E-Reader vs. Hard Copy Books

[Lorraine]

I've had a Kobo e-reader for two years now, and find that even if I have a paperback copy of a novel, I try to get the electronic version from the library. It's just so much lighter to use, and I can look up words I don't know (came in very handy when reading Life After Life. I really love this gadget.

[Gretchen]

Like many of you, I just love the feel of a book, the turning of each page, the smell, the process of going to a store and looking over the shelves and selecting the next porthole to my adventure. I resist turning to the electronic type of reader....

[Steven]

I seem to be stuck in the same predicament that a few others have mentioned. I love reading off my Kindle Keyboard, but I really like having a bookshelf. One solution is to just flip between the two and if you really enjoy a story via eBook that you want to shelve, then purchase a hardback. Despite that logic, I get the guilty feeling of wasting money by purchasing another copy.

[Karen M]

I have a Kindle and I also buy used books. I love reading both forms but I do read faster on the Kindle so since I usually have two books going at the same time anyway, I just read one of each. This way I can continue buying paper books and adding them to my collection but they're not just gathering dust.

[Brittany]

I use both. I have the original Kindle and I like it. I like my Kindle because it allows me to take multiple books with me without the bulkiness and the weight of actual books. I also love hardcopy books. I like reading on those more because it's a nice break from technology and it feels more like actual reading to me. But, I also like my Kindle because I like to buy books on it that are not well known or that I've never seen in the stores. Those are the books on my Kindle, books that are not well known. And I buy all of my well known books as hardcopies.

[Paul]

I run both the Nook and Kindle apps on my iPad and have an older generation Nook that had me take my first step into e-readers. I've become quite a fan of reading electronically mostly for convenience. The older Nook has come in handy for last minute book assignments for my step-son. I could just download it and off to the races he goes.

That said, I go to the local "friends of the library" book sales and get some incredible deals (I'm talking 76 books picked up by my family for $20). My family and I have more paperback books than room on the bookshelves. There is a great feel to real books that just can't be duplicated with technology.

[Sarah]

I have a nook and I absolutely love it! When going on vacations, it's really nice being able to bring with me 10+ books without the annoying weight in my luggage. I simply love the convenience!
But nothing can beat the physical feel of actual books. I miss being able to turn the page and admire a cover. I am guilty of having book e-copies of books and the physical copies of those same books. <3

[Jen]

Karly wrote: "I'm contemplating getting an E-Reader. I've long been a fan of the hard copy book, but anyone can see how the go-to method for books & magazines is quickly trending further towards paperless. So ..."

If you decide to get an ereader...

I use to love kindles... before the forced advertisements. Now the "Special Offers" Kindle is the same price as a Nook Glowlight, which does not have advertisements. If you wanted a Kindle (since goodreads is now partnered with Amazon) and you didn't want the "special offers" which takes up the bottom of your screen you have to pay $20 or more. Then you get a Kindle which has the same amount of space on the bottom taken up with recommendations. This is still advertisement, but has a better chance of being useful. Nook does have recommendations, but only on the first screen or in the Nook Store. Once go to your library it is gone.

Nooks also have expandable memory. You can insert up to a 32G micro SD card. Kindles do not have expandable memory.

Personally I would recommend the Nook. If you really wanted a Kindle I would try to find an early Keyboard edition Kindle on ebay. That way you don't have to deal with Amazon taking up the bottom of your screen.

[Karen M]

Jenna wrote: "Karly wrote: "I'm contemplating getting an E-Reader. I've long been a fan of the hard copy book, but anyone can see how the go-to method for books & magazines is quickly trending further towards p..."

I keep reading that B&N are in financial difficulties and closing stores so I don't know where that leaves their Nook customers. Just keep that in mind when you purchase.

[Jen]

Barnes and noble are no longer manufacturing the nook tablets in house. They will continue manufacturing the simple touch and simple touch glow light ereaders.

[Laura]

I was broker than broke, so I had to save up for a while to buy a Kindle Fire. I did my research and I thought that Amazon had a better selection, so I figured it would be easier to by books on one of their readers.

This Christmas, I got some sweet Barnes & Nobel gift cards. Thanks to the Nook app, I've been able to get some great books from their online store. But when I look for new books, I always go directly to Amazon.

I've reached the point that I'm too lazy to read hard copy these days. I even "upgraded" some of my favorite hard backs to ebooks so I can carry them when I'm on vacation and read them when the mood strikes.

[J.F.]

