Hi everyone, how are you? In this lovely Sunday, I think it’s time for another bookish discussion, don’t you think? It’s cold outside – or hot, for you lucky Australian people – and, all we want sometimes during the weekend, is to catch a break. Let’s take one together with a bookish discussion!
I love my books, displayed on my shelf. But, lately, with the publishing world in constant evolutions and the amount of e-books being published, well, an e-reader is kind of becoming the must-have for every bookworm. So, obviously, I caved, and bought a lovely e-reader myself.
I have to admit, it’s so practical. You can have thousand of books in one single place, and it’s not heavy to carry. Moreover, I’ve had mine for two months now, I read two or three books on it, maybe, and I still didn’t have to plug it once to recharge the battery. The inside light makes me happy when I want to cuddle up in bed and read, with nothing but the words of the story illuminated under my eyes. And, I have to say, it’s SO much better than having to read on a computer screen. My eyes are THANKFUL, really. And, when I got this new toy, I felt a little giddy about it. An early Christmas/late Birthday present to me. AND it’s related to books. What more do I need?!
But I LOVE my books. I love to watch them on my shelf, sure, but, if you ask me, there’s nothing like having a real, big paperback book in your hands. I love reading this way. I love the feeling of turning the pages. I love the way a book smells. Yes, I’m one of those people who enjoy SMELLING books, am I weird?!
For years, I was so reluctant about reading e-books, because all my life I’ve read my physical copies, and been SO happy about it. Reading books on a screen felt weird, just like reading some articles online, but it didn’t feel like reading something REAL. That doesn’t make sense now, since I’ve experienced it, but, at the time, it did. I didn’t – and I still don’t – want books to disappear. Like, real physical copies. I want a big library in my future house, filled with shelves full of books of all sizes, pages with words written on it that I can pick up anytime I want. That’s what made me reluctant to read e-books, too. I didn’t like this change, and I just wanted books to stay, BOOKS.
Now, I have to say, I’m content. I’m very grateful to be able to read ARCs on my e-reader, and every other book. I’m very happy that I can read TWICE as more. There’s a book I’ve been dying to read -and ironically, is about a world where technology does everything… – is only out on e-book (Still Point, if you’re curious). And that’s the case for a lot of other stories. Now, I can read those, too, even if part of me still is thinking that it’s a shame those can’t go out on paperbacks, too. An e-reader certainly is practical, but for me, it will never, ever replace my love for physical copies.
flowlessbooks says
Great post! I have a kindle, and I feel the same way as you ! I prefer physical copies, sure but my kindle is lighter, and I use it for the novellas, books I’m not sure to like (or that I don’t want on my shelves because of a not really pretty cover) and e books sent by authors !
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you so much! Yes, a kindle is so practical for that… and well, to be honest, if there’s a book I really love, maybe I will cave and get a physical copy for my shelf, too, ahah 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
Joey @ thoughts and afterthoughts says
I’m hopefully…maybe on the hunt for an e-reader this upcoming boxing day! I’ve been reading ARCs on my laptop and it’s such a pain. BUT I guess it’d also be easier to just get a tablet then…ahhh options!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
AW YES, you should, it’s really a life-changer for a bookworm. I read ARCs on my laptop before, too, and it’s really annoying. Stop the pain now and get yourself an e-reader…or a tablet! 😀
Thank you for stopping by Joey! 😀
thewritinghufflepuff says
YOU ARE NOT WEIRD FOR SMELLING BOOKS! It’s one of the first things I do when I get a new book. First I stare at it, then I pat it, and then I smell it.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
ARE WE SECRET TWINS OR SOMETHING?! I kind of do the same thing, and sometimes I feel crazy for it. I’m so glad I’m not that crazy, or, well, at least we both are, ahah! 😀
thewritinghufflepuff says
WHO KNOWS?! LONG LOST TWINS IT COULD BE POSSIBLE. Haha if you’re crazy then so am I 😀 I just can’t help it haha. I NEED TO STARE AT AND PAT AND SMELL MY BOOKS
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
IT COULD BE!! :O Haha, I can’t help it either, sometimes I’m getting a few weird stares from people when I squeal and pat books in a bookshop, haha
booksandblah says
I’ve only ever read e books on my phone, it’s fine for a while but irritates my eyes. Much rather read read real physical copies with the delightful smell of pages. 🙂
Did this not hurt your eyes at all?
