Monday, February 18, 2013

I Love My eBooks

Some people give me the strangest looks when I tell them one of the main reasons why I prefer eBooks.  It's not a reason you'll find at the top of most people's lists.

There are numerous advantages: no bulk, no weight, no folded corners or lost bookmarks, and definitely no additional space required on the bookshelf.  They're usually cheaper than printed books and many can be found free.

My Kindle App's "Bookshelf"
The Kindle app I use on my Android tablet enables on-the-spot definitions, highlighting, embedding of notes and a host of other little perks. I can browse the Kindle store right from my tablet and download a chosen title instantly.  No driving downtown, fighting crowds and traffic. I just point and click and read.

And while I enjoy all those things, the reason I've come to prefer reading eBooks over traditionally printed books is that I can do so more easily.  And that's what causes those strange looks from people.

By "easily" I mean that my middle-aged eyes, even aided by bifocals, can focus on the back-lit beige screen with far less strain than on printed paper.  Perhaps it's because I spend the bulk of my day using or programming computers.  I don't really know the reason why, I just know what my eyes prefer.

My tablet is not a dedicated eReader. I use it to keep tabs on email, manage my schedule, browse the web, and even as a GPS when necessary. (Oddly enough, I've had it for over a year and have yet to play a game on it though.)  But it is first and foremost, my preferred means for reading.

I've always loved the feel of paper in my hand when I read. And I always will. But I've now come to the point when I must choose functionality over feel.

What about you? Which do you prefer?

47 comments:

  1. For ease of use and convenience, I've become a fan of eBooks over their traditional counterparts.

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  2. I'm a pretty big fan of ebooks. Right now I just have an app on my netbook so it's not quite as convenient as a reader or tablet but it still does the trick. I enjoy both, and they help me read in different places and situations. I also use audiobooks for those places I can't read. I get major motion sickness.

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    1. Audiobooks is something I still need to try on for size. :-)

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  3. Fan for all those reasons, but thanks for saying it's because it's easier to read on a back lit screen - because that's one of my reasons as well! People complain that iPads are back lit, but I've found it's less eye strain than anything else. Helps that I can increase the font as well. (I often switch my background to black with white text.)
    I'm a hundred percent for eBooks now.

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    1. It's good find agreement out there on this. I feared I might be the only one.

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  4. eBooks are great with one exception: they make you feel like you're reading a lot faster than you really are. It's extremely frustrating to read what you think was 15 or so pages and you check the page count to see that you read 5.
    The best perk is the light weight. You can lie on your back and read for decent periods of time.
    I prefer to keep books from each series together in one format. Most of my books are print. Only one of the four books I'm currently reading is on my iPad mini, not counting an Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine I've been picking stories out of.

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    1. Funny you should mention the progress aspect. I've found myself telling people I'm X% finished with a book rather than giving a page number. I also agree about keeping a series together in the same format too.

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  5. I read ebooks on my phone. I've only had it for four months, and for me, I find it no different to reading a printed book (apart from the weight in your hands and flicking of the page). I can get into the story just as easily as a printed version and with no strain on the eye.

    I'm a fan of having things in one place, so my phone is handy for ebooks, music, internet, etc. Because of this I can't see myself getting a separate kindle any time soon. However, one reason why I wanted such a device in the first place is so that I can download some of the great self-published books that are out there and that are not available in print and in bookshops. People who veer away from ebooks are missing out on some real treats :)

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    1. I read a few things on my phone, but nothing (yet) any larger than a (very) short story or blog post. I'm not sure though that I'd want a "dedicated" eReader and miss out on some of the other features. (If that's even a valid concern.)

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  6. I like ebooks, but because I have a propensity to make technology burst into flames- BlackBerry, Nook Readers, any cellphone more advanced than a flip phone- I really couldn't depend on them alone.

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  7. I could be fan of tablets for the same reasons you list here but now I'll tell you one weird thing why I would go for a book instead of a tablet...
    Or not. Yeah, tablets are cool and I wish I had one, if only to use it at the Cave.

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    1. They really are cool. I carry my tablet everywhere with me, and thereby all of my eBooks also.

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  8. I resisted the Kindle/e-readers for a long time. Give me the heft and pages of books! Until my mom offered to buy me a Kindle if I helped her buy one for herself. Now I'm hooked. I love that I can carry multiple books at a time, can read at night without turning on a light, can highlight and make notes (although I've had that sync mess with me and delete everything -grrrr). And I can still check out books on it from the library. Perfection!

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    1. I've resisted a lot of tech over the past several years--and still do. (I suppose that sounds odd coming from a computer programmer.) I am, without a doubt, a creature of habit.

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  9. I'm now asking for recommendations on which kindle to buy because I use my iPad which is quite heavy, I love the ease of ebooks.