I've been reading primarily digital for a while now and LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite and also reading on the Kindle iPhone app on the London Underground. I did have to buy a print version of a non-fiction book the other day, and found myself totally frustrated that I couldn't underline things by dragging my finger on the text. That is now how I annotate and make notes on non-fiction (which I read a lot for research). I read and highlight on the Kindle and then when the book is done, I open in the Kindle app on Mac, View Notes and Marks and just note down what I had highlighted. That was a defining moment - so basically, I prefer to read 99% ebook these days - but I don't think print will die. It's more for special books - like my oversize, full-color reproduction Red Book by Carl Jung

[Jessica]

Ereaders can mean books aren't as expensive, but I'd prefer hardcovers.

Don't get me wrong E-readers are convenient they are easier if you don't have room for more books, and if you can't find a book. But I prefer to be have the book with me whenever I want, and the feel of the actual book.

I do read quite a few books off my computer though, simply because I'm not old enough to have a credit card yet so I can't order books myself.

[Tracy]

I looked forward to getting an e reader. Once I purchased mine I was disappointed. I much prefer to have an actual book. I also like going to the bookstore and picking up books and browsing. The socializing aspect of bookstores is important to me, too. I use the EReader to borrow books from my library but, when I purchase books it is always in the traditional format.

[Erica]

being from Canada we have the kobo and sony readers and others and the kindles just became avail here however it proves to be a pain should anything go wrong with the kindles....that being said nothing will ever beat a real book. i have carpul tunnel in both wrists and reading an ereader makes my life easier. i also find them an easier read......

[Leon]

I started e-reading several years ago with a Sony Reader. I found the choices were rather limited, so I splurged on an iPad. A whole new world opened - there are so many free Apps available to download, you can buy from anybody and read what you want.

[[deleted user]]

I personally LOVE the feel, smell, site of a 'real' book, however, since receiving my kindle almost 2 years ago, I haven't looked back. I always worried that e-readers would make 'real' books disappear one day (which would be tragic), and I hope that's not true. So far as kids books, I still prefer hard copies but appreciate a well formatted kindle version. I will say I believe e-readers make it possible for indie-authors to publish and promote their books easier and allows more access to said books. There are so many inexpensive e-reader books I would've never borrowed in hard-copy. In that respect, I think the digital book world is a better place! Plus, there's so many free options and kindle daily deals that allow me to purchase books for a reduced cost and enjoy something 'different' I wouldn't buy in expensive hard copy form. The biggest benefit is having millions of books at your fingertips anytime you want to read. The possibilities are endless! Though, there's nothing like walking into a library and borrowing a new book while scanning the shelves. I really wish they'd be able to recreate that 'book smell' while reading the kindle, but I guess that's years away ;-)

[Ritika]

Reading a paperback or hardbound and turning those pages, the smell of books cannot be compared to e-books. But I cant argue that e-books are clear winners when it comes to convenience. Usually I read the average ones in the e-book form and try and read my favorite authors in the physical form. Also depends on genre, a thriller is good to be read e-book as it can be read non-stop or one-go but a Ruskin Bond has to be paper back for me :)

[Renee]

I much prefer "real" books, but then I'm the type who sort of resists technology anyway. A few weeks ago I was rereading Stephen King's Under the Dome and a woman commented on it, talking about how big the book was and wouldn't I be happier with an e-book. Before I knew it I had launched into a long lecture about how much I prefer the look, feel and smell of "real" books, and how it's easier to trade them back and forth. She never knew what hit her.

[Stephaniiie]

I looked into getting one for a long time as well before deciding last week 'what the heck?' and bought a Nook Glowlight on the basis that it was affordable but I refused to get anything without a light (one of my main reasons for getting one was so I can read without keeping the bf awake!). And I have to say I do not regret it at all!

At first I was a little saddened by the lack of overall reading 'experience' (it still, to me, does not trump a real book) but then began to think of it as an addition to my book collection - not a replacement. And when you think of it like that it's fabulous! Because if I stumble across a recommended book on here that I simply MUST read I can get it in an instant.

Another aspect I anticipate being enormously helpful is the fact that the Nook supports PDF files so when I go back to Uni I'll actually be able to read the pages and pages of PDF files we get given without giving myself a headache! Worth the £60 I paid just for that lol.

I'd say if you really want to get one/ are curious - get one! You can always sell it or pass it on if you don't like it and just because you have an e-reader doesn't mean you have to abandon print books :)

[Scott]

Karly wrote: "I'm contemplating getting an E-Reader. I've long been a fan of the hard copy book, but anyone can see how the go-to method for books & magazines is quickly trending further towards paperless. So ..."

Hi Karly,

I was a staunch traditionalist of the hard cover/paperback book. That is, until, I braved the waters of the ebook. I got a Nook Simple Touch about two years ago and I love love love it. I love the fact that I can increase the font size. This is the most important feature for me because once you hit the 40's I think the eyes start slowly going. At least if you read a lot, which I do.

