Do you prefer reading with an e-reader or reading a paper and glue book?

[Erin E]

I know that my Husband, the tech-geek perfers "hard-copy" (traditional books) as he puts it: "The way technology is going, no one will have a device and just be able to sit and read, there will be too many distractions, Kobo is making a tablet with samsung, the eReader will become obsolete. Books should be sat down with and given your full attention, you can't do that reading on a tablet, and that is where eReaders are heading"

[Kristin]

As much as I love my Kindle, nothing beats the real thing. I love the smell of books...

[Maryann]

Erin (M) wrote: "I know that my Husband, the tech-geek perfers "hard-copy" (traditional books) as he puts it: "The way technology is going, no one will have a device and just be able to sit and read, there will be ..."

Interesting that a tech-geek still prefers paper books. Most of the geeks I know are embracing all these new devices and reading on them like mad.

[N.M.]

Erin (M) wrote: "I wonder if someone will invent a silicone sleeve for eReaders with the scent choices of: "Library", "Used bookstore", "well loved book", "new book" ect. I don't know if I would find that tacky or a delightful novelty."

LOL! I love this idea! People always talk about the smell of books, but I can't smell so that's never even factored into my reading experience and, personally, is probably the oddest thing you could say.


Also, wow, your husband makes a great point. When I was looking for an eReader, I noticed that many of them were just tablets in disguise. They played music, ran video clips, took notes. Maybe some of that stuff is helpful, but I just wanted a simple little reader. I saw the Kobo and fell in love with the eInk display. (It really is just like looking at a paper page.)


As for my preference, it depends on the book. Short story compilations beg to be flipped through and I can't do that properly on an eReader. Like I just read World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War and Hungry For You (read that one! The eBook version's only a dollar, though she does intend to have a print version out soon), and I read them both as eBooks, but the experience was less than satisfying. Normally, I'd flip back, reread chapters or stories, look for info. And in War Z's case, there was a glossary section that I would have been constantly flipping to all the time if I had the book.

Otherwise, before I bought my Kobo, I realized that I was reading online pretty much all the time, and it didn't bother me at all. So getting an eReader was really the next step and I do love it.

[Peggy]

I have a Nook and love, love, love it. We have many books,shelves full and bookcases full and realized we couldn't have any more books. My husband is retiring in 4 years and we are going to be fulltime RV'ers we won't have room for any books, so we got Nooks. I now have close to 1000 books and I carry about 25 on my Nook. When I finish one I delete it and add another one from my library management software. While I love my Nook, when we start packing our books up to donate I will feel sad. Books are like very good friends and it will be hard to leave them.

[Shannon]

Since I've gotten an e-reader, I have only read about 3 real, genuine books. I LOVE my ereader. I don't lost my page anymore and I can read more than one book at a time if I want.

[Kathy]

I have a cruz and honestly I like the paper books much better !!

[Shannon]

I agree, Jennifer, newer books are too marketed and don't have the same appeal as the older books do/did.

[Tim]

I am a total convert and use my Blackberry Storm as my eReader. I will have no problem going 100% digital.

[Erin E]

Tim wrote: "I am a total convert and use my Blackberry Storm as my eReader. I will have no problem going 100% digital."

I read on my curve for 6mths plus before I was handed my first eReader and with this paper-like, eInk technology... no glare, no squinting... -sigh- I still read books on my curve (I have mobi on it, compatible with kindle) that I can't get from the Kobo website... and I still buy real books, a girl gets tired of hearing the question: "oh wow is that an ipad?!" NO IT IS NOT!?! I have every blackberry and sony product known to man, do I look like someone who would have an apple product? (I apologise to those who appriciate apple, I find the products too complicated, I am a simple girl with simple needs) ..anyways... yeah, I am flexible.

Sort of...

[Erin E]

Nina wrote: "Erin (M) wrote: "I wonder if someone will invent a silicone sleeve for eReaders with the scent choices of: "Library", "Used bookstore", "well loved book", "new book" ect. I don't know if I would fi..."

How has your Kobo experience been? in general? I finally have had better luck when the latest update came out in December (I have the gen1) and it has been better. No more crashing, freezing, ectera... what is your take with customer service? or have you been lucky to not have to deal with their inadequacies yet?

Other then that I loved being able to read outside last summer (when it waa working) and not have to squint with my sunglasses on!

[Mike]

I stayed away from ereaders for a long time. Once the Kindle 3 came out I broke down and decided to try an ereader. I ordered the Kindle 3 and while waiting for it went to B&N and bought a Nook to try out. I couldn't believe it but I loved reading on an ereader. The Nook was slow to respond, heavy, and poor battery life.

