When do you choose which? (Another ebook discussion)

[Sarah]

Okay, so do you have any rules about when you buy an electronic version of a particular book versus the paper version?

My rule is generally to buy the cheaper of the two if it is a book that I am
a)speculating on, not having read much of that author before
b)a book that I likely won't want to loan out or don't think anyone would be interested in borrowing
c)a book with a cover or design that doesn't really win me over

Dead tree book if
a)If it is a sequel to a dead tree book that I love and own
b)I know I will want to loan it out
c) I find the book particularly nice looking
d)dead tree book is cheaper or equal in price
e) photos are an important part of the book

I'm facing a dilemma for the first time since I was given the ereader, though. What do I do if the ebook is the same price as the paper book and it's a sequel to a book I only own as an ebook? Hmm...

[Jim]

If I have the previous in printout I will continue to purchase a paper version, if I have a previous as an electronic version then I will continue to purchase them that way.

Now how to make the original decision is not clear in my head.

[~Geektastic~]

I tend to buy ebooks if the book is really heavy in print (save my wrists!), cheaper on ebook but not illustrated or it's specifically something I want to read while travelling. I also don't like to write in my books, so non-fiction on Kindle is a plus for the highlighting and notes features. Probably 90% of the 300 or so books on my ereader are all free public domain works and cheapo short stories. Oh, and it's nice to read something that might be embarrassing behind the anonymity of the ereader :).

[Phil]

E-Book if it is part of an insanely long series ("A is For Alibi" and the like), or if I plan to read it on vacation.

Dead Tree if it is highly recommended by a friend or if I plan to loan it to friends.

[Courtney]

E-book if it is available and no print versions are anywhere near me.

E-book if I am traveling.

E-book if it is way cheaper or free.

Regular, lovely paper book if it is pretty and I want to display it on my shelves.

Regular book if I am planning to loan it out.

Regular book if it is cheaper or available at the library.

I loved my E-reader when I first got it a couple of years ago. Then when the IPad came out and the IBooks, the prices of everything were jacked up and I went back to mostly reading regular paper books.

I could not believe that they wanted almost $20 for some books. The new Stephen King book, 11/23/63, was $19.99 for the electronic version but only 18.00 for the actual book. I bought the book.

[Susan]

I have only loaded free books to my Fire. I buy physical books if it is something I know I will want to cherish or are particularly fond of, such as a series.

[[deleted user]]

I buy ebooks for most things now, more of a space saver than anything else. Unless:

*It is a classic in hardback...in short, pretty.
*I am IN the bookstore and find books I need while walking around petting, especially if they are on sale.
*I cannot wait for the electronic version to be released when hardbacks are already available. Patience maybe a virtue, but when it comes to the next book in a series...it is not one that I possess.

[Charlotte]

I bought one ebook for my Nook and when I was not able to lend it to a friend (the best books are rarely the lendable ones), I decided that paper books were the best choice for me. I have downloaded a lot of free books (mostly classics) to my Nook, but do my best to keep the brick and mortar stores in business. Not to mention library book sales, used book stores, Goodwill finds, garage sales...

[Laurin]

Ebooks if they're free, cheap, or things I'm not so sure about. Also for books that I don't want to carry around in public (large books, romance novels, etc.)

Paper books if I have the rest of the series in paper, I have other books from that author, or I know that I will read the entire series.

[Cyril]

I bought e-readers for my kids. They go through books like crazy, and it's a little cheaper than paper. It's not so good for books with lots of pictures, but the kids growing out of that. Library e-books are not so accessible yet, but I'm sure that will develop.