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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:
stewaris · 21/04/2015 19:54

Paperbacks. ebooks don't have the same appeal wen you want to curl up on a cold night with a glass of wine and a goodbook.

JennyWreny · 21/04/2015 19:57

I was lucky enough to receive a Kindle for my birthday at the beginning of March but I have so many paper books that I'm trying to work my way through, plus library ones from our bookclub that I haven't used it yet!

dragon60 · 21/04/2015 19:57

I'm still the old fashioned give me a book I can feel, hold in my hands and look after.

jayz268 · 21/04/2015 20:17

Ebooks because I can read in bed without putting a light on and disturbing my husband.

mave · 21/04/2015 20:39

Paperback. I love the feel of a good book!

catz747 · 21/04/2015 20:45

Paperback, on a mobile or device I always end up flicking the screen about and losing my place, so frustrating!

jcyclops · 21/04/2015 20:47

I read a lot and find myself using my Kindle more and more. One advantage is the ease with which I can look through all the previous books I've read. I've even walked round a bookshop with my Kindle in my hand checking that I haven't read various books before! The other advantage is with purchasing. When a book takes my fancy I know it is always in stock and I can have it within 30 seconds.

KarenCBC · 21/04/2015 20:52

There is definitely a time and a place for both. I bought my kindle before travelling round the world and while it served it's purpose, I still use it regularly. There are definitely times though when I love the feel of a real both. However I can't abide the snobbery of some who look down on ereaders. The way I see it, if it gets people reading, what's not to like?

Hygellig · 21/04/2015 20:59

I was reluctant at first to get a Kindle as I preferred paper books. There also seemed something very sad about potentially having empty bookshelves.

I got one for my birthday three years ago (I'm now on my second, as the first broke after only about 16 months) and am a convert; I think I now prefer reading on it to a paper book. I find it faster to read on a Kindle. I have a Paperwhite and can read it in low light when I feed my daughter to sleep. I can read one-handed while eating (not that I do that very often, as I rarely eat alone). Gone are the days of carting a suitcase of books on holiday.

The downside is the relatively high price of books (I can't get Kindle books from the library or charity shops, although I still occasionally get some hardbacks and paperbacks from the library) and not being able to lend books to people. (I do have my dad set up as a member of my household so we can read each other's books, and DH has a Kindle set up in my name so he can also read my books).

MrsSpa · 21/04/2015 21:11

Paper, definitely! I love libraries, choosing random books to try FOR FREE how can it get better than that? And ordering books in, for £1, which I consider my library donation. Maybe if I travelled a lot an ereader would be handy, but that's unlikely (the travelling I mean). I also get a little depressed at how electronic our lives have become sometimes; everything requires electricity and charging and plugging into a computer... is it necessary?

hanarees · 21/04/2015 21:29

I do sometimes read e-books but you can't beat a good book - I love browsing the library and charity shops for them! It's also lovely to display them all at home :)

happysouls · 21/04/2015 21:36

Books for me, I love them as objects and love to look at them on shelves and tempt myself with what is next to read! I don't have a kindle, I'd like to try one but I suspect the novelty would wear off quickly and I'd still end up preferring books.

buckley1983 · 21/04/2015 21:37

Paper books all the way!! I've never had an e-reader & I never want one. There's no substitute for a paper book - the weight, the smell, the feel of a well-thumbed copy in your hands! I love scouring jumble sales, charity shops & car boots for books & I libraries! I signed my little one up to our local library when he was about 6 weeks ago & go as often as we can!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/04/2015 21:39

Am I allowed to choose both? Nothing will ever replace the feeling of a brand new paper book by a writer I love. It's not just about the words - it's the feel and the smell and the sense that all of those lovely new pages have been made especially for me! But the Kindle is so good for travelling - I used to need to take a dozen books with me on a beach holiday, and now I just take one little device and have the whole of literature at my fingertips/

But if I have to choose - books.

Gilla01 · 21/04/2015 21:42

I have a kindle, but much prefer to read a physical book.

I like to reread books, and sometimes skip parts that I know I don't want to read, and this is far easier to do with a proper book.

Paper for me everytime.

The only time I use the kindle is when on holiday, and I take a selection of paperbacks as well.

shroney · 21/04/2015 21:52

I love books, the smell, feel and one of my favourite things to do is spend time in a bookstore. I can see the advantages of using a kindle but I just love the feel of a real book.

Gedge · 21/04/2015 22:20

I prefer E-readers. It's easier to read my Kindle Paperwhite in bed with the lights out, it syncs to the app on my phone so I can always pick up where I left off with or without my Kindle, plus it's easier to carry around and I'll never run out of something to read.

MumGranandGreatGran · 22/04/2015 00:02

The thing about real paper books is you can help charity shops by buying books from them then returning them for someone else to purchase and enjoy.

catzpyjamas · 22/04/2015 00:10

I love my Kindle but have to buy certain books in hardback (Stephen King) to continue my collection started 20 years ago. I think it would be good if buying the paper edition entitled you to a single free download of the same title. I also love to receive books as gifts because I know someone has chosen that title for me. I would like them to be able to order something they think I'd enjoy to be delivered electronically to my device.

InterOuta · 22/04/2015 00:14

I prefer paper based books but you can't read a paper book and push the pushchair at the same time. With digital (kindle on iPhone) you can, so it's digital for me Smile

SoupDragon · 22/04/2015 07:14

I like the way I can highlight bits of the book that I particularly like and I can see parts that other people have highlighted.

phillie1 · 22/04/2015 09:40

definitely book, like the feel of the paper, the real sense of how far into the book you are, even their smell etc - e reader just reminds me of work

moonbells · 22/04/2015 10:39

I'm awkward! I like both. I'd prefer to have all paper, but I simply don't have the space to put all the books I buy and it hurts to have to give them away again, even if it is to the local charity shop.

As a result, I buy if the book is part of a series that I have, or it's a favourite author's work. If they are just easy reads I fancy picking up and reading once (but don't think they're a re-read) then I'll get the e-reader version as I've various reader apps on my tablet.

And you still can't safely read a Kindle in the bath. Unless it's in a ziplock bag! Grin

sparkysparkysparky · 22/04/2015 10:43

Actually ordered a "waterproof " bag for my kindle on the strength of this thread. My poor hands can't hold a book anymore and I miss reading in the bath . Hope it works

happystory · 22/04/2015 11:23

I like both, for different purposes. On holiday I can now take fewer paper books, as I also put a few on my iPad. Gone is that panic that you might run out of reading on holiday or journeys! Paper books still feel wonderful, and starting a 'real' book seems more exciting than an e-book. Paper books for the beach, bath, reading in the garden. BUT- if I can't sleep in the middle of the night, ten minutes reading does the trick and doesn't disturb dh in any way!