Q: What do you like about reading on an e-reader?
I like being able to read at night without having a lamp on. I feel like it's more energy efficient, and it doesn't bother my husband if he's trying to sleep. I know I get annoyed with him if he's reading at one o'clock in the morning with his lamp on, because it's like my brain will not officially shut off for the night without total darkness.
I also like that I can switch from one book to the next with very little effort, and I can update my reading status on Goodreads with a few clicks. If there's something I want to share with the world, Twitter is easily accessible from the same device. I'm starting to think my iPad makes me lazy! 😐
Despite all the things I like about reading on an e-reader, and the many advantages it seems to have, I still prefer physical books. The way they feel, the way they smell, and the overall happiness they provide... there's just nothing like it. I love taking my kids to the library for books, even though I'm sure I could downloaded just as many onto the iPad. That's not what I want for them. I want them to enjoy holding a book in their hands, turning the pages... it's just not the same when it's done on a screen. I'm worried that their generation is going to be too technical before long.
The advantage for me is being able to carry a lot of books with me when I go on holiday rather than heavy paperbacks. Mind you, I rarely get round to reading on holiday as I'm too busy doing other things! I also like being able to try new authors free or cheap from Amazon!
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense! Books are heavy, so it's hard to pack all the ones you want... you never know what you'll be in the mood for! If I could read in a car without getting sick, I would get SO MUCH reading done on vacations, lol.
DeleteI love my e-reader! I prefer hardcover physical books, but I'm a total sucker for the convenience of the e-reader especially when it comes to highlighting things or looking up words.
ReplyDeleteExactly! The other day I actually pressed my finger on a physical book to look up a word. Obviously, it didn't work, but it made me realize how often I use that feature on my iPad.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I'll always be a reader of all types of books. I love my e-reader (and even named him Paul Anka - Gilmore Girls nod) but I also love getting physical books and even better, going to the library and loading up on them. It's great to read in bed and then just shut it off and not have to get up.
ReplyDeleteNice Gilmore Girls reference! I also enjoy all types of books, but paperbacks will always be my favorite. There's just no substitute for them! However, there's no beating the convenience an e-reader provides.
DeleteOh I love eReaders and I really love a) being able to read in the dark without disturbing the hubby with a lamp on... b) I travel a lot and I love being able to have all the books at my fingertips that I want to read because I do also read multiple books on the go and I would rather buy books while away than drag books there and back, if that makes sense? Save all the space because #priorities. But I do also love physical books and I'm only starting to get my collection back in the last year or so because previously I would just do the ebooks!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with physical books for kids, and I think a lot more is absorbed off paper than off a screen, even something as seemingly book like as an ereader screen. Same as more is absorbed while actually writing than when typing.
Lovely discussion post.
I can totally relate! I've found a new system that works for me... The first time I read a book, it's usually on my iPad or an audiobook. If I don't like the book, it's not a big deal, but I always buy the books I love. That way I have a physical copy for my shelves that I can re-read whenever I want! It's also how I support the authors I love.
DeleteFor kids... I'll stick to doing things the old-fashioned way. I don't want them to be too reliant on the conveniences of technology. We don't have a TV for that very reason!
DeleteI love my e-reader, too! I love being able to highlight and save certain passages. No sticky notes needed like I used to do. Plus, yes you don't have to have a lamp on reading. Great post, Lindsi! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually don't use the highlight function on my iPad, but I will mark in my physical books... is that weird? I do like being able to look up words and email myself quotes and passages I like. It makes blog posts easier, because then I'm not having to type it all out myself! #lazy
DeleteI love physical books (and always will), but I can't deny that ebooks are sometimes better than the physical in some cases.
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, they are so much cheaper!
This is true! They're also more convenient when traveling... they don't bend and you can take a lot more with you. :)
DeleteVery true!!
DeleteI totally agree with you
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3
DeleteI have to agree with you on everything here! <3 I love how convenient e-readers are, whenever you're traveling, and how much books you can take with you, too. Yet I will always love the feeling of having a book in my hands and turning the pages more than anything :)
ReplyDeleteEverything you said = <3
DeleteI am a huge e-reader fan. I have all my ARCs and books organized into folders. I can highlight and save. And I can tuck it into a pocket or a bag so easily. I've worn out one kindle and have taken my son's because he rarely uses it...
ReplyDeleteJen Ryland Reviews
Wow! I'm not that organized, haha. I love being able to email myself quotes that I like, and how easy it is to look up words I'm unfamiliar with. How do you wear out a Kindle?? It's great that you had a backup (sort of)!
DeleteSounds like we agree on this topic. There’s sure some great things I love about ereaders but physical books are the best.
ReplyDeleteDespite all the advantages an e-reader might have... physical books will win with me ever single time.