When the Kindle 3 arrived I realized it was much better than the Nook so I returned teh Nook. The Kindle 3 was so amazing light and fast and buying books online was so cool. You could even highlight portions and post them to Facebook/Twitter. Most importantly is that I loved reading with it. The only downside with the Kindle was that you could not rent books from a library and 95% of my reading is from library books. I used to spend hundreds of dollars on books but now I just borrow them. So I decided to return the Kindle and get the Sony 950C touchscreen ereader. It was awesome and I have had it now since November. I almost never read print books any longer. I have a local library membeship in Wisconsin and I use my families library memberships in NYC so I have a large source for free ebooks.

Another benefit is when you are at a cafe with yoru ereader and you get tired of your book, you have several other books loaded on your reader. Also if you finish one book while on vacation or business travel, you can automatically download the next one without waiting.

If you have been leary of ereaders I suggest you try it out. Retun policies are liberal, so if you don't enjoy it you can always return it. I think you will love it.

[Timothy]

I've been a rabid reader of books all my life. That's 5+ decades. Hard for me to believe, but it all happened one day at a time. Even tho' I love "hardbooks," at Christmas, my wife and I gave each other Kindles. I have to say - I love it. I like the matte screen, I like how I can alter the size and style of the font to suit my taste (and eyes), and how I can carry a whole shelf of books in one slim device.

As an author, it's handy as well. Somehow, reading my own manuscript, typos jump off the page, probably because it's "seen for the first time." Free of charge, I can dump a txt MS directly into my Kindle. I can underline, register notes, etc. And then, when the full book is ready to go, before I upload to Amazon etc., I can pay about 50 cents to email the book to myself care of Amazon, and I get it back, with all my formatting, on Kindle.

Muy cool...

[Johnnie]

Timothy wrote: "I've been a rabid reader of books all my life. That's 50+ decades. Hard for me to believe, but it all happened one day at a time. Even tho' I love "hardbooks," at Christmas, my wife and I gave each..."

I found your book on Kindle and was intrigued- it did good reviews and sounded fun. I put it "on the list" and will give it shot sometime this year.

[N.M.]

Erin (M) wrote: "How has your Kobo experience been? in general? I finally have had better luck when the latest update came out in December (I have the gen1) and it has been better. No more crashing, freezing, ectera... what is your take with customer service? or have you been lucky to not have to deal with their inadequacies yet?"

So far it's been great. I haven't ever had it freeze on me, though I have had a couple of weird glitches.

I haven't had to deal with their customer service yet. You've had issues? I heard good things about the CS when I was doing my research, but that might have been old info.


Timothy, oh good point about the benefits of using your eReader for proofing! I use my Kobo for it and to read other friends stuff, but it's not nearly as handy as the Kindle since I can't make notes.

[[deleted user]]

Ebony wrote: "I have a question for you kindle and ebook lovers. I know how you guys like the kindle and that it is convenient. But do you guys not feel as though there is no personal feel to it? Or is it the sa..."

I can customize my background and screensaver on my nook so the pictures of my husband and little girl give it a personal feel.

[[deleted user]]

I absolutely love my Nook. Its very convenient for when I'm on the go. I do a majority of my reading on my Nook but there are times, especially when rereading some of my favorites, when I prefer the feel of a book in my hand.

[Timothy]

Johnnie wrote: "I found your book on Kindle and was intrigued- it did good reviews and sounded fun. I put it "on the list" and will give it shot sometime this year.
..."

Hey Johnnie - well, it is huge adventure, and "serious fun," as that time on the planet was packed with profound events. Can't hurt that you have the same name as our hero! Hopefully you can picture yourself battling the world's largest reptile, cannibals and headhunters - all the while trying to figure out the quest the lovely Gwyndolyn has given you.

I'm an international TV producer, as well as a world traveler (all my life) and spent 10 years on the savage South Pacific Island of New Guinea as a boy. It was as if my parents were Mark Twain and Margaret Mead! The Kindle version is only $2.99 (as is the Nook, Nina)...and I'm always interested in your opinion. Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/TEETH-Novel-Pac...

[Timothy]

Nina wrote: "Timothy, oh good point about the benefits of using your eReader for proofing! I use my Kobo for it and to read other friends stuff, but it's not nearly as handy as the Kindle since I can't make notes..."

Nina - not to worry. I find I don't use the note feature much, as it's easier to make hard copy notes and incorporate them in the manuscript. BUT just seeing the MS in e-ink is really helpful.

[Timothy]

My FAVORITE THING about my Kindle is reading in bed. It's light, can be held and "page turned" with one hand. I bought a little goose-neck light I can clip on, which doesn't bother my wife like the lamp.

[Timothy]

Another thing - eReaders help you branch out, and try "new" writers. I like a lot of the "big names," but the dino-publishers, like Hollywood, need to control a group of about 20 authors they can brand like racehorses.

