Kindle or paper books?

[Maciamo]

It took me a while to switch from paper books to e-books, but after I decided to read a few books on my phone's Kindle, I feel there is just no going back to printed books. I cannot find a single advantage of buying paper books. Here is what's great about e-books.

1) Always there: I always have my e-books with me on my smartphone. I can't forget my book, or wish I had a book to kill time when I have to wait somewhere.

2) Less clutter: let's face it, paper books take a lot of space. My bookshelves are full to brim and I had to pack books into boxes or give them away to make space. E-books don't take any space. Even in the phone's memory they can be removed in one click and they can be downloaded again anytime from the Cloud.

3) Easier to read: I find it much more convenient to read on my smartphone for a number of reasons. I can read in the dark without a reading light. The last page read is automatically saved, so no need to always carry a bookmark around. I can hold my smartphone with one hand (while holding my head with the other in bed) and turn the pages with the volume button. At first I thought it would be easier to read on a tablet, but tablets are heavier and cumbersome, and the big screen actually makes it more difficult to read.

4) More customisable: The font type and size can be adjusted to one's liking.

5) It's easy to highlight and take notes. I would never do it in a paper book, but I do it all the time on Kindle. It's a great way to remember the important passages (which I highlight in yellow), the ideas to be discussed (in orange), the passages with which I disagree (in red), and potential new vocabulary or nice turns of phrases to remember (in blue).

6) Instant purchase: I don't have to wait for the book's delivery and been present when the postman comes. When I have nothing left to read I can just buy a new book instantly, wherever I am (in a train airport, hotel room) as long as I have 4G or Wi-Fi.

7) Cheaper: usually 30 to 50% cheaper than paper version, although there are exceptions.

8) More eco-friendly: a very important factor for me. Save the Amazon (forest) thanks to Amazon (Kindle)!

9) Free sample: I almost always get a free sample before buying an eBook to be sure that I am interested in the book. Even if the reviews are good, sometimes a book is just not for you and you can know if after reading one free chapter.

 

[JajarBingan]

but after I decided to read a few books on my phone's Kindle

I switched to Kindle around 5 years ago. Though by Kindle, I mean a proper ink-screen Kindle device, not the phone app.
That's what I use for most books that don't have a lot of images.

For technical books, which usually rely a lot on images, I stick with the computer screen, but I tend to decrease the brightness and use a warmer colour contrast.

 

[Boss]

There was a study I read in which the authors found that you're less likely to retain information when you're reading from tablets and e-books than from paper books.

 

[Maciamo]

There was a study I read in which the authors found that you're less likely to retain information when you're reading from tablets and e-books than from paper books.

Certainly isn't true for me.

 

[Crank]

Depends, I use both.

 

[AlfonsoVIII]

Paper books of course.

 

[nick6899]

paper books

 

[Elgoulin]

I prefer e-books, they are more convenient to read on the road.

 

[Sylvanas]

I prefer e-books, allways

 

[dyterw]

In the age of e-books and digital reading, there are still those of us who prefer the tactile experience of paper books. There is something special about holding a book in your hands, turning its pages, and seeing your progress as you move through the story. For many of us, paper books provide a level of comfort and familiarity that electronic books simply can't match. And while digital books are certainly more convenient in many ways, there's something to be said for the beauty and physicality of a traditional paper book. Whether it's the scent of the paper or the sound of pages rustling, paper books offer a unique and irreplaceable experience. In an increasingly digital world, they remain a treasured part of our literary tradition.

 

[Olivia_19]

Slight preference for paper books

 

[Cloud7]

Simple,
Kindle, books are heavy, and the search function is neat

 

[samuelwilliams]

For everyday reading, I prefer to use the Kindle app on my phone in dark mode. It's convenient and easy on the eyes. However, when I'm on vacation, I like to distance myself from my phone and read paper books. It also helps me relax and focus on the story.

 

[norbert]

Paper books without a doubt. I don't use Kindle or anything related to Amazon. What I use instead is an e-book reader called Tolino but only on rare occasions. Some books cannot be found in the physical format or the acquiring them is not worth the extra effort when they can be downloaded in the epub or at least pdf format. Books I consider essential to my collection must be in my bookcase, not on a harddrive.

 

[Sapping]

I’ve always been a fan of paper books. There's something special about flipping through the pages and feeling the weight of the book in my hands.

 

[Hawk]

Paper books all the way, i got once kindle and never used, sold for half price latter on.

 

[Maciamo]

Paper books all the way, i got once kindle and never used, sold for half price latter on.

I suppose that by Kindle you mean a Kindle E-Reader. I've never used any. I always read directly on my smartphone with the Kindle app. This way I can read anywhere anytime.

 

[Hawk]

I suppose that by Kindle you mean a Kindle E-Reader. I've never used any. I always read directly on my smartphone with the Kindle app. This way I can read anywhere anytime.

Yeah, exactly, Kindle E-Reader. I do use smartphone/laptop for majority of informations but reading old school, reading a book is better, though I admit our dopamine is so screwed up I find it very hard to just sit down and read the book uninterruptedly for a long time.

 

[norbert]

I suppose that by Kindle you mean a Kindle E-Reader. I've never used any. I always read directly on my smartphone with the Kindle app. This way I can read anywhere anytime.

Does the Kindle app read epub files? I have an e-book reader called Tolino which I only use for books that cannot be found except on Libgen and similar sources and especially if they are in the epub format.