E-Reader or Books

RunningWithoutAWatch

Which does everyone prefer, an E-Reader or the book. Personally, I love to read from a book. Someone got me an e-reader as a gift, but I just cant use it.

Has anyone made the switch or not made the switch?

Jay

Gail3260

I had virtually stopped reading, except on holiday until I got an iPad with the Kindle app. In the last 8 months I have read more than in the previous 8 years so that speaks for itself.

bathsheba_c

I figured that I wouldn't be able to make the switch, and then I realized that there was no way for me to move all my books with me.

What I love about my e-reader is that I can buy all of these classics for very little money. When I moved, I got rid of my $20 retail copy of War and Peace, then got the complete works of Tolstoy digitally for $2.

That said, there are some books that I just need to have a physical copy of. I also like that, with the advent of e-readers, book stores have started selling high-quality, nicely bound volumes of classics again.

MrsR0SE

I'm a qualified Librarian, and I NEVER thought I would say this, but I love my Kindle! I read loads of books on it but, I still have to buy books by my favourite authors in 'proper' book form, because I like to see them on the shelves and it's a different kind of reading experience. The kindle is great for the chick lit and books I'll probably only read once or twice because it stops my house getting over run by books. I also buy non fiction and recipe books etc in paper form. I think there's a real place for both to exist happily side by side.

jess393

A few years ago my sisters tried to get me a kindle, and I absolutely refused! I LOVE real books, thought an ereader of any kind was blasphemy, lol. But they got me one this last Christmas, and I gotta say, greatest thing ever. My favorite part- I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them. Definitely worth it

shoz147

I have to say that I wouldn't be without my kindle now. I was a sceptic at first, but now it is my favourite gadget.

midschool22

I tried the E-reader and didn't care for it. Books for me.

sho3girl

Book - love the feel of a book and the fact you can share/lend to someone.

BTW not a technophobe either!

bii14

E-reading is a pain. i dont get how people do it.. BOOKS all the way... we gotta save the medium from dying

TamAD48

For me it's my e-reader.....I can store a lot of books on it and carry it in my purse. That way I always have the book of my choice with me at all times.

unsuspectingfish

I prefer books, but I've been using the Kindle app on my phone to read books at work, because I already carry enough stuff to and from. It's pretty handy, I have to admit, but I still prefer to have the actual book in hand.

Kashton2011

I was also dead against e-readers, always saying 'they are not a book'. There is nothing better than the smell of a brand new book :happy: However; my book collection was growing and growing and my space to keep them was dwindling so I got myself a Kobo and I must say I love it!

I still read 'proper' books in either hard or soft back and I've kept my collection of books as I read them over and over but for storage purposes the Kobo is great and its easier to lug around when reading on the way to work or on long journeys. As others have mentioned there are so many free ebooks on the Kobo website and I know Kindle do the same. The Kobo also looks really attractive - white with a purple back

The only downside I've found is that I can't read it while in the bath - so thats where my hard copy books come in :bigsmile:

unsuspectingfish

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

kr3851

I am an avid reader. I love the smell of books, thumbing through the pages of a new book, getting to the end and that satisfying slap of the back against the rest of the book!

I also love my Kindle. I keep it in my handbag and have many 'books' at my disposal at all times. When I fall asleep while reading in bed, it doesn't hurt as much as a heavy volume when it drops on my head. When I unexpectedly finish a book and I still have half an hour left on the train, I can just get the next one. My bag isn't heavy. My bookshelf doesn't need to be a whole room. And the charge lasts for WEEKS even when I read a lot each day.

I'm torn between two lovers!!

deadbeatsummer

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

A lot of books are free because they are classic fiction where the author is deceased and the copyright is out of date. Most of my books are free because I read tonnes of classics and only have a very small number of popular fiction on mine.

Perhaps this is what the poster meant. If not b!tch is goin' down.

Kashton2011

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

I don't think the above post necessarily means they are pirated copies - like I said in my post there are millions of free books available through the Kobo and Kindle websites. I have also only purchased a handfull of books as I'm taking advantage of reading new authors for free - legally

ReinasWrath

I like regular old books better =] BESIDES most people *I* know with kindles don't even use them for books, lol most of the time they're playing angry birds or something on em.. Reading my *kitten*!! :grumble:

deadbeatsummer

I am a hardcore book warrior with an English and American Literature degree (2:1 b!tchaaz)

I was a full on hater of e-readers, "it's the corporate world trying to sink their teeth into literature, man"
That was UNTIL I had to read books that are so heavy that my wrists would snap off as I tried to get through my course material every day.. Ulysses by James Joyce, The ENTIRE Collection of Shakespeare, Moby D!ck (can't believe that was censored out..), Middlemarch, anyone?

It really got me through my last year at university. I still buy poetry and novels in book form as it feels good to read on paper and have my collection growing in my room, but for quick reads the Kindle is great. And its a life saver on holiday.

deadbeatsummer

I like regular old books better =] BESIDES most people *I* know with kindles don't even use them for books, lol most of the time they're playing angry birds or something on em.. Reading my *kitten*!! :grumble:

You can play angry birds on a kindle?!... you sure??

