Reading books on device vs paper copies

[BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation]

I've got a Kindle app and have downloaded a few books over the past couple of years. I'm not good at reading due to my adhd and my concentration is difficult to sustain.

When I'm reading a book on my device it's just not registering in my brain. I'm having to read the same page over a couple of times and the page jumps if my thumb accidentally touches the screen 🙄

I've started a new book yesterday and I'm not even sure if I've already read it. It seems familiar, but new at the same time. I just don't know. I can deal easily with hard copies though.

Anybody else find this?

Snap! I’ve had to go back to paper. I just can’t cope with the kindle. I’ve tried three types!

It's annoying isn't it? Kindle copies are so much cheaper.

Yes, it is annoying. I’ve even tried the proper reading only one. I think it’s because you can’t organise the books properly. So you copy them to libraries (collections) but you don’t move them. So I never know if all the books are in a collection or if I’ve missed one.

I found this with the app, but then recently I bought a kindle paperwhite and I can read again. My attention span has gone to pot since lockdowns started and I am so easily distractible (probable ADHD and diagnosed with autism). I find that unless I can hyperfocus on a paper book, then I get sidetracked by the kids too easily and I was ending up just scrolling forums on my phone, hence the kindle really, to trick my brain into thinking I was just scrolling but I am actually reading! I used to be a huge bookworm before life just took over.

I am thinking of asking for a clicker from Amazon for my birthday. It turns the pages.

On the kindle that isn't backlitz the paper one, I can concentrate but on the app not at all I really struggle to read long things on screens, both computer and app, I read it but I don't take it in at all.

I’m the same
I use the library a lot but I’m embarrassed to say that my reading ability has declined hugely. In Johann Hari’s book, I read about this in the free sample chapter on kindle 😳

I love books. I buy loads (and read loads). I love having them and even though I won’t read many of them again, they are mine.

I don’t like kindles. I feel claustrophobic reading them. There’s no sense of progress. They don’t start showing a bit of wear after you’ve read them for a while. They have no soul.

But real books…….❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Yeah, real books have that feel and smell. Some of my older ones I've had my whole life and they're like friends.

Ds1 has a Kindle he doesn't use, perhaps I could try that instead. I think I just associate my phone with mindless scrolling 😕

Oh dear, I love my kindle! I also love real books and buy textbooks and so on so I can read the maps / illustrations (archaeological site illustrations are a nightmare on kindle!) and magazines.

It is a (rather old now, 10 yrs!) paperwhite, and suits me fine - I don't use my phone much at all for anything and dislike reading kindle pages on it.

Yup. Massive problems with absorbing information from screens vs paper here. I've missed loads of the kids' school events since they stopped giving out paper newsletters.

Plus, there is an inherent solid sensuality to books. I usually read myself to sleep every night and wake up with an upside down book next to me I the morning- don't know how that would work with a Kindle.

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

Yeah, real books have that feel and smell. Some of my older ones I've had my whole life and they're like friends.

Ds1 has a Kindle he doesn't use, perhaps I could try that instead. I think I just associate my phone with mindless scrolling 😕

Oh I've never tried to read on a phone, that sounds annoying. Kindle is a good size.

I have loads of physical books and a kindle but I've found that the past few years I mostly read books on my phone. I've even bought kindle versions of physical books I own so I can read them on the app. I think it's because it's smaller and lighter so I can hold it in one hand, or while lying on my side. I also like the thing where you can press a word and it shows you the definition and the first paragraph of the Wikipedia article. Although I do tend to get sidetracked reading about random stuff.

I do have an issue where I pick up my phone to read and end up scrolling mindlessly or playing some stupid little game, especially if it's a book I'm not quite into yet.

I bought a Kindle! I'm reading a book on it at the moment. It is better than the phone app. I'm crocheting a case for it.

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation pls post picture of case when you have finished it! 😺

I will 👍🏻😀

Exciting! I hope you enjoy it.

My Kindle holder. I had to line it with a piece of cotton so the fluff from the wool doesn't clog up the charging port.

Oh Barrow that's fabulous! I love it😻

I'm OK with kindle but if I read a book I love then I need to get a paper copy when I've finished it. This isn't ideal as I already have way too many books (not according to me, as far as I'm concerned there's no such thing).

Love the case @BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation!

I cannot cope with kindle ive tried and I hate it. Much prefer paper and physical books and magazines in my hand to look at. This also relates to online learning aswell. I have to have paperwork copies of things

Paper books only. Also, can’t read in a room where there’s noise (tv/radio/conversation). It’s a royal pain in the arse but I’ve always been like that 🤷🏻‍♀️

I just came on to say that is the most excellent kindle holder (as the owner of at least 4 kindles and way too many books). Kudos

Real books only here.

My OH has a Kindle but I have to remind her every Christmas to NOT buy me one as a pressie as I just don't want one!

On the train I notice that more people are now reading books again, a few years ago I was the only one in the carriage with a real one but there are a few of us now.

I can’t get on with virtual books. The words glide across my brain and it’s much harder to concentrate.

I’ve found I see images better on paper too - I miss mistakes in my graphics if I’m only editing on screen. I have a friend, who is also ND who can’t see those mistakes on paper, but catches them straight away on screen.

I really struggle in paperless environments.