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
I understand…I used to read a lot on my computer, but it hurted my eyes too. Physical copies are so much better to read than on a screen, always! 🙂 I’ve only had my e-reader for a few months, and read, three or four books on it, I think, but no, it doesn’t hurt my eyes at all. Actually, this surprises me! I can adjust the light of the screen, and for now, it’s comfortable to read onto! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by!! <3
anovelglimpse says
I love my Kindle. I love the practicality of it and the back light. My hands hurt less when reading longer. And my husband loves it because there aren’t as many books over taking our house. I still love regular books, too. I just don’t buy as many of them.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Aw yay, that’s right! I didn’t think about the hands hurting, but it’s true! 🙂 Haha, well that’s true, too, you can have so many books in one little Kindle, that’s so amazing! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear you love your e-reader 😀
Feli @ Carpam Diem says
I was also initially not sure about buying an e-reader, but the amount of books I read tripled! Last year I read 16 books and read my 50th book of the year last week 🙂
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Oh WOW!! That’s incredible, congratulations!! I think you can take the e-reader with you everywhere, and sometimes it’s harder to carry around a paperback. That must help a lot! 🙂
Thank you for your comment! 😀
Maria says
I had a hard time adapting to e-readers too! I just love the physical sensation of holding and reading a real-life book. BUT I also have come to appreciate e-readers for ARCs, as well as for books I want to read, but don’t think I want to own (and don’t have space for). So I agree that it’s good to find a balance!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
You’re so right! I felt the exact same way, it was hard at first, and it took me a long time before I finally caved and bought an e-reader. But now I’m really happy about it, it’s great and very practical. But it’ll never replace the feeling of holding a real book 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! <3
planandread says
I use my e-reader mostly for checking out library books via overdrive. I use it how I would use my library, to try books before I buy them. I was really into it when I first got it and now I just don’t use it as much. I think I have just concluded that I am a book buyer, if I end up not enjoying a book, I’ll get rid of it. I still wanted to buy all the books I was reading on my e-reader but at the same time I was struggling purchasing books I had already read. My e-reader generally only used when I’m traveling now.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
That’s a great way to use it, wow, I didn’t think about that! 🙂 And some people are book-buyers, I think I’m part of those people, too! I just love buying books, there’s nothing like it ahah 🙂 I feel like there’s a sense of, completeness, when you really have the physical copy of a book in your hands. I don’t know if that makes sense, ahah :).
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this!! <3
ravenblake99 says
Nice topic! Paperbacks are always the best. I love reading paperbacks but most of my books are in ebook format because I’d love to read a lot and recently the prices of the paperbacks and hardbacks has become too high so I had to rely on ebooks. E-readers has its uses too! They are easier to carry around and quite comfortable to read at nights. 😀
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you so much!! <3 You're so right, it's something I didn't think about when writing my post, and because I haven't bought a lot of ebooks, yet. But they are very cheap compared to paperbacks, so that's awesome when you want to read TONS of books, and still have some money left ahah 🙂 You're so right, I love that it's so little to always fit in whatever bag I'm carrying around! 😀
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! <3
Denise says
I’ve had a Kindle since March, and I’m a complete convert! I love reading books on my e-reader, sometimes even more than reading a physical book. I love how handy it is, and books are so much cheaper. I haven’t read a book I own in so long, and I do miss it. I love seeing my library grow, so I like to do both. If it’s a cover I love, I’ll buy the real one, but otherwise I’ll usually just buy the e-book.
