Ebooks vs Print books vs Audio

[Rebecca]

No worries. I'm glad you've managed to sort it out! I hope you enjoy your book :-)

[Kat]

Me too. :)

[Andrés]

Ebooks for convenience, but if I have the chance to read on print, id rather do that.

[Groovy]

Kyle, I may not be too much help, but here's my experience:

I have never had a problem falling asleep after reading off an e-reader. My question is, is it the screen, or are you hyped up from the great story you just read:)

They can strain your eyes just like TV and computers, but they have it where you can dim the bright light, that's what I do. I find it so much easier on my eyes.

Hope this helped a little.

[Miriam]

I've heard this about tv, computer, and mobile screens but never about an ereader. Amd I think the light is different on an ereader. Usually those are small leds set inside the frame that only give white light. Ereaders don't display colour after all.

I read every night with my ereader in bed for at least half an hour and I never had troubles falling asleep. But then I'm a working mum with four kids and notoriously tired. So that might not count.

[Groovy]

I have to say, I love the printed page, too. It will always be my first choice. I grew up on paperbacks and hardcovers. I love the smell, the feel, and opening the book is like entering a new world.

With that said, I'm grateful for the digital age. E-readers are so convenient, and you can store loads of books on them. And if it weren't for the e-readers, I would probably still be courting agents trying to get them to represent me. Boy, am I glad those days are over.

Because of Kindle, I was given the opportunity to write my stories and have the freedom to be published without agents standing in my way. So, it's safe to say, Kindle saved my writing career:)

[Jacqueline]

I like both, but lately I've been sticking with ebooks. I go with either one and they're both great. They both have advantages and cons. Ebooks are easier storage-wise as it's one device with multiple books, and it's already lit up. The battery part can get annoying though. I like both.

[Spirit-Soul-Body]

Personally I prefer printed books. I only read arc or non availability of hard copy and desperate to read book for some reason in short time…that time I read eBook with so much scowl, fretful and miserable session.

I first started read ebooks when my british library card expired. but now back to normal.

[Aime]

Personally I prefer printed books, I like the weight of the book in my hand and the fact that I can turn the pages and smell the book, but I gotta admit that since I'm from Honduras, books are a bit more expensive here and I don't have the opportunity to buy them when I desire, so I have the majority in my cellphone or PC.

[Jim]

i prefer printed books, but also prefer being as eco-friendly as possible, so i get my printed books from the library... yeah, it's a bit of an oxymoron - can't get printed books without them being printed - but i just prefer physical books... but i have read on an e-device and it isn't awful (my wife's term for something not-so-great), it does keep trees alive, and it creates less waste (yeah, i know most people here keep and treasure their books, but a lot of people do not and they end up in landfills, which is no good)... and the sensible/minimalist part of me says e-books, as they are less expensive (more money for traveling) and don't take up space...

[sonya]

I give my books to others and recycle my magazines

[Susan]

I was gifted a Kindle Fire this last Christmas and thought I wouldn't get much use out of it, but I absolutely love it! I would never trade out my hard-copy collection for an entirely digital one, but as soon as I downloaded the trial of Kindle Unlimited I was hooked. I used to be a stickler for physical books only, too, but the convenience and immediacy of reading an ebook has won me over.

Has anyone else tried out Kindle Unlimited? I'm hearing it's going to be the new Netflix for books. I hope it becomes more popular and they add more titles.

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm)]

Susan wrote: "I was gifted a Kindle Fire this last Christmas and thought I wouldn't get much use out of it, but I absolutely love it! I would never trade out my hard-copy collection for an entirely digital one, ..."

I have tried Kindle Unlimited and liked it. They have a good collection of book and it can be a money saver if you read a lot.

I also really like Scribd. Scribd is a reading subscription that is available anytime and on any device. You have access to 3 books and 1 audiobook each month —plus unlimited access to magazines and documents—for $8.99/month.

Hope this helps.

[Susan]

ClockworkBookworm wrote: "Susan wrote: "I was gifted a Kindle Fire this last Christmas and thought I wouldn't get much use out of it, but I absolutely love it! I would never trade out my hard-copy collection for an entirely..."

Thank you! I will definitely give Scribd a look. From what I heard though, it isn't compatible with Kindles so I guess I would have to read the books on my laptop? Not sure, bit inept with technology in general if I'm being honest haha.

