What is hot for teens this Christmas?

[NotUrsula]

Thanks for the information about the Nook! I will check that out - I'm pretty sure that the Nook (or something similar) will more than pay for itself over the duration of the degree, with the money we'll save by not buying printed textbooks.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you're raising an English, Business, or History major that strategy is unlikely to work out. I buy academic electronic titles for the research institute that I work for, and the reality is that they are much MORE expensive than the printed versions, and because they have DRM restrictions, they cannot be re-sold.

The price issue is because the hard copies are sold at wholesale to retail book jobbers who are allowed to sell them at whatever price the market will bear. The electronic versions are not wholesaled. The publishers only sell them directly to the end user, and that means that you will always pay list price for them. I buy biology and biochemistry, and my average price per title is approx. $185.

There is a world of difference between trade and academic titles in terms of pricing and marketing. In English and History and Business there is some crossover, but not in most of the sciences and social sciences. Also, be aware that in the sciences color illustrations are often crucial; if your device can't display color then you cannot properly read the graphs.

 

[Pigeon]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you're raising an English, Business, or History major that strategy is unlikely to work out. I buy academic electronic titles for the research institute that I work for, and the reality is that they are much MORE expensive than the printed versions, and because they have DRM restrictions, they cannot be re-sold.

The price issue is because the hard copies are sold at wholesale to retail book jobbers who are allowed to sell them at whatever price the market will bear. The electronic versions are not wholesaled. The publishers only sell them directly to the end user, and that means that you will always pay list price for them. I buy biology and biochemistry, and my average price per title is approx. $185.

There is a world of difference between trade and academic titles in terms of pricing and marketing. In English and History and Business there is some crossover, but not in most of the sciences and social sciences. Also, be aware that in the sciences color illustrations are often crucial; if your device can't display color then you cannot properly read the graphs.

I'm an academic collection development librarian for a large university and I agree. The publishers are in it to make money, and we see the same thing. The ebooks aren't cheaper.

 

[timzagain]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you're raising an English, Business, or History major that strategy is unlikely to work out. I buy academic electronic titles for the research institute that I work for, and the reality is that they are much MORE expensive than the printed versions, and because they have DRM restrictions, they cannot be re-sold.

The price issue is because the hard copies are sold at wholesale to retail book jobbers who are allowed to sell them at whatever price the market will bear. The electronic versions are not wholesaled. The publishers only sell them directly to the end user, and that means that you will always pay list price for them. I buy biology and biochemistry, and my average price per title is approx. $185.

There is a world of difference between trade and academic titles in terms of pricing and marketing. In English and History and Business there is some crossover, but not in most of the sciences and social sciences. Also, be aware that in the sciences color illustrations are often crucial; if your device can't display color then you cannot properly read the graphs.

Actually, both our girls are business majors, doing many of the same courses in the first year, though not in the same order. If we do decide to do the e-book route, the cost will be shared between the two of them. The e-books won't be the first option, but might become necessary since the university bookstore has not got them in stock at the moment.

 

[maggiew]

Books are starting to come out for the Nook, Kindle, etc. I have a student this semester who has her textbook on one. I'll have to find out how much the text ended up costing her somehow.

For one of my DD's textbooks, there was a Nook version available. It was cheaper than a used textbook, but was still not what I would call cheap. For one of her poetry books, the new version was $24.95. The eTextbook was $14.95.

Maggie

 

[maggiew]

We started buying ethical gifts for extended family a few years ago. Water pumps in Africa, herds of goats or chickens in Central America, etc. The kids (DD 14, DS 12) liked the idea and want them now too! (God I love my kids!) A handy tax deduction for the charitable donation helps me out too.


M Ross

My DD18 asked for a donation to the "Save the Sea Turtles" fund!

Maggie

 

[MrsPete]

Nook Update - DD18 was poking around on the Barnes & Noble site this morning. Instead of buying a Nook, you can download B & N's free e-reader software called Nookstudy. Then you can buy the e-books and store them on your computer so there's no need to buy yet another gadget! Apparently the software allows the user to highlight & make notes, just like a regular book.

Sounds great - but I'd be a little worried about losing access to texts for 5 courses if my computer isn't working!

I know that Kindle aps are available for various machines, but since I have the real Kindle I haven't paid attention to just how those work. I know that people get e-books via Kindle on the iPhone, though I can't imagine reading a book on that tiny screen.

I know that when I buy a Kindle book there's a drop-down arrow that asks whether I want it sent to my Kindle or to my computer. Mine defaults to the Kindle. Whether that's because it's what I've always done, or whether that's everyone's default, I couldn't say.

Books are starting to come out for the Nook, Kindle, etc. I have a student this semester who has her textbook on one. I'll have to find out how much the text ended up costing her somehow.

I think we'll see more and more available on eBooks. How quickly? That's the question.

I also wonder if the competition between Kindle, Nook, and the other types will eventually end (who remembers VHS and Beta?) and one format -- perhaps a format that works on various maker's machines -- will emerge victorious?

I'm an academic collection development librarian for a large university and I agree. The publishers are in it to make money, and we see the same thing. The ebooks aren't cheaper.

