Recently, eBooks have overtaken traditional books in overall sales. It’s not unexpected at all, as it seems everything is becoming digitized these days. But which format is better?
I’m kind of torn between the two. For publishing, I think that eBooks are the way to go for now and the future. It’s become easy to self-publish eBooks, but on the other hand, it’s very difficult to market them. For reading, both are convenient, in my opinion.
The case for books
Books have been around for centuries. They are the traditional way to read. I enjoy holding a book in my hands as I read it. I like seeing the books in a bookcase. I like the cover art. I like being able to see exactly where I am in the book, not a percentage in an e-reader. I feel good reading a physical book. No need to worry about battery power.
The case against books
Books wear out. Over time, if they aren’t taken care of properly, they can start falling apart. They also take up a lot of space. They’re a fire hazard, as well. They can sometime be too big to carry, and it’s hard to pack them away in boxes if you move. They’re bulky and often clumsy to read with just one hand. If you get anything on them, they’re hard to clean.
The case for eBooks
They’re compact and easy to take with you. In fact, you can take many in one e-reader, such as Kindle or Kobo, or even on your smartphone. I read eBooks on my iPhone. They take up no physical space, so no need for bookcases. They are delivered instantly when you buy them. They’re quick to access and easy to read. They’re also cheaper than paper books.
The case against eBooks
Sometimes I’m not quite sure how much I have left to read. I can’t picture the number of pages my Kindle for iPhone says are left. Eye strain on a regular tablet or smartphone screen. Battery power affects how long you can read. The screen may be small, so you’re constantly turning the pages. It just doesn’t feel like a real book!
I’m really undecided as far as reading goes. I love books, but I like the convenience of eBooks. I don’t think I can choose. I want both. But if I had a choice, I would most likely buy a physical book. I just want to have it on a shelf.
I can’t bing myself to try ebooks…I’m a paperback girl all the way. I don’t mind the space/weight factor (even as a traveller) and derive comfort from having a book on hand. I’ve been collecting my favourites for years, shipping them all over the world (carbon footprint, I know…you didn’t mention environmental impact actually?) in preparation for having a library in my house some day. A treasure trove of happiness for my soul!
I want a library, too! I used to say I’d never read eBooks, but with so many coming out in eBook format only by independent authors, I really do feel like I want to support them. It also gives me a good chance to see if there are any really good underrated books out there that aren’t getting noticed. I want to give them a chance and help out with a review. But considering that I’m planning to go the e-publishing way, I would hope other independent authors would do the same for me.
But yeah, I prefer books.
Yeah, hard copy all the way here, too. Not for any logical reason, really. I can see many compelling reasons for a kindle or the like, I just can’t bring myself to give up the real things.
As to your point on books wearing out, I still think they have the edge on ebooks in this regard. Last summer I found a load of books from when I was a teenager, so a couple of decades old. Sure the pages were a bit yellow, but I could still read them. Given the pace of technological change, I seriously doubt that I’d be able to just pick up and read any ebooks I purchased now in 2032.
It’d be possible, sure. But I had an NES around the same time, and if I want to play Super Mario Bros now then it’s a real faff with emulators and the like. Can’t see as how ebooks would be any different. They wouldn’t wear out, just reach a planned obsolescence far faster than physical copies.
Really good point. The formats and platforms may become obsolete quickly, but books will always be there.
When I said that books wear out, I meant not just over a couple decades, but over centuries. I guess eBooks will always remain somewhere on the internet, as long as that exists.
I love having a hard copy of a book, but recently I reread the narnia books and the harry potter books in ebook format. I like being able to read in the dark with my Kindle Fire and the words are easier for me to see.
One of these days, I’d like to get an actual Kindle. I just use a Kindle app on my iPhone. It’s not like electronic paper at all. It’s regular LCD, and it’s hard to read at times. Too small and I don’t get the sense that I’m reading a book.