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I'm contemplating getting an E-Reader. I've long been a fan of the hard copy book, but anyone can see how the go-to method for books & magazines is quickly trending further towards paperless. So fellow bibliophiles, I'd like to hear your pros and cons for the E-Reader. If you have one please let me know which kind you recommend! Thank you!

Karly,

I was gifted a Kindle Fire, otherwise I wouldn't own one at all.

See, for me, I'm a shower-offer. I like to have my books, hold them in my hands, shelve them when I'm done, walk by and look at them.....

With an ereader you can't do that.

But because I review for authors and publishers, and many times, because those books are advanced reader copies, they prefer to send digital copies for review.

So I'm torn. I read on it, but I'm much more easily distracted than I am when I am reading a paperbound book. I like having the ability to carry around 10's of books in one little device instead of lugging around a couple of paperbacks. I HATE when I'm reading a book on it and I have to stop so I can charge it!!

For me, it's always going to be paper over digital, but the digital does have its place :)

Hope this helps.

I have been looking in to getting an E-Reader also. So far I really like the Kindle Touch because it reads like paper (no glares) so its easy on my eyes and its small enough to fit in my purse. I did however learn today that it does not have removable memory.
I have heard great things about the Kindle Fire and Nook Simple Touch Reader. I still have to research a little more and of course view one to see the brightness of the screens. I really love a solid book in my hands. I won't ever be able to give that up but the E-Readers do come in handy for the digital copies and for traveling too. Good luck with your decision.

I love my kindle! I like being able to adjust the font size (I really hate reading long paper/hardback novels with super tiny font) and I like having hundreds of books at my fingertips! If I find an ebook that I really love, I do buy a hardback edition for my bookshelves. I can't think of any cons except you need to recharge it once or twice a month but you can still read books on it while it's re-charging!

I have a nook ( one of the giant first generations) and my parents have a nook simple touch and we love them. They are so nice for traveling. I also have the nook app on my iPhone which is wonderful as well. U took my nook wih me to the vet and web I found out the battery was dead (silly me, I should've checked before hand) I was still able to read on my phone!

Thank you all so much for weighing in.

Adjustable font size sounds key. In college I used to hate reading articles and reports on PDFs and ended up printing out most of them. For whatever reason, I tend to zone out when reading something onscreen for longer than a few pages.

Do you find that reading on the Kindle/Nook is easier on the eyes or somehow different than reading on a regular computer screen?
I think this (comfort) is the most important factor for me, besides accessibility to ebooks, which do seem to be very extensive for both brands.

I love my e-reader (I have a Nook Color and just bought a Kindle Fire). I read a lot in bed and really prefer to read from an e-reader at that time because it has a built-in "reading light" (you can adjust the brightness) and I can just prop it up and not have to worry about pages fanning closed.

I recently bought a Kindle, due to my room filling up with books, it is also easier to buy the book online and immediately read it, but i still love holding a book.

Jenifer wrote: "I love my e-reader (I have a Nook Color and just bought a Kindle Fire). I read a lot in bed and really prefer to read from an e-reader at that time because it has a built-in "reading light" (you c..."

My problem would be dropping it on the floor as I drifted off to sleep! ;o)

I have a nook tablet and I love it. If it were to break today I would go out today and get a new one. It is with me always. I had the first gen nook with the e-ink and did like reading from it better. If they could make the tablet form with e-ink that would be heaven. I like not having to go out and get a book, the font size to fit your personal preference, and i can browse and read reviews anytime i want. I am not a game person but the apps for organization and cooking are some that I do not want to be without. I do still read some paper books still but I prefer to read from my nook.

I have read in both formats and either work, but the simple fact is that a book does not truly come alive for me until I am holding it in my hands and turning its pages. Sure, this is a hangup, I get that, but its valid for me; your results may vary.

When I write, I see my words on a computer screen for months: writing, editing, proofing... then, after a rest, the digital stuff gets printed, and I get my first glimpse of what will be. With pen in hand or teeth, the cold words warm up and the galley proof becomes a companion in a way that makes my laptop mildly envious. Later, as I hold a proof copy of my book, the reality of its existence as a story is complete in a way that I just cannot see happening with an e-reader.

