Blimey. Watch this video about the new widget from Book Glutton. I honestly don’t know what to make of this. I think it could be a *seriously* useful tool for writers wanting feedback, and for some readers. But when I think about using it myself, as a reader, my head tries to explode.
Thoughts?
Nicola Griffith 
I don’t like to read anything longer than a short story online, or on a screen. Here’s why: I like to be able to dog-ear pages and flip back to certain references or turns of a phrase and I don’t like how that feels – or seems – with the online reading experience.
But that’s just me. I can definitely see where this would be a valuable tool for some people.
I just joined Book Glutton. I’m hoping I might upload my work-in-progress to the site, but I’m not sure yet if that’s a good idea.
<>jennifer from p<>, paper books are definitely practically perfect technology. But I also really like my Kindle for fast fiction reads.
<>janine<>, if you do, please let me know how it works.
What is this, the social mediazation of reading? Please. Reading is one of the last great solitary pursuits. The last thing I want to do is have someone talking to me while I am reading.
And I’m wtih Jennifer from P — I won’t read all of that on a computer. Not even a laptop. Unless it is small and has an e-ink screen. I spend way too much eyeball time in front of the computer as it is; my eyes suffer from ‘dry eye’ because of it.
No.
Unless it is a close friend, if a writer wants my feedback, they can provide a pdf that I can print off or import to an ebook reader. There are ways to set up online feedback for pdfs. i’m not opposed to providing feedback in a manner easily handled, but a whole book online? no way.
I can’t imagine doing this unless I was so broke I couldn’t buy books and had re-read every book in my house and at my local library multiple times and this was free. Or if there were no more trees left for paper and I couldn’t afford an ebook reader.
What do you mean that your head tries to explode, Nicola? Not sure what you’re saying there.
I think they are overestimating their widget.
Jennifer D, to me a book is like a lover. I want it all to myself first before we’re ready to share.