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Nancy, 5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer, is here to share why she much prefers her e-reader over a paper book. Read on and let us know why you agree or disagree in the comments below.
I was intrigued by a recent report by the New York Times that digital book sales are down for the first time in 5 years, invalidating the prediction that e-books would overtake print books by the year 2015. Higher prices for digital books, along with smartphones and tablets replacing e-readers, are mentioned as reasons for the reverse migration back to print.
I’ve had a Kindle for several years now, but contrary to the article’s declaration, this is the first year that my reading has been predominantly digital books. A big part of this is because many publishers are now making review books available in digital format, as well as programs like Amazon’s Kindle First and the continuously increasing library catalog of digital books.
Recently, as part of the reading challenge I’m participating in, I decided to read A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett, a much beloved book from my childhood. I still have that paperback copy I read over and over, and when I pulled it off the shelf it was the first time I’ve picked up a print book since May.
While reading, I remembered the many reasons I prefer to read on my Kindle:
- It’s difficult to read a print book while eating, especially if you need 2 hands to do so. I can just prop up my Kindle, use a single finger to push the Next button, and happily eat and read.
- There’s no built-in dictionary in a print book. And I’m lazy. I love being able to quickly access the dictionary in the Kindle to learn the meaning of a word.
- If I fall asleep reading a print book and it falls out of my hand, I lose my page. My Kindle will turn itself off after a few minutes, and my place is saved. I also don’t need to find a bookmark to hold my place.
- While my paperback copy of A Little Princess is small, larger books don’t fit in my purse. My Kindle doesn’t take up much room and can come with me everywhere. It weighs less than most books so doesn’t add much to my bag’s heft.
- If I do forget my Kindle, the books sync across devices, and I always have my smart phone with me. If I forget my print book at home, I’m just out of luck.
- If I’m traveling, I don’t need to bring a pile of books, taking up space and making the bags heavier. My Kindle has a list of books waiting to be read, not to mention the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.
Some arguments against the Kindle (and my rebuttals):
- If you are an underliner or margin note-taker (which I am not) you can’t do that with a Kindle. Au contraire, you can both underline and make notes in a Kindle book, and use the handy search function to find your notes.
- You can’t flip through a Kindle easily if you need to re-read a passage or remind yourself of some forgotten details. True, but again you can search on a word or phrase and find just the right spot in the book.
- It has to be charged. Yes, but my Kindle Keyboard battery lasts several weeks before it needs to be plugged in. Turning the wifi off will further extend the battery.
- You can’t easily share Kindle books. This is true, and a definite negative in my book (no pun intended). However, the important word there is “easily,” as sharing can be done, both through the Amazon Kindle store, and by other means.
- Reading on a device just isn’t the same as holding a print book, and takes away from the experience. This may be true for some, but how I take in the words doesn’t change my ability to get lost in a good story.
I don’t know that I’ll ever fully convert to digital books, but who knows. If I have the choice between digital and print, it’s digital every time. I’ll never give up some of my beloved books like A Little Princess. And I won’t turn away a review book if it’s only available in print. But for me, the convenience of digital books far outweighs the nostalgia of print books.
Are you a die-hard print reader?  Have you converted to the digital world?  Or do you read a combination of print and e-books?
Kay Marie says
I have to disagree… but I AM torn…
I really like the idea of getting a device… but I love books! REAL books, I mean:)
If I love a book, I want to OWN it, how is that possible with a device?!? And what is more satisfying to hold, a thin sheet of plastic, or a book? Or more satisfying to turn the pages of, more satisfying to slam shut when you are finished…????
Adeel @ Which To Go says
I am one of those die-hard e-book fans. I have converted to digital world completely for quite a while. It has been a long time since I read a book or wrote on a piece of paper with my own hands unless you want to include signing a check, which I also rarely do.
All these points you mentioned are absolutely correct. Just wanted to add that the built-in front light of Kindle Paperwhite is also very helpful. Now I don’t have to get up from the bed and turn on the light if I want to read a ebook at night. Lying in bed, I can fine-tune the brightness of the build-in light and read as many pages as I wanted.
Heather says
I’m pretty divided down the middle on this one. I love my Kindle. It’s great for taking on holiday – only one device rather than 3 or 4 heavy books and I do fall asleep (a lot) without losing my place. However, I love the tactile quality of books. The smell and feel of a new book is just something that adds to the enjoyment for me. And I’d much rather my kids read an actual book rather than on a Kindle as they access electronics for other things all the time, so my theory is that it’s a slightly different experience for them.
I have caught myself reading a real book and touching the word when I don’t know it though – ha ha! (Can you tell I do most of my reading at night when I’m tired?!)
Vesper Meikle says
The main reason why I read more ebooks than print books is we really no longer have any space to put more bookcases, and the thought of how many ebooks I can buy instead of a new bookcase.
Sarah @ TM2TS says
I’ve been hooked since I got my first Kindle, the DX, which I won. I literally cried like a baby, big ugly tears, when it got soaked in Gatorade, and then cried happy tears when my husband came home with my Fire (1st gen) the next day. My daughter has the classic 6″ that my parents got for her. Kid reads as much as me, and oh man, having access to the digital loan from my library saves time, money, AND space! Never have a late book and never have to tear apart a room looking for it.