That said, I greatly appreciate that so many folks have e-readers and are loading them up with books. Thank you!

Real books for me I am an accountant and I work at a computer all day, I want a REAL book in my hand when I'm entertaining myself. (I don't like TV much either)

I received an ereader for a gift, I would never have bought one for myself. But now that I have it, I LOVE it.

Pro - I can get a book when ever I want it. It takes up less room in my purse than a book. I don't have to leave the house to get a book if I'm home with the flu/sick/or didn't do my hair. Free books.

Con - I don't have to leave the house to get a book, therefore I have a huge bill from Amazon every month :-( Some ebooks are ridiculously priced and I will just go purchase the hard back book.

I love my Kindle keyboard. I am also falling in love with my local library again. I can borrow books on my Kindle or when I see a book review that strikes my fancy I can go online, place a hold and pick it up within a few days at the front desk. I forgot how wonderful that is! And I have been reading more non-fiction because of this. I don't have to make a cover-to-cover commitment when I didn't buy it.

I wasn't terribly looking forward to using an ereader but have found that it provides a good opportunity to read books I wouldn't necessarily find in bookstores � like little known classics or other books that have been out of print for a while. And the ereader I have is just about the same size as a paperback, so it doesn't feel so alien.

Pamela wrote: "I wasn't terribly looking forward to using an ereader but have found that it provides a good opportunity to read books I wouldn't necessarily find in bookstores � like little known classics or othe..."

You've identified the greatest validation (in my mind) for e-readers: the ability to find out-of-print and indie books. I'm reading a great book* right now on Kindle for PC that I would not have been able to read were it not for e-books and self-publishing.

*The Fourth Channel by Jen Kirchner.

Change is inevitable - especially considering dearth of resources to make a book. That being said, like watching the avengers movie in a small computer screen, ebooks won't appeal to some who like traditional aspect of reading.

I love e-readers for being able to read anywhere anytime, even next to your partner in bed without turning on the bed lamp! I can read it in trains/busses when it's dark. Earlier I used to have a reading lamp that could hook on to a book, it was super-cumbersome.
I love books for it's traditional aspect, just like how people get satisfied eating the meals they cook more than a delicious tres leches cake from a bakery.

Another deal is, you have a great second hand market for the books and because of the publishing sharks(read amazzz) the ownership rights to ebooks is very limited. I try to buy as much as I can from either tor or smashreads who give you total control over the drm. I am just happy these amazzz sharks were not around 50 years ago or else our ownership rights on the books and 2nd hand market would never happened. Also e-books give you freedom to buy ones that are out of print or not easily available in your nearest bookstore, and in this facebook age

Arun, when you sell a physical, paper book, you surrender possession of its physical form AND the right to access the intellectual property within it (unless you buy the book back). How would you do that with the code of an e-book? Would you erase it from your computer/e-reader as you sold it?

Jason wrote: "Arun, when you sell a physical, paper book, you surrender possession of its physical form AND the right to access the intellectual property within it (unless you buy the book back). How would you ..."

If only you knew about the photocopying piracy in developing countries.. Also why can't we given some rights to sell ebooks, like inside an app like amazon kindle where we'll lose the data once we're done ?

Arun wrote: If only you knew about the photocopying piracy in developing countries.. Also why can't we given some rights to sell ebooks, like inside an app like amazon kindle where we'll lose the data once we're done ?"

Arun, the issue of piracy is irritating to writers like myself -- we work hard to craft stories only to have thieves make illegal copies and deprive us of our due. Theft of intellectual property -- music, e-books, copied paper books -- is still theft . As for your question about reselling e-books within Amazon: that would be the ONLY way that could work and it would absolutely require DRM. Otherwise, what's to stop someone from selling 100 copies of their 'used' e-book?

Jason wrote: "Arun wrote: If only you knew about the photocopying piracy in developing countries.. Also why can't we given some rights to sell ebooks, like inside an app like amazon kindle where we'll lose the d..."

Agree to your points - there are biometrics to allow only certain ppl to read books, but the technology is still in future. The ability for me to not be able to sell books hinders how many I am going to buy, since there are not many that I'd want to archive in my library to re-read them. The feature need some more thought and debate.

Both formats have merit. I also like the ability to read an eBook without needing an additional light. With a limited budget, the library and used bookstores are still the best.

