Physical books vs. eBooks: Which format do most people prefer, and why?

Question

Suggested 'Question of the Day' from our community: Times are changing! More and more people own electronic readers, but some still prefer the freshly-printed smell of a book. When you buy a new book, which format do you prefer? Or perhaps you enjoy audio books now? Tell us!

Answer 1

I can see both sides of this debate ... for me it's a hard choice.



There's just something about picking up a tangible book and turning pages that seems so right especially with a cup of hot coffee on a rainy day to transport you to another time or place.



But I can also see the benefits of e-books as well. We can preserve our forests and have places to go camping or hiking and produce more oxygen to combat all the pollutants in the air we currently breathe.



I still have to go with a tangible book over the e-book because everyone is so caught up with devices that take us out of relational elements as it is and how hard are e-books on our eyesight?

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I tried ebooks if for no other reason then all the classics that are public domain!

I find ebooks a bit of a pain to navigate and the readers a nusance to deal with!

I am back to physical books unless it is a subject I need a easy to search format for. But even that can get cumbersome. The search features on the units I have used did not have spell checker for those times I miss the right spelling.

As long as I have used physical books- one has never needed new batteries or a recharge!

The absence of a battery because one is not needed is a very big advantage for the hard copy!

Answer 4

I've just bought an e-reader and haven't got round to using it yet due to having some a few regular books to get through first. However I've downloaded a few books onto it already.



I think I'll prefer the e-reader once I get going with it for two reasons.



1. Ability to get a book instantly rather than go to the shops. Not that I'm lazy, but I couldn't believe how much I struggled to find the A Song Of Ice and Fire books in Waterstones (uk). With ti's popularity it should have been plastered all over the walls. I like the idea of being able to get perhaps more obscure books quite easily.



2. Speaking of my A Song of Ice and Fire books... I moved abroad for a year a while back and what a pain it was to move my collection of those books.

Answer 5

Physical books. I find that I can't read eBooks for too long otherwise it hurts my eyes. And an eBook just doesn't have the same feel or aroma as a real book does. Although I gotta admit, eBooks are convenient considering they're lighter and have a variety of books on it. Plus, you can buy books on eReaders anytime you like, anywhere you are.

Answer 6

I personally prefer physical books. The smell of the book gives a special feel towards reading that book. Eve though I buy books and have accounts in watt pad, etc. it's hardly that I read them. The involvement with a book can only come when Utah is a physical book. Also, I love my books when they are physical. I have a particular attachment towards them. I am however not against ebooks.

Answer 7

There are many people who prefer eBook format to physical book though it depend on the condition .Students will prefer physical book to eBook but when it comes to buying books through the internet eBook is more preferable because you can buy eBook and get it download immediately.There are many electronic readers that make this possible for people to read their eBooks.



Nature of people's work determine the types of book format they prefer,for example an internet marketer will prefer eBook to physical book while lecturers and people under education will prefer physical book.

Answer 8

I prefer my ereader, currently my favorite - a Kindle Paperwhite. The eInk is readable anywhere a book would be readable, and the Paperwhite's added adjustable frontlighting also lets me read in dim light and dark, so I can now read anywhere without needing to carry an extra light. I would not want to hold a bare plastic rectangle to read. I use a book-like cover (with a front cover I can fold all the way back).



I also really appreciate the ereader when I am reading a 700-1000+ page book. From experience I know it can be tiring to hold a huge physical book but on an ereader a 1000 page book adds no weight.



I get lots of new author and indie author ebooks for free - many have free promo days when new. I have hundreds of ebooks in my Kindle. And Amazon has a daily deal every day - 4 or more books (sometimes famous or bestseller) for $1.99 or $2.99 so I get some popular books that way. Amazon Kindle section has a Best Sellers list and you can choose Top 100 Free then choose categories at the left. I also use this site to find new/recent ebooks that are free at Amazon:

http://www.dailyfreebooks.com/



I'm in the US so I also plan to update my library card and get a pin - my local library supports Overdrive so I could borrow Kindle books at Overdrive (I think delivered/returned via Amazon).



