Do you prefer reading books in paper or e-reader form, like Kindle or Kobo, and

1. 81

   Janis Goadposted 12 years ago

   Do you prefer reading books in paper or e-reader form, like Kindle or Kobo, and why?

   report
2. 60

   PAPA-BEARposted 12 years ago

   Both, though I feel that the book is more friendly, do not ask me why, it just is more inviting to read, perhaps I am old fashioned, just do not trust electronics, memory, and hard drives.

   report
3. 72

   Trish303posted 12 years ago

   I do both but I love my kindle for the fact as soon as I'm done reading I can get a new book right then. also being able to free books and try a sires before I buy helps to.

   report
4. 69

   jenbeach21posted 12 years ago

   I like reading a book in it's truest form. There is something more personal to me in a real book with pages than on an e-reader. I agree the Kindle and others have many advantages like being able to order one right away but I like the feel of a book in my hands. I also like that when I pay for the book I have an actual hard copy which is more than just words on a screen.

   report
   1. 81

      Janis Goadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It seems lots of people still prefer books on paper.  I have been thinking about this, because in my town several of the local used bookstores are closing down due to lost business, especially significant in the last 12 months.

      report
5. 72

   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   Paper. I love the feel of them, the smell of paper. In reading my Kindle, the story seems farther away, not as close to my heart.

   report
6. 0

   huckelburyposted 12 years ago

   Nothing replaces a book for me, possibly because I've spent the last 60 years reading the print version. The e-readers are handy for quick searches, but there is something almost sensual about curling up with a good book, one that has real pages to turn and smells and feels like a book should. I've spent too many hours in libraries surrounded by books ever to think they could be replaced by digital copies. If I'm wrong, then something irreplaceable will be lost to us. Again, the e-readers are convenient and usually cheaper, but a book, well, a book will always be an old friend.

   report
7. 79

   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   I think there are advantages of both, but my own preference is paper. I find reading a book from an actual page much more relaxing than from a screen. Also for me personally, reading from a kindle etc doesn't seem like reading a book to me, it just feels like reading from a computer screen and I'm not that keen on the idea.

   report
8. 60

   ElleBeeposted 12 years ago

   Overall I like both.  I think if I were reading a book for a class (whether a text book, novel for lit class etc) I'd prefer a hardcopy that I could take notes on, but other than that I'm liking both pretty equally right now.  My only dislike with e-books is that I can't physically see where I'm at in the book.  I know that it tells me the % at the bottom, but it's just not hte same for me.  I want to know I'm on page 80 and there's 50 pages to go, or whatever.

   report
9. 60

   CandraEvansposted 12 years ago

   I admit that I read a lot using the Kindle app, but books will always have my heart.  I am a visual person so I love browsing book stores and libraries.  If I download a book with Kindle it's usually one that was referred to me.  But at the book store I find that I can more easily browse a vast amount of books all at once and find hidden treasures that may not have made it to Amazon's top seller list.

   report
10. 60

    ivanmarginalposted 12 years ago

    In paper, it just doesn't hurt my eyes. And for that reason I collect more than 500 books in my bookshelf.

    report
11. 60

    Mind Warpposted 12 years ago

    If I had a Kindle I think I might use it quite a bit but I'm not sure!  I can read the news, opinion pieces, op eds - you name it, if it's on the www, I'm liable to read it - for hours!  Finally, when my legs cannot take sitting anymore, I move to the chair and ottoman, or most often, my bed and read a 'real' book for hours.   Reading from a screen is easy, so if I can ever afford it, I"m sure I will get a Kindle or something like it.  As Trish303 commented: "I love my kindle for the fact as soon as I'm done reading I can get a new book right then. also being able to free books ..."  I would very much like that, living as remotely as I do in Alaska!  Libraries might always exist, but like the great one in Alexandria long, long ago - they can burn when civlizations crumble. Even if I can't afford all the current technology, I believe it is here to stay.  However, just in case, let's have both!

    report
12. 78

    LupitaRonquilloposted 12 years ago

    Definitely paper. I do have a kindle and don't mind reading from an LCD screen but 90% of my reading comes from an actual book. Reading is an experience, and touching the pages of your book while reading is part of that experience.  What will happen to the ability of connecting with someone reading a book you've read or wondered about if all they see is your e-reader cover? We are becoming too disconnected as it is and now live in a world where technology is marketed to affect every aspect of our lives and frankly, its down right robotic! We are not robots, we are humans. We're losing touch with real things in this age of gadgets. Our society has become extremely addicted in having everything at the tip of their fingers, including books! An author's sweat over hundreds of pages artistically illustrated should be rewarded with a BOOK, not a READ.

    report
13. 60

    angel4967posted 12 years ago

    Benjamin Franklin invented the libraries.  I think he would be OK with e-readers but hope that the traditional format would still be used.  For this former librarian I will never read a book on anything but paper.  If I drop my book or it gets wet I have no worries about spending a bunch of money to replace it.  I rarely buy a book unless I know I am going to read it again and again.  I keep my public library going as I am in there at least once a week.

    report
    1. 0

       huckelburyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       My thanks to all the librarians, custodians of all those marvelous books that have proven to be such good friends over the years.

       report