I am a voracious reader. My preference has always been hardback books. I even shy away from paperbacks unless they are poetry books which seem perfectly fitted as paperbacks. I have never been able to read a novel on an electronic device, though I can read poetry and children’s books on my iPad. I am curious as to whether anyone regularly reads books electronically or if this ebook thing is mere hype and a fad that will pass.
I think I can envision a more robust reading experience on a big screen TV. You know, kick back in a recliner and read a book in huge print while sipping a craft beer.
No, no, wait a minute, is that where I missed the boat?
Is that what everyone out there is doing? Has technology passed me by once again?
Or how about an audio book?
If you don’t actually read it, is it a book?
In fact, does anyone actually read anymore?
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Richard Rensberry, Author at QuickTurtle Books®
In celebration of National Library Week all of our ebooks can be downloaded for free at: http://amzn.to/2n5srwa
QuickTurtle Books® 
I am an author and I am trying to research that as well. My first book is a children’s book and it sold better in paperback. I have yet to sell one on Amazon. I prefer the old fashion books you hold in your hand. The doctors say if you read at night time, it is better not to read electronically as well. I have read that in several places.
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I read Kindle books when I don’t care so much for the book itself, or it is short. For the books that matter I always buy a physical copy!
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For the past 2-3 years, i only read books on my Kindle. i do love reading and honestly miss the feel of printed books but on the train, at work or where ever i read, i find having an ebook more convenient.
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Thanks, I can see how beneficial an ebook could be in that situation. I still chose print books when I was commuting in San Francisco simply because a visual book often evoked conversation while an electronic device did not.
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Personally print books does it for me, I like to feel, smell and experience. That said, in reality I think ebooks have taken over. Cost, access, level of distribution to a mass market make this a fast growing format to read in. There is also a bit more control also if you need to jig something. I’m old school but have learned to run with the new crazy. I also think ebooks speed things up, one click of the mouse and it’s published.
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Yup! The technology of POD print books makes it pretty easy to jig them also. I am tending toward print books but also making the ebooks available. I like to interact at bookstores and do readings so the print books are a must.
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At least until I get a Kindle or iPad (yep, I still don’t have one because I can’t justify the expense), I prefer books. I have a couple of Kindle books, but because they’re cheap and easily downloaded. But I have to read them on my laptop and can’t read them in the bathroom, so not my preference. 😉 Now if I had a Kindle, I might prefer e-books, which would keep my book collection from overwhelming the house. Just like I prefer downloading music these days to keep the CDs to a manageable level.
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We downsized our living space so we cannot any longer have a large print library. I still tend to buy books in print and then give them to the free library when I finish them. You can buy used books on the cheap so I have no reason to substitute print for e because of cost.
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Good plan!
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God I sound cliche, but I love the smell of a new book, even more the smell of an old used one! And ipads don’t smell, so books over everything! Best, DG.
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I can certainly relate to that. At one time I had hundreds of hardbacks, but making a move all the way across the United States I had to let go of them. At times, they are missed more than one would think.
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Wow, funny, I’m moving across the country soon – though we are leaving our books with family, and one day we will be reunited with them!
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Ah! Point well taken. I imagine the technology has thrown open wide the doors in that regard. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
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Being blind, I grew up reading braille books which take up a great deal of room. For example my copy of “The New Oxford Book Of English Verse” runs to 10 braille volumes. I also own a library of audio (spoken word) cassettes, many of which where purchased for me, as a child by my grandfather. Ebooks are wonderful from the point of view of blind people as the text to speech (on a Kindle) or Voiceover on Apple products, enables books (which would otherwise be inaccessible) to be enjoyed by those who are unable to read print. Having said that, I love the smell and feel of books and hard copy tomes have a special place in my affections. Kevin
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I have tried out both the mediums.Nothing for me can surpass the sense of joy and fulfillment that I get by reading the print books.
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I was kind of wondering how the prints were fairing against the ebees. I have not been able to adjust to devices and I have tried now for several years. I can do it in small doses, but I can sit with a book for hours.
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Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
Check out Richard’s thoughts on ebooks and printed reading!
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Thanks Jason!
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If it is a genre I collect like Amish books, I prefer paperback/hardback books. If it is a learning/business/education book, I prefer E-Book version.
My hubby who reads several books a month, went from paperback/hardback books to only reading E-books and loves it.
Less books cluttering the house too, lol.
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I am glad that some readers are finding traction with the ebooks. On a positive note, they are easier to publish. Note sure about the visibility, I am working on that aspect.
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I love the feel, smell and weight of a book. There are a few books I download on my kindle, but generally I need to hold a book in my hands.
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I am the same way.
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Lots of paperback and ebook readers out here in the wild 🙂 I read ebooks when print is expensive, too heavy or cumbersome to hold, inaccessible for quick search and find. Also, a lot of older books are available online for free on Gutenberg, for quick reference and a taste of what would await if I wanted to read the whole book (likewise with modern ebooks you get a sample before buying the book). Also for quick pleasure reads, things you wouldn’t necessarily cherish and return to for the rest of your life, but are fun and good, I use ebooks. So much easier to sneak around with, read in the dark, on any device, anywhere.
Before it sounds like I’m advertising ebooks over traditional print, let me say that all of the above excludes large swathes of the bookscape, but by no means everything. In fact, I still refer to and hold more paper in my hands than any electronic form. There’s room for many combinations of the two mediums.
Oh, and audiobooks. Definitely useful when doing casual art or something that requires partial concentration. No reason not to enjoy the classics that are slow going but fun (like detective novels from the 1890s, say) and you’d never find the time for otherwise … I use Librivox, they have high quality recordings by volunteers (it’s free!).
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Thanks much for the useful information. I will check out your references.
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I still prefer books, I find it frustrating reading large amounts of print on the computer as it is.
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I find it hard on the eyes trying to read from a screen, also. I sure have to do it sometimes, though. Thanks for stopping by.
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Thank you !
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Likewise🙂
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