[Kolya]

(Original post by Phalanges)
For a narrative book that I'm just going to read cover to cover then I prefer ebooks. They're easier to carry and easier to read. For a reference book with pages I want to flick around in or something that I want to see a lot of information in one go (like a cooking book or a textbook) then I still prefer paper - I find in-book navigation a bit of a pain on ereaders and the screen doesn't show that much info at once compared to the page of a bigger book.

True. On the other hand, searching for particular words on ebooks is easier, as is carrying them around. Ideally textbooks would be sold as a combined paper and ebook product, giving one the best of both worlds.

[Dmon1Unlimited]

both have their pros and cons....

personally id go for ebooks because theyre alot more secure in terms of backup with ease as well as the benefits of volume... i accept that there are disadvantages to ebooks (well mainly technology rather than ebooks) but anyone who disagrees with the pros i just mentioned is most likely just a book fanboy i have scorned with this post

[ak137]

(Original post by Hype en Ecosse)
I've got the Kindle Keyboard, no 3G. There are buttons on both side of the Kindle, one on top of each other, for changing pages. One button for next page, one button for previous page. But they're both on both sides of the Kindle, so you can hold it with whichever hand you want and easily switch back and forth between pages. So really, it is like flicking to the next page. There is a pause, too, the way it changes page. So the words don't change immediately so it doesn't look like a weird insta-change.

The screen isn't backlit like a computer, and the way the e-ink works you don't get any glare on the screen; so it really does look like the page of a new book, whichever angle you hold it from! Unfortunately, this means you need a light to read it in the dark. Can get a clip on light for dark train journeys or whatever.

So the Kindle 4 that's out right now has a 5 way controller instead of a keyboard, I'm not sure how that works, and how good it is for typing stuff in, so I'll leave one of the other users to answer that.

The creme de la creme of the Kindle though is the built in Oxford English Dictionary. Just move your cursor down to a word you don't understand and it brings up the definition! I didn't know it came with this feature, so I was so excited when I found out.

You can also highlight and save specific quotes you want to remember. I can't even begin to list all the features. But I love my Kindle. Blasted through 1984 on it in 2 days.

Awesome post/review there . Ive been thinking of getting a Kindle in the summer, glad I found this thread!

[FranticMind]

Well I used to hate my Kindle! But now I can perfectly convert PDFs into the correct format I am no longer restricted by only ebooks I buy from Amazon. I can now get them from anywhere, including downloading books I already own from some more questionable sources.

Now I am trying to stop myself reading so I can revise!

[ehc]

I've been tempted by a Kindle, but seeing as I have nothing else going for me, a big long, full bookcase will have to suffice for any attempts to woo potential suitors.
Kindles have neither the weird new, or slightly sweet old book smell.
Not that I buy books for their smell or anything...

[drummer]

For me, it's paperbooks

[sammy-lou]

AH, paper books for me.

In all fairness I've never tried an ebook, and I can see the benefits in them.

But I love having a physical collection of books that I can watch grow and collect my favourites. There is also nothing better than the smell of a very new OR a very old book (I know that's a bit weird... haha)

[xoxAngel_Kxox]

I love my Kindle.. it makes a welcome change from having to try and pack lots of books in my bags/suitcase whenever I'm going somewhere. Although I will still borrow books from my friends which are obviously paper, but if I'm buying any new books for myself they'll always be on Kindle.

The amount of books you can get free which I've enjoyed is amazing in my opinion, lots of classics which I'd never have picked up in a shop/library otherwise.

[RobertWhite]

I love paper books and have never even considered substituting them for a screen. Screens may be convenient at times but I cannot understand how one could prefer them over a paper book you can actually hold and turn the paper on. I definitely find holding a book much more comfortable than holding a screen.

I may turn into an old fogey who refuses to adjust to the present, but so be it, I'll be one of the few who keep Waterstone's alive! If you're looking for a book, reference, or particular read, there's nothing easier than glancing through your bookcase and selecting the right book.