My husband and I are voracious readers.and our townhouse is overflowing with books. We have bookshelves in every room except the bathrooms. Many are floor to ceiling and wall to wall with books stacked two deep. We had to stop buying physical books. We are in the process of donating our physical books to the library for their book sales. Some faves I replaced with the ebook version.



I do buy some books as physical books - any book with special binding or printing that's an integral part of the experience (for example the companion book to Stephen King's Rose Red was bound as a lady's journal, and the new JJ Abrams/Doug Dorst book S. has colored writing in the margins and loose enclosures between pages - I got those as physical). I also prefer physical for cookbooks, art/craft books. And I buy a used hardcover for a book I want to loan around to extended family.

Answer 9

I'd read more, that is if there were 48 hours in ONE day.



I used to think that "audio books" were for seniors (NO CRACKS, ANYONE!!! grrrr) then I found that I could do my work AND listen to a "person with the talent to 'take you INTO the book" is fully immersive and I can use my imagination whilst working.



I recently saw a commercial with a gal saying "Audiobooks? Those are for my GRANDMOTHER" yet she started using them for the exact reason I do these days: time and convenience and being able to do more with my time than "sit and read", I can "work and read" and absorb just as much if not more.



Perhaps just a preference, but I find on long drives, audio books sure beat the heck out of music which gets "old school" after a few hundred miles behind the wheel.........

Answer 10

Let’s be honest: 5 reasons why you'll miss print books

1. You don’t enjoy a similar sense of achievement after you finish reading a “huge” ebook

2. You can’t show off an ebook collection

3. You can’t smell an old ebook

4. You can’t associate a sentimental value with an ebook

5. You can’t burn an ebook

Source: http://www.cyberculturegallery.com/lets-be-honest-5-reasons-why-you-miss-print-books/

Answer 11

I prefer a physical book. For some reason, I feel that I can hear the author's voice and message more clearly through actual pages. I guess I'm just old-school. Plus, you can use little bookmarks or fancy book covers if you like. It's also easy to give as a gift. And you can get it signed by the author!

Answer 12

I prefer physical books, but I do own a nook. Buying ebooks is less expensive so I buy most of my books on there now. But if there's a book that I REALLY want to read, and I know its going to be amazing, then I will buy the physical book instead.

Answer 13

My husband and I have over 5000 physical books. No matter how much we may love the look and feel of them, we have no more space. Every bookshelf is crammed full of books. Every inch of wall space is covered with book shelves. We have boxes of books piled up and used as end tables. The bottom line is that physical books occupy physical space. I check out physical and ebooks from the library (as well as audiobooks). I buy cheap ebooks. If a book is by an author I love or is highly recommended by people who have made good recommendations in the past, or if I adored the ebook/library book, I buy a hardcover copy of it for myself. As for the rest, I have 2500 or so ebooks in my Amazon cloud and can carry hundreds in my purse in my Kindle. I always have reading material.

Answer 14

Physical books, because it do feel like owning the object. eBooks even when you payed for it, it still does not feel like at all that you really own the object.



The only bad thing are the price for the hardcover and the space to put them. Don't know about other people, but IF I can wait, I'll wait for it when it first goes on bargin price at the big chain book store or a good used price at a mom and pop new and used book store.

Answer 15

Personally, I prefer an old book. It's the smell and feel. But I just use my e-reader now because I can have so many books on there at one time, it's easier to carry, less expensive when you read as much as I do and it makes me feel a little better about my eco print. Also, my e-reader is ink based so it looks exactly like a book and doesn't hurt my eyes.

Answer 16

Just like reading the Newspaper, I prefer Paper! I enjoy Books on Tape, Going to the Movies, but video is OK! In summary, what ever is handy, I will use, anything to gain knowledge! Using the 6 senses I've been blessed with. Dr. Gene ~ Landrum, Philosopher of Quantum Theory of Everything!

Answer 17

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Physical books.



