E-reader or 'real' book?

[Cessj]

DH got me an e-reader just before we went on holiday - I'm one of those sad people who peruse Amazon, bookstores and charity shops months ahead of going away so that I can stock up with a good supply of holiday reading...I generally pack more books than clothes etc and I ALWAYS return with more new books ...so for birthday last year, fed up with having to pay hefty surcharge on our luggage allowance, DH got me an e-reader...this is a man for whom the term Luddite was invented so it shows how much he cares about my reading pleasure..
I did manage to go away with only one book in my bag, which I was half way through and just had to finish on the flight but I had about 50 books on my e-reader (though returned with about another 20 books purchased on holiday). Problem is, I just do not enjoy reading with my Kindle as much as I enjoy a real book...I love the feel of books, I love the act of licking my finger ad turning the page, I love the smell and feel of paper and the look of different font types on the page, I just love the sight of a new book cover all spick and span and waiting for me to delve into ...there's just something about having a real book in my hand that an e-reader just can't beat...am I alone in this or have I just got the wrong e-reader...a Kindle 3G?

I'm with you, I love real books!

I have reluctantly donated many to the charity shop and replaced them with digital copies on my Kindle, but there's a sizable population that I simply cannot part with.

DH swears every time we have to move them anywhere as they weigh a ton, but I don't care

Can't comment on whether or not you'd be happier with a different make of e-reader I'm afraid!

Real ones. Can't bear Kindle etc. and will never have one.

You will get used to it! So convenient and its great to read a huge novel without hand ache. There's room in life for both e readers and real books- embrace them both and don't think loving one precludes the other.

I've got a kindle and, whilst it is convenient to slip into my bag, I much prefer a book. I like the smell and feel of a book, and I like being able to turn actual pages :). I love searching charity shops for bargain books too.

I tend to buy books on the kindle only when they are cheaper than the paperback version.

DH got me a kindle for Christmas and I love it. I also love real books, and still go to the library, charity shops and buy new books. However travel wise (trains, buses, holidays) the kindle is great as it is soo light, and you can have more than 1 book (often went away without books as bag was just too heavy)

Currently pregnant and can see the kindle being invaluable when bf as books can be difficult to turn pages etc with one hand.

I think the kindle has refreshed my passion for reading but would never want to give up real books!

I had an e-reader for Christmas off my parents, I thought it was nice of them but I didnt see the fuss. Dad had preloades it with some of my favorites and also some of his that he thought I might like.
I used to always have a book in my hand but with 4 kids now and the smallest still a baby I havent really read for years.
I loved it and have read about a dozen books since Christmas, as they are all there you can be reading a couple at once depending on your mood and not have to worry about carrying about more than one.
The baby broke it last week - I cried.
I cant believe how easily I got used to it, and how excited I was when it was replaced for my birthday.

I would love a kindle for reading in bed, but, am too tight can't justify paying £5.99 for a book I can pick up in a charity shop for 50p.

[mean]

I have a kindle purely for holidays, I wouldn't consider using it at home. Like you I used to take loads of books. I enjoy adding to my kindle wish list all year, and my charity shop books all get read at home. Sorted!!

Have had kindle since Christmas, you really do get used to them. The books are not £5.99 usually about £2.99 and lots are free.

I like both too, usually have a real book and a Kindle book going at the same time, but mainly use the Kindle on holidays. I love the fact that it syncs with the Kindle app on my phone so if I find myself hanging about somewhere I've always got something to read.

It's much easier to read lying on your side in bed with the Kindle than it is with a real book and easier to read under the covers with a head torch when camping.

£2.99 would be okay

Where do you buy the books from, i've only looked at Amazon?

ThisWeekonFancyPuffin -I don't know about anyone else but I find the kindle light very poor quality...really doesn't shed much light and I end up having to turn on table lamp in exasperation! Good thing that once he's asleep, DH is out for the count and will sleep through anything so doesn't get disturbed...

The other thing about Kindle books is the poor typescript and layout...don't know if its just the books that I purchase but I'm often exasperated by typos etc...sometimes I feel as though I'm reading a proof copy!

Puffin - I'm not sure whether you can get books for your kindle from anywhere other than Amazon (in the UK, that is). I tend to look at the Daily Deal, which is a different book each day, priced at 99p usually. Also, they have a section for books priced at £2.99 or less, and loads of free books.

I can also use my library on-line service and borrow e books for free! You download it to your e reader and it self destructs after 3 weeks. So no more late fees :)

Thanks guys

Am very tempted now but cessj problems are what worries me

torn

I do love my kindle, love the fact that it is easy to carry around and always have a book on me for those unexpected moments. However, I can't read "normal" books anymore so for me its either the really heavy large print books, which are all romance or westerns in our library, or an ereader.

The thing I probably miss the most is sharing books with friends and family.

I was reluctant to get a kindle as I love "real" books so much and loved spending time browsing in book shops, but I got one recently and love it! Yes it does feel different than reading a book but the story is the same and for travelling it is ideal. This web site is excellent as it gives details for the new free books for the kindle each day and when I filter the site to just look at the covers it is almost like being back in a book shop!
www.ereaderiq.co.uk/

For a 'crappy' book that I will read quickly and once, I am happy(ish) to download it onto the ipad, like the Jack Reacher ones. However for anything with substance there's just nothing like the smell and feel of a real book. That sensation when the right hand side gets thinner and thinner so you know you're reaching the end... OOOh!

I love both! I've had an ebook for nearly three years now, way before all the kindle johnny come latelys (;)). I do know of an excellent website for ahem preview copies of books though. I still have an expensive Waterstones habit.

I got a kindle for my last birthday and am loving it, but am taking delivery tomorrow of a kobo as well - my library doesn't support ebooks for kindles, but does for other ereaders, plus the DDs are working their way through the free classics and I quite often can't my hands on my kindle . Looking forward to stocking up for holiday though, as occasionally I get fed up with the books I've chosen in advance and want something different, and if you're abroad with a limited selection of english language books, plus a weight allowance, you're a bit stuck.

The Ultimate E Book Library is well worth a week look for anyone interested.

Do I need to use Calibre to get any books from the Ultimate E Book Library, glastocat? How does that work? Is it somehow put on your Kindle, or do I put Calibre on my computer, convert the book there, and then email it to my Kindle?

i love you glastocat - I have just spent several hours downloading stuff from there, transferring it to the kindle ad categorising it all .

Iread - I downloaded Calibre a while back and I think if you plug your Kindle into the computer, it magically recognises it. Then download stuff from wherever, drag it over to Calibre, tell it to "send to device" and it converts it for you automatically.

Now that the kobo has arrived, I need to fire that up and see if that is as straightforward, cross your fingers I don't break calibre...

glastocat! Thank you!

I love my kindle. Really love it. I admitted defeat late last year after ages saying I couldn't possibly have one - DH listened well and got me one for Christmas. I now read more than ever before.

how does that ultimate ebook library website work? is it legal? because they have Murukami's 19Q4 on there .......