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

[RachelMumsnet]

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.

Paperbacks for me every time. I have a Kobo but just cannot get on with it at all - and also find the books are too expensive. Most of my books come from the library so are free, or for £1 or less from charity shops. Looking for books in the Kobo store is just not the same as browsing the shelves of a charity shop for a new treasure. I want to love the Kobo as it would mean I could take lots of books with me wherever I go, but I just don't like using it, I want a real book.

I would much much rather read a real book - hate the typefaces on a Kindle, and find that I can't remember what Ebooks I've read (often find myself trying to download one I've already bought). A real book is an experience, an ebook is a pleasant distraction.

I have a small house, so both DH and I have an e-reader. But since we bought the Kindles we read even more, and the books we both want to read have to be in print. As a result we have more books than ever, no matter how many we give away. For travelling I prefer the kindle, otherwise, I do not mind either.
DS so far prefers print books, but he is only 7, and he has not got his own device. He finished 3 Tom Gates books in the Easter holidays, so he will soon have to have an e-reader or we need a bigger house.

I love both but it I had to choose I would have ebooks because it is so portable so I never run out of reading material and there is no storage problems.

I mainly read paperback, but only because I use the library and their digital library doesn't have many titles.
I think I prefer ebooks because I can change the font size when I have tired eyes and they never smell, for example, of cigarette smoke. I wish my local digital library had lots more titles.

I think on balance I prefer a paperback. I love having shelves of books in the house and I find that the battery life on my E-Reader just isn't enough and a bit of a faff (although I've heard the new Kindles are a lot better). I also find physical books, especially non-fiction, easier to flick back and forth through.

I love my kindle for most of the reasons mentioned by PP (has anyone mentioned the dictionary? brilliant!) but I have the feeling I remember more of a paperback as it connects the tactile with the imaginary bit.

I prefer ebooks on my kindle. It's great having your books all in one place and you can even get lots of free ones. What's not to like? :)

I love reading on my 7in tablet on which I have also downloaded other popular e-reader and audiobook apps. I have loads of books downloaded on it and just love the "take your library anywhere" freedom it gives me. I do love the feel of a good book but I am happy I don't have to lug massive tomes around or risk forgetting my book somewhere (mother of little person...always rushing from one activity to the next). So...big e-reader fan here but I find I still buy many physical books for my son, which I enjoy reading to him.

I disagree that ebooks are expensive.

I have all my wishlist on ereaderiq and mostly buy when they are 99p or so. I have had tens if not hundreds of books at that price, including loads of bestsellers like the Girl on the Train, Peter James books, Ann Cleeves, Gone Girl, Jack Reacher books etc etc.

I don't have the time or inclination to go trawling round libraries and charity shops and books are often no cheaper there anyway - our library charges 90p per reservation and it can take months for a book to become available.

I like how I can get a book instantly on my kindle anywhere in the world that has wifi or mobile signal

I've tried an e-reader but nothing beats the feel of a real book, for me it's about turning the pages nothing else - I guess I'm just old-fashioned!

I love, love, love paperbacks and despite my hubby having bought me a kindle (telling me it was so I could take more books out with us but secretly hoping I would whittle down my bookshelves) two years on my kindle now sits collecting dust along with two other kindles belonging to my teenage son and daughter.
To me personally, the whole process of reading involves physically holding the pages in my hands and feeling the love that a writer has put into the book (dare I say it but even sniffing the pages is part of the process!)
I can see why E Readers appeal and I do believe they have a place but they just aren't for me.

That said I really don't think it matters because at the end of the day whether you prefer to hold an E Reader or a paperback in your hands, you are ultimately reading and that's the only point that counts...

It's paperback all the way for me, I just can't really explain the feeling of holding a physical book over an electronic version. I tend to enjoy it more and it gives me motivation to read on when I can see how much I've read so far.

I love paper books. I use the library and we have a local charity shop dedicated to all things bookish - I could just live in there! I much prefer having the physical thing and I can get a headache from using a device for so long!

feeling the love that a writer has put into the book

I do agree but the love for me is in the words, not the mass produced paper they are (or are not!) printed on. I still find myself immersed in a book on a Kindle in the same way as I used to with a paperback. I still get that feeling of disorientation when I come back to real life. When I read I am in the story, the interface doesn't matter. I was surprised how easily I took to my Kindle. I even love the fact that it is in a somewhat battered cover which gives me the tactile part of the activity.

Even thinking about going onto a bookshop brings my stress levels down though. [sigh]

Without a doubt I am all for real books!

I was given a Sony ereader when they first came out and a kindle a few years ago, both sit unused in a cupboard while I read my real books

Paper, paper, paper! I've tried ebooks but it just doesn't feel right; I don't think I'll ever make the change away from books.

Paperback for me, I can't get away with a screen for reading.

I'm sold on ebooks now - I've always loved the sight/feel/smell of new paperbacks, and browsing second hand bookshops, so I held out for a long time, but now I've started reading with my kindle I can't go back - it's so handy carrying around big fat books in my little slim kindle, and I love that I can make the writing bigger (my eyes aren't getting any younger) and I love resting my finger on a word if I don't know what it means and getting the dictionary definition. I do forget the titles of books I'm reading now though, because I'm not picking up a book with a title on the cover!

I'm a paperback girl all the way. (or hardback if I just can't wait for the new Shardlake or latest Philippa Gregory!) I love the smell and touch of paper. I love how it feels to hold a book. And if I drop it in the bath or my toddler destroys it it's not as pricey to replace as an e-reader. Books make a house a home!

It takes all the beauty away from reading if your not holding a book, thankfully even having 5 children and today's fab technology all my children still prefer paperbacks

I don't own a kindle or other such device, and although I have been tempted, particularly for holidays, I have stuck with old fashioned paper. I have been a bookworm since a very young age, and used to be a serious collector of books. Many happy hours around second hand book shops, book fairs, Hay on Wye, charity shops and jumble sales, through financial necessity as well as a bit of an obsession. I read many of the classics in ancient editions, sometimes with the book almost crumbling page by page. I have a "to read" list, but the joy of browsing in charity shops means that I discover unexpected treasures and new authors/genres. And the feel of paper, the smell of a book, will always add to the pleasure. But I do get wrist ache (bit arthritic!) from the heavier tomes.

I have a kindle and I can understand why people love them.The thing is, for me personally is that I don't feel I actually own the book unless I am holding it in my hand. If I pay for something, I want to see it and I don't get that feeling from A kindle book. I also think it is important to support my local hospice shop by buying their books.

I'm an English teacher so obviously understand the joy of physical books - but lugging boxes of them around is hard labour, and after a lot of time spent using tattered/drawn on/unkempt books you lose the pleasure of them somewhat. They also go astray quickly and end up in odd places.

My ebooks however are always to hand, I never lose my place and never get torn or scribbled on.

Childrens' books need to be physical, I feel, but then I expect them to get battered!