I started reading the Bible online and found that while I could read it a lot faster than a paper book, I also retained less.



Also: As a kid, I would have spent my whole life in the Library if it had been possible. So the joy of holding a book and turning it's magical pages, is still with me!



.

Answer 18

I am a fashion designer and I use a lot of reference books in my work. I have pattern drafting books, technical sewing manuals, industry standards books and more. In many of these I need to be able to jot down notes and adjustments and personal revisions to the material. Sometimes I staple and clip in several pages of notes to a single page. I can't do that with an electronic book. In fact most of my reference books are simply unavailable as E-books.Many of these references are heavily illustrated with drafting and technical diagrams and this information in an audio book would be useless.



I can imagine the problems drafting from an audio book: "place point zero in upper left corner. Rule straight line down to point 2 equaling center back to waist plus standard ease, square line across from zero one fifth of neck circumference and square down one twelfth of neck circumference." With no illustrations it's impossible to follow!



I like real books. They don't need USB or wifi connections, they never need to be re-charged and they are permanent in a way an e-book can never be. An e-book doesn't sit on my shelf or on the table telling anyone who comes in what I am doing or anything about me as a person. A large book of Miro paintings in a bookshelf along side a Gluten-free cook book and book on mushrooms tells so much about who I am -little clues that no one will see if all three are in an e-reader.

Answer 19

Definitely physical books, because I like to be able to hold them. I have a collection of hundreds of books, including some from the 1800s.



I have tried to read a book online and just really didn't enjoy that format, so I never finished the book.

Answer 20

Practically an E-Reader is the better option but if you are a book enthusiast and like collecting books, Hard copies of books are better, depends on personal preference.

Answer 21

I prefer my e-reader for most books for several reasons.

1) I can have several books in one place.



2) Books would take over my home. As much as I read, even if I puchased a few favorites, my house would be a candidate for Hoarders before too long.



3) The e-reader makes it easy to adjust the font size, something I can't do if the print in a paperback is too small for my aging eyes to read comfortably.



4) I don't have to hold a heavy book or struggle to keep the page open when I'm drinking my coffee.



Of course, I do use print & audio books where they ar most appropriate.

Answer 22

Always physical books, I absolutely love the smell and feel of a brand new, crisp-paged, book. Also I love the smell of Barnes & Noble, and it is a home away from home to me. I like to hold the book, and drink tea. Where my E-Reader I got 2 years ago, has been tucked away, basically brand new..I never got into it, I probably read 3 books total on it, and still don't use it, I plan to sell it.

Answer 23

I used to be a book person. However, we got a Kindle for our anniversary a few years ago and it is great! It is easier to read in bed. Also if you want to rest your eyes, it has audio.



I am an author of westerns so I know that the fans of westerns still like the book form. Also when I do research (most of my books are based on historical facts surrounding that era) for these searches regarding the manuscripts I prefer books.



In truth, I enjoy both formats.

Answer 24

It seems that most still prefer paper, but anyone who reads as many textbooks as me comes to appreciate the portability and light weight, I wouldn't be able to physically lift all the books on my e-reader. I also like the dictionary features, it's handy being able to get definitions just by double tapping a word instead of having to find and dig through a dictionary.

Answer 25

Physical book for keeping books I really like and I'd prefer reading on ebook to save extra space on my book shelf.

Answer 26

physical books because I don't have to worry about running out of batteries when I read. I never used the ebook but I'll wouldn't mind it.

Answer 27

Physical books. I have ipad, iphone and a laptop which can download textbooks on. But I prefer physical books. I will never have the habit of reading of my electronic devices. I will get too distracted.

Answer 28

I don't have a lot of reading material, so I prefer it to be in paper form. If I were more heavily into reading magazines and the such, I would prefer it to be on the computer so I don't accumulate a large collection and it waste space is my house. For now, I just stay with the regular paper stuff, easier on the eyes as well.

Answer 29

Well it depends if your living a rush rush life. than electro books but if you like the old fashoned ways just read a paper back.