Great discussion post, Marie! Thank-you <3
Denise | The Bibliolater
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Wow, that’s so great that you love so much your Kindle! 😀 And I can totally understand that you read more on it, than you read physical books, it’s really practical at all times. I don’t think I could do it, I read one or two books on mine, and I miss the feeling of holding a real book and turning the pages! 🙂 Buying the ebook is really cheaper, though, so that’s really great, too! 😀
Thank you so much, and thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, Denise! 😀
Kat Impossible says
Another great discussion post, Marie! I am not against eReaders at all and I certainly see their advantages, yet I don’t have one myself. I am thinking about getting one myself for a while now, but I have no idea which one to pick. The last one I set my eyes on would have cost me 150 bucks and I just don’t want to spend that kind of money on a device … An eReader would be really practical for the eArcs I am getting, since reading on my computer isn’t much fun, but money is tight, so I am still undecided.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you so, so much Kat! <3 I understand that so much, I was undecided for weeks before finally buying one. The price was something I was really anxious about, because money is kind of tight, too. I have to say I'm really happy, because I got my e-reader (it's a Kobo) for 70 euros, so that's a pretty good deal! I hope you'll find something not too expensive, because it's really practical, especially for reading ARCs! 😀
Kat Impossible says
I am glad you don’t regret your choice! Can you buy ebooks from Amazon when you have a Kobo? I am always so confused about which reader supports which formats.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
To be honest, I’ve had my Kobo for two months now, and I read only ARCs and books I already had on PDF on my computer, for now. I read that it’s possible, however, and there are books I REALLY need to buy as soon as possible. I didn’t try it yet, but I should, soon, and it HAS TO WORK, or I will have a mental breakdown, probably, haha. I will let you know how that goes for sure -the buying, not the mental breakdown, hopefully, hahaha- 😀
Kat Impossible says
Hahaha good luck with it then! I was asking because I really want to read Blood, Ink & Fire and I’ve only seen the ebook on Amazon.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Aw, well, I will let you know if and how it works, next time I buy ebooks! 😀
Kat Impossible says
I’d appreciate that 🙂
hayleyann24 says
I love my Kindle, I’d be lost without it. It’s the practicality that I love, especially when travelling. Unfortunately I’ve gone through a few Kindles due to disfunction’s and my current isn’t looking too good either. Maybe i’ve just got bad luck with them. Got to say nothing beats a gorgeously illustrated book though.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
You’re so right! It’s really practical when travelling – but I have to say, since I have my e-reader, I only packed twice and it was for two months leaving, and then three weeks back, so I ended up packing four paperbacks too with my e-reader, haha, I can’t stop -. Oh no, that’s too bad 🙁 I hope your bad luck will stop at some point, I will try a magic spell on it, haha 🙂
You’re so right. Some illustrated books are absolutely gorgeous, and nothing can replace it! 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by!! <3
sandys5 says
I read books on both my ereader and physical books. I started out with a Nook, then got a Kindle and then I got an ipad which has an app for both my Nook and my Kindle which I now use. I find the ereader is easier to carry around and I never run out of books to read. I love to read physical books. I find it easier to read physical books outside, just holding the books is worth something to me and I enjoy being able to look at the cover and feel the book in my hand. About half of my books are physical books while the other half are books off my ipad. I think it depends are where you buy your books on which avenue is cheaper.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Oh, yes! The feeling of never running out of books is amazing. I tend to freak out when I have nothing to read, so knowing that there are a bunch of books on my e-reader is a great feeling, you’re so right! 😀 Oh yes, but nothing can replace the feeling of holding a real book in your hands 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
Josephine says
Fabulous discussion, Marie! I loved it!
I have an eReader – my Kindle to be specific – and j adore it. It’s like reading a book on paper, but just a bit smaller, lighter, and you never have to worry about accidentally losing your spot I. The book because the pages won’t flip around if you tilt it the wrong way! Plus, e books are generally much cheaper than a physical book. One reason I love my eReader is so I can buy books that I’m not sure if I will love but still want to read. So I pay for it at a cheaper price and if I end up loving it, I buy a physical copy! (Is that weird of me?)
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you so, so much, Josie! <3 Oh, right, there's no worry about losing our spot in the book, you're so right about this! And that's not weird of you, at all, I have to say, I want to do the exact same thing, haha! I read only a few books for now on my e-reader, but I want to have a physical copy of the books I really loved, to look at it, and pat it, and just, I don't know, hold it in my hands, ahah! 😀
Thank you so much for your comment Josie! <3
SERIESous Book Reviews says
love love love my eReader! I have a Kobo but I recently gave in and bought myself a Kindle (I had a lot of free Amazon gift cards). They are just so convenient for me as a student, moving around so much, taking transit, etc–especially when I don’t have time to go to the library and eBooks I can check out whenever I want. 🙂
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
You’re right, it’s so convenient to have one as a student! I move around a lot, too, and I really love the fact that I can carry it everywhere, and it’s not as heavy as paperbacks 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by, Lauren! 😀
fiddlerblue says
I read e-books on my phone, and I agree it does give me an eye strain that makes it difficult to enjoy reading. I also prefer the smell and the feel of a heavy book so that’s my favourite <3 for convenience sake, I might buy the Kindle Paperwhite soon. Waaahhh reading can be such an expensive hobby lol xD which reader did you get btw?
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Haha, it really gets expensive at times, especially since I’m one who LOVES buying books, a lot. The other day I just went into a bookshop and came out with FOUR more books. Not one, four. I’m unstoppable, hahaha.
You should! It’s an investment, sure, but your eyes will be thankful, mine certainly are 🙂 I bought a Kobo for now, I was lucky enough to get a good deal 🙂
fiddlerblue says
The Kobo sounds pretty good, and I love its long battery as you described! That is certainly helpful. haha which books did you buy? I can’t go somewhere and NOT visit the bookstore either, I sometimes purposely leave my credit card at home so I’m not tempted to buy anything XD
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
I really love it, too! Nothing more annoying than having to charge the battery everyday.
