“Paper is clearly a fad – nice to have and something to impress your friends with.” | via Product Review: Will ‘Paper’ Replace E-Readers?.
It’s funny to stumble on this today. Earlier, Doriano Carta asked this question on Twitter, “Would you be willing to replace all of your books with eBooks?” My immediate response was a simple, “Yes.”
Enter Maura Neill, who just as quickly replied, “Never. Love to hold a book in my hands.” To each their own, I suppose. This is a debate that will not soon be settled, but the “product review” above is right on point, if you ask me. 🙂
There may be a lot of things you can convince me to do, change, or update, but on this, I won’t ever change. There’s something so tactilely satisfying about the act of the page turn… The sensation can be different depending on what you’re reading, the mood of the book, and where you’re reading it – coffee shop, beach chair, bubble bath. Regardless, though, it’s sensual and satisfying. You just can’t get that with an eBook.
And this is why we have options. I haven’t read a novel in years. I can’t remember the last novel I read. So, my reading is a form of research. The ebook allows me to highlight and bookmark sections I want to access later with ease. I’ve been given three books, printed on paper, in the last two weeks. I actually would prefer to buy them again in electronic format so I could have them all with me. I suppose if I were reading solely for the enjoyment of the story, I might feel different. Hmm… maybe I should read something purely for pleasure and see how that feels.
Well..therein lies the difference, I suppose. I don’t mind reading for research or business online or electronically (don’t *mind* it but still prefer the feel of a book and holding a highlighter in my hand). I do, however, read a great deal for pleasure and the feeling it gives – to crack open the spine of a new, much-anticipated read, turn each page, closer and closer to the conclusion, and finally, the delicious gratification of turning that last page – just can’t be replicated electronically.
Have you just challenged yourself to read something purely for pleasure? I think you should – you may find it to be quite rewarding.
You want to give me a recommendation?
Sure. What kind of book would you like? Fiction, nonfiction, biography, auto-biography…? What would you enjoy?
How about a biography?
Going to think on it & get back to you – some good options on my bookshelves 🙂
I think Maura and I are book soul sisters. Try as I might, I just can’t bring myself to read electronically for long. The simple weight of the book in my hands, the feel of the pages as I turn them, and as Maura said so eloquently, “the delicious gratification of turning that last page” is just so much a part of why I love to read.
When I travel and find myself lugging a couple books with me, I’m a little frustrated that I haven’t been able to sell myself on the electronic reading experience. But given the always growing pile of books that sit beside my own bed, I don’t see it happening anytime soon, if ever.
I think y’all are ganging up on me now.
Jeff, what are you using as a reader? I’ve been collecting paper books for so long I didn’t think I could live without them…but then you mentioned the highlighting, bookmarking and searching features and my feelings are changing.
This may be a stoopid question but is an ebook readable on any device ie..iPad, Nook, Kindle?
I love you dearly Jeff, but I am definitely with Maura on this one! I yearn for the feel of the book, the smell of the paper and the movement of the pages.
Although I may be techie in all other areas of my life, books, magazines and newspapers are all items I will not take to that side.
Still subscribe to the WSJ printed paper, order books on Amazon and love going to the library 🙂
“Would you be willing to replace all of your books with eBooks?”
Easy answer – no way!
Time to elaborate. I always like to have the right tool for the job.
For fiction and text only – for sure – much more efficient to read, annotate, jump, etc.
Most of the books I read are graphic design, travel, art, architecture, photography … and the experience is almost always greatly enhanced by having the book in my hands – scale, weight, size, feel, smell.
And then there are books which straddle … Whenever we travel I buy the Knopf & DK guidebooks whenever available – big, heavy, beautiful.
At Macworld Expo, I saw the Knopf Paris Guidebook for the iPad. I’d buy that in a heartbeat – has the best of both worlds.
The right tool for the job!
I read use both iBooks and Kindle on the iPad. I wish they’d let me highlight and share excerpts. That would push me fully over the edge.
I’ve clearly struck a nerve with this one. 🙂
Linsey – well said (and I appreciate the back-up)!
Jeff – here are my recs:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
First They Killed My Father
Don’t Let’s Go TO the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood
OK. I’m going to read a book just for fun, and not on my iPad. Oy.
Applauding – eager to hear which you choose and what you think…
OK. I just bought the ink on paper version of “First They Killed My Father.” 🙂