Though the specifics varied, there seemed to be a common thread through the answers to last week’s question: Many of you re-read books…but not too often. It seems most of us agree that there are so many books out there yet to read, that it’s hard to devote too much time to revisiting those we’ve already finished.
This week, we get a little techy:
On what devices, if any, do you read books? Or are you strictly a “physical book” reader?
While it’s true that I love traditional, physical, “real” books, I’ve also grown to love ebooks more and more. They’re super-portable, often less expensive, and if I’m using the right device, I can even read them in the dark. For my Fall Into Reading list, almost half of the books I’m reading, I’ll be reading as ebooks…on some kind of device.
That being said, here are the devices I use (and some I don’t):
- A Kindle. I love my Kindle. I can use it one-handed (even turning pages), it holds countless books, and the e-ink (or whatever it’s called) makes reading easy on the eyes. These days my Kindle is never far from me.
- An iPad. I also sometimes use the iPad Kindle app. The benefit to the iPad is that I can read in the dark (if I’m up in the middle of the night and don’t want to wake my husband). Reading on a screen doesn’t particularly bother me, though I doubt I could read for hours at a time this way.
- Smartphones/small-screen gadgets. These would be devices I don’t really read on. Though I’ve loaded the Kindle app onto devices of this type, and I’ve done some very modest amounts of reading, I think the screens are just too small for me to read comfortably. I’m either squinting to read the small print, or I enlarge the print and then have to “turn” the page far too often.
- A traditional computer. Again, this is a “not really.” Amazon has a Kindle app for desktop/laptop computers. I’ve used it, but I don’t really like it. I’m not sure why, since I read blogs and news and email all the time on my laptop. But for some reason, reading a book on a full-size computer is just not appealing to me. I’ll stick to handheld devices for my e-reading, I suppose.
So there you have it. Personally, in addition to traditional books, I primarily read on a Kindle, but also use an iPad occasionally.
What devices do you read on? Or do ebooks annoy you, and you prefer to stick to good ‘ol traditional books?
I prefer traditional books. My husband got me a TouchPad for a great price when HP announced they weren’t making them anymore, and it has a Kindle app. I just downloaded a couple of free books and read a bit of one while using the treadmill. It works really well for that, but in general I just don’t find myself picking it up when I want to read. I can see how it would be great for travel, though — I always take 2 or more books with me when I travel, and they are heavy and take up suitcase space, so a portable device would be a great help then. I don’t know, once I get used to it I might like it more, but for now my first preference is traditional books. I agree about reading books on the computer. I read a lot of blog posts and articles, but don’t like reading long things there.
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So far, I am strictly a physical book kind of person, although I have been thinking about asking for a kindle/nook/something or other for Christmas. I am attached to my laptop for way too many hours of the day as it is and feel like I’m attached to my smart phone 24-7, so I like unplugging for a while and getting into a real book. However, I can see the attraction of a device, particularly when it comes to magazines or “how to” books. I hate throwing magazines away, but in reality, I never go back to clip recipes or ideas that I find interesting. I think if I had them electronically, I’d be much more likely to keep that info accessible and use it. Additionally, since most of my reading is now done on the go, while waiting for my kids to finish an activity or get off the bus, my books are really taking a beating. A device might be the smart way to go, at least until my Saturday afternoons are mine again. I’ll be following the comments to see what people prefer! Great question, Katrina.
I just recently purchased an ereader – kobo- got it cheap when Borders went out of business! I swore I would never use one, but there were so many vintage books for free on Project Gutenberg I really do love the ereader now. It’s easy on the eyes, great to take in my purse, and really nice on vacation as I don’t have to ‘haul’ such a bag of books anymore. But nothing will take the place of holding a good old fashioned book in my hands!
I’m strictly a physical book reader.
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I just use my netbook I don’t have a reader but it works. I like ebooks but have never read a 300+ book on my netbook either so I guess I’m not to sure about big long books
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I read plenty of “traditional” books, but I also love my Kindle. I got it a few months ago and have enjoyed it so much since. I love having so many books in one place!
I have and love my kindle also – and I’m with you on the phone / computer thing, too. The phone is too small and for some reason the computer just doesn’t appeal – I find I can’t immerse myself in a story on my computer the way I can on the kindle or book – might be a screen size thing or perhaps just that my computer OFFERS too many distractions whether they are up in a separate tab or not, they are there and I know it.
I wrote more about my e-reader of choice here:
http://mommablogsalot.com/2011/10/fir-11-question-do-you-e-read/
Another great question! My answer can be found here.
I read on a nook! I like that they had the share feature (before the kindle did) and that was what I got for Christmas 2 years ago. I got my husband hooked so he is getting one this year
Every now and then I will read on the nook color that Tim hacked to make into a regular tablet.. but it hurts my eyes to much! I read my bible on my phone (at church and bible study) but only so I don’t have to remember to take my bible with me 
Strictly a physical book reader. May that always be so! =)
Great question. I’m definitely a physical books girl. Why buy a kindle when I could just buy books?
Claire´s last post ..Fall into Reading – Question 3
I read a combination of physical books and ebooks on my Nook. I like the variety because I think there are pros and cons to both. I get a lot of physical books from Paperback Swap, from friends and from publishers/authors. When I buy books, I tend to buy ebooks since I can get them cheaper (usually). I also get ebooks from the library and from authors/publishers. So it really just depends on what’s available at the time, and which is cheaper if I’m buying.