DeleteI like having thousands of books at my fingertips. I also like being able to read in the dark :)
ReplyDeleteYes to both of these! <3
DeleteI agree. I think I love both for many of those same reasons!
ReplyDeleteRight? It really just depends on what I'm doing, and which one would be more convenient. It's nice to have options! :)
DeleteI don't have an ereader, but I can see the advantages. But like you, I love having a physical book in my hands, and I love that you're passing that down to your kids!
ReplyDeleteI had a Nook when they first came out, but I barely used it. We got an iPad last year to share as a family, but I tend to be the one using it. ;) It has all of my books on there, the Bloglovin' app, Twitter, and Goodreads. It's my central location for all things bookish. I can also update my blog from there if I really need to. It just made sense to start using or for e-books once I started getting review copies in that format.
DeleteI want my kids to love reading books, and not just the ones on a screen. There's just something about holding them in your hands... <3
I think eBooks are great for travel but I don't read them much outside of those and eARCs... I'm just too stuck to physical books, I think? There's just something about the paper books that still has appeal.
ReplyDeleteI usually save my e-reader for eARCs or Amazon deals too good to pass up! My enjoyment of physical books is usually why I'm always reading more than one thing at once. I tend to stick to my physical book during the day, and read something on my iPad once I'm in bed for the night. I save audiobooks for housework and trips in the car! When I borrow books from the library, I always opt for the physical copy over the e-book, which means I usually have to wait longer, but I don't mind!
DeleteI completely agree with being able to read without any lights on! My mom wakes up really easily, so ebooks and eARCs are the way to go if I want to get ANY reading done. I love being able to carry my books around everywhere I go, but I also enjoy physical books despite the fact most of my reading is now done on my iPad or phone.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you read on your phone! It's so small... I feel like I'm constantly squinting at the screen. I save my phone for audiobooks! My iPad is usually only used at night, or if we're traveling somewhere. (I still take physical books with me, I just can't read those in the dark!)
DeleteI agree with your reasons and love the convenience of it, as well as being able to read at night without disturbing others, but there's nothing like a real book! Thankfully we have both!
ReplyDeleteI'm worried that one day we won't... :(
DeleteI used to be physical books only but in the past year or so, I've really come to embrace e-readers more, for many of the reasons you mentioned. I especially love that I can use it in bed at night without having other lights on. Makes late night reading so much easier since I can do it without keeping the hubby awake.
ReplyDeleteIf I AM reading a physical book at night (because it's just too good to put down), Jacob will start swatting at my arms until I turn the light off! I don't think he's conscious most of the time, just reaching over and trying to turn the light off in his sleep. However, keeping a light on also makes the babies think someone's awake to play! It's in everyone's best interest to just use the iPad at night. ;)
DeleteQuote: "The other day I actually pressed my finger on a physical book to look up a word."
ReplyDeleteHaha! Priceless 😉.
I don't have an e-reader...since I can't download books anyway. I have a debit card where I get my salary credited, and I might, indeed, use it to buy things online (though I don't like the thought of doing that because I'm too afraid for it to get hacked. I keep some money on it, you know). The real problem is...I can't use it on Amazon.com, and Amazon.it has got a limited selection of the books in English that I am, indeed, interested in. I usually buy international books from an Italian site that offers a cash-on-delivery option, but when a book goes off the market, they can't locate a used copy - and their eBook selection in English is limited (or, it doesn't include the books I want to read). The Book Depository, too, has got its own set of problems. So, what would I need an e-reader for? 😥
That been said - I'm not a physical book fetishist (I'm using the word in a humorous manner of course 😉), but I hear you - there's nothing like the paper-made thing. Then again, there's the environmental issue...
And I forgot...as I'm writing this, you have already 34 COMMENTS on this post?!? Congrats! The max I get is maybe 6 or 8 LOL.
DeleteWell, half of those comments are my responses... so it just looks like more than it is! <3
DeleteThe environmental issue is a big thing for me, too, which is another reason I've been using my iPad more. I mentioned this to someone else earlier, but I like to borrow books from my library first (audiobooks) or read an electronic copy first. Then I know if it's a book I love and want to purchase for myself. I only keeps books that I know I'll want to re-read in the future.
