Do you prefer a real book or a book on a phone

[Shannon]

How many people prefer a real book or a book on a phone. I prefer a real book because you have it right in your hands. Everyone you try it's very easy just think of the one you use most

[Shannon]

I prefer a real book because you can see the page better

[Victoria]

I don't really have a choice. I have to mostly read on my Kindle, because it's the best chance I have for an accessable book.

If my books aren't eBooks, mostly they're audiobooks.

When I could still see, I read almost all physical books, but I'm not sure if that was preference, or because eBooks were still sort of new at that point.

[Shannon]

Good answer

[Ali]

I love holding the book. I tried e-readers for a bit, but did NOT like it! I see the value in it for some people... sure, no shelves full of books, instant access etc... I personally just prefer holding the book, turning the pages, going back and underlining or dog-earing things I like. I even like the smell of books and I love seeing them stacked around my house. :)

[Ali]

Lastly... I wholeheartedly believe that an actual book is much better for a child! They need the tactile benefits of turning pages and the joy of grabbing it from a shelf! There's nothing like the coziness of cuddling with a parent or friend and cradling the book in their hands. The e-readers offer benefits like making fonts bigger and extra bells and whistles, like sounds and stuff, but I still think a printed book has more heart.

[Victoria]

I think that's a very valid point, Ali. I know a few people who feel that way.

I love the way books smell too. New books have a certain smell about them, and so do really old ones. It's something no eBook could ever duplicate.

[Madeline]

Hi! I'm new here. I much rather prefer a print book for children and myself. This generation's youth is already over taken by electronics, and there is no need to add to it. Print books are also better because they do not emit the harmful radiation that comes from electronics which cause headaches.

[Victoria]

Madeline wrote: "Hi! I'm new here. I much rather prefer a print book for children and myself. This generation's youth is already over taken by electronics, and there is no need to add to it. Print books are also be..."

Very true!

[Ali]

I agree Madeline. Electronics are wonderful, but it's so important to find a balance.
And Victoria, that book smell is so awesome sometimes! I'm curious, I think you've mentioned before, but how old were you when you lost your sight? I admire that you find all the ways you can to still read books and write your own stories!

[Victoria]

I've had sight problems since I was born, and my sight was never all that great, but I only completely lost my sight just before I turned 23 (which makes it almost 8 years ago now).

[Zion]

I prefer the book.

[Victoria]

Zion wrote: "I prefer the book."

Fair enough.

[Sima]

Usually the book.......but sometimes if I can not carry the book around then the phone is a substitute but not a very good one..

[Victoria]

Sima wrote: "Usually the book.......but sometimes if I can not carry the book around then the phone is a substitute but not a very good one.."

That's a fair answer.

[Nicolas]

There is just something about a children's book that screams "real" rather than "soft-copy". Especially when reading to a young child. I guess it is part of our social wiring that we perceive the physical contact with the pages on the one hand and the physical contact with our child on the other, key to completing this beautiful bonding puzzle.

Having said that, electronic versions are also useful and it appears that the newer generation may prefer those. (My three year old son tried to pinch-zoom in on a physical book the other day thinking it was like an ipad!)

My own childrens's book is available in both paperback and kindle and I admit that I smile a little more every time someone buys the paperback :)

By the way I am giving some of these away in order to get some honest feedback and review on amazon so if you want it please message me!

Best regards
Nicolas Pavlou
Author of Super Daddy Bedtime Questions
Super Daddy Bedtime Questions: An illustrated super bedtime story for super daddies and their super sons...

[Victoria]

Nicolas wrote: "There is just something about a children's book that screams "real" rather than "soft-copy". Especially when reading to a young child. I guess it is part of our social wiring that we perceive the p..."

*Chuckles at your little one trying to use a physical book like an eBook* That's cute!

Yes, a lot of parents do prefer to have a physical book to hold. That's why most of my books are now available in both formats too. They're all available as eBooks, and most are available as paperbacks as well, with the others to become available in paperback as soon as possible (it should be within the next couple of months).

[Ali]

You guys will love this... my aunt just sent me a cartoon where a person holding an e-reader is asking a person holding a book if they have an extra charger because their battery is dead and they have nothing to read. The book guy gets all bent out of shape and there's some exchange of words... then the cartoon ends with the e-reader guy leaving and yelling "Technophobe!" while the book guys yells "Bookstore killer!" Cracked me up!!