That being said, I'm sold on e-readers for that one, simple reason. However, if I were to buy one today, and I'd like to get one in the near future, I would purchase the Kindle Paperwhite. I've seen up close and I have to say, I think it's the best reader on the market. Well worth the money. You can't go wrong with it.

[Tracy]

Does Kindle still stream ads?

[✿ ♥ Heather ♥ ✿]

My Kindle Paperwhite just gives me one ad every time I open up. But, I don't mind. Some have sounded interesting, but most I just swipe the page and start reading my book.
No streaming of ads though

[Scott]

I believe if you pay an extra $20, the Kindle won't stream ads. Of course, you can always turn off the wi-fi. Once you have the book loaded, you don't need it one anyway.

[Tracy]

Thanks Scott, I'll tell my son about that. He has a Kindle and I have a nook but, to be honest neither gets much use.

[Nihar]

Ebooks are always cheaper though :). For example, my newly released book Win No Matter What: A Guide to Hyping Up Your Life is only $3 in ebook format, but $8 in hard copy!

You guys should check it out by the way, portions of all profits go to charity in order to stomp out poverty! You can see it at Amazon.

I also have a kindle and I love reading ebooks - it's so much more convenient, but everyone has their different preferences!

[Lori]

I hate to admit it, but I love my Kindle because of the instant gratification! I love the ability to immediately download a new book, and to pre-order a soon-to-be released title and having it show up. Love!

[Melissa]

I have always preferred hard copys but decided to buy a Kindle. I tried the app on my iPhone first and preferred the color option better than the Paperweight I was going to originally purchase. I ended up buying the Samsung
galaxy instead. I love being able to lay in bed at night reading a novel without bothering my husband with the light on. Also love the convenience of having any novel available anywhere anytime. I love being able to bookmark a page or highlight a favorite quote and finding them at the push of a button. there are so many features available

[R.S.]

I'm always going to love a good hard back book. There's something so magical about cracking it open and flipping the pages. But I've recently converted to ebooks after I got my iPad, and the convenience of it is great. So, I guess I'm torn :-/

[Alycia]

I guess I don't view books vs e-books as an either/or proposition ... I have a Kindle and use it regularly. I haven't stopped reading physical books though. The kindle is just another option, like deciding if I want the hardcover which will last forever, or the cheap paperback that I can leave on the plane when I'm done with it.

[Sara]

I love reading paperbacks and hardcovers but I read a lot of e-books because sometimes I don't have the time or money to buy them from the bookstore so I buy them as an e-book on amazon. But I would always choose a normal book over an e-book.

[[deleted user]]

I am a purist, through-and-through, even though I have 2 eReaders. One just can not duplicate the feel, smell, and touch of a paper book. I did a paper in college about this very subject ~ it was titled "Paper or Plastic". But that story's for another day.

At any rate, I've tried both, and I am back to my paper books ~ if you don't have the money, try your local library; they have never let me down.

[Sandeep]

Like Valerie, I believed physical books were essential for reference and re-reading. But when I got the Kindle as a gift, I have read 4x times as much. Its because I can carry it anywhere. I've also noticed it's easier for me to re-read my favorite passages because of the highlighting feature. The only physical books I buy are ones that are 350+ pages.

[Amrit]

I have been traveling for many years, so the upside of the Kindle is that I can read as much as I want (which is usually a lot), without carrying around the weight. But I recently just moved back home to settle down for a bit and took all my favorite books out of storage. It was magical. I set them up on a shelf, arranged them by genre and alphabetical order by author. Then I would just stare at them. As a result, I've been buying paper books again, and now my reading time is a 50/50 split between books and ebooks.

Whereas I love reading actual books for the smell and feel and look, I also got used to the Kindle, being able to highlight favorite passages and locate them easily when I'm done with the book, mark words I know passively but want to more readily incorporate into my own writing, etc. So sometimes when I'm reading from a paper book, I miss the Kindle, and I guess vice versa...haha.

I think the story is most important. If it's good, it's good, and I'll read it...in any form :).

[Seb]

I've been debating on ebooks vs paper books for a while. Having so many books stuck in storage back home after my move is painful. I download books that I have recommended to me or hear about and start reading them on my computer, but I always go out and buy the ones I really want to continue reading. It's simple for me, I'll never pay for a digital copy of anything, ever. So it's either not contribute to the author and get to read off a screen which I find makes distraction way too easy (even when I had a kobo ereader) or contribute, and have a physical book to sit on my desk shaming me until I open it up an read it. I'll go with door number 2. ereaders are useful for the long distance traveller expecting to be gone from home weeks or months, but honestly I don't see the issue with carrying around a couple paperbacks. I carry my laptop all the time for writing, but I still have my notebooks with me all the time anyway because seeing stuff on paper just really helps for concentration. Also, books don't have screen to break (opened my kobo to find it had been destroyed in my backback once.

