Photo Credit: on-ce.eu
I’m sure that most of you have already read my post from last month titled Print vs. E-book: Which side are you on? I say this because this is the most popular post of mine in terms of views, Likes, and comments. But if you haven’t read it, then please do. I made it clear in that post that I still prefer to read printed books over e-books. I’m also a realist. I realize that a growing number of people prefer to read on one of the many devices available today.
How do you decide which device to read on?
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I personally own a Kindle, no not the new Paperwhite that everyone seems to be raving about, it’s one of the first models. I still like it just fine. My Kindle was given to me as a gift so I didn’t have to compare any reading devices before making my choice. If I had I probably wouldn’t have picked any device at all because I like printed books so much more, but for the sake of this post let’s say that I had to choose one. I’ve played around with the Barnes and Noble Nook plenty of times in their stores. I’ve played with Kobo devices. Everyone has used an iPad. We read on our smartphones everyday, why not read a book on there too? Then there’s the trusty ol’ computer. The reading experience definitely varies from one device to another, but the experience is mostly a good one on each device.
So I ask you, how do you decide which device is best for reading?
Johnny Reads 
I’m still a big fan of printed work as well. Maybe in time I’ll convert, but for now I’m carrying around a 900 page book and I call it ‘weight training.’ I’ve read a book on my iPhone but it’s not my ideal format. If I, like you, got an e-reader as a gift I might warm up to it but as of right now I have no plans to.
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Haha. That is something that I’ve never understood. A lot of people make out like carrying a paperback is so inconvenient. I’ve never thought it so. I’ve carried books just about everywhere.
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I don’t like having to justify it. Though I will admit that slimmer books are more convenient.
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It was kind of decided for me, I can’t afford to try out different ones and my mum received one for free, which she doesn’t use. So, I use her kindle as she doesn’t I find it easy to use and manage, which is a major draw for me.
Great post
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Then we’re kind of in the same boat. I agree that the Kindle is pretty handy and easy to use. I just rarely use it
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I have the original Kindle as well as the Kindle HD. I have also read books on my phone and computer. The Kindle has been the best for me because the screen isn’t too bright and it’s not like starting at a computer screen. I can’t spend a lot of time in front of a computer because it causes a severe migraine that can last for days. But I do still prefer the real deal. There is just nothing better than holding a new book in your hand, smelling the pages and feeling them slide through your fingers with every page turn. Although, Stephen King is crazy when it comes to book size, so I will actually buy his books, but also buy the e-book version. I have also been known to do that with my favorite books, gotta have the hard copy too. I have found that having my Kindle is much easier to carry around than a 50 pound book.
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I agree. The screen on the Kindle, even the first ones, is fairly easy on my eyes. and yes, Stephen King is out of his writing mind. The only book I have of his is on my Kindle.
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I admit I have a couple dozen books on my iPhone and also my iPad, but rarely do I read them. If I am going to sit and read a novel, it’s going to be a hard copy. Books are easier to manage I think. Sure, you can’t carry around 12 books at one time like you can on your smart device, but books are easier on the eyes, easier to hold, and it’s harder to mistake where you put your bookmark. Often times when I’ve read books on my phone or iPad, the device has somehow failed to bookmark my spot. The last thing I want to do is fish through thousand of ePages to find where I left off. For me, eBooks are for when I’m waiting at the dentist or the DOL and only want to read a page or two to kill time. There’s my input. 🙂
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So then your answer to the question would be your iPhone or iPad but only to read a few pages and not an entire work? Lol. Got it.
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Yeah, I tend to go off randomly on my answers. But yes… That is what I meant.
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No worries. Long answers are usually the better, more in depth ones.
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This is true!
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I have a tablet which I love more than is probably healthy and have three e-readers downloaded to said tablet. My favourite feature of all three readers is the ability to enlarge the print. Thus, no need for reading glasses. And that is proof that I, in fact, am not aging. Spank you very punch technology.
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Ahahaha nope. You aren’t aging as a result of technology.
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I too prefer to read a actual book, especially since I fear reading on a screen would bother my eyes, although I cannot say since I own no reading devices. However, if I had to choose one, it would be the Kindle Paperwhite since it most resembles an actual book, meaning there would be no glare.
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I’m pretty sure the Paperwhite is the best there is when we only look at reading.
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I recently purchased a Kindle Paperwhite and, while I still prefer physical books, the Paperwhite has been great so far as an e-reader because I can adjust the light settings and make the screen as bright as I need to without the glare that comes with reading on a computer or smartphone. I like the screen resolution better than the Nook (tried one at B&N) and you can’t argue with Amazon’s lending library. And this way, if I download Kindle or PDF formats of my textbooks next semester, I won’t develop scoliosis on the way to class 🙂
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Yep. I think the Paperwhite is as good as it gets right now. I also used to use my Kindle more frequently when I was still in school. I felt funny with all these iPads and laptops out and I had my trusty Kindle. Lol
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The Paperwhite is incredible. I started using it the other day and it was so much easier than reading on a computer screen (like I mentioned). E-ink alone probably saved you a lot of eyestrain when using your trusty Kindle!
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I didn’t use my Kindle THAT much in school. I also didn’t take my textbooks everywhere.
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Ah. Lucky.
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Paperback for the win! Which is kind of inconvenient if you had a huge box of books and you want to run away from home and not have the heart to leave them behind. At one point in my life I had to work in another country and started accumulating new books, which I had to give away before flying back home because I didn’t want to lug them all. I got myself a Kindle Touch (even if everyone was raving about Kindle Fire then, and Paperwhite was yet to come to existence) because I wanted to at least simulate reading a real book. I can’t smell or run my fingers through the pages or enjoy how the spine feels against my hand, but at least e-ink was easy on the eyes. Now I’m reduced to reading on my iPhone because my Mom has taken possession of the Kindle, and I can’t risk reading books with my 17 month old around.
Sorry this is a bit longish. I’ve been backreading and find your posts and the comments really interesting. 🙂
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Nooo long comments are the best! Lol. I’ve only moved my books once and it wasn’t many.
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Lucky you, then. Haha.
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Yep. And I still only have around 200 ish. So I’m far from being unable to move my books. I’m about to need a new shelf, though! Yes, I’m actually excited about that. 🙂
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That’s something to feel giddy about. 🙂
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I’ll have three in this room of mine. It’ll be a little crowded, but that’s okay. Lol
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[…] logical book related question you can think of. Print v. e-books. Standalone novels v. series. Types of e-readers. Different genres. And a million others I honestly can’t think of right now because […]
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[…] On this day in 2014 I published Picking Your Reading Device. […]
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