Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Reading - Kindle or Print Books?

Do you usually read Kindle or print books?   I am a lifelong book person.  I have worked in bookstores, I sell vintage children's books, and I was very sure I never wanted a Kindle.  Then, a few years ago, one of my friends got a Kindle.  He showed it to me, with the categories you can make for your books, how easy it is to instantly download books, and I started to rethink my reservations.  That year I got a Kindle for Christmas.  I have to say I love it!   Things I particularly love about reading via Kindle:

  • I read a lot of big books, like family sagas and historical fiction, and the Kindle is so light and easy.
  • It's easy to make your own categories and organize your books on the Kindle.  I love this feature!  I can look at all my mysteries, historical fiction, classics, etc. easily this way.
  • Downloading Kindle books from Amazon is so easy.  I get newsletters with Kindle deals (my blog post with websites here) and the Kindle Deal of the Day books are wonderful.  I've gotten many favorites, like Wicked, The Great Gatsby, The Thorn Birds for $1.99 or less that way.
  • The Kindle holds a LOT of books.  This is wonderful for those of us with overflowing bookshelves.
  • It's a natural for reading on a trip or in any situation where you want a variety of reading materials (without carrying around a stack of books).
  • I love having longtime favorites on one little device, ready to read at a moment's notice.  I am slowly but surely adding the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace and the Jalna family saga by Mazo de la Roche to my Kindle.   A re-reader's dream!
  • Your Amazon purchases are held in the cloud, so if you switch Kindles or want to read via iPad or tablet, you can download them there easily as well. 
  • Overdrive is a dream!  This is the free library program to check out books digitally in Kindle format (my blog post here).  I have found some newer, popular books on Overdrive that I really didn't want to purchase ... and with a shorter wait than one would have for the print editions at the library.

This isn't to say, of course, that I don't love print books as well.  I love vintage children's books, and will always enjoy having those in print editions.  I also am a great fan of nostalgic, highly visual books, like the Images of America series  ... and those just translate better in print.  

When I review books, I read about 50/50 print and Kindle editions.  It's all great because it's all reading.

What do YOU prefer - Kindle or print?  I would love to hear from you in the comments section, below.

13 comments:

Bob Gilliland said...

I'm split 50/50 between reading the Kindle and print but I honestly prefer the Kindle now and love getting the Kindle deals of the day. I second your comments about downloading books from your library onto your device. No worries about late returns. I have to admit I still look for print books to buy.

Unknown said...

I've downloaded quite a few kindle books but I have never been able to finish one. So I think my preference would be print. It's just too easy to start doing something else if you're connected to the internet. And I LOVE going to the bookstore, browsing and buying new books.

Young Love Mommy

pascha said...

I tried digital books. I cannot get into it. I need my paper.

Mary Huckaby said...

I'm digital--100%! I especially enjoy downloading books from the library.

Birdhouse Books said...

Thanks, y'all! I enjoyed reading your comments. It is interesting how we all have such different reading preferences. I am a big reader and think it's all good - whether ebooks or print books. :-)

Trish

mymomsbooks said...

Funny you mentioned Maud Hart Lovelace. I was just reading about her on a blog today. I so want to reread all her books. Think I need to buy these to collect. Kindle and Paper books are all great!

katie // a touch of teal said...

I love reading print books since I can see how far along in the book I am!

xo katie // a touch of teal

BookCornerCafe said...

I do love my Kindle but it will never replace curling up in bed with a real book. I read both but in the evening I much prefer to put away the electronics and enjoy a book or magazine to relax.

Great Question

Birdhouse Books said...

Thanks for your visits and comments! Suz, so happy to read another mention of Maud Hart Lovelace; I am such a fan of her books! They make a great re-read, too.

Trish

Devon said...

I love my Kindle. I love picking up ebooks for free most of the time. I do like reading paper books but reading free books on the kindle is better for the budget right now.

Birdhouse Books said...

Devon, I totally agree about the cost of Kindle books - so many great ones available very inexpensively.

Vicki DiRosa said...

I had a kindle and found it difficult to read on. I do have am iPad and find it easier as it is bigger. I too LOVE Overdrive. However, I still love print. The smell, the feel of it. I love libraries and books so I would be sad if I never got to step in one again.

Birdhouse Books said...

Oh yes about libraries - I am a huge fan of them, too! I can't imagine not visiting a library regularly.