Physical books or ebooks?

[Rev Wayne]

I get more comments about my book collection than about anything else I own, when it comes time for moving once again, which I've done frequently as a pastor. It seems the people who are inclined to help on those moves are never fond of helping when it comes time to move the office materials. They'd rather help move the piano, noting that "at least there's only one piano." My wife tells me I need to get rid of at least part of them, but book lovers everywhere know how hard it is to part with your companions along the road. And I can resonate with everyone who has pointed out how difficult it would be to try to look up cross-references on an e-reader rather than thumbing the pages.

That being said, I've certainly found a permanent niche for digital, one primary consideration being space. I have hundreds of physical books and a number of bookcases to accommodate them. But I have thousands of e-books and the space to keep them is minimal. For biblical commentaries and theological works, with me anyway, the lack of facility in referencing is less of an issue than for some, as I generally am looking for a specific section of the book anyway. And there are ways to note pages if I'm looking through and see something significant, much the same as when reading the physical book. Where I find my greatest use of digital is in recreational reading. A friend bought me a Kindle Fire as a parting gift upon my last move, and I find it handy for reading detective novels at my usual spots, like when grabbing something to eat by myself at the table. As someone mentioned also, with the Kindle I can put on music at the same time if I like.

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

Physical books. I love how a book feels in my hands.

 

[All4Christ]

I find that many theological books are not available in e-book format, so I have a fairly large religious book library in hard copy, plus many hard copy cookbooks and a variety of other books. I have a large Kindle library, as I often am out and about, and cannot carry many books with me. Also, I really like WhisperSync for Audible versions of e-books at times. I switch back and forth depending on whether I am driving (or unable to have text in front of me) or relaxing where I can read. That said, a good book in your hands while curled up in a lazy boy is an experience that won't be replaced completely for me by e-books.

 

[BeachSun]

Lately- eBooks

 

[ToBeLoved]

Physical books. Love to feel the pages when I'm turning them. Something very 'zen' about that.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

Depends. E book for falling asleep, real book in the family room during commercials or something my wife likes on TV that I'm not interested in, real book in family room, and then either in the bathroom. All at the same time of course. I feel lost if I don't have 2-3 going simultaneously.

 

[BeachSun]

...All at the same time of course. I feel lost if I don't have 2-3 going simultaneously.

I'd be so confused.
My brain would have my 18th century damsel running from the Paleo Nutritionist while learning deeper prayer warrior techniques!

 

[NIrelandGillian]

I usually keep the Kindle for holiday/vacation reading and also like to read classics free online. I also like to have physical books at strategic points around the house.

Gillian

 

[jnapalo]

For those of you who like a book in hand or a book in ebook form...check out my newly published book!

 

[Marisca]

Currently I favour ebooks more because I can adjust the font so that I don't need to read with my reading glasses

 

[AvilaSurfer]

I'd be so confused.
My brain would have my 18th century damsel running from the Paleo Nutritionist while learning deeper prayer warrior techniques!

Well now that you've planted that seed, I guess I should be wondering how an Archangel would bring a message to a Presbyterian minister about converting while hunting demons in the back alley on a beach town in southern California, as they walk by Tony Robbins teaching people to be more productive. Sorry Jim Bouton, your baseball career will have to wait.

 

[Goodbook]

Physical books.
I worked as a librarian and still do even in the digital age because people still read real books. E books can supplement a physical book diet but never can replace it.

Since my church congrgation is elderly most of them are still reading physical books...and children still read picture books, its not the same as e books because many of the picture books have touchy feely flaps on them and most children dont have their own tablets or bring them to church...plus they all need charging which is annoying.

 

[seashale76]

Both. I have so many real books here at my house that I've pretty much gone to e-books for the time being. I don't need more physical stuff.

 

[Goatee]

I much prefer a 'real' book.

 

[brinny]

Physical. I like the look of them, especially older, antiquated books with such a rich history behind them. I find it a privilege to open those delicate pages.

Books can be a legacy and a blessing to pass on from one generation to another. And not to be "skimmed", but to savor ev'ry word.

 

[The~Scribe]

The second poster summed up my feelings, right down to preferring physical copies concerning the Bible.

Space is premium, and I love to read, so I've been transitioning to e-books almost exclusively these days though. Some out of print books (You try finding a digital copy of the Lost Regiment) or books not available for e-book format (Looking at you, Gunslinger Girl) still adorn my shelves, which I take down from time to time to read.