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Paperback or E-Reader? Join the great debate to win £100 of books or e-books

500 replies

RachelMumsnet · 20/04/2015 15:06

Are paper books old news? These days there are more e-readers and literary apps than you can shake a USB stick at. We want to know if you've eschewed paper for digital, or if you reckon a well-thumbed paperback beats technology hands down. Join the discussion to let us know which medium you prefer and why, and you'll be entered into a draw to win £100 bundle of books OR £100 e-book bestsellers courtesy of Bloomsbury.

OP posts:
goshhhhhh · 21/04/2015 07:34

I love my kindle for the sheer convenience. I have also been studying & I love the ability to search across a range of books for a particular word or concept.
Though I love physical books & I am sure that it's true you remember them better. I also like their shareability.

RitaCrudgington · 21/04/2015 07:35

In theory I see all the advantages of ereaders but in practice I've never got round to reading the couple of books I've got on my tablet. I guess if I had an actual Kindle it might be different - I gather they're brilliant bits of kit - but I don't want to be tied into Amazon so completely; most of my books currently come from library/charity shop/loans/physical bookshops.

Princessnicki22 · 21/04/2015 07:36

I love the feeling you get of seeing how far into a paper book you are, especially who you read a big chunk in one go....however, e readers are so much easier for Holliday! I use both!

Brutalista · 21/04/2015 07:41

I'm a paperback lover teetering on the edge of getting my first e-reader.

Now I've seen that I can get a waterproof cover to read with in the bath I'm SOLD

and I like I could read the trashy stuff and leave no evidence but I can still buy a Dostoevsky for the shelf.

rachelkanga · 21/04/2015 07:43

I prefer paperbacks at home however when I go away I always take a Kindle as I can read about 10 books in a 2 week holiday and they can weigh to much.

maryandbuzz1 · 21/04/2015 07:45

E- books are my choice. The kindle is so easy to carry around and I don't get the problem of storing all my read books.

CiderRules · 21/04/2015 07:45

I use my kindle for throwaway/cheap fiction and for travel (I live abroad a lot of the time so it's a necessity if I want a variety of books to access) but for books I love I'm building up a collection if beautiful hardbacks (clothbound classics and the like) so I can have the full sensory experience of sinking into a glorious real book and feel the weight of the words in my hands. Best of both worlds!

hailstone101 · 21/04/2015 07:45

Paperback all the way.

There is something satisfying about not getting nagged for "doing the Kindle wrong", failing to charge it or looking at it the wrong way.

Paperback - cheap and less stress in my house.

SoupDragon · 21/04/2015 07:50

I love the feeling you get of seeing how far into a paper book you are

I love that my Kindle tells me how much time I've got to go in the book. I can keep telling myself "Oh, the next chapter only takes 5 minute... I'll just read one more..." :o

piebald · 21/04/2015 07:54

I have a kindle but rarely use it , I admit is is useful for trips away but I don't like it for day to day reading. I find it hard to connect with the book on it. I like to beable to flick back and forth, read the cover notes, see the cover and read more on the page then kindle can manage. I found when I was first given it and trying that I could read very easy books or things I had read before on it but anything more challenging I need the real book.
My biggest worry about kindles though is the decline in paperbacks that will go into charity shops, it is a great way of finding new authors and a great source of income for charity. I also like to read a good book and lend it to friends. Amazon is just taking more from us by making every kindle buy a copy each , most people tend to stock their kindle from amazon so other retailers miss out. We will lose libraries and bookshops if we don't use them
I also think that so much work is published now there is a lot of junk out there, I am much more likely to give up on a book on kindle, you don't connect with it as much and have that need to finish
So its paperbacks for me then!
In fact does anyone want to buy a secondhand kindle?
So

slev · 21/04/2015 07:56

Depends on the book and when I'm reading. Most of the time I'd say books. I prefer the weight of the book in my hand and when I'm reading in bed etc it just feels a bit cosier than an electronic device. Plus I like seeing all the books I've read on the shelves, especially when they're classics as it makes me look intelligent

But there's definitely a place for a kindle too. I use mine on the train when I don't want to carry a book, and they're great for holidays as I can usually get through several books a week which is a bugger when you're flying. But I don't tend to buy much for it, I just download the free book from the deal of the day app - which are admittedly of variable quality but most of the time I'm reading the kindle, it's to pass the time rather than because I want to read to relax - I always find it difficult to get into a good book when I'm commuting because of all the interruptions. If I'm paying, I want something tangible at the end of it.