JodietheIndeterminate

I prefer books, but my kindle is so convenient!

ktsmom430

Books.
I love to read them, have them around me, browse book stores and libraries and just have them around my house.
I have no interest in an e-reader.

Elleinnz

Love the Kindle reader on my iPad.......and the convenience of downloading books - great way to take a selection of books on holiday....Last year in Fiji everyone ran out of books to read - my only problem was the iPad running out of power as everyone was playing Angry Birds, and the generators on the island was only running for 3 hours every night....

I now have a solar battery charger ;-)

For books like New Rules of Lifting, or Paleo Cookbooks I download the e-version, and buy the actual book as well...

RunningWithoutAWatch

Thanks for all your replies. I may have to give it a shot. At least see which free books are out there and maybe read some old classics. But I still enjoy the feel of the book. I love having books all around the house. I think its important for my kids to see lots of books and to develop a love of reading.

I love used books stores and I have since discovered Better world books. Its a site that you can order used books from cheap. I used to get them at my library for $.10 a book, but now use this site.

Jay

Here is a link to my blog post regarding purchasing books using them.

http://www.runningwithoutawatch.com/2012/07/better-world-books.html

unsuspectingfish

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

I don't think the above post necessarily means they are pirated copies - like I said in my post there are millions of free books available through the Kobo and Kindle websites. I have also only purchased a handfull of books as I'm taking advantage of reading new authors for free - legally

I get that, but 298 free versus 2 purchased seems like a rather disproportionate number for absolutely every one of those 298 to be legally acquired, particularly if that's the poster's main medium for reading.

Unless they're really only reading the ones that are legally free, which, if that's the case, I do apologize.

camrunner

I love my Kindle. I love that it has a case with a light on it. I have a hard time reading a paper book anymore.

MrsR0SE

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

I don't think the above post necessarily means they are pirated copies - like I said in my post there are millions of free books available through the Kobo and Kindle websites. I have also only purchased a handfull of books as I'm taking advantage of reading new authors for free - legally

I get that, but 298 free versus 2 purchased seems like a rather disproportionate number for absolutely every one of those 298 to be legally acquired, particularly if that's the poster's main medium for reading.

Unless they're really only reading the ones that are legally free, which, if that's the case, I do apologize.

There are huge numbers of legitimately free books - anything out of copyright dates for example, and loss leaders, ie the first one of a series which you then get addicted to and buy the rest. I have mostly free or less than £1 books all purchase legitimately via Amazon.

Anyway - what's wrong with reading free books? Most of them are classics and well worth reading

Piqueaboo

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

I don't think the above post necessarily means they are pirated copies - like I said in my post there are millions of free books available through the Kobo and Kindle websites. I have also only purchased a handfull of books as I'm taking advantage of reading new authors for free - legally

I get that, but 298 free versus 2 purchased seems like a rather disproportionate number for absolutely every one of those 298 to be legally acquired, particularly if that's the poster's main medium for reading.

Unless they're really only reading the ones that are legally free, which, if that's the case, I do apologize.

The books have expired copyright so they are free. You'd be amazed how many classics you can get for free, legally, via amazon or free ebooks websites. I got Dumas, Dante, Greek legends & similar which I'm catching up on again.

I definitely prefer the kindle as I move once a year, and schlepping boxes of books around is NOT pleasurable.

harleydall76

I prefer an actual book. I was given a Kindle Fire for Christmas and I do love it, but I prefer an actual book.

AngryDiet

BOOKS all the way... we gotta save the medium from dying

Good luck with that.

Well, books will never completely go away. But a niche they will be.

JustJennie1

Both.

I have the kindle app on my iPad and I will download books to that if they are something that I want to read right now or I just don't feel like waiting the week or so to get my book. I also download books on it for vacation because regular books are very heavy.

I also love regular books. I like to go into book stores and browse the shelves for hours. There's nothing better than opening a brand new book and cracking the binding

unsuspectingfish

I have 300 books on it, and I've only paid for 2 of them.

That's not really something you want to be proclaiming in an open internet forum. This is what I dislike most about e-Readers. Authors trying to make a decent living aren't going to make as much because it's easier to steal a digital copy than it is to steal a physical copy. If nothing else, buy the ones from the lesser-known or independent authors.

I don't think the above post necessarily means they are pirated copies - like I said in my post there are millions of free books available through the Kobo and Kindle websites. I have also only purchased a handfull of books as I'm taking advantage of reading new authors for free - legally

I get that, but 298 free versus 2 purchased seems like a rather disproportionate number for absolutely every one of those 298 to be legally acquired, particularly if that's the poster's main medium for reading.

Unless they're really only reading the ones that are legally free, which, if that's the case, I do apologize.

There are huge numbers of legitimately free books - anything out of copyright dates for example, and loss leaders, ie the first one of a series which you then get addicted to and buy the rest. I have mostly free or less than £1 books all purchase legitimately via Amazon.

Anyway - what's wrong with reading free books? Most of them are classics and well worth reading

I get that, and there's nothing wrong with reading classics, but this person admitted to paying for only 2 books out of 300. That seems a bit skewed, to me, unless they're only reading classics or books with lapsed copyrights. It's possible, but it seems improbable if digital books are your main source of reading material.