How can this be an either/or question? I love to read. I read hardcover, paperback and Kindle books. I definitely read faster on the Kindle but I still enjoy holding a book in my hand. I love the ability to download a classic book on my Kindle instead of putting in a request at the library because they no longer carry "older" books and I also love getting bestsellers from the library and from the digital library. I love buying used books online and at the used book stores. I don't understand feeling strongly for or against either format. I know many people who do feel strongly one way or the other but I just love to read so it doesn't matter to me.

Over time, my eReader has taken up a higher and higher percentage of my reading. It's probably been over a year since I last picked up a hardcover. For me, it's about portability, access to lots of free stuff, typeface, font size, and not having to find shelf space. And, I've become addicted to kindle highlighting as a way of guarding against sleep-reading. :)

"Print is dead. I collect molds, spores, and fungus." (Ghostbusters) . Seriously though I don't even read much of anything that I can't get on my kindle (which I call my boredom protector) . Its the "instant gratification " thing I guess. As far as which reader? Others try but Amazon is the only meaningful game in town for me and the kindle fire besides being a boredom protector is also what I call "the greatest invention in the world ". But, you know, that's just like, my opinion, man. (The Big Lebowski)

After 18 months of only using a ereader I picked up a real book. It took me sometime to adjust to the bulk. The book was excellent, so unless I'm given a book I will enjoy my ereader.

I have a love of both, but for sheer convenience adore ebooks. I mostly read with my Kindle app on my iPad anymore unless I can't find the book I want in that format.

Nothing like a good hardcopy novel in your hands in a hot bath, though. Some things just aren't the same... and frankly I can't be trusted not to drop my iPad in the water.

My wife forced me to get a Kindle...she would not let me store any more paperbacks or hardcovers once the bookshelves were full.

I love books in any form, and will always publish in both digital and analog versions. After all, I can't expect people to throw their kindle across the room when a story of mine should upset them.

My perspective is perhaps slightly different from others I have seen here. I have worked for around 30 years as a book designer and compositor. I have spent a good deal of time trying to find ways to make physical books look good, and all of this effort is pretty much out the door with ebooks. The fonts I so carefully selected go away, the look of the page I slaved over goes away, the line breaks that I worked so hard on go away, and what is left is the words alone. Maybe that's a good thing. I sincerely hope that the printed book is not dead, but I'm also sincerely happy that authors can gain more exposure through ebooks. This is obviously not a question that has a definitive answer.

I use both. Only got a kindle in April last year but was soon raving about it. I love the portability of it and the fact that purchasing a book is so easy on it. It has also meant that I have been able to read and review books on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ for the first time. That said though this christmas I still asked for some actual physical books(even though my bookshelves are crammed full) as I know they will be the type of books I return to again and again. I also prefer to have hard copies of referance type books.

I use both but still prefer paper books. I think I am in a small minority. Not scientific, but my book club has thirteen women, and I think I'm the only one who still regularly buys print books.

Karen M wrote: "How can this be an either/or question? I love to read. I read hardcover, paperback and Kindle books. I definitely read faster on the Kindle but I still enjoy holding a book in my hand. I love t..."

I agree, Karen. I love my eReader, but I also love the feel of a book. Usually I choose whichever is most convenient. Garage and library book sales are super cheap. Library eBooks are free.

Mari wrote: "I use both but still prefer paper books. I think I am in a small minority. Not scientific, but my book club has thirteen women, and I think I'm the only one who still regularly buys print books."

Last I heard, eBooks are 25% of the market (but growing fast).

I like my dirt-cheap, no-frills Kobo mini reader. It's 50% larger than a smart phone (but lighter), yet it still fits in a front pocket. Because it's not back-lit, the battery never runs down in the time it takes to read a novel. (Even Moby Dick.)

Best of all, I can lie in bed all warm and cozy (but I need a reading light) and fly thru books. There's something about the eye's ability to encompass the small screen coupled with page turning by finger-touch that propels me forward.

I'm surprised at how much I use and enjoy the Kindle Fire HD I bought a couple of months ago (instead of the more expensive iPad). It's great for take-along reading and for reading in bed without disturbing your spouse with a light. I also like the immediate gratification aspect--if I finish a book, I don't have to wait until I can go to a bookstore or the library for another. I can download a new book and begin to read in minute.