But their books are $9.99 to $19.99.

Self-pubbed, small press authors, are generally $.99 to $4.99, with Amazon's encouragement to set the price at $2.99.

I mean, that's about the price of a latte or a beer, right - for a few hundred pages that may have taken the author several years to put out.

I am one of those authors, but I am first and foremost, a voracious reader. SO I love that I can download a few free chapters, and then - in an instant - buy the books I like CHEAP! I'm trying all kinds of new authors, and having a ball.

[Sayshisweetie]

I actually do have a kindle and i really have no preference. I just love to read. However a plus is that you have a built in dictionary on a kindle and it is harder to lose your page. Also, hardbacks are cheaper on the kindle! :)

[Summer]

I love the accessibility and convenience of an e-reader. I never thought I would like one, but I have the Kindle and it is super lightweight, comfortable to hold, easy to get a handle on, convenient, and the books are amazingly cheap. I love paper books as well, but I think we are moving in a new direction with technology and eco-friendly outlets for things. Not that I am saying I want paper books to go out of print, but I think it is good to have an option.

[Sayshisweetie]

Daisy wrote: "I love the accessibility and convenience of an e-reader. I never thought I would like one, but I have the Kindle and it is super lightweight, comfortable to hold, easy to get a handle on, convenien..."

I agree, i still want books too. :)

[Johnnie]

Timothy wrote: "Another thing - eReaders help you branch out, and try "new" writers. I like a lot of the "big names," but the dino-publishers, like Hollywood, need to control a group of about 20 authors they can b..."

Great post and I am hoping more authors like yourself will independently publish.

[Timothy]

Johnnie wrote: "Great post and I am hoping more authors like yourself will independently publish. "

Thanks Johnnie...(where's the "like" button?)

[Michael]

I've got my Sony Ereader because of a simple reason...there was absolutly no space left in my book shelfs and so instead of buying a new bookshelf and having to trouble to place it in my appartment I have decided to get a ereader and I must say it it really enjoy reading ebooks and most of all that I always have space for them on my ereader and that I purchase them any time I want no matter what weekday it is or time and I can start reading the new book right away so now I buy traditional physical books pretty much only when the author stalls to publish his books as ebooks or I want to complete a series I have in physical books.

The main advantage of traditional books is that you really have them in your hands and that you don't have to rely on any electronical device to read them and you don't have to worry that you may loose them because of compartibility issues in the future or some system break down or whatever. Besides of these they only have disavantages...however I prefer take a physical book with me on the way to work rather than my ereader...it's kinda safer. I also don't understand why this smell and feel advantages real books should have...for me turning pages on a ereader is much more convenient...

On the end I have to say I don't really care if a I read a traditional book or an ebook, but appreciate the little weight of the ereader especially when it's a 1000 pages book ;-)

[Kammera]

I also like paper and glue.there's nothing more exciting than to find a book with some personal notes written in the margin or underlining that meant something to someone at one time. you can't do that in a kindle.

[Erin E]

Nina wrote: "Erin (M) wrote: "How has your Kobo experience been? in general? I finally have had better luck when the latest update came out in December (I have the gen1) and it has been better. No more crashing..."

See - http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...

Rather than leaving such a long diatribe here

[Rebecca]

I too prefer to hold a real book, and I also have a fairly good size collection of very old books, all published before 1900. There's just some magic when you hold one of those in your hands.
That said, I do have a nook and find it very convenient for traveling and when I'm on the go. It is nice to be able to download and start reading at any time also.

[Michael]

Jennifer K wrote: "E-readers are wonderful and extremely convenient if you're on the go, and I do read a lot on my iPhone"

...so how's reading experience on the iPhone?

[Sayshisweetie]

Michael wrote: "Jennifer K wrote: "E-readers are wonderful and extremely convenient if you're on the go, and I do read a lot on my iPhone"

...so how's reading experience on the iPhone?"

On the iphone, the kindle app works fine, but the actual kindle is easier to use.

[Gizzard]

I have a nook and absolutely love it. I also like reading on my phone - droid 2. I'm a mood reader and now I always have a library wherever I go. These are also easier to read than a real book while I'm on the elliptical/treadmill or spinning bike.

I have nook, kindle and overdrive applications on my phone.

I never did keep books though, I read the and donated them. Not a collector.

[Brenda]

I read books and listen to them via iphone. I have a Sony ereader and love that as well.

[Eden]

I perfer to hold an actual book in my hold. I'm not into downloading books and reading them on an e-reader, or computer. I don't even download music, I still buy CDs.

To me there is nothing like holding a book and reading it. I love to take books with me when I go places. And while I probably don't have room for anymore books, that doesn't stop me from buying them anyway. And I also borrow from the library alot as well. I'll always love having the actual books. I won't be buying a Nook or a Kindle.