[Susan]

I never thought I'd get an e-reader, but started doing more traveling and decided to make the leap. I was surprised at how much I liked it! I had the first e-ink Kindle version, now I have the Fire. I like that I can order books in an instant, can take a virtual library with me wherever I go, can highlight and bookmark, use a dictionary, and not have to put down my wine to turn the page :)

However, I still love the slick feel of a trade paperback or the serious weight of a hardcover. I like being able to easily flip through pages to reread sections (harder to find on an e-reader). I love the cover of a book too, which is less prominent on Kindle, at least the earlier version. I like collecting series of books and putting them together on my bookshelf. Although, I don't need to dust the Kindle as often...

Both paper and digital books have a place in my heart because, in the end, they both deliver what I want... a story, hopefully a good one.

[James]

I never thought I'd read a book on my Kindle. It's convenient, and not bad at all. I still prefer hardcopy.

[Susan]

This may not be a concern to many but I've moved quite often in the past 15 years due to my job. Every time I have to pack up my dead tree books and move them, my eyes glaze over. Last time is was 52 cartons. I got the Kindle (second addition) a few years ago. Since then I've donated all my books to the local library: except for about a 100 that I just have to keep. Love my Kindle for the convenience. But I have no urge to upgrade to the newer versions until my original Kindle dies. I just want to read books - no music, no TV, no internet. I have a smart phone for all of that. I still go to the library and visit my books. I do check a few out sometimes.

[Carolyn]

I, too, have a large collection of books, and also a Kindle. I enjoy the Kindle for ease of reading in any light, and its convenience when travelling. But I doubt I'll give up my collection of books. They are all around me - like friends. Recently I read the novel, "The Painted Ladies" (excellent, by the way,) on my Kindle, then subsequently saw it at a book sale. I just had to have it - the real thing as it were, even if I won't be re-reading it.

[VickiLee]

I little of this and a little of that - my love reaches beyond boundaries!

[Ken]

I read both, and enjoy both e-reader and paper book. One cannot beat the e-reader for convenience, but I still like the feel of a god quality book. On the other hand I suppose folk suppose folk said this in the past. "This new fangled stuff 'paper', there is nothing like the smell of vellum on a good quality scroll"

[Ben]

I am a bit embarrassed that my first post in this group is to admit to reading a Bridget Jones, or should I say Helen Fielding, book. I am not sure I would have had the gaul to read a paper copy, but at least on an ereader you can be more discreet about what you are reading.

[Shay]

One thing I think about with this debate of which is better real book or ebook. I say why does it matter? You are still reading and that is the most importnat thing of all. It shouldn't matter which format you choose.

When the Kindle first came out I thought how dumb, just go get a real book. Years later DH wanted to buy me an erader. So eventually I accepted once I learned more about them. I now have a Nook Simple Touch and a Kindle Paperwhite. I just wanted a basic erader for books only. I love that I can get all kinds of free books on my ereaders. The library doesn't always have what I can get for my ereader. Many books are cheaper in digital form rather than a real book I love that I have so many books available and it doesn't take up a lot of room. I still love going to the library.

[Carolyn]

I think this debate will continue for a long time, with e-books and print books co-existing. I can't imagine print books ever entirely disappearing, but neither will e-books. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages.

[Jeremy]

I think once someone has moved a few hundred books around from apartment to apartment an e-reader is a solid idea to keep the library going. I still feel that once Ive settled into a place I will just start buying all the books Ive digitally read!

[W]

I love both, with the convenience with a kindle and ipad, you can get the book immediately, but I do love holding a book as well, because like some books, especially if it's a special edition or an add on to a book, I love having that physically with glossy papers etc.... But it's the words that count

[Sally]

I like the eReader but then I got the Hardback of The Child PrinceThe Child Prince and followed by book 2 The Dreamer's CurseThe Dreamer's Curse and it was like collecting Nancy Drew all over again.... I like Authors.. who give me an option eBook, Paper, Hardback or Audio

[N]

I moved my entire library from the UK to Australia - probably around 1800 books..... I always have a book, in my car, in my handbag, by the bed, in the bathroom, in my lounge room.... I dislike the e-book beyond measure! There was also a study that shows a book read on both platforms had more people remember the plot and characters from the paper version. I will have to look up the story - Dymocks did it and they sell both types so wasn't biased :)

[vicki]

I am a fan of King and Hitchcock; love the mix of terror and horror, mystery and suspense. My books are mystery thrillers with twists and turns, without the Hollywood hoopla of fairytale endings. Give me a cozy tale of murder and mayhem with a dash of pepper to spice it up and shock and surprise the reader.

[N]

www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/19...