 08:22:26 AM
Robbie ,
I didn't say charities sell old tat . I was referring to people who give their old tat to charities .
There is a difference 🙈

Our books were in excellent condition, we would NEVER give rubbish to a charity shop.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 18, 2019, 08:34:17 AM
Our books were in excellent condition, we would NEVER give rubbish to a charity shop.
im glad to hear it but a lot do !
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 18, 2019, 08:57:41 AM
https://mondrian.mashable.com/wp-content%252Fuploads%252F2015%252F03%252F42-51011725-640x426.jpg%252Ffull-fit-in__950x534.jpg?signature=RgHBNRKqXqxHubPt99bKSTAmtM4=&source=http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Roses on December 18, 2019, 09:03:40 AM
https://mondrian.mashable.com/wp-content%252Fuploads%252F2015%252F03%252F42-51011725-640x426.jpg%252Ffull-fit-in__950x534.jpg?signature=RgHBNRKqXqxHubPt99bKSTAmtM4=&source=http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com

 ;D
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 18, 2019, 12:37:56 PM
https://mondrian.mashable.com/wp-content%252Fuploads%252F2015%252F03%252F42-51011725-640x426.jpg%252Ffull-fit-in__950x534.jpg?signature=RgHBNRKqXqxHubPt99bKSTAmtM4=&source=http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com
and steam engines are banned from this cotton mill 😯
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 18, 2019, 12:41:09 PM
I called into a second hand bookshop yesterday .
There was just one shelf . It was full of second hand kindles !
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2019, 12:45:00 PM
I called into a second hand bookshop yesterday .
There was just one shelf . It was full of second hand kindles !
think it works better if you say and on it was 1 second hand kindle
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 18, 2019, 01:54:57 PM
think it works better if you say and on it was 1 second hand kindle
you're right , perhaps that's why gag writers work in pairs ?
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2019, 02:22:07 PM
you're right , perhaps that's why gag writers work in pairs ?
I think it helps joke writing - I quite often think of a one liner on here but can't quite get it right so don't post but am sure that it's just missing another view. I also think that your line is better as a sketch where someone arrives in a town and sees signs to 
Second Hand Bookshop - Thousand of Books = turn right
,
Second Hand Bookshop = All Your Favourites - turn left
,
Second Hand Bookshop - Superb Selection of Titles - Straight Ahead
   And then you get to a bookshop where you pan in and see empty old vintage shelves floor to ceiling, and look round and focus on the 1 shelf with the single kindle
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 18, 2019, 02:28:18 PM
I think it helps joke writing - I quite often think of a one liner on here but can't quite get it right so don't post but am sure that it's just missing another view. I also think that your line is better as a sketch where someone arrives in a town and sees signs to 
Second Hand Bookshop - Thousand of Books = turn right
,
Second Hand Bookshop = All Your Favourites - turn left
,
Second Hand Bookshop - Superb Selection of Titles - Straight Ahead
   And then you get to a bookshop where you pan in and see empty old vintage shelves floor to ceiling, and look round and focus on the 1 shelf with the single kindle
haha great stuff .
Do you fancy teaming up , I've got a back catalogue of about 2000 or more mainly one liners I've written down as they occur to me on my travels ?
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 18, 2019, 02:31:01 PM
haha great stuff .
Do you fancy teaming up , I've got a back catalogue of about 2000 or more mainly one liners I've written down as they occur to me on my travels ?
Walter and Nearly,  Jokes and Japes. We do need to get you to the hallowed Babbity's.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Walter on December 18, 2019, 02:41:02 PM
Walter and Nearly,  Jokes and Japes. We do need to get you to the hallowed Babbity's.
Live Sessions eh?

Please put your hands together for next double act phenomenon ;
Nearly Walter !

You saw them here first 😂😂😂
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 18, 2019, 10:34:51 PM
"Nearly sane Walter", surely? Full billing for both of you!
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 20, 2019, 11:03:27 AM
How to upgrade your Kindle to a Kindle Fire: take half a gallon of petrol and a box of matches...
Shaun Bythell, in 'Confessions of a Bookseller'.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Roses on December 20, 2019, 04:25:00 PM
How to upgrade your Kindle to a Kindle Fire: take half a gallon of petrol and a box of matches...
Shaun Bythell, in 'Confessions of a Bookseller'.

You are a Kindle terrorist! :P
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Robbie on December 21, 2019, 12:39:57 PM
"Nearly sane Walter", surely? Full billing for both of you!

Yes :-), though I'd go for 'Nearly Sane Walter', seems to flow better.
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: Steve H on December 26, 2019, 12:15:04 PM
How to deal with a frozen screen on a kindle. (https://youtu.be/Ro0gOF4FwZw)
Title: Re: Death to the Kindle!
Post by: ad_orientem on December 26, 2019, 12:32:01 PM
They're machines. Why would they need a soul?

And sorry but, if it's a choice between lugging three or four heavy lumps of wood pulp on holiday or a small plastic device that gives me access to thousands of books, I'll take the latter.
 

It depends, doesn't it. If you're going on holiday, I'd probably agree. However, if I'm reading at home or on the train to work, then give me a proper book any day. For me it's more than just reading and imagination. Other senses are involved too. The feel of the book in your hands, turning the pages, the smell of the book etc. Plus I find reading from a screen makes my eyes tired.