[Lori]

Kammera wrote: "I also like paper and glue.there's nothing more exciting than to find a book with some personal notes written in the margin or underlining that meant something to someone at one time. you can't do..."


Actually, you can do this with a Kindle if you enable "Highlights". This function allows you to record your own notes and highlights as you read and make them public if you choose. In addition, you can view popular highlights and public notes made by others who have read the same book. While this may not be the same as reading a handwritten note, I appreciate Amazon's ability to bring readers together using technology such as the Kindle

[N.M.]

Timothy wrote: "My FAVORITE THING about my Kindle is reading in bed. It's light, can be held and "page turned" with one hand. I bought a little goose-neck light I can clip on, which doesn't bother my wife like the..."

Oh man, me too! It's so much easier to read in bed than an actual book. I was just thinking that last night. No page turning. Readers are thin and light and always the same size. No more hand cramps from trying to read thick pocket books.

Also, Timothy, that's another good point about the indies! I have found so many good eBooks by indies that are only $3-$5. (And a couple that were $1.)

[[deleted user]]

I love my e-reader, I have the Sony one, it makes getting books so much easier, even more so because I live in a foreign country where english books cost why more then I really like paying. I have so many books on it, and I can take all my books with me without carrying a three or four I normally do. I can even get the classic books free! The one things about that I hate is that I sometimes I buy the book twice.
I mean if I REALLY love a book I want it with me all the time, and when I want to upgrade e-readers, or the whole market changes I can't get my books back. So when I really love a book...I buy the physical copy too. I however only do that for books I want around forever, not just good books.
So I feel like the whole e-book thing is really helpful, but there's no way it can replace books all together in my life.

[Johnnie]

I like the fact that I do not have to have a physical book. I do not have the space to bookshelf and the Kindle has made it easy to keep books and not store books. I wish I could rid of my exercise manuals and store them all on a device but the pictures and reference sections make it clunky so the only books I have are those. And my precious copies of the Institutes by Calvin.

[Sayshisweetie]

However my kindle doesn't have colors, so the cover of books are all black and white, so sometimes it makes the ebook seem lifeless.

[Niamh]

I love reading real books and when my partner got me a kindle for my birthday i wasn't sure if i would love or hate it. I hate to say it but i love reading on it! As i do the majority of my reading in bed it is so much handier turning the pages, and i find i am reading books much quicker without having to turn constantly to stay comfortable. Also the amount of free or cheap books especially classics is encouraging me to do a lot more reading, and try different genres. I haven't given up on books completely but i enjoy reading on the kindle as much as books!

[[deleted user]]

I never thought I could change or try even reading a book on a reader. But, I have to say, that my daughter's Sony reader has converted me. I can take 200 books with me all over the place and read anywhere without my whole library.

I will still buy paper, still love the smell, the feel of the pulp in my hands but the Sony has revolutionized my ability to read several books everywhere. :)

[RocGoddess]

i love the paper and glue books.

[Esoldra]

Definitely paper and glue, i love the scent of a book, i love the crack of the binding at the back as you progress through it, I love flipping back through the pages with a sense of achievement as I have completed the book and I love it to sit on my shelves at home in the position that they are - my favourite friends, each of which are given a special place of their own

[Arch_angelic]

my eyes couldn't get used to the screen on a reader, so I prefer the real books.

[Amber]

Reading from my laptop hurts my eyes, Though i do have a bunch of books on my Ipod i haven't read them yet an they are only for like road trips or if i want to read a books again. I'd much rather read from the goo old fashioned book

[Ellen]

I've always said I'd never go e-book & I do love the feel & smell of paper & glue books but...I've gotten kind of hooked on the ease & lightness of the Kindle & my eyes have adjusted to the print. Plus I can control the print size depending on how tired my eyes are.

So at the moment it's a toss-up but the Kindle is pretty much a tie for a book.

[Jenn]

As much as I love the feel of a book in my hands, I went and bought the Nook Color. I have to admit that I am now addicted to my Nook. It is light and portable and much easier to handle when I am on the train commuting to work. Not to mention all the room it saves in my tiny apartment. I should also mention that I have much less waste since I have magazines delivered to my Nook every month as well.

[Bethany]

I'm very much a paper and glue book person, I've tried ereaders and they're just not the same. It just feels right holding a paper and glue book

[Myfanwy]

I personally prefer paper and glue books myself, Although I can see the benefits in an e-book reader, Instant purchase of a book if you just cant wait to see how a story ends if its a series or the latest book from your favourite author. But you cant beat a real book I love the smell of a book and the texture of the pages as you turn them. also as the world relies more and more on technology I think its nice to go back and do things the old fashioned way.