It’s a little over ten years since Amazon released their first-generation Kindle e-reader, which sold out in less than six hours (and it was almost six months before it was back in stock).
Since then, we’ve seen a range of ereader options released, including Kobo and Nook readers. We’ve also seen all the major booksellers develop their own ereader apps. Now anyone can read ebooks, whether on a dedicated ereader, or on another device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Which leads to this week’s question: Do you read print books or ebooks or both?
I have to admit that I don’t have the patience to read an entire novel on the computer. I already read a lot of blog posts on the computer. Also, I always want to make changes, because I do my freelance editing on the computer. I’m also not a fan of reading on my iPhone—the screen is too small.
But I’m a huge fan of the Kindle, and I’m at the point where if I have the choice of a print book or an ebook, I’ll almost always choose the ebook.
Why?
- It’s lighter and easier to hold than a print book.
- I can adjust the font size if necessary.
- It’s easier—I can hold the Kindle and turn the pages all with one hand.
- Even at full price, an ebook is around half the price of buying the print book in New Zealand.
- I have access to a wider range of books—the fiction range in my local Christian bookstore is pitifully small in comparison.
- I have access to free ebooks because I’m a reviewer.
There are some books I still prefer to read in print form:
- The Bible
- Reference books such as the dictionary or style manuals (not that I “read” those like one would read a novel!)
- Non-fiction books such as books on writing craft (although I still read a lot of those on Kindle, either because I get review copies or because of the relative cost of the print book vs. the ebook.
