I have a confession to make… I really enjoy reading books. So I have a decent library. Ok, actually it’s kind of big. Not too big, but big enough… Well let’s just say that in one of the offices that has my books, we will never have to worry about wall paper.
I’m sure that if we got into a library measuring contest that some of you would put me to shame, but in my estimation and compared to your average reader… it’s a lot! In fact I hate to actually say this in a public forum, I counted my assets in how many books I owned (I know used books don’t sell for much, but that didn’t stop me from getting an extra insurance policy on them).
So then the kindle followed by the nook and I-pad came along and started ruining my day. All the sudden it seemed possible for someone to have volumes of books that could be readily accessed at the touch of a button or screen. Or even better someone could mention a book and you could look it up right then. The only draw back was… well … it wasn’t a book. There is just something about that new book smell and the feel of the pages in your hands. Am I the only one that feels this way?
Recently I figured out that this e-book stuff isn’t going away and so I determined that I should try and get on board so I got a Kindle Touch
I’m still not a convert, but now that I have a device in my hand it’s becoming easier to envision a day when I have instant access to more books and have to worry less about shelf space.
So what about you? Have you made the transition from books to an e-reader yet? What moved you forward or is holding you back? What are some features you like or don’t like about your e-reader?
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The Hill House 
Totally understand, because I feel the same way. I love the smell of books, and the way hardbacks look in shelves. Then, one day, came the iPad. Well, I fell in love with it, unexpectedly. I like that it’s not wasting paper. I can deal with fewer things on shelves. I can take it anywhere and can read in darkness or full sun. It serves so many other purposes than just email. I still do audio books for the plane, which is great. Reading is all good and in new and fun ways.
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congrats on your new Kindle, my husband also got one for Christmas and he is infatuated with it.
I think the nice thing about the Kindle is it’s portability, but books at the bedside will always be there.
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My husband (the computer guy) first bought me a Kindle – I was resistant as I love my books, but soon fell in love. He then got me an IPAD and I am in love – I also love that fact that I can be stuck somewhere and I can access books on my android phone – technology is crazy! I have to admit it took me a while to convert.
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I share your sentiments about the charm of the traditional books. Although I value the practicality of having e-books accessible for whenever and wherever I want to read something, e-books don’t give the same “feeling” or “atmosphere” when you are reading a book. Still, you will definitely enjoy your kindle when you’re on the go and want to lighten your load, and ease your journey on the road.
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I think most of us bibliophiles hold your experience in common. My own journey went through the nook, then the nook color, and now the ipad 2 which I have had for a few months. While I enjoy my ipad for a number of reasons the jury is still out on my commitment to it as a reader. Being a pastor for over two decades I have likewise built a pretty significant library, especially my reference material. Obviously an e-reader will never replace those. Nor am I going to spend money on books I will only ever read once. So at this point my electronic library is filled with free books and the occasional book that I find that I really want to read and I find at a pretty decent price as compared to the hard copy. As so many book lovers will repeat, it will never replace having an actual book in my hand. Thanks for the post.
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My daughter has one and it is awesome. I have a Nook and I still miss flipping pages, but it is so much easier to carry around than a 500 page book!
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I’ll buy an e-book reader for study purposes, in university teachers give e-books rather than us go buy. But the experience of sitting down with a book and the texture of pages and the entire scenario is irreplaceable for me. In fact I would find it a treachery of sorts to my library. Haha!
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Just like you mentioned,the very thought of holding a book in your hand and smelling the pages makes it even more pleasurable.Though accessing books via an electronic medium may seem more convenient,i would stick to the old school of thought…..
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I received the original Kindle for Christmas and I downloaded a few free e-books I had had on my laptop. I also received actual books and I’ve already read two of them. I think because I have more free time, I’m more inclined to sit and flip pages of a book. When I’m back at college, I’ll bring my Kindle because it’s light-weight and still provides me the chance to read when I can. I’ve always been a book lover, so it was actually a shock to receive an e-reader! Haha. I’m very appreciative for having it, though.
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