Do You Prefer Your Reading Device, Tablet, or Print Edition Of A Book?

[Doseofbella]

Love ereaders and paper. Although paper was my first true love. If you consider travel, and space saving ebooks are the way to go. I prefer to give actual books as gifts, I find ebooks not a very personal gift.

[Kirsten]

I don't know. When your siblings live across the country as mine do, e-books can make sense. (Especially if you're tardy in buying the gift...)

[Lynn Renee]

I agree that gifting ebooks to someone you know uses that format makes sense. Otherwise I would gift a hardback book if I know what the person wants, or a gift card for them to choose.

[Kirsten]

I live in the so-called "sunny" part of the state but whenever there's a "supermoon" or a meteor shower or some other celestial event, we're clouded over!

[Rhonda]

Kirsten wrote: "I live in the so-called "sunny" part of the state but whenever there's a "supermoon" or a meteor shower or some other celestial event, we're clouded over!"

Rhonda wrote: I lived in Tacoma for three years and have visited many times since that is where my husband is from. I also lived in Coulee Dam, WA and I remember waking up in the middle of the night thinking it was daylight and it was a huge full moon shining on the Columbia River.

[Marian]

I do prefer a good ole hard back book first.BUT,if I can't,I get the pocket book.Nothing like the feeling of turning that last page.

[Chris]

I must be really behind in the times but I still like reading a hard copy. Now keep in mind I have 2 nooks, 1 kindle and an Ipad. At night time I read off of the reader because I don't have to leave a lite one.

[Janice]

I enjoy a hard copy of a book most of the time, but use my e reader when the book I want is no longer available or is harder to find. With a hard copy I can curl up with my blanket and tea and get cozy, I don't get that feeling when I read on my e reader.

[[deleted user]]

I thought it would be good to bring this question back for new members.

[Softbananas]

Kindle by a mile. Adjustable font, easy access to books, and no more breaking the back of a book to be able to read the middle parts

[Skye]

I only read print.

[Marian]

Same here..:)

[Skye]

Marian wrote: "Same here..:)"

:)

[Amy]

I enjoy both in their own ways. I rather a hard copy. At work I always have a book on my tablet and I love getting some free ones from Amazon! But for example this morning is a snow day. To curl up in my comfy chair, cup of tea in hand and my latest read.... Nothing better than the actual book.

[James]

I use both. Tend to have an actual book to read on my way to work and at lunch, but on the way home read from my kindle. Tend to find kindle editions often cheaper and many free books. The added advantage is I can save them on to my smart phone and read on their too.

[Ingo]

Prefer eInk-Devices, now have 4 (Sony PRS-505, Sony T1, Kindle Paperwhite 1, Kindle Voyage).
As I read a lot and therefore as deadwood-books bought often used, and mostly Paperbacks (also because they take less place). With most Hardcover books I have trouble holding them for a longer time, also Hardcover is rather expensive. Since starting with eBook-Readers I found I tend to zoom the fonts, something impossible on printed books, and some have a very small print font (one of the books I read once a year, Snow Crash for a time now has too small print to read as paperback).

And the comfort of tipping on a word and getting an explanation (Wikipedia) or even a translation (English is my second language, my first is German), I sorely miss in printed books, getting to the point that from the 115 books I read last year only one was printed. Also I was quite disappointed when I double tapped a word in that book and nothing happened (yupp, really happened to me ...).

There are things which could be made better with the Kindle, from a software-standpoint the Sony was more open (rooted Android!) and imho better, but they are getting there, the Browser is useable and I would like more fonts to chose from (and a calculator and a program to convert celsius to fahrenheit/yard to meter etc.). For some of the things I rely on my iPhone, but it is not so comfortable to use a second device when reading.

[Maggie]

I never thought I would say it, but I love my Kindle. It was bought for me as a pressie a couple of years ago and I thought it would come in handy for holidays etc, then last year I had an elbow replacement op and it was easier to use than a physical book - and I haven't looked back! All my new books are now bought on Kindle. I still have lots and lots of physical books though.

Same with my ipod -again a present but I now buy all new music(and old) as downloads - apart from Bruce Springsteen in which case I just have to have the physical CD too!

[Chris]

I prefer the printed form even though I do have a kindle, nook and Ipad. There is nothing like the hold and feel of a book. The readers are space savers.

[[deleted user]]

As I said earlier, I have a Kindle and printed books as well. My eyes can't take the small print anymore but I still try.

[Rhonda]

Currently my only option is good old books you hold. While I'm debating eventually getting a device, simply for more access to more books, I think I might have a difficult time not curling up with my book turning pages! :)

[[deleted user]]

I agree! I have a Kindle and tried it for a while but found that I much prefer holding a book and turning pages.

