E-Reader vs. Hard Copy Books

[Selma]

as a non native english speaker, im also a fan of the dictionary. i mostly read in bed and noticed that i cant read as much in a hard copy as on the kindle cuz its so uncomfortable. so even tho i like having hard copies, i'd rather be comfortable than have a bookshelf that looks pretty!

[Karen M]

Have to say that I've lately read a book with alot of French words and it has been lovely to lookup the translations right on my Kindle. Definite plus.

[HeatherIlene]

Actually, I wasn't interested in getting an e-reader until my husband gave me a Kindle as a birthday gift. I was really hesitant at first, but it has grown on me. I agree with others -- I love the dictionary feature on the Kindle as it's been one of my favorite parts of owning it.

I still prefer having physical copies -- I think I'm very tactile in that way. I love holding a book in my hands and flipping the pages.

So I'm somewhere in between! I just can't imagine giving up my little library!

[Tanya]

As much as I love my Kindle yesterday when I switched it on only half the screen was working, hopefully I can get it repaired as I have about 50 books on it . I was just a quarter of the way through Basherat peers 'Curfewed Night ', how I wish now for a hard copy

[Dee]

call Amazon - the half of the screen sounds like an issue from too much torque on it and it has been broken - if it is still in warrenty they may replace it - if its out, they typically offer a discount on a replacement version

[Karen M]

Tanya wrote: "As much as I love my Kindle yesterday when I switched it on only half the screen was working, hopefully I can get it repaired as I have about 50 books on it . I was just a quarter of the way throug..."

You can download the Kindle App onto your computer and continue reading at least at home. Oh, and if you replace it with a new one, your books will still be there for you.

[Tanya]

Thanks Dee and Karen, Have just logged into amazon and am reading on ' cloud reader ' , the warrenty is up so I am going to try and have it fixed , if this can't be done I will replace it , Really don't want to loose my books. At the end of the day there is alot to be said for a hard copy.

[Dee]

You won't lose your books as long as you register the new one to your account - but afaik there is no way to repair - it costs more to do that than to replace

[Melissa Wiebe]

I had an issue with my first ereader and when I logged into my account with my new ereader, I was able to access the books on my new device.

[Andrew]

I still read both. I tend to buy printed books by authors I know I love, or which I'm pretty sure I'm going to treasure, enjoy and reread, or want to lend on.

I buy ebooks of trashy crap that I'll read once on the train and then never bother with again, to save shelf space and endless trips to offload books on charity shops.

[Hayley]

I don't see why I need to choose between the two. Sometimes I'll find downloading the eBook is cheaper and other times it'll be the paper copy - I'll go for the cheapest option ;)

Other time I'll be wanting to read some massive tome of a book and be able to carry it with me to coffee shops, travelling on train etc and so prefer it in eFormat than the handbag breaking edition!

On the subject of train travelling and reading - I suffer from travel sickness in that if I'm travelling on anything I can't read without getting queasy - however, on a train, I can read an eBook without the bad side effects - which is brilliant for train journeys from London to Scotland :D

Buying an eReader doesn't mean giving up the paper books, you won't be forced to stick to an eReader for everything, book stores will still welcome you to come in and peruse (and buy) their stock... you just may find it easier for some books to be in eFormat :)

[Sally]

Hayley, I too get carsick when reading printed material in a car. But I've been able to read my Kindle or tablet while in the backseat with no bad effects. I wonder why that is.

One of the other advantages, while reading in bed, is that as my eyes get tired, I can simply increase the font size.

I still love print books, and I believe they will be around for some time to come. In fact, I have found that when folks are given the choice of a free book -- eBook or print -- they will almost always choose print. I think that says something. Don't you?

[Jocelyne]

Dean wrote: "I enjoy a book you can beat someone with, hard and heavy. I used an e-book once. It broke when I tried to fold the corner."

Dean, you are a riot!

[Jessica]

I prefer either in different situations, mostly that have already been listed in these comments.

But for books I love....for books the stories I cherish...I will always get the printed book. While they are probably less permanent than the digital kind, the printed books just somehow feel more permanent. Plus, I like looking at them and knowing I still have them.

One major con for the e-reader, though, is I tend to forget what books I have on there. And when I pause a book to read another, sometimes I forget that I was in the middle of reading the original selection. I now have a pile (digitally) of half finished books.

[Melissa Wiebe]

Jessica, you can always check what books you have through the bookshelf/library on your device.

