eBooks or print?
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
~Groucho Marx
I never thought I’d be an eBook convert. I love the smell of a new book, the weight of it in my hand, the turn of the page. Then I got a Nook as a gift. I thought, okay, I’ll use it to be polite. I might like it for traveling—and I have. I haven’t fallen in love, or turned my back on print, but I have discovered some benefits to going electronic.
The eBook allows me to take multiple books on a trip without weighing my bag down. It also allows me to satisfy that need for instant gratification. I’m sitting at home in my pajamas, and I hear about a great book—I can load it on my iPad without getting off the couch. If the book is fabulous, I can keep it without filling up a bookshelf. If it’s not so great, I can get rid of it with a press of a button. I’m not killing any trees, and I’m not adding to the landfill. Oh, and I can read while eating (or any other occupation that keeps my hands full), and the book will lie flat on the table without the pages closing on me. I never lose my place, because the page is automatically bookmarked.
Ah, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Despite those conveniences, the printed book remains my first love. Again, the smell of a bookstore is indescribably delicious. (Can I just pause here to say that Barnes & Noble is a little piece of heaven on earth—I mean books and coffee in one place—come on!) Then there’s the walking through the isles looking at hundreds of book spines, reading the synopses on the backs, admiring the covers.
Once you choose one, if you love it, you can pass it on to your friends and family, insist that they love it too. Or you can buy a new copy, write an inscription in the front cover, and make a gift of it. Try doing that on a gift card—it doesn’t hold the same charm.
You can take a printed book to the beach without worrying about sand ruining your device or the sun’s glare making it difficult to read. And most important, if the book really touches you, you can hold it to your chest and cry. That just feels weird with your iPad.
Your turn
- eBook or paper?
- What is the last book you read? And did you like it?
- Favorite book of all time?
Paper.. still not converted. However, I’ve recently discovered a love for Audio-books.
I just finished Reckless by Chrissie Hynde. An autobiography. It was Ok. Nothing amazing, but fun.
My favorite book of all time? That’s just too hard! Probably The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo.
I was very hesitant to buy a Kindle. But I love it! I love that it is back lit and that I can prop it on my leg and not actually hold it while I read and I can adjust the size of the font. Now granted all this might be because I’m older and my eyes aren’t what they used to be. But I’m sold!
I am in the process of reading LAKE HOUSE and I’m enjoying it.
Lots of books I love, but always TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is my first thought!
I have never read on a device, but I love books and agree a book store and coffee shop combined are a bit of heaven. If I could just exit Barnes and Noble and be on a sunny beach it would be heaven!
I just finished Echoes by Maeve Binchy. It was good.
I don’t know if I can choose one favorite, but I really loved A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.
Paper….I’m old style when it comes to books. I agree with every positive attribute you mentioned when it comes to reading a book. I am especially fond of the bookstore-coffee shop combination found in every Barnes and Noble I’ve ever spent time in. It truly is s slice of heaven! However, you made some excellent points regarding your Kindle. I will have to give it some more thought. I just finished reading The House of Tynford, and I’m not sure if I’ve spelled it correctly. I enjoyed the beginning of the book with it’s character development, but thought it was too wordy in the middle, and predictable at the end. My favorite book of all time would be; To Kill A Mockingbird.
Thank you Christie for linking up and co-hosting with me at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.
I love a mixture of both ebooks and paper. There is nothing like holding a book in your hands. I get excited about a new book. The ebooks are great though too. Like you say it’s instant gratification! plus much need storage room at home.
My sentiments exactly, Vickie. Thanks for stopping by!
I also love a mixture of ebooks, paper (and audiobooks for when I am on the go). Great thought-provoking post. Thank you for co-hosting and sharing this #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty!
Good point, Donna. I forgot to mention audio books. My husband and I listened to Michael J. Fox’s autobiography on a road trip. It was read by Michael himself, so that added to the flavor of the book.
Both — I read books sometimes on my ipad and sometimes from print. Thank you for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’m sharing your link on social media.
Thanks Carol. I agree books in all forms are wonderful.
I still love the feel of a book in my hands as well but everyone keeps telling me how convenient eBooks are. I think there I can incorporate both into my lifestyle with a little effort. Thank you for co-hosting and for sharing this post with #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.
Yes, Clearissa, I agree. There is nothing quite like a book in the hand, but there is room in my life for eBooks too. 🙂
I’m both Christie! I do love the feel of a book but when I travel I love the convenience of the e-book. Thanks for co-hosting #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’ve shared on social media. Have a great day!
It sounds like we’re on the same page! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Sue.
I like both! My daughter is a book lover and she says she loves the smell of books!!
I agree with your daughter–books smell delightful.
I am definitely a book person. There is something about the actual book being in my hands that I like. I’ve really enjoyed reading about American history recently. My current book is Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates.
I do love the feel and smell of a book. I’ve added Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates to my list. Thanks Teresa!