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm)]

I apologize, you should be able to use Scribd via their website. I have a Kindle, but prefer my android tablet as I am an equal opportunity reader. I have the Kindle, Nook, Overdrive, Calibre and Audible apps on my Samsung Galaxy tablet.
My favorite form of book is physical hardback and I have most of my favorite reread as such. I find ebooks to be a great option, as I don't have room for all my books nor the money. I get daily book bargain emails from Goodreads, Bookbub and several others that let me know when books are on sale or discounted, anywhere from free to a couple of dollars, you may want to look into that also as they are Kindle compatible. If you would like specific lists let me know.

Good luck and good reads. I hope that something within my babbling helps.

[Susan]

ClockworkBookworm wrote: "I apologize, you should be able to use Scribd via their website. I have a Kindle, but prefer my android tablet as I am an equal opportunity reader. I have the Kindle, Nook, Overdrive, Calibre and A..."

It absolutely has helped! Thank you for taking the time to explain all of that to me. Looks like I'll be shopping for a tablet soon. :)

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm)]

My pleasure. :-)

[Mik]

Honestly, I like both! I like to have a physical copy of a book, for no real reason other than they're easier to purchase.
When I use ebooks, I borrow them from the library and download them onto my phone, which is really handy if I want to get a hold of something immediately, it also takes up less space.
I do like to have a physical copy if I'm going somewhere where I don't want to have my phone, or I'd just rather hold a book. I find it easier to read on a physical page than a screen sometimes.

[Jessica]

I do love books but, unfortunately only 2% of books are made in assessable formats for visually impaired people so, normally I have to rely on Ebooks because, they can be enlarged or use speech.

[Mik]

Yeah, that's very true.

[Terrence]

Physical Books, EBooks or Audio Books?

The percentage of readers reading eBooks, as compared to physical books, is increasing. And, now, many listen to audio books as well. Will audio books replace both physical books and eBooks in the future, perhaps in the distant future?

[Papaphilly]

Terrence wrote: "Physical Books, EBooks or Audio Books?

The percentage of readers reading eBooks, as compared to physical books, is increasing. And, now, many listen to audio books as well. Will audio books replac..."

I hope not...

[stardustreader]

Print because I love it and why not, but I find ebooks great when you have no space/bookshelf is fulll

[This Kooky Wildflower Loves a Little Tea and Books]

I prefer print, and I really believe my eyes do too. I've just limited myself to two ebooks a month because, in all seriousness, my eyes tire easily while reading ebooks lately. Since they aren't my preference anyway, I'm limiting my use.

[Sha]

Terrence wrote: "Physical Books, EBooks or Audio Books?

The percentage of readers reading eBooks, as compared to physical books, is increasing. And, now, many listen to audio books as well. Will audio books replac..."

I doubt it. Ebooks have a higher chance of replacing print books because they use up less resources in production. Audio books, otoh, and far more resource-intensive to produce, and the viability of a cheaper and simpler option probably will sustain physical/electronic books.

I like ebooks because I can annotate and scribble all over them and I never have to worry about defacement or lack of space. My only problem is all the notes I lose whenever I have to re-format my phone or replace my SD card. :(

[Jonathan]

I've yet to explore reading on a tablet, though I have about 10 books I got for free in my Kindle library. That said, it seems Amazon is much like Apple with an ecosystem that confines the user. So like some have commented, use of a tablet makes more sense that a Paparwhite or Fire. Our library allows members to borrow from Overdrive, Enki and Safari though Enki has a database of over 70K titles and is NOT compatible with Kindle. "And that's all I'm gonna say about that" ~ Forrest Gump

[Sha]

I would definitely recommend a tablet or phone over a dedicated reading device. Its far more flexible.

[Tracy]

I still read paperbacks and I love my Kindle Oasis! I will read on any device really....

[Dan]

I prefer to read hardcover and paperbacks because I enjoy the way they feel in my hands and you don't have to worry about them running out of power when you taking them on trips. I have a few books on my tablet but don't read them.

[Papaphilly]

Dan wrote: "I prefer to read hardcover and paperbacks because I enjoy the way they feel in my hands and you don't have to worry about them running out of power when you taking them on trips. I have a few books..."

This sounds like a man of intelligence and rare breeding....8^)

[sonya]

I read anything

[Jonathan]

"What me worry?" Browsing the shelves at the library, the aroma of aging paper, smiling children's faces as they drag their book laden bags out the door, there's nothing like books. In the end, its whatever makes you happy.