[Alex_K123]

Ebooks for me, price is king, and if I can at £30 book for £3 a month or so renting then I'm all for it.
Places like www.coursesmart.com in the US and www.blikbook.com over here are pretty good for renting digital textbooks.

Saying that if it's a novel and I'm holiday I like paper, I can chuck it in my bag and not worry about it. With a kindle I'd be worried it wold get nicked

[Hype en Ecosse]

(Original post by ak137)
Awesome post/review there . Ive been thinking of getting a Kindle in the summer, glad I found this thread!

If you've got any questions, feel free to message me.

[CRHarrison]

I love reading, but I'm all about the content not the 'experience' of reading, so whether it's on paper or digital I don't really mind. I have little room for keeping books, so my Kindle is brilliant, and I can get all the latest trashy sci-fi novels I want cheaper than at Waterstones (except for Halo: Glasslands! Common Amazon, get off your arse and release it on Kindle already!). But if I ever have a hankering for a paperback, I head down to my local second hand and pick something up for a couple of quid.

I'll still hand over an exorbitant amount of money on non-fiction books though, especially large hardbacks.

[minifridge]

I'm not sure why, but I prefer paper books. There's nothing wrong with an ebook and they're good for people who read a lot of books but I like the feeling of holding an actual book

[Hearty_Beast]

Gotta admit, I love kindle (the iPod app).

Cheaper (and some free books/free samples)
Can carry many books/light
Can download/buy any book within 5 mins after a book is released (with wifi)
Can read in the dark
Run everything, (music etc) without taking your eyes off your 'book'
Smaller so can read in cramped conditions

Admittedly, holding a hardback and turning a final page feels good, but ebooks are so much more practical and easy!

[kpwxx]

I don't prefer one or the other, they both have merits.

I like being able to have lots of books with me on my kindle, exploring some of the free or really cheap books on there, the ease of getting a book straight away rather than waiting for delivery/scouring shops and not having to do that awkward turn hold thing when reading in bed .

However I also like having a load of books on my shelf so people can see what I like (like having posters or likes on Facebook), I like having hard copies of books as, even though in reality its more at risk as kindle is account based, it feels more concrete like I actually own it. I also like the ease of lending a book to someone and the feel of having a book, and its easier to flick backwards and forwards. Plus I prefer reading on paper to normal screen, though with my actual kindle this is not an issue- only on phone or PC screens.

Xxx

[aeterno]

Paper books. Opening a book and being greeted by the smell of the pages

I like holding the physical book. I don't know why but it just allows me to get lost in the book far easier than ebooks do.

I'm going to go and read a book now

Spoiler:

Show

Well, when uni's over, I will

[aeterno]

(Original post by Tolth)
There's very little reason to actually prefer 'actual paper books' except for luddism and snobbery; as far as I'm concerned, there's very little distinction between paper and screen as, ultimately, it's the text that matters. Anecdotal, but in my experience the people who refuse to use EBook readers tend to be the people who don't read much beyond Harry Potter and genre fiction and are still silly enough to believe that reading the Wheel of Time novels on the train makes them look distinguished.

Are you unaware of the irony of this post?

[lilliehear]

If there were no paper books library books would become redundant, and that would be a very very very sad thing.
Paper books will always have my heart <3

[Tolth]

(Original post by aeterno)
Are you unaware of the irony of this post?

I didn't say snobbery was a bad thing.

[Cirsium]

I love 'real' books. I like the feels of books and the smell of books. And I like being able to easily flick back several pages to double check something. (I read at pretty much lightning speed, so I probably skip stuff). I would never have bought myself a Kindle. However, my sister got me one for Christmas, and it is really useful. E.g. I went home for Easter, and it's a four hour train journey - never mind the bus at either end. Bearing in mind how fast I read I can get through a paperback to get home, one to get back, and a couple while I'm there. Which is a pain in the ass to carry. Similarly it was a godsend when I had to go abroad for a course for 2 weeks. Nothing to do in the evenings, so I read a lot, and could easily have filled my budget airline luggage allowance with books! So for space and convenience I do quite like my Kindle... but it'll never replace 'real' books for me!