I like the convenience of the Nook since I can take it with me when I’m traveling or going places and it has several books to choose from. Physical books are more cumbersome. But I do enjoy the feel of a physical book, and I like being able to look back in a physical book and also see how much I have left to read easier than with the Nook.
For Fall into Reading, I have 5 ebooks and 10 physical books on my list. But that’s mostly because I’m trying to get through several books that have been on my bookshelf for a long time.
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I love to read on my Kindle. It makes reading so much fun!
I love physical books. However, I have a Nook and I have the Kindle app on my computer and I also read books from NetGalley on my computer. I find that a lot of the books I purchase are either for my clasroom or so that my mother can read them as well.
I pretty much only read real life paper and ink books. I can barely stand to read books on the computer – even though I love to read blogs and such. Something about the screen and such focused attention on reading hurts my head and eyes. I haven’t tried the Kindle yet, but I think I would like it. I’d still definitely have to read “real” books though.
I posted my full answer on my blog – I’m enjoying the weekly questions!
I’m still 100% traditional books. I have nothing against the newer high-tech options – just too expensive for me for now.
Sue
I just received a Kindle and have read one book. At this point I still am a physical book gal. I do not like reading on the computer at all.
It’s a 50/50 split between physical books and my Kindle. I like both.
I got a Kindle this year, and I love it! It’s so small and light weight, I can take it with me anywhere. I’ve also been pleasently surprised at how many cheap and free books I have been able to get. I still like to read “real” books, but more and more, I’m reading my Kindle.
I love “traditional books” and do not see me ever parting with them for good, however, my Nook is never far from me! I like the portability. It slips into my purse so nicely and I can take it with me everywhere! I always have a book to read for myself or one for the kids to keep them entertained when need be! Love it!
I’m a purist. I like books. The smell of paper and ink and the weight of it in my hands. I’ve tried reading on my iPod, and it’s better than having nothing to read at all. I’m cheap. I don’t want to pay for a book and not own a hard copy of it. I’m more interested in the Kindle now that our libraries have negotiated check up programs using them, but I’m still not quite ready to give up my hefty tomes!
I don’t use any devices to read books, but I do enjoy the occasional audiobook on cassette (at first), then CD’s (still occasionally) and now on MP3 players. I spent enough time looking at the computer screen blog hopping, so I’m not interested in getting a reader of any kind.
Yes and no. When I am reading a book for fun it has to be an actually book to hold in my hands. With my textbooks for school I like having them on kindle because they are cheaper and I don’t have to lug a heavy backpack for of books
I’m a traditional reader. (Though I always prefer paperback to hardback!) Still, I love that there are so many new ways to access books. I think that’s a good thing. I’m also addicted to re-reading my fav books over and over. I have to make myself read new material. But once I find a favorite, there’s no doubt I’m going to re-read it!
I am still a reader of the actual book in the hand, on the lap. I have looked at these new (to me) devices, readers, and have not made the plunge. Sometimes, I am not sure I want to either. I like holding the book and marking the page with a bookmark, especially those little brass arrows (from Lee Valley) that mark the exact place to begin again! I am 63, but we RV once in a while and my husband is after me to lighten my book load in the trailer by getting a Kindle or Nook. Soooo….. we’ll see!
I love reading ‘real’ books! That said, I now have started to read books on my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone. It is just easier to have with you at all times. And when I finish a real book and don’t have anything else with me this works well. I also have borrowed the ‘Schools’ Sony eReader. We have limited books on there, but if it is something I like I will read it, and sometimes these are the books I will recommend to the students, so instead of buying them myself I can just read on there. I have found though, when traveling by air, it is better to have a physical book, as they do ask you to turn off your electronic devices, even if they don’t have WiFi…soo, in the long run, it’s easier and smarter to have your book with you
I can’t travel without anything to read…lol!
I read most books on my Kindle. Since any *pdf can also be read on a Kindle, I also read a lot of e-downloads (booklets, tech documents, etc.) on my Kindle since it is easier than reading on my computer. Since it is also possible to access the internet from the Kindle, I like to look up recipes and bookmark them so I can read them in the kitchen when I am cooking. It’s easier than taking a laptop in the kitchen. I would really like to have a tablet or color e-reader for magazines, etc.
Teressa Morris´s last post ..Hold my Hand
If it’s not a traditional paper book I read on my iphone (with either the ibooks or kindle app) or I’ll listen to audiobooks (unabridged, of course
) on my iphone.
I am strictly a physical book reader because I don’t have an eReading device.
I had to come back and chime in on this one. I think I’ll always be a traditional reader but I have to say the Kindle Fire has piqued my interest and I’m seriously considering it as a useful tool . . . we shall see.
Fun to read all the responses here.
I forgot to answer this one… Ups
I’m strictly a physical books’ kind of person. I don’t have an e-reader nor a smartphone and I can’t really read on my computer.
Love both. But, two things make me adore e-books. 1. Having such an extensive library with me at all times and the ability to get a book I want in seconds. AND the ability to highlight favorite quotes and access them in list form and make notes about why I chose them. I print them and put them in a reading binder. this will probably tell my children a lot about me one day.
I read reall physical paper books. And that’s pretty much it. Here’s my blog post about it.
http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2011/11/fall-into-reading-question-3.html