Thursday, April 3, 2014

5 Reasons Why eReaders Didn't Win Me Over, Especially #3

Over a week ago, I caved and ordered a Kindle Paperwhite. Me, who has advocated print books until I can advocate no more. I anticipated purchasing all of the wonderful books available only in digital format, and reading the few dozen sitting in my Kindle account. Books I've ordered and wanted to read, but never got around to it on my computer. 

Finally, the day had arrived when I was going to join the army of readers who appreciate the written word in any format. I was going to be a part of a digital age and set aside my old-fashioned beliefs that eReaders were in fact not the future. Well, this didn't happen. 

I tried it, but this is one reader who can now say with an absolute certainty, that they will always prefer books in print. Having said that, let me give you a few reasons why I now agree with those who told me I would love a Kindle. 

1. They are convenient. This is true. The idea of slipping one light-weight Kindle into my bag or purse is a lot easier than finding a purse that will fit all of my usual stuff plus a print book. 

2. The cost of an eBook is a fraction of what I spend on print. Also true, and a well-known fact that I chose to ignore over the years. It's true that I could buy 3-4 decent eBooks for the price I spend on one print book.

3.  When someone offers to send me their book to read, I don't have to say, "Sorry, but I prefer print." Sure, like someone wants to pay for that (well, unless you're me). 

One thing I never contradicted was that eBooks are great for both writers and readers. They provide a way for authors to sell their books at an affordable price, and give readers a chance to enjoy books they may not otherwise be able to read. 

Now, for the reasons why I will not be the next Kindle convert. 

1. My eyes prefer print. Even with the fancy back light, my eyes just didn't want to adjust. 

2. My mind prefers print. I'm a tactile person. When I flip the pages of a book, I get a little thrill about what might be on the next page. I don't get the same feeling when I "flip" the page on a Kindle.

3. I reach for the print book first. I didn't matter how much I was enjoying a story, I didn't last long while reading on the device. I set it aside and reached for the hardcover on top of my bedside book stack. I can't argue with the love I have for books of all shapes and sizes. 

4. Reading on a Kindle is no different than reading digital books on my laptop. Actually, it's not as nice. I've read a few books on my laptop, and I have to say that I like the large screen much better. It's not about the size of the font, but rather that the pages are side by side. At least that way I can pretend I'm reading an open book. 

5. The books on my shelves would get lonely if I didn't buy them more friends. Okay, so this one is a little silly, but I always get a little thrill when I add a new book to one of my shelves. I like having shelves overflowing, and I love that I need more shelves for the books I will add to the collection. 

What did I learn from this brief, yet worthwhile experience? Kindles and eReaders are awesome, but they aren't for me. I have made a compromise with myself. For every three print books I read, I will now read one digital book from my long list of eBooks, but I'll do this on my laptop. It's all about balance, and I've finally found mine with eBooks. 

Are you a Kindle/eReader convert, or do you still prefer old-school (aka print)? 

9 comments:

  1. I also just got a paperwhite. I had been reading on an ipad. I like the Kindle better than the ipad (1) and its best when you turn the light off entirely!. I can read this way in most decently lit rooms, especially during the day. i only turn it up to 8 or 9 at night without a light.

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    1. I've been told that reading in the dark is great with Kindles, and that's why so many people like them.

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  2. I love my kindle paperwhite. I can see it better. I do read without a lamp on and I keep the light on the kindle at about 10. I still read paper books but read more on the kindle. Sometimes the print is to small on some paper books. I enjoy reading both so I switch from one to the other.

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  3. I do agree with you about the size of font in a lot of print books. Mass Market sized are the hardest, and it probably would be easier on my eyes to read more on a Kindle. I think some of it comes from being at a computer all day that I kind of like to "unplug." :)

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  4. I still love my books. When I'm done with them I give them to a new home and pass them on. DebP

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    1. I donate some to the library, and loan them to friends, but most I hoard on my shelves so I can enjoy them over and over again. :)

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  5. I have a regular kindle that I haven't used in AGES, and a paperwhite that I do use and I purchased fire last Christmas. I also have a simple touch nook that I also haven't used in ages. Even with all those, I still prefer print books... I love to smell them, to turn the pages, etc. I was raised loving real books and it's hard not to love them back. I do admit that it's easier to read at night with my paperwhite. I purchased the fire because many authors send me pdf files and, while I could convert them to read on my kindle, the conversion always left stray characters and formatting that wasn't correct. Now I don't have to convert them. I have adobe on my fire and I can read the pdfs with it. However, the fire is not easy on my eyes. My paperwhite is much easier on my eyes. I love the little bookstore in town where I can go and smell the books and touch them... and talk to the owner and the other ladies who are always there... and commiserate about our latest wonderful read. I hope the bookstores survive as I can't imagine a life w/o bookstores.

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    1. I agree, Linda! I can't imagine a world without bookstores. I still have a dream of opening one up someday, even if it's just for fun. I've heard that the Paperwhite is much easier on vision than the others which is why I tried that one.

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  6. I much prefer print books, but I can't afford to buy all the books I want to read. I do have an original Kindle Touch and the original Nook touch. I'm able to read more books on these devices, but still have to watch & wait for the price to be right.

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