1984 question

I still mostly read physical, printed books, but I am happy to read in electronic format as well. I don't think the fetishizing paper and ink makes anyone's love of reading deeper or superior to those who prefer to read on a computer or tablet.

I'm actually getting much more into ebooks (to the point of buying electronic versions and then reselling or donating my paper copies), for practicality reasons. I move and travel far more than most people, I frequently live overseas and I read noticeably faster than average, so with paper books, I was always running out of books, not being able to get a copy in English, having to wait several weeks to get a book shipped, not having enough books in my carry-on bag to last me the whole flight, having half my books inacessible for a month because they were still in international shipping, or any number of other problems. I can see how someone with a more normal lifestyle might prefer physical copies, but for me, the practical benefits of ebooks are enormous.

Oh, indeed. I started letting my home library dwindle a few years ago, well, after a manner, but I felt that I needed those books. For one thing, I can find something faster inside a physical book than I can in an e-book. Especially since physical books have standardized their TOCs and index pages, etc. Too many of my kindle books are start-at-the-beginning-read-to-the-end with no other choice but that.
There's nothing like unplugging and sitting with a cup of tea and a worn out favorite book. We are still physical creatures, we need to live in the place where we are, not just free float in the ether.
I love how I can get the classics free on my kindle, but I often want to buy a bound copy of something I've finished on the kindle, too.
Book smell. 'Nuff said.

I've never transitioned to e-books, for a few different reasons. I enjoy having the a large bookcase in the lounge, just glancing across the various titles on the shelves is to be reminded of their contents and it makes it easier to decide what to read next. There is also something beautiful in a well designed book.

It's true. Ebooks do remove a lot of the physical and aesthetic appeal that we've come to associate with books. What's more, not being able to handle one in the same way and monitor your progress, it's a palatable loss.

That being said, I have found that the Kindle app for iPad isn't bad. It mimics the effect of reading to a degree, though I still don't like the fact that you can't actually see how far along you are in the book you're reading.

I prefer actual physical books. I live in an old house with lots of rooms, so it is easy for me to designate one of them as a library/computer room. I'm sure e-books are wonderful for some people, just not for me.

Too many books, too little room.

If I intend, or expect, to only read a book once then I buy it on my Kindle. If not, or if it is a work of reference, especially with photographs and/or illustrations, then I will buy the physical book and the e-book. The latter for ease of reading on the move.

I recently cleared out hundreds of books donating to charity, after friends and family had taken their pick. I have kept reference works and some novels but now I have kindle and other e-reader capability. I do love the feel of a book, but I wanted the space back in my study, and a sense of tidiness which stacks of three deep books, on shelves, were not providing.
I moved to Kindle when taking 10 books for a weeks holiday was getting ridiculous and killing my airline weight restriction!
I sometimes have three or four books on the go at the moment but the only physical book I am reading, slowly, is:



This was given to me in Hardback