E-Readers Versus Printed Books
@WumpyPPancakes (117)
United States
July 9, 2012 10:33am CST
For awhile, I was absolutely against owning an E-reader. I've been collecting printed books since I was a middle schooler. So, the idea of owning an E-reader, for me, would be supporting the decline of print books being made.
Well, two years ago, I start playing with an E-reader in a bookstore. At first, I was amazed by the capabilities...and I started putting my guard down and my prejudices aside. What I start to realize is that on our last camping trip, an E-reader would have been handy. Instead of carrying all my books on the trip and having them take up space, wouldn't it be a good idea to have a device where you have many books on there and have access to them immediately just like the books that I would take with me on the trip? I could read how much and whatever I wanted. It would be more convenient.
Well, last year, I finally decided to get one. A new version of the E-Reader came out, I tested it out, and I loved it. Now, it is one of my favorite device. It's not just because I can surf the 'Net or download applications to play games. I LOVE the reading capabilities on the device. I like that I can tap on a book and open it and READ it. I find it's the most wonderful thing in the world!
However, I do still buy PRINT books. There are certain books I want in print. These books I will read over and over again...and my passion for owning print books will never wan away. Yet, I find that having an E-Reader is introducing me to new ways of reading. Instead of marking up my book with a highlight for passages, my E-Reader can do that. I can also type in notes on the side while reading the book, too.
Not only that, I can read PDF files on there, too. Last night, I had downloaded a lot of PDF files because I am working on my Master's thesis. I was able to side load the PDF files on to my E-Reading device...and now, I can read mark the PDF files and take notes on them. This saves me ink and paper for printing it out. I also can mark up the article and use it as the same as if I had the print version of the article.
I am wondering what people prefer. Do you prefer printed books still? Do you own an E-Reader and have stop buying printed books? Or do you do both ways?
5 responses
@kellbell (1)
• United States
10 Jul 12
I agree with you completely. I love my Kindle Fire for all of the reasons you mentioned but I still like to sit down with a printed book now and then. However, I found that I do not buy printed books very often unless they are ones that I know I will read over and over.
@WumpyPPancakes (117)
• United States
11 Jul 12
Kellbell:
That's how I am. I usually buy print books that I know that I will read over and over again. Yet, I do have some E-books on my Nook that I have in print, too. That's just because when I go on vacation, I can have some of my favorite books on the E-reader.
@WumpyPPancakes (117)
• United States
10 Jul 12
Print books are the best; they still rule in my opinion, and I still buy them! I love it when they are on sale...I will certainly buy a new print book on sale than on my E-reader! Saving money!!!
E-reader has its advantages, though. You can side load content if yours is able to do that and read PDF files and such! There are also thousands of free and cheap book that you have accessed to as well! I think that you can have the best of both worlds! You don't have to decide on either one! Why?
@missliss08 (766)
• United States
9 Jul 12
My husband got me a simple and cheap e-reader for Christmas last year. I love it, and this year I want a Kindle Fire. I do still use traditional print books, because I get tired of buying the books for the reader. I can sign out books for my ereader at my library, but very often they don't have anything I want to read, or there is a long wait. If I can take out a print book from the library instead of buying one, I will.
@WumpyPPancakes (117)
• United States
9 Jul 12
Hi, Missliss:
I still use the library, too! It's a great to see new books and read them still...it can help you determine if you want to purchase that book or not.
At first, my library didn't have a good selection for E-books, but now, they are. I checked last week, and I was pleasantly surprised that they are increasing their collection. They have added on great titles like Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffanys and all of Toni Morrison novels. I am glad, too, because E-books, although they are cheaper than print books, can be expensive.
I own a Nook Tablet. Best investment that I ever made. I would love to check out the Kindle Fire, but I am weary of ever purchasing one because you can't easily add your existing E-books to their device.
@WumpyPPancakes (117)
• United States
9 Jul 12
You're right; that's certainly true! However, I still do purchase print books! Best of both worlds, Friend! I can still get that autograph! LOL!!
@succeednow (1633)
• Singapore
10 Jul 12
Unfortunately I don't own an ereader but I use my iPad to read my stuff. Although it is not a dedicated ereader I find it sufficient for my use. However I believe that an ereader would be ideal for a student as it has many advantages over the printed books chiefly being extremely portable and convenient. Storage of notes would also not be an issue here. Have a good day.
@WumpyPPancakes (117)
• United States
10 Jul 12
Succeednow:
For a college student, an E-reader would be highly useful. I believe that I would have enjoyed an E-reader in college instead of having to order a lot of the pricey books and lugged them around on campus. And the note taking and highlight feature would prove useful, too, because you would be saving paper...and wouldn't be losing your notes because they would be on you E-reader (unless you accidentally cleared them).
As for the I-pad, a few users have told me about how it is a bit awkward for them to read on it. When I was getting my Nook Tablet, the sales person told me that there are people who have both the Nook and the Ipad. She told me that the older folks had a difficult time holding the I=pad because it is larger than the Nook...and they used the Nook mostly for reading.
I had another friend told me that her husband owns an I-pad...and she has played on it. She hardly liked it because of how it functions. She said that I-pads are really for those people who loved Apple products and are savvy with Apple products.