[Kay-em]

Both have pluses and minuses. I love the kindle for its free books, the fact that I can read in any light and most impressive I can easily access millions and store thousands of books using such a compact gadget. On the minus side, like all electronics the kindle is delicate. If I fall asleep on it while reading...well! The biggest plus for books is their versatility + there's still something to be said about the experience of wondering around in a library/bookshop. The biggest negative for books is they need storage space. Currently resorted to using the garage but still not enough...

[[deleted user]]

Just been looking into getting a Kindle. Never owned such a widget. Worried at reading folk having trouble getting DRM to work on the Kindle when they download first to their PC and port to the device. Also don't like the WiFi part. If I can download to my desktop and USB over to the Kindle, and the book can read without getting lost or blocked, I'll try one.

Tried a few audio books found on Youtube. Eight hours is a long time but listening to David Suchet read The Mysterious Affair at Styles made me get out my old paperback copy and read along. Fascinating to hear how a Pro treats the text. All the ITV season is there too but nothing beats the book version of a good mystery. Shame eyes can't take it.

[Ingo]

Paddy wrote: "Just been looking into getting a Kindle. Never owned such a widget. Worried at reading folk having trouble getting DRM to work on the Kindle when they download first to their PC and port to the de..."

That should work, but you lose a lot of comfort and ease when not using WLAN. The Kindle allows with WLAN for books to be bought and downloaded without a computer. And to be updated automatically.

When you buy a new Kindle with your Amazon Account, it registered to your Account and DRM from Amazon will work without you noticing it, as long as you buy only from Amazon. EBooks from other sources should be bought without DRM (there are quite a few) and state clearly that they are in a Kindle format (Mobi is one of those).

Buying a used Kindle from someone would require these person to de-register it and for you to register it, that may require some work, again, that would be most easy with WLAN, and require more manual work without WLAN, but if it does not work, you can ask for help.

If you have other problems with the Kindle, Amazon should be able to help or you could always try to get help here. A new Kindle starts with a little introduction which explains the device and then there is a manual both on the Kindle and online for download.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)]

Paddy wrote: "Just been looking into getting a Kindle. Never owned such a widget. Worried at reading folk having trouble getting DRM to work on the Kindle when they download first to their PC and port to the de..."

I love my Kindle Paddy, and yes, i use wifi to download. Your local library will have books you can download, just like taking a book out of the library.

And thanks for the YouTube info - I didn't realise you could listen to books on there! I have a v old i-pod, and a friend downloaded several books on there, but i have listened to them all now, and I can't figure out how to download more onto it. it is so old it is not compatible for my library...I would need to upgrade. Oh what to do....8:D

[Carla]

I prefer a book in my hand, but am starting to use my tablet more and more. It is nice to be able to download books from the library while on vacation as well as free or cheaper books from ebay as well as netgalley. It is a toss up I guess.

[Marianne]

I love my Kindle for reading at night because I don't wake my husband up, but I still go to the library and take out books too especially when I can't get them in Kindle form.

[Marc]

Have e-readers but still prefer hardcover books (although must admit looking through large print section in library from time to time). E-reader is nice for hard to find books though.

[MaryJo]

The discussion about electronic books versus paper goes on and on! Some prefer one, some the other. I'm convinced both are here to stay.

But it is sad that libraries are clearing their shelves of hard and soft cover books, and either selling them or giving them away. They are making room for electronic devices, and one can only find the most well-known authors and the current big sellers in many libraries now.

[Dorothy]

:) Audiobooks :)

[Judy]

I like books best but at timesitsnot practical do I use my kindle too. I have 49 books on it and it fits in my purse.

[Dawn]

I read whatever format I can get! I'm flexible :) I never thought I would like an e-reader because I just love books but once I got my Kindle for Christmas a few years back I never go anywhere without it.

I'm usually reading at least 3 books at a time. I listen to audio books at work and during my commute, I have a book that I'm reading as well as one on my Kindle that I always take to bed with me. It's been great not having to get up and turn out a light when I'm done reading or waking up and have lost my place in my book because I fell asleep and it dropped. If that happens with the Kindle it shuts off and my place is still there...as long as I didn't touch the screen.

In all I would probably say I use my Kindle more. I go through those books faster than the paper books. More because of the ease of use.

[Audrey]

I use the kindle but not a tablet because that would hurt my eyes from straight reading. This is my current system: I have an audiobook in the car, one at home, plus a real book and a Kindle book plus a non-fiction book that I read just 10 pages a day from.