I bought I’ll Give You The Sun -already finished and LOVED IT! -, The Infinite Sea (The second book in the 5th Wave serie), Aristotle and Dante Discover the secrets of the universe, and Endgame (The series is called The Calling, I think!) 🙂 Did you read any of those? 🙂
Haha that’s an excellent idea, I should leave my wallet at home sometimes, to avoid being tempted :p
fiddlerblue says
I agree! I haven’t read any of those books, but I’m planning on picking up The 5th Wave next year 🙂 I heard a lot of good things about I’ll Give you the Sun, so I’d be sure to watch out for your review 😀
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Yaay, I hope you’ll like it!! 😀 And thank you, I really need to catch up on my reviews, ahah 🙂
Lydia Tewkesbury says
I don’t even own a smart phone because I’m from the past, so it’s unlikely I’m going to get one of these any time soon.
I have mixed feelings. I can see myself purchasing a lot of books twice because if I loved them I would want a physical copy rather than just a file on an e-reader.
That said I like the idea of having less stuff around. I have been trying to gradually get rid of things (although so far that hasn’t included books), and gradually being surrounded by less stuff feels good. Kind of like I am de-cluttering my life as well as my bedroom.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
I totally understand, and I can see that happening with me, too, ahah. The books I loved on my e-reader might end up on my shelves anyway, I love physical copies too much.
Oh yes, you’re right! There are so many stuff and books lying around, sometimes I want to get rid of some things, too. But books will be the last to go, haha. It’s such a great thing to do, de-cluttering, and sometimes much needed! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by, Lydia <3
cw @ readthinkponder says
Yay Marie!! Another e-reader who understands my feels!
I’ve been reading on my phone (I guess it’s sort of my e-reader?!) for about two years now, and it’s so convenient! Now I’m listening to audiobooks with my phone too! c:
In saying that, like you I love physical copies. Except I only buy books i have 1) read before (though I break this rule VERY rarely), and 2) I liked the book enough that I wanted to have a physical copy. So I guess me being an e-reader and my book-buying habit works well together!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Yaay, I’m so glad we feel the same way! I never tried reading on my phone, actually, it doesn’t hurt your eyes too much? Oh, I should really start listening to audiobooks, too, it’s so practical to read ALL the time! 😀
Oh yes, that works very well like that, and you’re sure to have only books you love on your shelves!! 😀
Thank you CW!! <3
Summer @ Xingsings says
You’ve been on a roll with all these discussion posts, Marie! Love it!
I have a Kindle Fire that I rarely use, but I’ve started using it more often this year after I started requesting ARCs. E-readers are just convenient and I love how they help with saving shelf space. Plus, I have a problem with buying books (as you know) and wanting to complete series of books I own whether I like them or not. I’m sure if I do an unhaul one day I will probably get rid of series at a time, which is kind of a waste I suppose. Ah well. ? But lately, I’ve been okay with buying certain installments on my Kindle instead of investing a physical copy. I guess it all depends on which version is cheaper honestly. Strangely some physical books can be cheaper than the ebook edition, haha.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Yes, I feel like I will never stop, while the inspiration is there, better take advantage of it 😉
Having an e-reader is so, so convenient for ARCs. Before, I read them on my computer, and it just killed my poor eyes, and I could just read at home, so that was bothering.
Oh noo, well you can just do a huge giveaway when you want to get rid of some series, and it won’t be a waste this way! 😀
Right, that’s so weird! I’ve seen lately some e-books that are the more expensive than the actual physical copy. That’s so weird, and…illogical, a bit? I don’t understand, haha!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Summer! <3
Summer @ Xingsings says
I know right! I never really understood why some ebooks are more expensive than the physical ones either… XD
Claire Wells says
Great post! I have a Kindle but I hardly ever read on it…wish I did more often. But I can’t get past the fact that physical copies are almost identical in price to ebooks!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you so much Claire! 🙂 I understand, sometimes it’s the same price, and that’s crazy…because let’s face it, having a ‘virtual’ copy of a book, should be less expensive than a physical copy…that’s just logical to me… So I don’t get it, sometimes.
But reading on an e-reader is really practical, especially if you’re travelling or on public transportation…you should try it! 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
Ilsen Leon says
I used to rely on my e-reader and barely read physical copies but now I have a whole collection and only use my e-reader on certain occasions. But I see the pros and cons of having both.
Marie says
Funny how things change, isn’t it? 🙂 There are indeed pros and cons to both and, lately, I tend to love both a lot 🙂