It’s no secret that I love to read. Ever since I was little, I’ve spent at least 20 to 30 minutes reading before bed. It started with Berenstain Bears and Clifford to Sweet Valley High and the Baby Sitter’s Club. Now it’s grown into books like Half the Sky, Last Night at Chateau Marmont (both which are reviewed, respectively, here and here) and the most recent Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants novel, Sisterhood Everlasting.
So as you can see, I’ve grown up loving the smell and feel of an actual book. But last December, I ordered an Amazon Kindle. And you know what? I don’t regret my decision.
Here are just some of the reasons why:
My heaven.
- I loathe buying hardcover books, so it was always a test to my patience to wait for the paperback. (Except for Harry Potter
books, those are all in hardcover.) Now with the kindle, I never have to wait.
- Books are heavy! Growing up I’ve spent entire summers in India, the Middle East, and Singapore. My parents were never too pleased to have to lug mine and my brother’s books across the county. With the Kindle, I no longer have a carry on bag that causes me (or my dad) ridiculous back pain at the end of the journey.
- It’s so sleek and pretty! Yes, I know this is superficial, but it’s true. I also found a very cute, hot pink case for it.
- Once you get over the initial cost of buying the e-book device, the books are actually cheaper. You can even get some of the classics for free! Also, there is a way to loan books between Kindle users (I’m not sure about any other e-book devices).
- I can’t believe this is so low on my list, but e-books are environmentally friendly.
That being said, I am very sad to hear about all these bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Nobles closing. Some of my best memories are sitting in the cafe, eating a warm chocolate chip cookie, and reading a book from cover to cover.
So which do you prefer? A real book or an e-book? Why or why not?
Shots of Happiness 
I prefer all books! Yay for books =)
But in all seriously, occasionally I can’t stop myself from buying a shiny new book at the local bookstore…there’s just something magical about an actual book that e-books just don’t have…but then again, having over 100 books on one slim little doodad is amazingly convenient
I agree with you, I love all books! 🙂 I have also bought actual books despite having a kindle; they do have a magic about them that aren’t found in e-books.
Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Lugging books about certainly is a pain (I have moved enough times to be acutely aware of this), but I can’t quite face replacing the real thing with an electronic device! It does look pretty though
I agree, they are pretty 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
I always thought I loved the smell and feel of real books, especially because I do a lot of non-fiction readying and I love to underline/highlight things I want to remember + write notes in the margins. That was until I went to Costa Rica this summer and experienced your #3 reason why e-books are better! Also, I own so many books and sometimes I feel like there is so much clutter in my room or our home study. I’d love to minimize the clutter of books laying around everywhere. I recently got an iPad though, so I need to download iBooks and start buying books!
I have the same issue as you! I have so many books that don’t fit in my bookshelf..I had to box and put some of the way because I don’t have the space.
Let me know how you like reading books on the iPad!
Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Pingback: Treat Yourself « The Glass is Half Full
Pingback: E-Books vs Real Books | Coconut Lounge