I still prefer the actual book book. However, if I can't get it in that format I will read an ebook.

I've had a Kindle for about three years and have converted my extended family to Kindles too, including my 84 year old mother. Mom finishes at least a book a day, and it was getting difficult to keep her supplied with printed books. The Kindle solves that, as she always has the Amazon store and her archive at her fingertips. No more running out of something to read. Amazon makes it easy to sample a book before buying - the equivalent of standing in the aisle at the library or bookstore and reading the first couple of pages.

I love that I can read indoors or outdoors with my Kindle Keyboard. With the WiFi turned off, my battery charge lasts several weeks. I also like being able to highlight, annotate, and search text in the books. And I often have several books in progress at one time, and the Kindle saves my place in each so that I can switch between them without worrying about bookmarks falling out. Its lightweight and easy to hold and "turn" the page with either hand (I used to get cramps in my hand from holding heavy books!) I bought a cover with an integrated light that runs on the Kindle power source, which is great for reading in bed without disturbing your partner.

I have sold or given away most of my printed books, and replaced the ones I wanted to keep with electronic copies. I don't miss having them sitting on the shelf collecting dust. I'm past the point where I need to be judged by the contents of my bookshelves.

I have a Kindle and also read on my husband's Ipad.
When I'm traveling, I prefer my kindle, but I'm addicted to hardcover books. :)

But, there are advantages of an ereader that just can't be beat:

It's way lighter than a lot of books.

Doesn't take up a lot of storage space.

Easier to carry.

Access to a lot of free books.

But, I like books on shelves. I mark up a lot of books when I read and it's easier to flip back and forth in a book than it is on my Kindle. All those post-it notes sticking up out of my books gives me a feeling of accomplishment. :) Marking physical books also means an additional investment in highlighters and post-it notes, but that's a burden I've chosen to carry. ;) :)

I absolutely love ebooks; you can take a lot with you without taking up space and they are super convenient. If I'm not carrying my iPad with me I read on my phone, which is great during times you want to tune people out (like at work meetings, for example). However, if a particular ebook ends up becoming a favorite, then I buy the hard copy to add to my bookshelves.

I like my Kindle, but it's not stopped me buying paper books. I get all of the arguments as to why ebooks are great, and my own book is only available in digital formats, but...

If it's a book I really like, I want a physical copy. It's as simple as that. I read ebooks that I'm almost sure I'll only read once before archiving or deleting. Anything I think I'll like so much that I'll want to reread it at some point, I want a snazzy hardback or decent quality paperback edition.

I have a Nook tablet and i love it. I love that I can read in bed in the dark without disturbing my husband. When i finish a book, it's easy to get the next book on my "to read" list. There are also so many free books to try too. I do still read paperback and hard cover books from time to time.

I have a Kindle, but up to now I've been reading mostly paper books - 'cause I love to browse through the pages and be physically aware of where I am, in relation to the whole book. Still, ebooks cost less, are easier to find and - most important - they take up no space.
Moreover, in the last year I've been reading almost only American fiction in English, and that's easy to find here in England - but when I'll be back in Italy, well, there you have some books in English, but not too many. Always counting on the Book Depository or Amazon is sort of annoying.
Ebooks, on the other hand, are available everywhere. I guess I'll be using my Kindle much, much more in the next future.

I actually just ran a poll on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ asking members of my author Q&A group whether they preferred ebooks or paper.

There was a strong response for the answer "My Paper Books will always endure!"

And I think they are correct, although I believe most readers will begin to read the majority of their books on ereaders in the near future.

It was the consensus among our book club members that we would be more likely to finish a book we did not like if we were reading a print copy. It's easier to flip through the parts you don't find interesting.

I love the feel, look and touch of books but I can no longer justify owning any other than my absolute favourites. I read 300+ books a year and while the library has a lot of them, if i was the buy the rest in book form it would be piles and piles of them and for what?. Sure they look good, but unless they are really fantastic I'll not likely re-read them. I read books for the words they contain and it seems a waste to use up all those trees and take up such space for a once off read.

If anyone is interested according to my ipad took 130kgs of carbon to create, a single book takes 7.5kg.

