Do you like reading from a "Book" or something "Digital"

Wow you are so lucky, I think you should definitely accept this gift and if you do not need it then can send me, as nowadays there are so many books available on net and to have a reading device is so good.

I appreciate the old fashioned books that reading an ebook because I get to feel and collect the books after reading. I value the books so much thats why I choose it. And through books, you help the author because when you have some ebooks, some of it are illegal.

I haven't used a Kindle yet, but I'm getting one (or something similar) for Christmas as a present. I think it could be a good supplement for regular paper books. There is something to be said for holding a real book in your hands. I love the feel and smell of them. But, for myself, a digital book reader could have some advantages, too. Space, for one thing. I don't have much room for all my books and I keep getting more. Having something that can hold a whole bunch of books in one device does sound good. But, I don't think I'd ever want to completely give up actual books.

I think it is a good gift, and I would be very excited to have one. That being said, I like the feel of real books, though it is nice to know I am saving trees with a kindle. As far as being easy for the eyes, according to the New York Times, there really isn't too much of a difference between the two! :-)

I'm a huge avid reader, but personally I hate eBook and eReaders with an unmatched passion. I think I'm a bit of a monster about it. I just think the very idea of digitalizing books is a crime against bookishness. Especially now that people are talking about paper books going obsolete and eBooks being the way of the future. I sincerely hope that I die first. When it comes down to it, it's not so much eBooks themselves that bother me. A good story is a good story no matter how you read it. It's the idea of mixing technology and books... two things that have been exclusive for a very long time for a very good reason. Books aren't supposed to crash or freeze. And if paper books were completely obsolete, what would happen to bookstores? Where would authors go on their book tours? What would authors SIGN on their book tours? Do we really want to trade printing on recyclable and bio-degradable paper made from a renewable resource to printing on circuits and hard-drives which DON'T degrade over time, are prone to crashing and burning with no chance of recovering files, and are made from non-renewable resources? Am I the only one who sees a huge problem with this scenario? I've told all my friends and family multiple times to NEVER buy me an eReader because best case scenario I'd never use it. Worst case scenario I'd do something drastically destructive to it and put it up on YouTube along with a long rant about how much I hate eReaders and eBooks.

Hi western, Its me again, thanks for signing me as one of your friend. The kindle is a new technology that allows facilitates reading of text in electronically stored formats. It may have a lot of advantages over old fashioned books that has been around for a few thousand of years. For one, one does not need to lug a lot of books around. With improved memory capacity, it could hold an equivalent of a thousand books in a 2GB memory size alone, and that's a lot for a palm-sized reader. Reading in the dark is also enhanced. It has also features of being able to download materials online, for a fee of course, that saves one from the hassle of going to bookstores far from home. Its disadvantages may lie in its prize and availability. People far from civilization and with little money can ill afford one, much more downloading materials online. Then its durability is questionable. Most electronic gadgets are but passing fancies and may be obsolete as soon as newer technologies become available. eBooks may last but the hardware/software combination to read them may no longer be available in the next hundred years. If I have to buy something expensive, it should last for at least a generation, say a USD300 watch or jewelry. As I have stated in my other posts, I would stick to my old ink and paper books gathering dust on my shelf (I have hundreds of them too). There they wait, electricity or none, until my grandchildren shall discover the joy of reading as I once did.

It depends. For instance, if you have to reach for your reading glasses because the text is not that much darker then the page, you would want a book with large print or something where you could enlarge the text like a Kindle or something. You see most publishers seem to think that we all only wear glasses to see faraway, and it is easy to see close up. True it was that way when I was younger, but when I reached 50 I had to either use my glasses (fortunately it has not deteriorated since then) to read something with small print. And as for large print books, they are designed for people whose sight is very bad and I am not there. I prefer a digital format since it is easier for me to enlarge the print to my satisfaction and to make sure the text and the background have enough contrast. It is not about me not wanting the feel of paper in my hand. I am just being practicial. Oh and I love audio books, especially when the orator makes it very exciting.

Like you, i prefer reading a book, the old fashion one. I don't mind reading some things online, but I much prefer reading an old fashion book.

