I’ve been given a digital advance copy of Vanessa Carnevale’s debut novel, The Florentine bridge, to review. I’m enjoying the book but not the digital version – I like taking paper books to bed! It made me wonder again about digital books and traditional books.
I’m such a tactile girl – I much prefer paper books to ebooks. I’m happy to buy a non-fiction ebook when I want it in a hurry, as I’m more likely to read a non-fiction book during the day and possibly take notes. But I still find it easier to find specific pages in a paper book than on screen.
I once borrowed my Mum’s kindle for a holiday, and that did mean I had a never-ending supply of books and a lighter suitcase. But I’m not in any hurry to buy one of my own.
We’re building a library in our house with more shelves than we need now because I know that eventually they’ll be filled. And I know that when I am an old lady and my kids are gently trying to broach the subject of moving to a smaller house, one of them will become frustrated and remind me that there are electronic reading devices and that I don’t need all my books.
While I could probably start packing up my books soonish for our move back home before Christmas, I’ll definitely need to leave out some books – just in case. The thought of not being able to lay hands on a particular book is really worrying to me!
And you – are you an ebook or traditional book reader? Or do you think there’s a place for both?
I like the pages turning. I also find staring at a screen shortens the time I can concentrate.
I definitely spend more than enough time in front of a screen, so it is nice to read from paper.
There is definitely a place for both.
I love the Kindle for travelling but always read traditional books at home. There’s something very comforting about climbing into bed or snuggling on the couch with a paper book.
Somehow I can’t get the same satisfaction out of downloading an e book as I do about purchasing a new traditional book. My friends and I love to share our favourite books. It’s not quite the same with an e book.
Thanks for bringing up the borrowing with friends point, Kathy – I love to lend books too, and it’s not quite the same with digital versions. I agree that there is a place for both!
I am a digital convert. I adore my Kindle and find the paperbacks I get for reviewing annoying – always having to drag them around, heavy to hold up in bed – and because I often have a little body with me in bed at night I can’t turn on a bedside light so I have to use my phone to shed light on the book whereas a Kindle is self lit. Then with the Kindle I can take notes, measure my reading time and have a never ending book shop at my fingertips. (I do NOT doodle in real books!) The only time I wish I had a paper copy is when I want a picture to go on my Instagram! But having said that, I always by a paper copy for my bookshelf if it’s a story I love. Especially children’s books.
I love that you still buy a paper copy of your favourite digital books!
I am a kindle fan, perfect for travelling, no stress about weight limits or the horrific thought of running out of books to read. I do love a print book but the convenience of digital reading has won me over, and no dusting!
Terri.
I hadn’t thought about the dusting aspect, Terri!