While I prefer hard copy books, I do use both formats.

I have only 'converted' to ebooks in the last couple of years but it's been a wonderful experience. My closest book shop is a tiny whsmiths 25 minutes walk away which is half taken up by a post office, and pretty much has about 4 shelves of books - I've *never* been able to find anything I wanted to read other than the new-releases of Terry Pratchett. The library isn't much better and is even further away and I do not drive. I used to buy most of my books at the local bootfair!

Now? I buy books most days, and certainly more than 1 a week. I don't have to store it in my crowded back bedroom on the already full shelves. When I need to read the next book I can browse through thousands and choose the exact one I fancy - and there's plenty of enjoyable reads for free or for very cheap, so most of them are not costing as much as / much more than bootfair books. I can find books of my type (I generally like your 'survival when the world has gone to pot' sort of genre) so much easier than in the shops (all crime & thrillers or real life sob stories!). Even without an internet connection I have my own personal library (over 1,000 last I checked, probably nearer 2,000 now) and it takes no space - I use the kindle app on my phone, tablet, hubby's ipad...whereever I am there's an option and they all sync in to each other to keep my place. My son can't resist pulling bookmarks out of books (the terror) so no longer losing my place, AND my new puppy has shown a terrible trait - she ate on of my son's books! (gasp, I know, right?). I plug my phone in to charge my phone every night anyway, I can read at bus stops and for 4 minutes waiting for the boy to come out of school as well as laying in bed without waking hubby out with the light. I can hold my phone for hours without getting a sore arm or fingers!

Downsides to ebooks - not so easy for people to buy FOR you (for mothers day yesterday (UK) my son helped my pick 3 books from a good bookshop in a shopping centre we took a trip to, and I know I'll put some paperbacks on my birthday list as it's the only way other people can get me books). You do have to keep an eye on your battery, and it *seems* easier for other people to interrupt you if you're 'just' on your phone rather than reading a real book (or is that just my family?!?).

Good things about paperbacks? You can show them off on your shelves and enjoy the feel / smell of them, and visually they can be more appealing - covers, fonts etc. (Less valid when you buy tatty old paperbacks from the 60's for cheap!). My boy bought Under the Dome yesterday and reading that there are over 1,000 pages is entirely different from picking up this huge behemoth of a book from the shelf - it does look so much more impressive!

Ooh, I'm sorry, I'd better stop before *I* write something as long as that ! :D

I enjoy a book you can beat someone with, hard and heavy. I used an e-book once. It broke when I tried to fold the corner.

I'm German and I think I'm actually reading more English than German books, that's one of the reasons why I LOVE my kindle paper white 3G (got it a few months ago).

I can also see me picking up books in Spanish in the future, thanks to the integrated dictionary/translator.

pros:
- more compact than a book
- weighs a lot less than the average book
- background lighting -> you can read even in the dark
- dictionary is only a tip away
- free classics
- you can easily switch between books, if you're reading more than one at the same time
- really easy to buy new books (only takes a few seconds)
- access to ALL your eBooks, downloading a book via 3G from the 'cloud' only takes about 5s
- translator (bing), well you don't really need it as you do have integrated dictionaries, but it's still handy occasionally

(small) cons:
- borrowing is limited to 1x per person (for 2 weeks)
- technically amazon still owns the books

I'm usually quite busy but thanks to my kindle I can now read books while waiting somewhere or when using public transportation. Don't get me wrong, I always felt that driving by car was a waste of time and I usually used to read books when taking an inter-city train, but with the kindle, it's just more convenient and thus I'm spending more time reading.

Reading in bed is also a lot more convenient now (weight + lighting).

I had a hard copy of Oliver Twist laying around for a few years. I usually do not need a dictionary but in this case I did not want to read it without using one, so I ended up not reading it.

Long story short: I don't see me buying many hard copy books in the future, the only exception probably being presents.

The only thing left to do: Convert all my friends and relatives.

I have a Kindle and the apps for my ipad and iphone. I like being able to download a book when I hear or read about it (that way I don't forget or have to make a special trip to the bookstore or order on-line later). It's nice having a book with me at all times so I can use my time well. I still have printed books, but most of them are ones I use for work or want to pass on to others. I love how libraries are offering ebooks now!