So books - but not exclusively!

craftymama087 · 21/04/2015 08:10

I used to be anti-kindle cause i loved the feel and smell of a paper book. I reluctantly gave in when my partner insisted on getting me a kindle for Christmas as i am such an avid reader.

It turned out to be the best thing EVER!

I have slowly replaced my paper books on my e-reader and handing the paper copies into my local charity shop has given me so much more space in my room (I had piles and piles of books that have now been reduced to fit one book case). I love too that i can set my kindle to read to me while i'm doing something like hanging up washing or doing the dishes. I can easily get through 5 books a week now compared to my 2 or 3 before.

I've even started getting books for Agent M like the Chronicles of Narnia on my kindle for him to read (thankfully he has taken after his mama with his love of books).

DrinkenedUp · 21/04/2015 08:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lilliana · 21/04/2015 08:24

I love my kindle for ease when out of the house especially as it saves me loads of weight in my luggage when I go on holiday as I usually take at least 3 books. Also for hiding the fact when I'm read trashy books Grin

I prefer paper for picture books and generally prefer having an actual book - lovely memories of hiding away in a fantasy land as a child.

So I guess I like and use both for different reasons

claireblaney123 · 21/04/2015 08:37

paper back for me there nothing like picking up a brand new book i also love the way they smell the e readers take that away from you. it just doesnt feel the smae.

Susangilley7 · 21/04/2015 08:44

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer physical books. I just love the feel and smell of a new book and the musty smell of an old book!! I love to see book shelves with an array of books just waiting to be picked up and looked through and read.

RememberYoureAWomble · 21/04/2015 08:51

Paper books all the way! I have to look at a screen all day for work. The last thing I want to do is also read books for pleasure on one.

suzyq50 · 21/04/2015 09:05

I've tried the Kindle but I always go back to books. If I can see the book on the table I'm more likely to pick it up & read it.

I do find reading off a screen a strain on the eyes, even if I adjust the resolution.

I also enjoy visiting bookshops & getting ideas on what to read.

I can see the benefits of ebooks but paper books remain my preferred choice

mandincardiff · 21/04/2015 09:08

I have never used a kindle. I've got a massive collection of books and have to force myself to clear out the old ones every few months to make space. It would probably be easier to read e-books and not have the hassle but I love having shelves full of books!

jt75 · 21/04/2015 09:08

I use ebooks when travelling and books when at home.

badgermum · 21/04/2015 09:09

I love my e-books now, it took a while to convert from paper books but now it's so easy to pop my E reader in my bag and all the books are there at the touch of a button, and for holidays it's brilliant, also the fact I can download more books at any time and read reviews and a chapter for free before deciding to download it, it's brilliant!

maisiesnan · 21/04/2015 09:11

I read from both paper books and e books I prefer paper books for reading with my granddaughter but much prefer e books for myself.I am an avid reader but have arthritis making it a lot easier to read from my kindle plus its so much cheaper.

SE13Mummy · 21/04/2015 09:11

I'm a paper books fan. DH has a Kindle and the DDs (aged 5 and 10) love it when he downloads books for them on it but I don't like the feel of the screen. A Kindle doesn't work for reading in the bath and isn't nearly so effective at providing a wallpaper alternative...yes, I have arranged all our books by the colour of their spines in the hope that it will distract people from noticing the in-need-of-painting walls.

Micah68 · 21/04/2015 09:13

I like both. My kindle is great because I live in a small house and it means I can have more books without worrying about where to put them. I like real books because they are great for sharing by passing on to friends and family. A real book is also better on holiday as I don't like to have my kindle by the pool or on the beach. I like the 'free book' offers that come from time to time with my kindle as this has introduced me to some new authors that I have really enjoyed.

Buntymomma · 21/04/2015 09:16

Both have a place in my reading world. I love a paper book, it feels like a treat and a thing of beauty. But... I have no more room in my house for books, there are bookcases in every room as it is. I tried the library for a while but found it off-putting when I could smell cigarette smoke on the pages of one book I borrowed. Eeuuwww! Kindle has been my saviour in many ways. More books taking up less room; ease of downloading a book instead of waiting for Waterstones to open; and the book I published a while back is more often downloaded than bought in hard copy. Kindle I salute you!