[Victoria]

Ali wrote: "You guys will love this... my aunt just sent me a cartoon where a person holding an e-reader is asking a person holding a book if they have an extra charger because their battery is dead and they h..."

*Chuckles* Too funny!

[Janice]

New to this.
Don't know if I'm doing this right-hope you email me back if you do get it.
Love what you said about your 3 year old...
I can't use a kindle because I have electrical sensitivity -- the pages won't turn for me.
I just finished my first children's book, it was a lot of fun.

[Jen]

I read more paper-paged books, but my collection of ebooks is growing so maybe my answer will change...

[Donna]

Nicolas wrote: "There is just something about a children's book that screams "real" rather than "soft-copy". Especially when reading to a young child. I guess it is part of our social wiring that we perceive the p..."

Donna Maguire
I couldn't agree more. For myself I prefer eBooks for practical reason (I can increase the size of the text). For children being read to, I think traditional books better promote the joy of reading, the one on one time with the narrator leading to a greater love of reading as they get older. For new readers, ages 6 to 8, I prefer the traditional books for virtually the same reason. I will say though, that eBooks make it much more economical for families to provide a wider range of reading materials which CLiF research indicates is a big part of motivating young children to read, and instilling the joy of reading.

I offer my books in both print and eBook (6 to 8) and I sell more paperback editions than eBooks.

Really enjoyed this discussion. Thanks so much,
Donna.

[Sandy]

I'd actually like a paperback.send to
Sandy Good
222 E. Lincoln
Mt. Carroll,Il 61053

[Victoria]

Sandy wrote: "I'd actually like a paperback.send to
Sandy Good
222 E. Lincoln
Mt. Carroll,Il 61053"

Sandy,

This is just a discussion on your personal preference. I'm afraid nobody on this thread is offering to send out books. If you want to find review copies being offered, you need to check out the "from authors to readers" section, and talk to those offering review copies to see what formats they're offering.

[Victoria]

Donna wrote: "Donna Maguire
I couldn't agree me. For myself I prefer eBooks for practical reason (I can increase the size of the text). For children being read to, I think traditional
books better promote the joy of reading, the one on one time with the narrator leading to a greater love of reading as they get older. For new readers,
ages 6 to 8, I prefer the traditional books for virtually the same reason. I will say though, that eBooks make it much more economical for families to
provide a wider range of reading materials which CLiF research indicates is a big part of motivating young children to read, and instilling the joy of
reading.

I offer my books in both print and eBook (6 to 8) and I sell more paperback editions than eBooks.

Really enjoyed this discussion. Thanks so much,
Donna."

I sell more eBooks, personally. Though it might be because I've only recently started to be in a position to also offer paperbacks. Either way, I think it's a good idea to make both available, if you can.

I also agree that the lower cost of eBooks is helpful to those on a budget.

[Janice]

I love the feel and smell of a physical book. Also, I have something called ELECTRICAL SENSITIVITY -- I got a Kindle but could not turn the pages. My problem causes a lot of goofy things to happen. it if anyone is interested. I even have trouble typing this because the letters want to jump all over the page and I have to keep going back and making corrections. Believe me it takes a lot of time for me to type my book manuscripts.

[Donna]

Janice wrote: "I love the feel and smell of a physical book. Also, I have something called ELECTRICAL SENSITIVITY -- I got a Kindle but could not turn the pages. My problem causes a lot of goofy things to happe..."

Wow that is amazing. I never heard of that before. I hope it doesn't cause you too much discomfort.

Donna Maguire

[Victoria]

Janice wrote: "I love the feel and smell of a physical book. Also, I have something called ELECTRICAL SENSITIVITY -- I got a Kindle but could not turn the pages. My problem causes a lot of goofy things to happe..."

That must be extremely frustrating... No wonder you prefer print books.

[Jen]

Janice wrote: "I love the feel and smell of a physical book. Also, I have something called ELECTRICAL SENSITIVITY -- I got a Kindle but could not turn the pages. My problem causes a lot of goofy things to happe..."

I sometimes have a hard time using an iPad or Kindle because my palms sweat, but that's completely different. You've got me googling now... :)