Do you still prefer a hardcover or
paperback book versus an eReader? Perhaps you enjoy the smell of bookstores and
libraries? Or maybe you love the lightweight freedom of a tablet that contains
an entire library at your digital fingertips?
I have an unflinching fondness for
hardcover/paperback books, but my wife and I both use our eReaders frequently
now as well. I’ve struck a balance by always selecting older books from the library,
whereas I tend to purchase new releases exclusively on my eReader. I’ve found in
particular, that the majority of books I buy for my eReader are novels written
by you…my fellow bloggers and online friends.
What are your eReader habits? Are
you more likely to buy an eBook if it’s written by someone you’ve befriended
online? How do you decide whether to get a book either from a library, a
bookstore, or via an eReader medium?
Hey Mark! I've had a Kindle Fire for 2 years and I love it but I probably read 50% e-reader and 50% traditional...one thing I love about the Fire is being able to go straight to the dictionary or the Web to look up a word or term or bit of history I'm not familiar with and then go straight back to the book...I also like that self-published books and/or friends' books are often very affordable on the e-Reader...what I especially like is that many authors are now pre-releasing the first couple of chapters of their new books and/or writing short stories that feature characters from their series, only for e-release...services like NetGalley have also made having an e-reader worthwhile...but I will always have real books as well...especially signed copies
ReplyDeleteI agree that looking up words online is a great perk, and I often do it myself:) I'll have to checkout NetGalley too, thanks:)
DeleteI get a book from the library if I want to see what the hubbub is about on a popular author and I don't want to spend ten bucks on the paperback or ebook (i.e. Jim Butcher). I buy ebooks of friends or in support of a new author, as long as the price isn't more than $6 (and I want to read it - I won't buy the book otherwise). For my favorite authors, it's paper all the way! I really prefer that format over digital.
ReplyDeleteYou raise an interesting point about price points on eBooks. I'm noticing in myself and others a reluctance to spend the same amount of money on eBooks as we used to on paperbacks.
DeleteI only buy eBooks now, and with my iPad, I can purchase from several outlets. And yes, mine is full of books by my blogger buddies!
ReplyDeleteI've got your books on my iPad now and am going through them, it's very cool:)
DeleteI am a hard/paper back reader. Oh, I do read from my Kindle, but I do not find the joy with it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'll never fully give up hardbacks and paperbacks, but the e-versions are pretty neat.
DeleteI buy many novels on the Kindle. I love the instantaneous download of a story into my hot little hands. But I will always love paper books. The ones I adore are like treasure to me that I like to display on a shelf. :))
ReplyDeleteOur house has overflowing bookshelves, so I'm hoping our 2 e-readers now will help alliviate the problem:)
DeleteI do read some things on my kindle reader, and I download some Gutenberg freebies, but at heart I'm a lover of print books, libraries, bookstores. I just love the feel of the book in my hand, and all these locations evoke happy memories for me while giving me a special pleasure in the moment because of their atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI think you're absolutely right about atmosphere. It evokes so many emotions when opening a book:)
ReplyDeleteI'll always be a fan of print, but when eBooks are a whole lot cheaper, I'll take the Kindle route -- since I can use my Amazon points and get them for FREE.
ReplyDeleteI feel very much the same way, but wait...how do you get so many Amazon points? Do tell:)
DeleteLike other commenters, I'm a mix of ebooks and hard-copies. I must have a hard copy if it's a book I will read and read again and want to mark up and circle and highlight. Although my Kindle has highlighting and note capabilities, it's not the same as the actual book and my pencil scratches of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLike others here, I'm an addict of the musty smell of pages and love books. I'll tell you when I LOVE my Kindle reading-- at night. I can just turn it on, dim the light and read without having to turn on a light or get up. Now THAT is reading bliss.
I like how you've managed to fit the two experiences of reading a book and an ebook together without having to compromise...perhaps hardbacks and ebooks aren't such enemies after all:)
DeleteI prefer ebooks over the hard copies. However, if I fall in love with a book, I need to buy it in paperback so I own a solid copy.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's kind of my approach to music nowadays too:)
DeleteI like the real books best. Always will. But an ereader is SO convenient for travel (which I do a lot of.) And some of the best books I've read lately are published in eBook format first. An ereader is a must these days :)
ReplyDeleteAmen to travelling with an ebook. My wife and I used to fill out suitcases more with books than clothes...an ebook really helps cut down on space:)
Delete;)
ReplyDeleteI'm devoted to paper and binding. I might convert to digital eventually but I was a long holdout on cell phones, too. It could be a while.
ReplyDeleteThe one exception: comic books I really want to read that I can't get in print.
That's a good point about Comic Books, I hadn't thought of that. I guess the visuals on coffee table books would be pretty good too.
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