That is the question this holiday season.
You all know that I. am. a. book. fanatic. There is probably nothing I love more in this world than books. I love to read them, hold them, look at them. I like the shape, texture, and even the smell. Almost nothing makes me happier than being in a bookstore.
And I’ve rebelled against the e-reading trend. I’ve refused. I do have the Kindle app on my cell phone and have downloaded some free classics through Amazon, but haven’t really read any of them on it. There’s just something about having the book in your hand. Plus, I like seeing how far I’ve read and how far I have to go.
But I don’t deny the convenience of the e-readers. Much easier to carry one of them around than a 500 page book. Especially helpful in traveling or waiting at doctor’s appointments, etc. Also takes up way less room in your house. 
I broke down and asked for a Kindle for Christmas. But I’m having second thoughts.
First, when I buy a book, I know that while I’m not really investing in something, I am putting my money towards a physical purchase that may or may not have monetary value, no matter how little, in the future. I can resell it to a used bookstore or at a garage sale or even just give it to a friend. I can’t sell an ebook back. For that matter, I can share a real book with a friend by merely handing it to them. There’s no need for crazy registering and unregistering of licenses like there is to share an ebook.
So I don’t know. I definitely have mixed feelings on the subject. It seems like an awfully big investment to be so limited.
I’m just not convinced. I can’t see spending $10 (approx) on something that is just an electronic text file that is just going to sit on one of my gadgets until I decide I want to read it again.
In saying that, it’s not necessarily the cost of the books that bothers me, because I’d easily spend the $10 on dinner out or going to a movie. It’s just knowing that I could have an actual physical copy of the book in my possession for about the same price.
In an ideal world, all physical purchases of books would come with a code (perhaps sealed somehow to prevent theft) to download an e-book version.
So what are your thoughts? Do you have an e-reader? Do you like it? Do you miss reading regular books? Tell me why I should or shouldn’t go the e-book route.
I’m with you on the fact that I just love holding an actual book. I also am a huge fan of spending hours walking around a bookstore. I do not see myself asking for any piece of equipment that has me downloading books anytime in the near future. I’m already hooked to the computer, so having another device like that is something I want to avoid. Being able to actually hold a book and read it anywhere is part of the reading experience to me, and with something like a Kindle, I would have to worry about the glare on the screen that would prevent me from enjoying a book while sitting on my back deck.
On a somewhat unrelated note… the technology switch over to e-readers made me think of the book Fahrenheit 451. Living in a society where published books are banned breaks my heart. I fear for the day that published works disappear forever and is replaced with technology.
The Kindle is a nice little device. My girlfriend took it on vacation which saved tons of room (she would have taken four hardcopy books). The Kindle has an anti-glare screen, so reading it in the sun was much like reading a hardcopy book in the sun. It also provides the percentage at the bottom of the screen letting you know how far you are into the book. Plus, it has the ability to highlight and make notes within the files you’re reading. I, however, am all about the real thing and love books much the same way you do. I especially love used books that already have notes in them – I get excited knowing someone else was there and had thoughts about certain text, even if they don’t match my own ideas. Still, I found myself looking over at her Kindle longingly . . . sigh.
I liked your idea about being able to buy the real thing and being able to download the e-file from a scan on the back – THAT WOULD BE AWESOME! The best of both worlds! Can you make this happen? (I know – copyright would be hard to get around)
I have a Nook (Barnes and Noble). I was willing to get it because it allows me to download library books. The library collection is not huge yet, but it’s growing. So far I have only bought one book, for 89 cents. I will never give up “real” books, but the Nook is a great additional way to enjoy reading!
I bought my first e-reader a bit over a year ago, and I haven’t touched a paper book since… having a pocket full of reading material is great, especially on my last vacation: I used to pack half a suitcase full of books, this time I just brought the reader.
I agree on your sentiments regarding lending and keeping books though: the problem is not so much in e-books themselves as in DRM though. If an e-book is DRM free it will be yours forever, or as close to that as you can get…. you can also lend it to a friend, etc.
There are some good online sites like Fictionwise which sell DRM-free books. Amazon unfortunately does still use DRM, and though it can be removed fairly easily, I still think that buying books that are DRM-free in the first place sends a better signal.
And as to paper books: in a few cases we just bought the paper version to put on the shelf and downloaded a less-than-legal version to actually read on my e-reader
ugg I am so with you on this and I want one then I dont..and if i get one do i want kindel or nook and if i get nook do i want the color for say like text books that have images i would want in color..but then i loose the e-ink…and then comes the price where many e-books cost right much more than i could buy a paperback book for
I rebelled against e-readers for awhile, too. I love to hold books and I love the look of them stacked high on my bookcases. My husband bought me the Kindle for my birthday and I have to say I love it. I’ve added close to 200 books to the Kindle since getting it (most of them freebies) and can’t imagine bringing home that many books to read. Most of the actual books I have I’ve never gone back to again, so I like the idea of having my reading material on one small device. We’ve been dealing with some clutter issues at home and it’s nice knowing I won’t be adding too it with as many books.
I believe Amazon is working on a lending feature now, but you’re right, you don’t have the option of re-selling an ebook or listing it on Paperback Swap. My favorite things about my Kindle are that I can bring it to the gym and read on the elliptical and I never lose my place if I get interrupted because the Kindle remembers where I left off.
If you enjoy reading a lot, I think you’ll really like the Kindle. After awhile, you sort of forget you’re not reading a paperback book. The e-ink screen is very easy on the eyes.
Heather´s last [type] ..The one where I attempt to write an album review
It is not cosy to e-read everything! An old book read in the old way is more interesting for me.
Elena´s last [type] ..A gift for a Cancer Survivor
My brain function is different when I read from a book vs. screen. I can’t explain why that is exactly. I don’t have anywhere near the comprehension or the memory of content when reading from a screen, for instance. I’ve been aware of this phenomenon for a long time but have not wanted it to be true. (Am I, ugh, THAT old fashioned?)
I wonder if this phenomenon is true for others and if maybe it results from decades of early conditioning (to reading from hard copy, such as books, journals & magazines).
Short answer–> E readers=bad. REAL books=good.
I don’t think that the kindle would have to replace all paper books for you. You might find yourself downloading books you know you’ll love to the Kindle and saving the questionable books for paper so you can get rid of them if you don’t like them.
Christy´s last [type] ..Mischief Pt 2
No electronic gizmo will ever take the place of a book you can crack the spine of and flip the pages. I did get a Kindle for my birthday and have only downloaded some free classics and only use it when I’m on the train and don’t want to lug a heavy book around. Those electronic books aren’t cheap either and if I’m going to pay up to $10 I want something physical, not an electronic file. Still love readin’ old school.