Preference for E-book or Physical Book? It Depends.

The opinions are in on the question: Which do you prefer for your pleasure reading: e-reader/tablet or physical book?

We gathered answers entered in several places in response to a late December blog that highlighted a Pew study reported in the Washington Post. Those answers were substantially consistent: Almost everyone liked both, and no one indicated a hurry to get rid of physical books.

For E-books, they used words and phrases like “convenient,” “organized,” “doesn’t take up … space,” “can adjust font sizes.”

For physical books, there was a bit more romance and fidelity in the words: “the thrill of going to the library” to browse, “nothing like reading a real book,” “nothing beats turning pages.”

A weekend column in the Wall Street Journal weighed in with similar sentiment:

In fact, according to Pew, nearly 90% of e-book readers continue to read physical volumes. The two forms seem to serve different purposes.

Having survived 500 years of technological upheaval, Gutenberg’s invention may withstand the digital onslaught as well. There’s something about a crisply printed, tightly bound book that we don’t seem eager to let go of.

Although no one asked, here’s my preference: I rarely use our e-book reader, however I find it extremely convenient when I do. I am a tactile reader, by that I mean I have to touch the page to get the full benefit from reading. When reading anything but fiction, I have to underline (and sometimes write comments) as I read. It helps me find information and quotes later on, but more importantly it helps me concentrate and understand. Underlining on an electronic device doesn’t do the same thing. So I too am in favor of keeping both. Having the choice! It’s a great world, isn’t it?

And the winner of a copy of Beyond the Wood is: We didn’t choose the winner in a drawing. I listed the first names of all entrants in a note and emailed it to Susan, my wife. She at the same time (before she looked at the email), wrote a number on a sheet of paper (in this case the number five). The fifth name on the list is the winner.

Thanks to everyone for entering, we appreciated your comments, and the winner is Amy who posted a comment on the blog, concluding with “I hope I can curl up with a paperback of ‘Beyond the Wood’ soon!” Amy, we’ll contact you shortly to make the arrangements so you can do just that.

Thanks again to everyone who entered, and maybe we’ll do this again soon.