[Jessica]

oh, I know. I was commenting that with real books, you just kind of see them on the end table and know that they're still there. With my Kindle (which I love), you have to make a conscious effort to see what you have. It's just an extra step. I count that as a con.

[Jocelyne]

MarvinTheRobot wrote: "I'm German and I think I'm actually reading more English than German books, that's one of the reasons why I LOVE my kindle paper white 3G (got it a few months ago).

I can also see me picking up b..."

I think that you are about to convert me!

[Jocelyne]

Karen M wrote: "Have to say that I've lately read a book with alot of French words and it has been lovely to lookup the translations right on my Kindle. Definite plus."

Which book is that?

[Jocelyne]

I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't own an ebook reader. I've read all your posts and although I know I should get on board, I can't seem to get used to the idea. Also, I am an insomniac and I read that the LCD panels of eReaders aggravate the problem. I also worry that my kindle could lose its will to live when I am stuck on a 17 hour flight. Last but not least, I have the nasty tendency of dropping books in the bathtub, which is costly enough, but still cheaper that dropping the Kindle or the Ipad.

[Dee]

the kindle e-readers aren't LCD panels - only the Kindle Fire is (similar to the Ipad)

as for the 17 hour flight - my kindle lasts like 2-3 weeks without charing if I keep the wifi off (which I do unless I am downloading books) - so as long as you were to charge it right before leaving, you would be fine (but I still carry a book in my bag for when electronics can't be used)

[Jocelyne]

Good, sound advice.

Thank you, Dee

[Jessica]

Um. I like your profile picture, Dee. ;-)

[Sally]

About dropping a Kindle in the bathtub, I use a freezer ziplock bag during baths. While I'm sure it won't protect against a complete dunk, it has saved the Kindle (and my Samsung tablet) from splashes and such.

[✿Claire✿]

I love my Kindle 4, I couldn't be without any more as I'm at uni and in a flat with limited shelf space, most of which is taken up by the enormous textbooks I've had to buy. It's also great for introducing me to new authors or getting anthologies of lots of classics. However, I would hate to be without print books entirely and, if there is a book I really love or really want, I still buy the hardcopy version.

[Jocelyne]

Wow,Sally, a ziplock bag! I would never have thought of that.

There is no question that a Kindle solves the shelf space issue. If I don't go digitally soon, I'll have to move to a place with more shelf space!

[Sally]

We have several kindles and tablets with reading apps in our family. But we still had to build more bookshelves in the stairwell. There's something about holding a book in your hands that will never compare to any of those cold devices.

[Jocelyne]

I totally agree about the feeling of a book in one's hands, but I may be changing my tune by the time I am finished reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time. The books are so heavy, I think I am getting tendonitis!

[MarvinTheRobot]

Like Dee said, most e-book readers are using an e-ink / e-paper display. Unlike a LCD or CRT display they do not need to refresh the screen constantly, they only do it once when loading the content of a new page (also 'saves' a lot of energy).
I think that it's the low refresh rate of cheap LCD screens that is said to cause fatigue.

In my opinion the quality of display on my kindle paperwhite is actually better than in printed books (adjustable background lighting + customizable font).

I don't worry about dropping my kindle into the bathtub or about splashes at all. I'm a bit concerned about the increased air humidity though, but that does not stop me from reading in the bathtub.

[Jocelyne]

Thank you, Marvin and Dee, for your convincing arguments. Do you own shares in e-book readers? Just kidding! I appreciate your input.

[[deleted user]]

I know this sounds weird coming from someone whom wrote an ebook but I LOVE hardcover books. I get weary about relying on battery power for my book. (shows age)

[Liz]

I have a Kindle Fire
I have a Nook
I also have a Kindle 2nd Gen (don't use that anymore).

If you are only interested in one for just reading, I would say go for the Kindle paperwhite or touch.

The ereaders help when you are reading a book that huge. Trying to stand and read with an 800 page book is not cute!!

[Jocelyne]

I know what you mean. My book is giving me tendonitis!

[Equine]

I love paperbacks, but I love how ebooks can be so cheap. 50 dollars can go much farther with ebooks nowadays.

If I'm going to reference the book a bunch, then I'm much more inclined to buy a hard copy, because there's something so nice about picking it up and flipping through the pages.

I love my kobo mini--it's probably the best gift I've ever gotten, and it's a great way to read, but I've noticed that my reading pace is a lot slower on my kobo, than when I'm reading a real book.

