I own two e-readers and download new books to my Kindle every month, but I still prefer paper books. (In particular, I love paperbacks—I don’t know why, but if I have a choice between buying a hardback or a paperback, the paperback wins every time.) This sounds weird, but there’s something about the way a paperback feels when you hold it that is so much more personal than holding a Kindle. The cover curls back, the spine cracks, the corners get all worn and nubby from being tucked in a backpack…you just don’t get that same sense of a well-loved book from a screen.
That isn’t the only reason I still prefer paper books to e-readers. One of my biggest joys as a rabid reader is passing on favorite books to my friends. You can’t leave an e-book in a coworker’s locker or exchange it at the Little Free Library for another reader to enjoy. You don’t get that same sense of a book that’s been passed through multiple hands and enjoyed by multiple readers.
Other reasons I prefer paper books:
- you don’t have to worry about the battery dying right at the good part
- they’re easier to read outside in the sun (no cranking up the screen brightness!)
- they’re often cheaper ($1 at Goodwill)
- you can fall asleep reading without worrying about dropping them and cracking them
- they smell good
- the words just look better on paper than on a screen (at least I think so)
- you can gift-wrap them
- a full bookshelf doubles as home decor
7 Comments
chelsea w
I do love paperbacks better than a hardcover, if I had to choose. BUT…my favorite choice overall is a Kindle. Mainly it comes down to health issues for me. It’s lighter in my hands so it’s better for my wrists, I can enlarge the text when I have a headache, and my Kindle Touch doesn’t seem to glare in the sun so it’s great to take outside knowing it won’t give me a migraine! I still have a huge pile of “real” books TBR, but I can’t let go of my Kindle.
Martha
Those are some good reasons! I do love being able to enlarge the text on my Kindle if I forget to grab my glasses!!
Kate @ Parchment Girl
I am a paper book girl myself. And it’s so true about them being cheaper! People always say that ebooks are cheaper, but you can’t buy an ebook at a used book sale for a buck. Plus, my office would basically be empty without my bookshelves.
Martha
Yeah, I have found so many gems for $1 at thrift stores or at the library sales!
Got My Book
I too prefer paperbacks over hardbacks for reading. I have fairly small hands and hardbacks are heavy. I have mostly transitioned to audiobooks though.
My TTT list
Martha
I keep meaning to check out audiobooks for when I’m taking a long road trip, but I keep forgetting!
Got My Book
I can’t imagine a trip without them anymore, they are great.