Wednesday, November 30, 2011

E-Book or Paper Book, That is the Question

~~When I read Rachelle Gardner's post, E-books vs. Real Books, I thought I'd add my two cents. I like Rachelle's assessment that it isn't an "either/or" situation, but a "both/and" one. In fact, I think that's the way of the future.

~~I've had a Kindle since May and I love it. That doesn't mean I don't love paper books, too. I sit here surrounded by a large personal library, but I'm picking up fewer and fewer of the paper books. The reason is personal, too. I have trouble holding paper books open. My wrists just get too tired. So if I'm going to read at all, it has to be an e-book. Rachelle mentioned that readers are buying more books both electronic and paper. I'm an example. I've probably bought ten times the books I would have if I were still only buying paper books. We have transfered our newspaper subscription to the Kindle, too. That's really helped with the mounds of paper we use. And it's far cheaper. ; )

~~I also have a huge list of books to purchase for my Kindle that will transfer many of my favorites from the shelves to e-ink. And that's all good for the writers. ; ) And while I'm buying e-books for all my fiction, I'm still buying writing books in paper so I can take old-fashioned notes in the margins. The last such books is Volger's The Writer's Journey. I don't think the diagrams would show up as well on my Kindle.

~~So what about you? Are you on the e-book band wagon, or are you still buying all your books in paper?

15 comments:

  1. I'm definitely on the ebook bandwagon, but I also still buy hardback books. Price is a big factor on which I buy, but I am buying more books now than I ever would have before I got my Kindle (Kindle 2 in December 2009 and Kindle Fire this November).

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  2. Cherie--I'm definitely buying more, but no hardbacks. They're just too heavy.

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  3. I like both. I like having options. I think any serious reader can see the advantages to all book formats and will want to use them.

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  4. I'm with you and Rachelle, why does it have to be either or? I do about half of both, and enjoy reading on both formats.

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  5. Karen, I just hope a few more of my must haves are converted to e-books so I can reread them.

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  6. I prefer ebooks but inevitably, I wind up with paper.

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  7. Michael, My wrists would cure you of that. ; )

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  8. I am kicking and scratching to avoid the Kindle. I like paper.

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  9. Susan,
    I do to, but Kindle will allow me to keep reading, so I'm glad it's available.

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  10. Not yet. Just... not yet. I print everything. Maybe it's a copy editor's disease?

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  11. I still love my books. I really hope I don't have to buy an ebook. :(

    NEW FOLLOWER

    Elizabeth

    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

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  12. Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for following.
    I know what you mean about waiting to get an ereader, but events added up for me--my wrists and the price of the newspaper was a third of the paper version. Add the cheaper and cheaper ereaders...and I was sold.

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  13. I've not yet hopped on the Ebook bandwagon, but only because I'm waiting for the next generation of Ipads to come out. Or I might buy a Kindle. I love my paper books, but I think it is time to embrace the future as well. By the way, our library now "lends" books for Ereaders. Not sure how that works.

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  14. Charlotre,
    Kindle is now in some libraries and I think the Nook has been for awhile. I think you get two weeks to read them and they can be "checked out" over the internet. What could be easier! My local library is awaiting funds to get this off the ground. All I can say is that I love the Kindle.

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