I love to read but sometimes it can be disturbing to my husband with the light and page turning while we're in bed and he's trying to go to sleep. Not to mention as I get older it's harder for me to hold the book. I'll drop it off the side of the bed, get a cramp in my wrist and so on. One night as I dropped my book off the side of the bed again, I decided to do a little research on my computer. I came to the conclusion that the Sony pocket ereader would probably suit me. Long story short, I found out I can download all the books I want to my phone. I get so involved in the stories that I don't even notice the tapping I do to turn the page. I can lay in bed and read without the noise of page turning or needing a light since my phone screen is lit up. I can adjust the font size and everything. I absolutely love it. I still like my regular books. I love reading a series and then adding them to my bookcase. But for now, I'm in hog heaven with my phone. I get what I need off Amazon. They have more books then I'll ever be able to read. I spent a lot of time at the library too, I love it. I love books. My tastes have changed in my reading material over the years. I think there is room in our lives for books, ereaders, reading on our phones, computers and what ever else is out there. Reading just takes us to a different place without actually leaving where we're at lol. I feel for people who are illiterate, they're missing a whole different world. Some of my best trips have been in the pages of a book. Check-out your phone. You may not need an ereader. You may be able to download an app and get all the books you want for free or a few dollars. Nothing wrong with our hardbacks or paperbacks, but there's nothing wrong with holding your book in the palm of your hand and turning pages with a touch of your thumb.

My husband and I share a first generation Kindle. We LOVE it. At least once every couple of weeks, I check out what books are available for free download. I have gotten some books that way that I never would have gotten otherwise. I can think of many that I really enjoyed. I just finished reading one a couple of days ago that I couldnt put down! I started another that is also good. I am interested to see which sister wins the competition and dates the new neighbor - a doctor! I do still enjoy reading traditional books. But I LOVE the versatility of the Kindle. I can easily take it anywhere. I can get new books at anytime. When I am going on vacation, I dont have to lug several books with me. And to make it all better, when there is a new book I want to buy? I can generally get them for free with Amazon.com gift certificates that I earned from swagbucks! It is an all around "win" situation. If you have the opportunity still to get a Kindle, I highly recommend it!

Hi western: I am not quite familiar with the Kindle for it has not yet come to this part of the world. If you plan to back up its contents, it may be done via its USB interface, if there is any. eBooks are can be transferred that way to any compatible electronic drive. Try to check out its USB interface first if you plan to back up your files that way. I know it is standard feature for most electronic components these days.

I think both actually have their advantages. With Digital books you can have a variety of material with you at all times and you wouldn't be stuck lugging around several books. It would also be convenient if you wanted to read a particular book right away. I don't know if your library does this, but my library has a website that has digital products that you can download. It basically works the same as the physical books except you don't have to return it (the digital license expires 2 weeks after you check it out). Of course that would only be an option if you're library actually offers that, but it something to think about. I do prefer traditional books because I feel like I'm absorbing the information better and its something that relaxes me. I also like going to library to look for new books and decide to read it because of how the summary interests me. I do think as far as the eyes go, you would probably do better going with traditional books, because I think reading the books digitally can cause some strain on your eyes. Personally If I were you I would at least try the kindle just to see if you do like it. You can always go back to the traditional route if you don't like it. The same goes for if you do like it, but can't use it much for financial reasons. I have one myself and I only really use it when I'm traveling for long periods of time. The rest of the time, I go the traditional route. Hope this helps.

I'm sticking with real books, too. I like the feel of it, turning the pages, putting it in my shelf after reading it, writing down notes in them but I have to admit that reading on a kindle or some other device is not as bad as I had expected. It's quite comfortable for the eyes because of the electronic paper / ink.

Despite of the digital age i still found reading materials very interesting. I used to read novels, magazines, info books, magazine etc. I love doing this cause it gives me a lot of knowledge and learn things from different perspective, from all kinds of people, and from all types of genre! Though i know we can get in easily on the net but having a storing hard copy and looking on a bookshelves really gives me inspiring feelings. When i was still studying I love going to the Library and spend time there ... enjoying my free time just reading. ;)

I am so set in my ways. I rather would read a book in actual text form. It is just something that I have done and something that I will always do. I think that books will always be around in that form in some way but as time goes on, it will be less and less, as us people set in our ways continue to read them. As long as there is a market for a book, it is going to be around. Plus, it is much easier to hold them in bed. Those portable reading devices are so awkward. I will say that my text books for school, I like them in e Book form for one simple reason. I've always hated thumbing through the book, looking up amounts of information when I went to school so when I actually had that option at college, I jumped onto it. Still with actual leisure, its actual physical books that is the thing for me. I guess I'm just set in my ways.

I have one and I also have many books that I already read and some of them are still not. But I still prefer to read all the books without any reader because it can never replace the feeling of reading the books in silence. I can pause or read as slow as I want when I read the book, means I got the freedom to read the book by heart and be emotionally carried away by the story in my own way. But if you really are interested to try it then go ahead and let your sister buy it for you as a gift