I've read several articles and blogs lately about which people generally prefer; paperback copies of books, or eBook copies.I have heard arguments for both sides.
There are many benefits to the eBook copies: you can carry hundreds of novels with you at a time, you can easily purchase novels and read them within seconds, without actually having to leave your house (and likely your PJs). There is also the fact that there are many free novels or $1 novels available to readers online, which, let's be honest, is awesome.E-readers are light, portable, and extremely convenient. That, in addition to the fact that they do not take up space on your bookshelves at home, have seemed to create a highly desirable set of e-reading products.
That being said, there is also the other side of the proverbial argument. Many people prefer the look, feel, and scent of actual books. Some readers have the tendency to skip ahead or peek at the end of the book before they continue to read, others are avid collectors of bookmarks and require some place to put them. There is also the value that paperback book readers place on their novels, particularly those which have been signed by the author, or hold a particular age.
Then there are people like me. I am a 'both' type of person. I have an iPad with Kobo, Kindle, and iBook apps. I have downloaded my favourite novels, free novels, cheap novels, and many in between. Some novels that I truly enjoyed reading in paperback, I downloaded as well, simply because I could. Likewise, I have found a novel on e-format and bought the paperback because I loved it enough to want a copy in my collection.
I also have antique books in my collection, but those have been placed on a separate shelf of honour. My favourite authors' (of which I have a few) novel collections still grace my bookshelves, as I reread them often, some I've read up to 12 times. When I buy new novels by my favourite authors, I always buy them in paperback, so they may join the others on my bookshelves.
So there you have it. I am an in-betweener when it comes to choosing between eBooks and paperback novels.
What about you? Do you prefer eBooks or paperback books? What sort of e-reader do you have? What do you like about it?
I haven't really gotten used to my e-reader, yet. Most of the time it sits on the shelf with my other to be read books because it needs a battery charge which I don't always remember to do. So, I suppose, real books are better, since you don't need electricity to read them! I'm definitely 'old school' when it comes to handling hard cover and paperback books. :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard that from a few others as well. And yes, batteries are a bit of a pain!
DeleteI've never had an e-book, or read on one, so I'm not sure where I'd stand. But I DO hate reading on a computer screen... does that make me a paperback person?
ReplyDeleteI guess there is something about BOOKS though! The well-thumbed ones, where your favourite quotes have been underlined, that you can pass around, with your name written in the corner in pencil. Sigh :D
I know what you mean. I love the well-read books. They make me think of how well-loved they've been. Clearly the sign of a good book :)
DeleteI dislike reading on a computer screen as well. With the apps on my iPad, I've set the screen to 'Sepia' which puts a beige/cream tinge to the pages and makes it feel more authentic (though it still clearly isn't).