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The Great Debate: Paper vs. E-Reader
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Yay! This very topic has been tumbling around in my head ever since I got my ereader just two days ago.Like you, Rose, I love my books. I'm proud of them and they are my most prized collection. (I hope to have a properly magnificent library in my home someday.) Up until recently I only read books that I knew I would like or at least presumed that I would like and so I only really read books that I or a friend owned. I used to go to the library when I was younger but as soon as I got my first job I preferred to buy my books. In this way, and I didn't realize it until recently, I severly limited myself. Since I was buying books with my hard-earned money I only wanted to buy books that interested me and so I stayed within the same genre (YA Fantasy) for a very long time without branching out.
Not all that long ago I decided to leave the YA section (not completely, just trying not to limit myself so much). I'm very glad I did and I feel like I am finally maturing as a reader again.
Two days ago I got the Nook Simple Touch. I did quite a lot of research between the Nook and Kindle- they are almost identical in their features so in the end I decided on the Nook becuase they are a company of readers for readers while Kindle is more corporation-y. Since I got the nook I've been downloading tons of books that I wouldn't normally buy (and thus, wouldn't normally read). I think having an ereader is definitely expanding my horizons and I am greatful for that. Don't get me wrong, though. I still love my physical books. If I come across a book that I five-star love I will absolutely be buying a physical copy to add it to my shelves.
As much as I love my new Nook I am afraid that physical books will dissapear due to them eventaully. It will probably be a long time, many generations yet, but it will happen. Libraries will just be rows of ereaders. Crazy.
I haven't had my nookie long enough to be able to site any pros or cons. I'm still in the newly-wed days of love with it haha. Oh! I do wish I could have a wallpaper for the home screen. I think on some of the nicer models of Nook and Kindle you can but on mine you cannot.
I enjoy both.I will always prefer reading and owning physical books; a bookshelf is my one concession in an otherwise minimalist living space.
But receiving a Kindle for Christmas 15 months ago revolutionized my reading habit. I can carry it around in my back pocket and whip it out 5-10 times a day in spare moments, sneaking in a chapter here and there. As with anything, the more I did it, the easier it became, and now picking up a book feels less a commitment and more a natural extension of desire. My mind has never been more primed for reading.
I believe the only threat to the publishing industry is the non-reader. Sadly, technology does play a role in this; the ease and immediate gratification of cell phone-use annihilates many people's desire to commit 5-15 hours to a book.
I think there's an unstated stigma against reading, that it's inherently anti-social -- a loner endeavor. But that's where a community like Goodreads can be a lovely application of tech. To me, nothing is more exhilarating than sharing a good book. I hope to one day engage in community read-alouds in a swanky Victorian lounge or parlor, but until then, I think I could do worse than Goodreads.
Frank wrote: "@David There is at least one more threat to publishing, which has always existed for them, and which they have thrived in spite of - secondhand booksellers. Publishers lose money on every book you buy that is not new, which is (at least for me) a large percentage, but they've always found a way to make a profit. I think they'll likely find a way around e-readers, too. They're a clever bunch, and they have too much capital invested in printing physical books to waste those resources by moving to only e-books."This is an issue in the gaming industry as well. The way that gaming companies combat second-hand buying is to provide DLC (Donwloadable Content) that only comes with the purchase of a new game (usually just a special armor/skin, a map, or some concept art). Maybe publishers can take note from this and try something similar in the future?
I'm someone who never owned an e-reader, and never really had any urge to change that, so to me it's not much of a debate. As for my reasons, the major one is just the fact that I refuse to condense hundreds of physical books that take up actual space, books I can flip through or even just look at the cover design to, into a little piece of technology that has no meaning to me. With every book I see there are memories attached to it, where I bought it, why I bought it, did I regret buying it, how much did I buy it for, and so on. There is the process of going to the bookstore and picking out a book that I don't plan to give up, instead of just sitting on my bed and clicking a few times. I just feel like I have no need for one, while growing up I've always been able to do all my reading without a single problem or complain without this piece of technology, and nothing changed. I realize why people decide to get e-readers, a light device that can carry hundreds and hundreds of books for them, being able to access hundreds of books they would have never considered to read for no price at all, and so on. To me I guess, those reasons are just too small in relation to my reasons to stick with physical books.
Scott wrote: "@Ashley: Do you know about adding 'screensaver' backgrounds to your Simple Touch? It's not exactly a background for the Home screen but still a nice way to customize. Also, since you're a new owner, do you know about Calibre (a must for ebook management and conversion) and Project Gutenberg (among other sources of free and legal ebooks, but this is the big one)?"Yes, I have quite a few folders of screensavers that I am circulating through. I just love when you can bring a bit of your personality into your gadgets, which is also why I (greedily) would like to have the option to have a wallpaper as well. No big deal though, first world problems and all that.
Calibre was one of the first things I downloaded when I got my nook and I'm so glad I did- it's defintely a must-have. I have not heard of Project Gutenberg, though- thank you muchly for the info! It seems to have a lot of classics which I've been wanting to catch up on.
Mod
I'm writing a blog post about this subject now for FWD SLASH BOOKS, and this discussion was really inspired by the fact that Toronto's World's Biggest Bookstore may not be renewing their lease after this year. Part of this is due to the low price of digital publishing and the convenience of buying books from your computer at home. Although this isn't entirely the only reason, it has taken a part in the possibility of other businesses slowing down or shutting down.
I like ebooks more than books now. E-readers are so much more comfortable and easy for me to read. I find myself getting lost in books more often. With physical books I would get distracted by the binding not laying flat, pages getting bent or tearing, and not being able to find a way to hold the book comfortably without moving my thumbs out of the way every few seconds. I used to be annoyed about not being able to flip through the ebooks, but being able to search for what I was looking for is usually faster anyway.I also love that I can check new ebooks out from my library whenever I want without actually running to the library, and there are no late fees because the books return themselves automatically if you forget. Not having to carry around two books when I'm about to finish one and start another is great too, especially when I'm reading bulky books.
Mod
I have some signed books that are my pride and joy, and I too, love the smell and feel of the paper books. I used to spend the day in Toronto wandering the used books stores that lined one whole street, even in the winter.
I hope print never goes out of style!
Words, ideas and language are all more important than the medium that contain them. I wish I didn't like the aesthetic of books so much, would love to abuse less trees in the long run. Even books I read on my kindle I want on my shelf. Hopefully I'll outgrow this.I typically end up reading hardbacks at home and my kindle out while walking/taking public transport/waiting.
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I think what you said here is definitely most important of all.
As I said, I love having both mediums to read from. I think one main reason for me to keep my paperbacks and hardbacks though is to easily pass them onto someone else more easily, however. Books are the most precious heirlooms, whether you sell them at a used book store or give them to family or friends.
Mod
E-reader- books readily available for buying and downloading
- highly portable
Paper
- everything else
I find that I finish a book considerably faster when reading a physical copy. :D
Why did you get it? How do you like it? What kind do you own?
Do you believe that technology - ereaders, tablets, smartphones are going to be the death of publishing?
What are the pros and cons to having an ereader? What problems have you come across?
Discuss, debate, shake some fists or shake some hands :)