Two years ago my husband gave a Kindle for Christmas. At the time he was in Iraq and he asked me what I wanted and I told him about the upcoming eReaders (in 2009 I only knew about the Kindle and the Sony) and wise man that he is, he decided on the Kindle. Sadly my poor hubby thought that since I had a eReader, I would never buy a "real" book again.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both eReaders and Books. Here are some of the things I like and dislike about both:
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| Meet Billy, my book shelves |
- I love to see the covers, in color and in all their splendor
- I can let my friends borrow my books and they can also enjoy them. On the same token, I can borrow books (mostly from the library)
- I find it a lot easier to re-read books this way and it's also easier to bookmark my favorite parts
- I love going to the bookstore and spend a nice, quiet hour browsing about
- I don't like how bulky they can be
eBooks (in this case my Kindle)
- It is so compact that it makes the ideal traveling companion
- I can fit an enormous amount of books (more than 150 books and counting) in a minimal amount of space
- I have a Kindle App in my Android phone and in my husband's iPad, that way I always have a book available
- Books are more inexpensive and even free
- You never loose your place as it bookmarks your last "page" and sincs to other devices you might have used
- On the other hand, it makes it harder to find my favorite part or back track when I'm confused about something
- Sometimes holding a book is just better
I'm not saying that one way is better than the other, only that they both have their good and not-so-good things :) Still, my hubby cannot understand why we will have to go to Ikea soon and buy another "Billy" book shelf since I'm running out of space again (luckily we have a big basement!) At least this is a good addiction, right?
What do you think? Do you prefer eBooks or Books? Do you own an eReader?
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I got my Kindle about six months ago. To be honest, it took me a while to get used to reading on it. The progress bar used to drive me crazy - my eyes would keep compulsively checking it; I couldn't help it. However, after reading around 5 or 6 books on it, I like it now. I love how light and convenient it is to carry around. When I'm travelling to work, sometimes I can't get a seat on the train and it's awkward to stand in a crowded carriage and read with a paperback (or God forbid, a hardback), but so easy with a Kindle. I still have to go back and read physical books, though. Like you, I borrow a lot from the library and I just get sick of looking at the same device all the time and need the variety.
ReplyDeleteI've had my Kindle for 2 1/2 years now. I got it for Christmas from my hubs :) I personally don't think I could choose between the two. I love real books and I love my Kindle. I will take my books however I can get them!!
ReplyDeleteOh and it really doesn't stop you from getting real books at all. LOL. I went to a used bookstore around Christmas and came home with 20 books :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way. I love my ereader for books being easier to read and carry. But I still love my actual books for going back and re-reading.
ReplyDeleteI know! It's so easy to travel with the eReaders
DeleteI got a Nook this Christmas and I really like it but I still read more physical books than ebooks. I used to say I would never get an ereader because I like having the book in my hands also but I gave in. I love having it but that doesn't mean I won't get other books anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about the Kindle, I didn't want it because I thought it would hurt my eyes staring at a screen for hours, but from a lot of poeple I've heard it doesn't strain your eyes at all. So now I have to suffer reading galleys on my laptop (which does strain my eyes) and I'm practiacally begging my mom for a kindle. :D I do like books though and will continue to buy them even when I get a kindle.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the physical books! I don't think I could ever give those up! I do understand why people love their e-readers though. I don't own an e-reader, but I do use my iPod Touch for books that only come in e-format and for e-novellas that come out between the series that I read :-)
ReplyDeleteThe iPod Touch will do for this type of books, I still like my Kindle as the screen is bigger :)
DeleteI love both. I love the kindle being so light and you can use a cover so it's stays up without having to hold it. I love having a real book for the bath. I have a cover for my kindle so I can take it in the bath but I still prefer a real book in the bath
ReplyDeleteKindle's a defo better for going on holiday! Doesn't weigh as much or take as much space.
My son loves real books.
If I were to ever get an e-reader, it would have to be a Kindle (with wireless). I read a bit with my friend's, and it's amazingly paper-like. I can definitely see the appeal.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I'll never be a full e-book convert. Ultimately though, what I don't like about physical books is all the paper/trees it takes to make them!
Since I've seen the news about the new nook simple touch glow, I have been on the fence about getting one. I know if I ever got an ereader, nook would be the one because it's from B&N. I need a bookshelf, which will cost about the same as the nook.
ReplyDeleteBut when I was almost positive I'd buy the nook, I got sad looking at my books and I don't think I can do it. I just love books, even some of the crappy ones I've acquired along the way. Just looking at my shelf makes me see how far I've come in reading and looking at files just isn't the same.
I'm still on the fence, I suppose, but for now, physical books win.