In my book electro books becuase you can just pull out your phone or itouch or kindall or ipad and read and you can't loose your page. However since I'm ADHD I tend to trail off. I read more physical copies. But I'd pick electro books.

Answer 30

Physical, because, for some reason, I can never find myself finishing an Ebook in the time frame that I want to & I just love holding it & smelling it lol. You'll only see me buying Ebooks unless I'm too lazy to go to B&N, which is rare. :p

Answer 31

I prefer real books myself. It just feels more natural, can write on it if I need to. But if real books are impractical on the situation an ebook will do fine for me too.

Answer 32

Physical books. There's just something about actually having a real book in your hands and actually turning real pages, not just swiping a screen to make it seem like the real thing. I'm old-fashioned.

Answer 33

I think still the physical books are popular as the number is huge. on the other hand ebooks readers are increasing rapidly.

Answer 34

I like physical books better because it's less strain on my eyes and because I can see it's actual size and weight, plus browse to see if the style of writing is one I like or dislike. I have my preferences when it comes to authors because some authors are booooring!

Answer 35

I prefer the printed form because i enjoy the whole proccess of getting a book. It gives me a reason to take a walk to the used book store or drive to a larger retailer. At the used book store i do get a chance to talk to the owner about my reading choices & I like to get her opinions and recommendations. I do have a collection of books that i like. I donate or trade in the books i don't like.

Answer 36

Physical books are for me, I just feel it's more easyer to study from a physical book flipping through pages then scrolling up and down on my loptop.

Answer 37

I literally cannot read form an eBook. It just isn't the same as turning those pages, the feeling, the smell. No, I'd much rather have a hard back over a kindle any day.

Answer 38

Physical books, but there isn't enough space to put them or enough money to buy them, so I usually download the pdf files online. I have about 80 physical books and 800 pdf books.

Answer 39

Paper books will not go out of style I think. hey, ebooks can be nice, but paper books are real and don't run out of battery life. and they last hundreds of years, whereas electronic data is easily lost in comparison.

Answer 40

It really depends on the book.



If it was a information and picture heavy book (Such as "Walking in the footsteps of Jesus" or "Hand Sculpted House", two recent books I read) I prefer it on paper, an actual book.



If it is a smaller book, not picture heavy, or a Novel I prefer the E-reader.

Answer 41

I'm happy with reading from both, but I like the feel and smell of a paper book in my hands.

Answer 42

Above all, I'd prefer the physical book, but when I travel, ebooks are very convenient.

Answer 43

I like the physical book because I can feel it. But I recently bought an ereader and it's wonderful. I get more reading done than physical books because I can seemlessly switch from one book to another, and it's more convenient.

Answer 44

I love physical books...everything about a physical book is enchanting, but I also love E-Readers as you can carry a whole library around with you.

Answer 45

I don't even think that eBooks are even real Books. Book is something which you can feel and smell. When I have a book in my hand, there is a special feeling. Which i definitely don't have when i am using my iPad.

Answer 46

REAL books ONLY because I get to see the books cover!!! I LOVE going through Barnes & Noble and seeing all the BEAUTIFUL unique book covers!!! Plus they're comfy in your hands and you can get them at libraries for FREE!!!! But for ebooks you have to BUY them and they don't always show the book covers...

Answer 47

I love having a library in my pocket at all times: ebooks are fabulous.

I still have a personal library of over 1000 physical books, though...

Answer 48

For practicality's sake I prefer my e-reader. I carry it with me most places . I always have a choice of books in one place. My young nephew is staying with me for a few days (unexpectedly) and he loves to read. I was able to buy him a book and let him use the Kindle. Keeps him happy,too.

Answer 49

I like physical books better. There's just something about having a book in your hand and reading it.

Answer 50

Depends on the situation:



When I travel/fly I use my Ereader because it is compact and light. Also when I want a book RIGHT NOW, I can get it via an online ebook retailer in seconds.



When I'm in bed or on the couch, nothing beats the reassuring weight and feel and even smell of a book.

