Physical books vs e-readers

Mike403Mike403
in General

I got all 7 Harry Potter books on my Kindle Oasis. I watched the movies. I haven't read the books yet. Proper e-readers with an e-ink screen(not the Kindle Fire) looks like paper with ink that shifts to form new words... just like something that only existed in Harry Potter 20 years ago.

  1. What version do you prefer?28 votes
    1. Physical
      75.00%
    2. E-book
      25.00%

Comments

  • TxTomTxTom

    Real paper books will still be around after a major coronal mass ejection destroys the internet one day.

  • TxTomTxTom

    I wish I had gotten ahold of some autographed Harry Potter books back when I had the chance years ago. I might try still, although it'll be considerably more expensive now. They'll be worth a real fortune one day.

    J.K. Rowling has an incredible rags-to-riches story. Very admirable.

  • IronicMaidenIronicMaiden

    I have an ancient (over 10 years old) Nook, with e-ink. I like the size, weight, and that I don't need a bookmark. And unlike a tablet, it's not backlit so it's a lot easier to read. The fact that I only need one device rather than hundreds of books is also good, especially when it's moving time.

    Of course, the first thing I did was make a "Don't Panic" screen, carefully matching the text color to the color of the Nook.

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    We have all the original Harry Potter books that my kids read in the 90s. In fact I have hundreds of books in storage - along with original LPs from 60s & 70s on, and every 1st copy Beatles and everything else I own in storage. Waiting for a new home. Until then, I use my Kindle.
    I’m too sentimental about my book collection but eventually plan to donate to a library what my kids don’t have space for.

  • Mike403Mike403
    edited November 2024

    @IronLemon - Yes. Even the e-ink readers with the built in light are frontlit which doesn't strain your eyes during long reading sessions like backlit screen would.

  • interalia626interalia626

    I'm forever a lover/admirer of physical books, but in maybe the past year I've taken to Kindle app on my smartphone, on sheer strength of convenience.

  • Mike403Mike403

    Kindles do have some other advantages(besides being easily able to take thousands of books on the go) such as the X-Ray feature if you're part way through a book and a character comes up again and you need a refresher on who he or she is without having to flip back to an earlier point of the book.

  • zaleazalea

    I find that it's easier to check out physical books from my library. sometimes a book that has a bunch of holds on the digital version will have plenty of physical copies available!!

  • lovingspoonfulllovingspoonfull

    I have allergies and dust and dust mites that infest paper books drive me nuts. I’m pro ebook, marvelous inventions.

  • [Deleted User]Homesteader (deleted user)
    edited November 2024

    Physical books for me... I can still see my babies' fingers tracing along under the words as we went along... There's just something visceral, something real about holding the actual book, hearing the crackle of the paper as I turn the page... Oooohhh, that smell!! lol... :) I love sitting in my library, too, surrounded by my books... Their physical presence comforts me, almost like a mental security blanket, each one holding the promise of a new story, or new wisdom, there just waiting for me!

  • achetocuddleachetocuddle

    @zalea, you and I may be the only two people that know that, lol.

  • zaleazalea

    @achetocuddle and hopefully it stays that way!! I like not having to wait 3 months to borrow a book 😂

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972
    edited November 2024

    E-Books have many advantages such as convenience, ability to hyperlink, word search, clean highlighting without a marker, adjustable font size, etc.

    However, a meta-analysis (a study about studies) on reading comprehension vs the reading media (paper vs screen) shows that under most circumstances, paper is still superior when it comes to reading comprehension.

    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-9817.12269

    That said, a couple years ago I bought a massive paper cutter that can cut the binding off a 2” thick book, and a high speed, double sided scanner. I have been taking some of my rarely touched reference books, cutting off the binding, and scanning the entire book to turn a paper book into a big .pdf so I can easily search those books on my iPad and MacBook.

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    I use Kindle mainly for books I cannot find in local libraries or stores. I also have a Hoopla Digital account to borrow ebooks from the library.

  • ReltvlyCanshesReltvlyCanshes

    My kindle is portable, convenient and a good size. I like it. Preference it i doubt it. If I'm sitting at home and i had to choose between the same book either physical or ebook id choose the book. If i was buying a book today id buy the ebook. But thats only because i keep a library in my pocket at all times. But if i could have all the books i wanted at home in a big library of my own im always choosing leather bound books.

  • tda89tda89

    I love the act of collecting physical books, but my preferred way to take it in is actually audiobooks. Buuuuut I just saw my sisters little like 4x4 kindle in a chic little portfolio and and I was like

  • tda89tda89

    Also, I really don’t know how the internet works a lot of the times because that picture was supposed to be a gif from one of the all time greats

  • BearBear

    There was a time I used to carry a book with me everywhere. I love the reading. I put down books after my wife literally chose books over cuddling basic touch. Even after we got separated and then divorced. I still stop reading books. I would read articles and such

    I started reading again this year. Mostly from my phone and the Kindle app. I also use the app. I’ve gotten into audiobooks as well.
    I like that I can carry a plethora of subjects without the enormous added weight. If I was to get my home, I would love to have a physical library with a reclining rocking chair. Until then I mainly use my phone.

  • starrynitecudsstarrynitecuds

    I love my physical books; back in the day, I had my own library in my house. I still have several shelves of first editions and signed copies that are now in safe keeping.
    The Harry Potter series is a favorite memory btwn my daughter and me, waiting in a long line together to buy the newest book at midnight, seeing the movies on release day at 2 am (and having to work at 8 am), racing to see who finished the new book first. Treasured memories.

  • Darkeyed_maleDarkeyed_male

    Ownership may be the issue with me. If I buy something I'd like it to be represented in a way that implies ease of access without a login. If I'm accessing information that is mine, I don't want to have to "behave," in order to be allowed to get to it. (as sometimes, I may differ in opinion than the stream)

    Or is that just me lol.

  • [Deleted User]justwanthugs (deleted user)

    I will always prefer physical books. I understand the folks who prefer the e-readers, with the convenience and portability. But for me, it will always be an actual book, turning pages, using bookmarks. I just hope both will be able to co-exist in the future, and e-readers won’t push out book stores and libraries.

  • SoosonSooson

    I prefer physical books. It's easier to judge them by the cover and you also kinda look smart when you pretend to read one.

  • TxTomTxTom
    edited November 2024

    Books rule, tablets drool.

    Carrying around a tablet that has hundreds of books stored on it is just lazy.

    Don't be lazy.

  • TxTomTxTom

    And you just can't create this kind of cozy cuddling ambiance with tablets.

  • Mike403Mike403

    @TxTom - How do you get the books off the top shelf?

  • TxTomTxTom

    @Mike403
    You don't. That's just wallpaper that looks like bookshelves.

  • Mike403Mike403

    @TxTom - I just now noticed that there's a ladder there... still would be a major inconvenience when trying to pick out a book.

  • rxpectingrxpecting

    In general I prefer physical books, but there are times when audiobooks (I know, not fully the poll question) are what I need - when my stress level is high and my mind is all over the place I'm more able to focus on an audiobook and bring myself down to a better state of mind in the evening. Ebooks are probably third on my list, but I've read a lot off Project Gutenberg right off my phone since it's I always had with me..

  • Janelle19Janelle19

    Physical books. I want large bookshelves full of beautiful books

  • [Deleted User]Homesteader (deleted user)

    Ooooohh... @TxTom ... That picture hits like VISA: Everywhere I'd want to be!! lol New Screen saver unlocked! Thanks!!

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