[chvang]

I love reading hard copy books--the sight, feel, and that state where you can just flip to your favorite par, you know it so well--but I love how easy it is to store books on an e-reader; I can only see the top three feet of my walls. And of course, Amazon's customer service doesn't hurt.

Both are awesome.

However, I hate having to buy both, a digital copy when I already have so many hardcopies; I hope I can someday scan the barcode or isbn of a hardcopy book and be able to get a digital copy for free.

And ebooks aren't necessarily cheaper; I've come across plenty of ebooks, which cost nothing to produce, more expensive than a new hardcover book.

[Dick]

Chang wrote: "I love reading hard copy books--the sight, feel, and that state where you can just flip to your favorite par, you know it so well--but I love how easy it is to store books on an e-reader; I can onl..."

Totally agree about having to buy electronic version when I already own a hard copy. And if the electronic version happens to be more expensive (GASP) then I'm okay with paying the difference. But having to buy both at retail makes no sense.

[Jocelyne]

A small step for humanity, a giant step for Jocelyne. I just received my Kindle Touch today!

[Soo]

I'm always going to love hardbacks! Yet, ebooks have become the default because it makes they are much easier to travel with. It's enough that I carry cameras and laptop with me when I'm on the road. =)

[Jocelyne]

I am with you on that. I think that my Kindle is going to be used only on trips, and I also enjoy downloading a lot of classics for free but I like print and also I like the change of format, cover, feel we have with books. On Kindle they all feel and look the same.

[Jenn]

I love technology but I hate the idea of e-readers. I understand the convenience and all that, but love the look, smell, feel of books so much, I can't see myself getting one.

[Jo Ann]

I'm late to the e-reader party just got my first tablet almost 2 months ago. They really are wonderful to have, I can carry a whole library around and yes its great the free books you can down load (big selling point for me.) But I still love going to the library and visiting book stores, and there is just something about the way a printed book feels in your hands. I will never be able to totally give up print and go just digital.

[Jocelyne]

Jo Ann ❤ wrote: "I'm late to the e-reader party just got my first tablet almost 2 months ago. They really are wonderful to have, I can carry a whole library around and yes its great the free books you can down load..."

Totally agree with you. I think there is a place for both. I read my first book on Kindle this last week while on a short trip and I quite enjoyed the experience. For me, the print and digital will serve different purposes and I think that I can learn to really appreciate the benefits of an ereader in spite of my long-standing reluctance.

[Karen]

I love my Kindles. I have every flavor. I also have several friends on my account, so we can all share the books. I also lend out the devices to those that aren't on my account. I have saved an incredible amount of money, particularly on the classics.

I bought my first Kindle in 2008, and after about 30 minutes, I never looked back to physical books. My only wish is that every book could be available in the Kindle store.

[Jocelyne]

I just read my first book on Kindle last week: The wizard of oz. I must say that I really liked the experience.

[Sally]

I am definitely a Kindle aficionado, and often read eBooks on my Samsung 7" tablet. But there's still something special in holding and reading an old-fashioned hardbound book.

[KelseyKES]

I prefer my kindle over hardcopies!

Kelsey @ Kindle Affairs

[Karly]

Wow thanks for the in-depth feedback from everyone! My husband just surprised me with a Kindle Paperwhite yesterday. So it's safe to say I've joined the e-reader population, while I still have a large stack of real books waiting to be read. Anyone have tips for navigating the lending library/daily deals/rentals?

[Ashleigh]

I prefer physical books to e-readers. I do have kindle for my phone and laptop in case I get stuck somewhere and want to read. But a good old fashion paper book still feels better

[Csencsitz]

I was always unsure about ebooks. I love the experience of reading a real book, but the convenience of ebooks really makes up for that loss. I love being able to carry a number of books with me at once and changing the font size/brightness/etc. is really handy. Actual books will always be my favorite, but I think I can embrace ebooks at the same time.

[Andrea]

I will always prefer the real book!

[Dawn]

I prefer physical books BY FAR. I've always been and continue to be absolutely in love with every aspect of the sensory experience you get with physical books.

I have Kindle for PC but I don't own an e-reader. I've read a few brief things on Kindle for PC, like The New Age Camp, An Arrangement of Light, and a few chapbooks, but only one full-length novel. It's just not the same. Nothing can compare to having the book in your hands IMO.