Both books and ebooks have their advantages....
I am able to enjoy both equally, as the situation calls for. :o)
I have a Sony Reader and never leave home without it. It's perfect to take along for those long waits in line, and nobody can tell whether you're reading the latest self-improvement book or the latest bodice ripper/kilt raiser. ;o)
I LOVE the smell of books---it's one of my oldest memories. I will never give up reading books in print as long as I can see to read them. I have quite oa large collection of paperback and hardback books, and my ebook collection grows weekly. I am a member of Paperback Swap (online...check it out at http://www.paperbackswap.com ), and I still buy almost as many books as I did before last Christmas, when I got my Sony Reader.
Books that are not available in ebook format can always be found in print---though that may dramatically change in the next few years, I'm afraid. (one thing that has slowed the switch to ebooks is the pricing, I feel. Some of the unabridged versions of ebooks--and also audio books--are priced just as high as the hardback print version, which is just not right, in my opinion.)
As far as the Amazon Kindle goes, I've heard a lot of good things about it and, if you need/want the capability to download books on the fly via it's cell signal type of service then you would be happy with the Kindle.
I weighed the features for months and came to the conclusion that once I took the downloading capability out of the comparison (because I didn't need/want to be able to download books on the fly) that the Sony Reader had all I wanted and more. Plus, it's still cheaper than the Kindle--and it was WAY cheaper than the Kindle last Christmas. ;o)
Whichever way you enjoy reading, keep on doing it! And encourage others---particularly children---to do it, too.
"Reading is FUNdamental!" (to quote an old campaign that ran on tv, on the radio, and in numerous print formats several years ago. And it's even more true today that it was then, what with all the other forms of electronic entertainment that is available to kids today)
So, what do you think?
What's your favorite way to be a book/magazine/newspaper consumer, and do you think that you will be consuming them in the same way 5 years from now? What do particularly like about your favorite way of reading/listening as opposed to other options?
Let's discuss. :O)
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 17
Books are definitely my choice. When I used to travel long distances on a regular basis, I loved audiobooks, but I seldom do that anymore, and that makes them inconvenient. I guess e-books would be OK if I had a laptop, but I don't want to have to sit at my desk for hours at a time. I have a book with me all the time, no matter where I go, and I read a lot. Books get me through one of te things I hate most -- waiting. I read in doctors' waiting rooms, and I read in line at the grocery store.
Now I'm just trying to get into gong to the ibrary instead of spending a small fortune on books, since they opened a new library right across the street from my house!
I've given Kindle and others some thought ,but I'm not ready yet !
Interestingly enough I too detest reading ebooks on a desktop computer or laptop screen! *lol*
In fact, until I got the Sony Reader I never read an entire ebook!
I LOVE my Sony Reader, though. :o) Being able to enlarge the font size is great but the most important thing to me is it's portability--just like a regular book, but smaller, and lighter than most. Also, the edges don't get dog-eared from shoving it back into your purse when it's your turn at the checkout or the drive-up window. ;o)
Audiobooks....I ADORED the idea of them, and collected a few dozen when I found them at yard sales, and thrift stores but I could never really get into them---it seemed that every time I was listening to one the phone rang or someone needed me for something, and once I had to turn it off and take off the headset I was just tossed out of the story, so to speak. And it was distracting to me to listen to them while driving---we have no traffic jams of slow-downs here in the mountains of Virginia so they weren't helpful to pass the time during a commute.
Thanks so much for your comments and opinions, Joanne! :o)
I only get books. I don't like ebooks or audiobooks
Phil - do you have a Sam's Club near you? They have the Sony Reader (current pricing in my area is $269.00) on display so you could drop by and play around with it to see what ebook readers feel/look like.
I was "on the fence" about ebook readers for about a year and then I couldn't stand it any longer, I just had to get a Sony Reader. ;o)
Thanls for your comment, Phil!
Rebecca - have you ever had the opportunity to try out an ebook reader?
And, as a future teacher, do you think today's youth would be more "into" reading if they had access to another electronic gadget to read their books on as opposed to a print copy?
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. :o)
I like my regular old hardcovers. I will NEVER go to audio or kindle.
Shannon - Now don't come in a drop a bomb like that without explaining why! *lol* Come on..tell us... What is it that you so love about a hardback edition--or hate about an ebook reader--that makes you feel so strongly?
Thanks for your comment, Shannon! :o)
It's hard to explain, but I love the "feel" of a hardcover and its pages in my hands. Plus, reading from a computer would just kill my back :/
I hear ya! I love the "feel" of any book in my hands---have ever sonce I was about 3. *lol* And I could never get through a full length novel by reading it on the computer, that's for sure...
Is there something you particularly dislike about an ebook reader though? Have you had the opportunity to use one to read a whole book, or tried out a store display?
I've heard that using them brings on migraines for some people...and increases seizure activity for people with epilepsy or who have had a head injury.
For me, the Sony Reader causes me less eye strain, which means I don't get headaches from eyes from reading on it for several hours a day as I do if I read too long with a book. (yes, I need to get some glasses! *lol*)
Another thought or two:
Lots of people thing ebook readers (or computer reading) is the way to go because it saves trees. But they're not made in the USA, while lots of books ARE made here....
Lots of other people feel that we have enough electronic junk in the landfills without adding ebook readers and their batteries to the mix. But making paper for books causes pollution of rivers, streams and oceans and way too many books, magazines and newspapers do end up in landfills.
(I cringe every time I'm at WalMart and see those overflowing carts of magazines and paperbacks with no front cover that are heading out back to the dumpster. :o( All that reading going ot waste!)
I don't like reading E books on my computer but would probably like the Sony reader. I have long wanted a Kindle but the price is too high. For a while I would go out driving as a way to relax. Audio books came in handy then but I think I don't concentrate on the story as much with an audio book. I will also like paper books but may shift to using a reader such as the Sony or Kindle in addition to the paper books.
I love my Kindle & bring it with me on all of my traveling. I still buy regular books as well though! I kind of go back & forth with my reading.
I hate how everyone thinks the ereader & kindle are like a computer screen...but it is a mis-conception - there is no back light, like a computer screen. It is like reading a newspaper.
I do love all the free books available in the ebook market too!