I totally agree that the publishers are in it to make money . . . but this is an industry that's still in its infancy, and I don't think we can completely guess where it's going to go.

Publishers are smart enough to realize that ebooks save them in some ways: Ebooks don't cost anything to print, they don't have to be transported on a truck, they don't take up space in a brick-and-mortar building, and the company never runs out of them and never finds itself stuck with a backlog of outdated books.

Students are smart enough to realize that ebooks save them in some ways: They are easily transported to class or home for the weekend, and they don't require lots of space in a small dorm room. The book can be in your hand in less than a minute -- no waiting for it to come in the mail. If you're sharing a Kindle account with another person (not a big likelihood with college textbooks), you both have access to the book all the time, forever.

Personally, if the print book and the ebook cost the same amount, I'd buy the ebook. I think more and more people feel this way every day!

The downside, of course, for the student is that the ebook can't be re-sold.

 

[Minnie]

Looking for ideas as I really want that "great" large gift for Xmas morning for DS (17).

I miss the easy child years of the toys in big boxes

 

[fabfive]

Looking for ideas as I really want that "great" large gift for Xmas morning for DS (17).

I miss the easy child years of the toys in big boxes

Yes, yes, me too. I am also looking for gifts for my 14 and 13 year old DD.

I guess we will have to wait and see about the Kindle or Nook.

 

[NotUrsula]

Publishers are smart enough to realize that ebooks save them in some ways: Ebooks don't cost anything to print, they don't have to be transported on a truck, they don't take up space in a brick-and-mortar building, and the company never runs out of them and never finds itself stuck with a backlog of outdated books.

Yes, well, that's what the publishers also thought when they started changing over to e-formats; that their profit margin was going to increase wildly because of all of the advantages that you mentioned.

The problem is that server farms are more expensive to maintain than book warehouses (which the publishers didn't maintain many of in any case), and IT professionals and copyright attorneys get paid more than truckers and print-press operators. Publishers have found that maintaining the technology that provides access to the material while still adequately defending against piracy is costing a lot more than printing, trucking and warehousing ever did. They can maintain an adequate profit margin at lower price-points only when the titles sell in bulk. It works great for things like the Grapes of Wrath ($12 in e-format), or even Duchac's Accounting (which runs about $98 in either hardback or e-format), but not so much for Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures (which is available for $130 in hardback, but is $150 in the electronic version.)

 

[fun4me]

I am a big fan of books as gifts. I bought my son a book he had been asking for and put cash(1s, 5s, 10s and 20s) in between the pages. It was fun to see his expression when he opened up his only present to find a book and then change when he realized it was full of money. LOL

We won't do anything big this year for Christmas. It'll probably be the usual book, game or puzzle gadget type of thing and money.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Great! I started reading this thread looking for ideas for ds12, and discovered I want a new ipod shuffle! My old shuffle died and I had to buy the "bar" one, which doesn't have the controls on it. I miss those controls! I now have the first item for my list, but nothing for ds...

Maria

 

[fabfive]

Still looking for ideas for my DD 14 and other DD 13.

 

[patsal]

Don't know about my DS 19--loved the book with $ in it that pp mentioned), but my DD 15 has asked for Uggs, a Chi straightener, a new TV with the DVD player built in and a laptop. Obviously I will be paring it down as my budget doesn't support it. So far I have the Chi and Uggs purchased. The TV is looking favorable.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

I haven't read through all of the responses, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. North Face Jackets are big here and also mini netbooks.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

I haven't read through all of the responses, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. North Face Jackets are big here and also mini netbooks and Toms.

 

[fabfive]

Don't know about my DS 19--loved the book with $ in it that pp mentioned), but my DD 15 has asked for Uggs, a Chi straightener, a new TV with the DVD player built in and a laptop. Obviously I will be paring it down as my budget doesn't support it. So far I have the Chi and Uggs purchased. The TV is looking favorable.

Where do you get the Chi? How much are they?

 

[jme829]

dd17 is senior..

SO far I am planning a digital voice recorder for college next year, an Ipod dock (she just "inherited" DH's new ipod touch ), Just Dance wii game and probably a college sweatshirt and something from AE or Aeropostale.

My dd11 who considers herself a Tween...is getting a new ipod Nano...those are cool!! and some other small things , probably a dock, an Itunes card, wii or DS game and some clothes.

DS (not a teen, but don't want to leave him out..lol)...an new ipod Nano and legos.

 

[fabfive]

Just checked e-bay for the Chi, are you kidding me? $100 + or more

 

[torinsmom]

DS16 is getting the Xbox360 Kinect thing. He will also probably want a bigger amp for his guitars(we have a tiny house, so Lord help me, LOL) I'll probably get him an Ipod dock, since his cheap one broke and maybe a better cell phone.

Now, I want the new Ipod, LOL.

 

[pintamino]

Just checked e-bay for the Chi, are you kidding me? $100 + or more

I got mine for ~$70 on eBay, and I've had it for 3 years... I will never go back to a cheap flat iron again! My ends were constantly fried and they were ALWAYS breaking on me. My skin and hair are two things I will not compromise on.

www.beautychoice.com has email coupons for CHI and GHD flatirons frequently.