How do you take your books?

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The other day someone asked, “How do you take your books?”
“With a cup of tea or a gin and tonic depending on the time of the day,” I replied with a grin.
But it got me thinking.

With bulging bookcases and little space, some years ago, I began reading my books electronically saving space and weight particularly when on holiday or travelling. Reading on my iPad meant I didn’t have to search for the best lighting – I could just take it with me. Simple and easy. The cost of electronic books was also very affordable which meant I could buy more. With so many advantages to reading on a device, why don’t more people buy and read their books that way?

Perhaps it was a fad but I find myself now reverting back to the good old paperback. I like to hold it and flip the pages back and forwards. To read the blurb on the back cover, inside cover, to look at the artwork. Sure I can do that electronically, but I like the feel of it in my hands. Sometimes I just don’t want to look at another screen.

 I like to read in bed – a paperback doesn’t hurt as much as a dropped iPad on the face. Yes, that has happened to me. I bought a new book shelf and I actually love to look at my books – I don’t get that same feeling with the books on my device. Sometimes, I scan the shelf, pick a book I’ve already read, open it anywhere and start reading. I’m also fussy when I buy a paperback not just because it’s more expensive but it has to earn its place on the tight real estate space of my book shelf.

I haven’t totally given up electronic books- I still get them occasionally. Now I’m thinking about audio books. I can listen while I’m out walking or driving and I like that idea.

Thinking about that question again, I’d say, I take my books in a variety of forms but I prefer the paperback.

What about you?

16 thoughts on “How do you take your books?”

  2. strickletonyahoocouk

    Sometimes an ebook or audio book is simply more covenient and there’s no doubt they’re here to stay. But I’ll always prefer paper books for the same reasons given in the blog. Also, I think you only have to walk into a library to see the appeal of packed book shelves. Plus I like to smell the pages!

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  3. B.L. Daniels

    Even though I predominantly read on my Kindle now, I still love reading paperbacks. Especially when I find a great used book where someone has scribbled notes in the margins or highlighted it. eBooks just don’t have that feeling of an individual history.

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  4. Anonymous

    I’m a book person too! Paperback or hardcover…. i feel more relaxed on a beach with a book than with an ipad…. even in bed reading a book feels like you have isolated yourself from the outside world- no temptation to check socoal media etc…and can become engrossed in the world you are reading….

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  5. Chrisoula Kravatitis

    I’m a book person too! Paperback or hardcover…. i feel more relaxed on a beach with a book than with an ipad…. even in bed reading a book feels like you have isolated yourself from the outside world- no temptation to check socoal media etc…and can become engrossed in the world you are reading….

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  8. Val Mills

    I’m a bit of both. As you say, travelling with an e-book is easier than with a print publication. And some books I’d never get to read if I didn’t buy them in e-book form. However, I can still be found at our local library a couple of times a week. And there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book.

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  10. cmwriter

    I like holding and reading in a real physical book – its feel, flipping back and forth through the pages, writing notes in the margins, having the book signed by the author …

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