Answer 51

I like physical books better because they're easier to handle and are just better for me (in my opinion).



The only thing I like better about e-books is that they last forever.

Answer 52

Still people like to read physical books. eBooks strains and tires the eyes quickly.

Answer 53

Physical Books, of course.

Answer 54

i usually prefer a physical book, which i love to flip the pages when reading. but i have also a digital copy of my books, which i find useful if portability is a concern.

Answer 55

While it's true that some t.v. programs are better at portraying and informing than catalogs, books in themselves are an escape. I would take a booklet over t in my opinion.v.

Answer 56

Television ruins your brain and enables you to bad in college reading and hmmm is interesting and enables you to smarter

Answer 57

I love to read physical books, Because it smells great which inspires me to read. And with physical books we can show up my collections to my friends and family. I love physical book collections where whole room smells great...!

Answer 58

Physical books!!! I hate ebooks.

Answer 59

For practicality i prefer physical books. easy light and lasts for many hours. However i cant resist the smell of my e-reader and prefer it overall

Answer 60

For studies and research - hard copy. I can make margin notes.

My e-reader allows for annotation but it jumps from page to page and the battery requires attention of a sort a hard copy does not need.

Answer 61

In general, I prefer the paper books as it helps to reduce screen time.



For some specific books, e.g. technical books or book which I will need during traveling, I prefer e-books.



I am generally 'no' for audio-book.

Answer 62

I never thought I'd say this, but I prefer my e-reader. I love the ability to have my entire book catalog at my fingertips.

Answer 63

Call me a Luddite.........but I still prefer real actual, books. All the gizmo's and gadgets still have to be powered. A book, I can still just pick up and read..........without a power chord.

Answer 64

physical books. Can not really study properly with a virtual page.

Answer 65

For text only books, either will do for me. For something that I need to jump around, hard copies are still superior.

Answer 66

I can't seem to stay with a book for at least 2 pages at a stretch, whether its ebook,physical or audio.

I don't read anymore!



please help!!

Answer 67

It's a no brainer really. What would you prefer on your bookshelves?



Bound books are possessions and decorations when they are not being read. That's maybe why publishers spend so much time on covers.

Answer 68

Both options have positive and negative features. However, to me it depends what is the perspective of the reader.

Answer 69

I'm losing my eyesight, so the ereaders are a huge help to me, I can make the letters really big and lots of them have built in lights that are great!

Answer 70

Ebooks are much more preffered than physical books since it is convinient , cheap , and easy to use

Answer 71

eBooks because the technology is growing and you can get many books instantly

Answer 72

I still like the paper books. i still haven't gotten used to my e-reader even though i have it.

Answer 73

I love good 'ol fashioned books!

Answer 74

nothing beats an hardcover book i also love the art cover on some books like kids books

Answer 75

the books is very important to our people,and very good work and adjustment and personal revisions to the material sometimes i staple and clip in several pages of notes to a single pages.

Answer 76

physical books i love the smell and feeling of a real book in my hands

plus i like to write notes in the margins

Answer 77

OK THIS IS A PERSONAL MATTER THAT ONLY YOU CAN FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF! DON'T GO SHOVING YOUR OPINION ABOUT DOWN PEOPLE'S THROATS SAYING YOUR BETTER THEN THEM OR WHATEVER AND HERE'S WHY. DUHHH!!!!!

Answer 78

I prefer e-books because I can easily pirate them and not pay at all

Answer 79

I like both. The ability to read and write is what divides human, from animal.

Answer 80

Can't beat a good hard back!



There's just something about a book in hand

Answer 81

Well, let's not worry about books, let's worry about songs. And this is my favorite song at the moment ---------->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPD7Bf4BfFI.



Have a great day and I hope my answer helped.

Answer 82

physical books they are the best

Answer 83

ebooks, when I'm finished reading it I can delete it and not have it on a shelf for years.

Answer 84

Not completely convinced about this one

Answer 85

horror stories

Answer 86

E-READER all the way!



Technology is the future :)