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    1. Personally, I like a larger display, but since i don't use the video aspect, I don't care as much about the higher-definition displays. It really does depend on how you'll be using the tablet.

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  10. Well, If i can get a book signed, then im going for a hardback! But for the majority of my reading, its on my kindle. Not to mention, most kindle books are WAY cheaper than hardback (not always, but usually at least a little cheaper) and Im all about being money conscious.

    That being said, I still go to the library often and enjoy picking up some books to read for free... those are always paperback or hardbacks. But those i just read and dont own.

    -Theresa M. Jones

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    1. I understand you can get "electronic autographs" for eBooks, but I've not really looked into it yet. But yes, I'd much prefer a hand-written autograph over an electronic counterpart any day.

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  11. I'm old school paper books all the way. I write, read and edit on a computer all day long for my day job - it's the last thing I want to do when I'm reading to escape.

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    1. And this was my stance (to the letter) just a little more than a year ago. I'd no doubt still be this way had my daughter not given me the Android tablet for Christmas over a year ago.

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  12. I love ebooks! I wouldn't say I prefer them over printed books, but I do think I've grown to love them equally ever since getting a Kindle last year. One ebook perk I adore is the ability to still purchase a book that has long since gone out-of-print. No need to risk getting screwed over by a used books seller when an ebook option is available!

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    1. The selection for eBooks is incredible. There are so many out-of-print books that can be obtained in electronic format. And that's not to mention the electronic-only format that is becoming so prominent today.

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  13. I love them for all the reasons you listed, but I prefer Kindle's electronic ink on the regular models (mine's a Kindle Keyboard)--the non-glare screen and the look of a regular page/ink. I do like the back-lit screen of my Kindle Fire HD for reading at night when it's polite not to disturb the hubster with the bedside lamp, but it's harder on my eyes, especially when the lights are on.

    The Kindle Fire IS great for playing Freecell Solitaire. :P

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    1. Considering how easily I adopt habits, I'm better off not trying any games on my tablet. I'd never get anything productive done again! LOL

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  14. Believe it or not, I'm still getting used to reading e-books.

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    1. I adapted to them far more easily than I expected. (Not bad for a man of my age! LOL)

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  15. I still prefer to hold a paper book. I like the ability to thumb through it when I want to reread passages. But I've adapted to e-books as well. The best part for me is the ease of buying them. With Kindle you only have to push one button and the book is yours. You don't even feel their fingers digging in your pockets. :)

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    1. eBucks, like checks, don't always feel like "real" money, yes? But I do love being able to browse, preview, buy and then start reading immediately without ever leaving my home office. If only I could shop for groceries as easily. :)

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  16. I think this is my favorite reason for liking ebooks! And it makes sense. I still love the traditionally published books, but I am trying to give ebooks a chance :)

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  17. My feet are in both camps. I love to hold a print book, but when I travel, I love to carry umpteen books in my slender Kindle. I have the best of both worlds. (Sorry for all the cliches!)

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    1. I'm toting 400 books on my tablet and it's not an ounce heavier. What's not to love?

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  18. I like the beige pages too. I read a lot at night and it seems less harsh and I no longer have to hold a flashlight in my teeth!

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    1. Oooh, a flashlight reader... you've got it bad. :-)

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  19. ah, the sad demise of paperbacks looms in the near future...

    the new generations will soon forget and we'll say, "i remember when books were made from paper!"

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    1. Oh this is too funny. Kinda like I remember having get off my duff to change the channel on the black and white television!

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  20. Neat post, I find myself making the same transition. Cool blog:)

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    1. Welcome to my little corner of Bloggyville, Mark. And thanks for the compliment too. (Happy Fatherhood!)

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  21. I have heard that people are starting to bring kindles and nooks to signings, now - the back of them covered in signatures. Never saw that coming! :)

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    1. I would never have seen that coming either. Such a novel idea. :)

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  22. I still love the feel of a good book, but for convenience, I would never give up my Kindle Fire. I tend to read multiple books at the same time, so it's perfect for me. Besides, I can bring it to bed and read it with the brightness set down low so as not to disturb my wife when's she's sleeping.

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    1. Yeah, all things considered, it's tough to beat the convenience factor.

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  23. I have a Kindle 2 and love it, but I'm going to have to give it up for a week; my mom was curious about ebook readers, so I've agreed to let her borrow mine. ;)

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    1. You're obviously the generous type. I don't know if I could so easily part with my tablet for an entire week. :-)

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  24. Hi!

    Maby you like this Ebook to! It´s on Amazon as well!
    http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Precious-Love/book-r15CEHLVKkapzHW0ysFU9Q/page1.html


    Best regards
    Ramona Fransson

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