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with the books you want to buy! That sounds awful and so very frustrating. What about Thrift Books? I use their website for most of bookish purchases, but I don't know if they ship outside of the US. You already mentioned TBD having its own issues, so that's out... If I hear someone mention something useful, I'll let you know! :)
It's crazy how tech-savvy kids are these days! I bring my nieces and nephew to the library though and they love books, so hopefully they will always like physical ones. Those are my favorite! However, I have a Kindle Paperwhite and I LOVE that it lights up so I can read at night without worrying about a lamp. So handy when other people are around you and trying to sleep. haha I also like that you can carry around so many books - just in case!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
You should always be prepared! Lol! :)
DeleteWe go to the library every week and check out about 50 books. All three of my kids (even the babies) have library cards, and there's a limit of 50 for each card. I just let them go around and pull books off the shelves until I cannot carry any more. <3
Being able to read in the dark without a lamp is a HUGE bonus. I think paperbacks will make a comeback during the apocalypse. ;)
We're of one mind, Lindsi: I find my iPad super convenient (especially for late-night reading and travelling) but I still prefer physical books. There's nothing more annoying to me than trying to read outside on the deck/at the beach/wherever and being thrown off by the glare of the sun on my e-reader's screen. Bleh!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! When I'm reading outside, I always want a physical book. My iPad is heavy and makes my hands sweat, plus it has the potential to overheat and die. Paperbacks always win when sunshine is involved, lol. At night... my iPad is my choice of format. I tend to stay up later than everyone else, and I don't like to bother them with a lot of lamps.
DeleteI feel like a lot of readers are very either/or with their reading preferences. They’re diehard e-readers or they *only* read physical books. I love having access to both. They both have their pros and cons. I love the convenience of reading on my Kindle (or iPad or iPhone) but I also love holding a physical book and actually seeing my reading progress. I’d never want to have to choose just one way to read.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that too... The diehard e-readers break my heart, because there is just something magical and fulfilling about reading a physical book. There's really no substitute for it. Like you, I love having access to both formats. I enjoy using my iPad at night when lamps would be an inconvenience to others, or using to read eARCs, but I generally prefer my paperbacks for everything else. If I HAD to choose one... it would be physical books. One day when the world ends, people are going to treasure those (because electricity wouldn't work, therefore making e-readers an impossibility). ;) <3
DeleteI used to be very much in the physical books corner and preferred them but in the last year or so, navigating more towards buying books for my Kindle. It's winter here at the moment so it comes in handy. I can snuggle under the doona and not disturb the husband with a book light which are usually super bright. I only use mine for reading though with the Paperwhite. When I used my HD Fire, I found being able to access social media and games too distracting. I still love the smell of a new book but for practical purposes, I'm an eBook convert ♡♡♡
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the physical book corner as a general preference, but I do see the benefit of e-readers, and how they make things just a little easier. It helps publishers when they can send eARCs instead of physical copies, and saving trees is nice. <3
DeleteI've never been a fan of book lights... it's too concentrated and bright. I love that I can use Night Mode on my iPad and adjust the brightness as needed. I'm not on social media often, so it's not really a big distraction. However, being to check my blog, respond to comments, and edit posts... super distracting. <3
I definitely relate to the lamp thing! It's a real energy saver, an e-reader. xD Most especially, I think my favorite part about reading from an e-reader as opposed to physical copies is that I can easily switch reading positions without thinking of whether or not I might squish my book. xD
ReplyDeleteHaha, I didn't think about squishing a book myself! Lately I prefer my iPad because tiny baby hands cannot rip out the pages, or sink their teeth into them. ;)
DeleteI'm lucky that my husband usually goes to sleep after me, so I can read with the lamp on for the most part! That is definitely a huge benefit though!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is usually asleep before me, but he'll wake up if there's a light on. It's nice that yours can sleep through it, lol. I just switch to my iPad once he falls asleep. <3
DeleteI'm just like you. Even though I think ereaders have some great advantages, I still somehow prefer regular books. But you're right that an ereader is the best at night so I don't wake my husband up!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
There are pros to having both! I'm lucky that I can alternate between them whenever I need to. :)
DeleteYes, reading in the dark! Also reading while lying down in bed! I can't read physical books lying down, just doesn't work. And like you, the dark is what helps my brain shut off, and it also helps me to focus since I have no visual distractions, so I sink into the story more!
ReplyDeleteA few people have mentioned not being able to read physical books while laying down, but I've never had that problem. I just prop the book on its side, lol. I have dropped both books and my iPad on my face... I fall asleep reading and WHACK.
DeleteWhen Kevin worked nights, I would read all night with the light on but now that he's home and goes to bed really early - the Kindle is perfect.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
It's good to have both! I can use the lamp a little longer when Jacob's on call, but that doesn't happen very often. If I'm really into a physical book, I'll stay in the living room and finish it before going to bed.
DeleteI say let's have physical books and ereaders lol!! Best of both worlds <3 I've always read physical books until a friend gifted me a Kindle Paperwhite and WOW!! It's a whole new world out there. I love turning up the brightness and making the fonts different. Really helps me with my headaches. Great post <3
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that e-readers are so convenient and allow you to modify the text to your needs/specifications. I can see where that would be really beneficial! I feel like as I get older, I'll want to use my e-reader/iPad more to enlarge the font. ;)
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