[Deanna]

I started using my iPad to borrow ebooks from the library using the Libby app. I find that I enjoy reading books a lot more this way. That said, my favourite place in the world is still a used book store and I enjoy having piles of books around my house. I probably read 2:1 digitally now and using apps like Goodreads and Libby haas let me really focus on choosing books I love. I have read 55 books so far this year - compared to 38 last year total and the difference is borrowing digital books. Not convinced about audio books yet though- only finished a couple so far.

[sonya]

Deanna I like mixing audiobooks into my reading. It helps

[A Turtles]

Personally I will read on anything whether it be paper, upload on my phone, my old nook, or Amazon eBook app on my PC.
BUT: There is something about the smell, the feel of the pages, the usually beautiful font or typeface in a paper or hard back. I have so many from going to Dollar Tree when their new shipments arrive that I'm out if room and have to diy places to put them.

[Jonathan]

Deann, Sonya and Alisha...I appreciate learning your preferences. As stated previously, browsing the shelves at the library as well as the staff picks and new selections is something I've always enjoyed. I also am inspired seeing all the children dragging book bags that weigh nearly as much as they do! When the timing is right, I'll purchase an E-reader of some type since I'll be submitting short stories I've written to a local publisher and today, the quickest path to the reader is digital.

[Papaphilly]

I will purchase an ereader only when the paper books are gone. If there is a God in Heaven, then I will be long gone by that date.

[John]

Print books definitely! I see the convenience of a nook book but I just can’t bring myself to buy one.

[Myrthe]

It's a good point! I just love paperbacks just the feeling off a book in your hand the smell and everything about it. But a paperback is sometimes hard to take it with you because you don't have enough space.

To be honest I have a ereader and I only take it with me when I go on a trip because it's easy to take it with you and you have a lot of books with you. but on the end of my trip I really want to read a real book.

[Elizabeth]

I actually prefer ebooks because I can check them out from my local library using the Overdrive app without actually having to go to the library. I read ebooks off of my phone instead of a kindle or tablet or any other device. I could just pull out my phone at any moment and start reading without bringing anything extra with me because I always have my phone with me wherever I go.

[sonya]

Ebooks and print books and audiobooks

[Elizabeth]

Sonya wrote: "Ebooks and print books and audiobooks"

Good answer!

[Kellyn]

I love the convenience of ebooks, but I also like to write in the margins or make notes. So, for me it depends on how many notes I want to take or how much highlighting I want to do (I'm a sucker for a well-worded sentence or phrase).

[Veronica]

Paper books, where we live we have limited internet access even on our cell phones (currently have 3G per my phone, moved a little now I got 4G). It takes forever to download anything, so paper it is.

[Kellyn]

Waris wrote: "You could highlight and make literally as many notes as you want on an ereader too..."

I'm not a fan of typing on a tablet. If I read on my phone, I probably wouldn't mind it because I swipe to text on an Android, but I don't like reading on my phone.

Plus, my handwriting is completely illegible; with notes on an ereader, anyone who looked at it could read what I think (including myself years down the road). Where's the fun in that?

[Sha]

Elizabeth wrote: "I read ebooks off of my phone instead of a kindle or tablet or any other device. I could just pull out my phone at any moment and start reading without bringing anything extra with me because I always have my phone with me wherever I go."

yes to this. it's so convenient.

and annotations! i color code my highlights and that's been really helpful for refreshers and reviews.

[Mary X]

I have bad eyes and allergies. That's why I switched to ebooks several years ago. I also went from a 4000 sq foot house to one less than half that. Ebooks take up no space and don't require dusting.

[Leona]

Yesterday as I was reading a book on my Kindle I decided I like reading on the Kindle because of the dictionary. It I do not know a word meaning, it sometimes gives the definition. Books say to me "read me" when I see them on my bookshelf. I do agree about the dusting.

[Mary X]

So, I do still have a few hundred print books. They were ones that I couldn't get at the library or in ebook format. But I only read maybe 1 or 2 a year. I will probably just donate them at this point.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I feel like we need to add audiobooks to this discussion. I started listening to audio a few years ago and I love it now. Prior to that I had tried a few times but didn't like listening to someone else read. Then, I needed a distraction while driving home from a stressful job and audiobooks did the trick better than music. Now, I'm hooked and listen all the time.

I still read physical books too, but I'm not sure if I have a preference for paper vs Kindle anymore. I always loved paper better and even had a library in my old house, but I get Kindle books through NetGalley and they're certainly easier to take on vacation. I love both.