Book vs e-reader
So folks, have you weighed in on the e-reader vs book debate yet? Though it’s a personal preference, a case can certainly be made for both. For me, it really comes down to comfort. As a person suffering from arthritis, and one who loves to read in bed, the choice is easy. The lighter weight and ease of holding the e-reader are the two main features that make it my vehicle of choice for reading. I have a second generation Kindle, which bears many battle scars from the many times I have dropped it on the floor due to my falling asleep while reading. It still gives me great service, even though it sometimes doesn’t open to the last page read, which is a pain. My husband gave me a Kindle Fire for Christmas because I had always complained that my original was not backlit, which meant that I had to use a small flashlight for light if I didn’t want to disturb hubby during my 3:00 am reading sessions! Although the Fire provides the backlight feature, I am still using my original model, because I can’t bear to put it out to pasture because it still works great! The Fire, however, lets you appreciate the great book covers out there as it displays in full color, and the resolution of the screen is fine, not to mention the browsing capability which gives you greater variety in choosing your ebook stores, as well as eliminating the need to use a tablet besides.
So why would I choose a regular paperback over my Kindle? Well, there is the advantage of knowing how far along you are in the story at all times. Sure you have the page counter on the Kindle, but it is not as good an indicator. Some people talk about the feel and smell of a “real” book, which doesn’t hold much appeal for me. I like the fact that if I spill ketchup or coffee on my Kindle, it’s a quick cleanup, rather than a permanent stain on my paperback copy. I love the “open to last page read” feature of the Kindle. Gone are the days of dog eared corners in books from marking pages, and the collection of lost bookmarks that have hidden themselves down between the cushions of the couch along with the potato chip crumbs and M&M’s gone AWOL. There is also the obvious advantage of the capacity of the memory in the e-reader that allows you to take a library of books with you everywhere you go, plus the convenience of being able to purchase books anywhere and anytime you like The instant reference manuals available like dictionary or thesaurus, are so very handy, and the fact that you can download textbooks is a Godsend for students. The only downside is that you rack up charges on your credit card because you have to have your Kindle linked to it in order to purchase books. It doesn’t take long to figure out what kind of book addiction you really have!
All in all, whether you’re a paperback, hardcover, Kindle, Nook, or Sony aficionado, reading is king. The digital age has certainly made books more easily available, and the new era of Indie Publishing has made books available to us that would previously have not seen the light of day! Exciting times for both readers and authors. As for the e-reader, if any device can turn my magazine reading hubby into a lover of books, both non-fiction and fiction, I am extremely impressed. It’s a pleasure to see him sitting in front of the TV and reading his Kindle at the same time. Anything that can keep him entertained while waiting in an airport or doctor’s office is gold in my book!
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