[David]

I read from print books and ereaders. I possess a kindle which I purchased 4 years ago and an iPad and iPhone.
The iPhone and kindle are great when out - for reading on a train or when waiting for a meal to be served in a restaurant.
The kindle and iPad are great when on holiday - always a great selection of fiction and non fiction to read.
I still buy print editions - normally from Amazon of titles I really want whether in hardcover or paperback.
The Local Tesco's is great for buying best selling authors whether in hardcover or paperback at discounted prices. A £20 hardcover typically retails for £10 and two paperbacks priced each at between £7.99 and £9.99 for £7.00.
'The Works' at the local mall is a great resource for remaindered copies - 3 paperbacks priced collectively at say £25 for £5.

[Marian]

I just recently got an ereader(Kobo Aura)and have had it for a little over a week now..BUT the hubby got himself 3 ebooks on the weekend and is now using my ereader..I think he's going to get one for himself.

[Chris]

Marian wrote: "I just recently got an ereader(Kobo Aura)and have had it for a little over a week now..BUT the hubby got himself 3 ebooks on the weekend and is now using my ereader..I think he's going to get one f..."

What is a Kobo if you don't mind my asking. Is it the same as a Kindle or Nook or something entirely different.

[Marian]

Hi Chris..yep,its an ereader:

https://www.kobo.com/koboaurah2o#over...

[Lynn Renee]

Marian wrote: "I just recently got an ereader(Kobo Aura)and have had it for a little over a week now..BUT the hubby got himself 3 ebooks on the weekend and is now using my ereader..I think he's going to get one f..."

So funny... a friend plays a game on mine when I need my phone that he usually plays on. Think he will be getting anew phone for his birthday so my Kindle is not being confiscated.

[Temple]

I will always love a printed book but my Kindle is so easy on my eyes. I finally have enough light to read by.

[Chris]

Marian wrote: "Hi Chris..yep,its an ereader:

https://www.kobo.com/koboaurah2o#over..."

Gotta get one of these since I don't like carrying umbrellas but I will wait and hopefully the price will come down or it may be a christmas gift to myself.

[Psyche]

I'm using Gerty ebook reader which is the best one I've come across so far. What I like most about this app is that there is a journal & tagging feature which helps you sort out all the books you have on your device.

[Janeandjerry]

I use my kindle fire to do most of my reading but I still enjoy a good book every time just as well

[Brenda B]

I am old school and read only ink&paper books -- I don't have to worry about the battery running low (other than my own internal clock) nor any electronic glitches.

[Patsy]

I have a Nook HD and I love it. The lighted screen that can be adjusted and the print size also makes it so nice to read in bed without bothering my husband. I also love being able tp order a book right from my home. Lugging 3 or 4 books on a trip is now a non issue. When the ereaders first came out, I didn't think I would want one but now it would be hard to do without it. I still read a regular book occasionally, but love my Nook.

[Fictionophile]

My preferred method of reading is the Kindle Paperwhite for portability, ease of use, ease of reading etc.
That being said, I LOVE the look of hardbound books and that will never change.

[Susan]

I love reading on my kindle. I read more now then ever before. No need to leave the house to get a new book! Easy to take several books with me wherever I go!

[Linda]

I have my kindle and I use it mainly for reviewing, but my first love will always be holding a print book in my hands.

[L.A.]

I like the Kindle lots, and books too. I like them equally I think except when on holiday - Kindle better because it's easier (and cheaper, with weight charges for baggage) to take more titles with you!!

[Fictionophile]

Although I have upwards of 3000 hardcover books at home (books do furnish a room - the quote is correct) - I MUCH prefer reading on my Kindle Paperwhite.
My reasons are thus:

1. I can read outdoors and in bright sunlight without the pages ruffling in the wind.
2. I can read in bed in the middle of the night without disturbing my husband with the light or the rustling of pages. (he is a very light sleeper)
3. I can carry all of my TBR in one light little Kindle so I am NEVER without a book.
4. I can adjust the font size, keening, etc. to suit the book and my aging eyes.
5. I can see how much reading time I have left in my book. This is important to me so that I can judge when I will have reviews written.
6. I review books for both NetGalley and Edelweiss and it is SO much easier to download them when you have a Kindle. I just choose the option "Send to Kindle" and HEY PRESTO !!! the title is on my device!

I will always live with hardcover books. They are my friends. I have been known to purchase a book I particularly loved AFTER reading it on my Kindle. Just so I can gaze at it with fond memories...

Yes, I acknowledge that I am addicted to books.
But for reading them... it is Kindle ALL the way.

[Mark]

I prefer reading on my tablet now a days.
My hands are in pretty bad shape & just trying to flip pages is painful any more and until I got my tablet I pretty much stopped reading, which is something that I have enjoyed doing for probably over 50 years.