Book Lovers, Should You Switch to eBooks?
Paperbacks feel nice, look nice and add a touch of warmth to your home. Yet it's virtually impossible to catch a train or sit on the beach without seeing somebody using an eReader. So what's all the fuss about?
Here's a quick summary of the advantages and disadvantages of using an eReader. By eReader, I'm referring to a gadget such as a Kindle or Kobo. Of course there are many eReader apps for devices such as phones and multimedia tablets, but those are not the focus of this article.
Advantages to Using an eReaders
eBooks are generally cheaper than paperbacks
Most eBooks are substantially cheaper than their paperback equivalents. You might not see much of a saving on new releases by traditionally published authors, but you will save money on older titles and those published independently. Of course, with eReaders being priced typically between £60 and £100, you will have to be an avid reader to cover the cost of your eReader, but perhaps the other advantages will make it worth your while.
eReaders are lighter than paperbacks
You often see people reading eReaders with covers, which make them look and feel much like a book. However, covers are optional. eReaders themselves are generally small and light enough the be held in the palm of an adult's hand. One paperback book might not be very heavy, but if you're going on a trip where you would like to take multiple titles to read, the difference in weight is substantial.
eReaders are more comfortable to read than paperbacks
It's late at night and you have to keep readjusting so that your beside lamp illuminates the side of the paperback book you want to read. Added to which, every time you move the page, you have to readjust your bed covers and then get comfortable again. This is where being able to turn the page with a tiny finger gesture can be a real comfort saver.
Nobody can see what you're reading
If you've taken a fancy to cheeky erotica or sometimes read books that don't reflect the public image you're desperate to project, then eReaders come in very handy. Because the cover of your current read is not on display, somebody would have to be looking over your shoulder to have any chance of identifying your current read.
Access to a wide variety of Indie titles
Although many independently published titles are now available in paperback, indie authors tend to first release their books in eBook format, giving those with eReaders the chance to read them long before they become available to everybody else. eReaders also give readers access to short stories, novellas and epics, which are rarely released in paperback due to their unorthodox length.
Reading in the dark
Most eReaders are not backlit like a laptop or multimedia tablet. This is because black lighting is thought to put a strain on the eyes. However, many of the eReaders on the market have either an inbuilt light or can be purchased with a lighted case. These light up the text so you can read without the assistance of a lamp - particularly handy if you share a bed.
Disadvantages of Using eReaders
An eReader is higher maintenance than a paperback
Unless it's signed or a rare first edition, I'll happily chuck a paperback in my beach bag and leave in on the shore while I disappear for a swim. I'm much less inclined to do this with my Kindle, which is worth ten times as much as a typical paperback. eReaders are attractive to thieves, expensive to replace and likely to be destroyed if they get wet.
You can loan a paperback to anybody
Although many eReaders have systems for you to lend an eBook, it generally has to be shared with somebody with the same device as you have. When you finish reading a paperback you can pass it on to a friend or charity shop without any compatibility considerations.
A bookshelf is a meaningful piece of home décor
I've been in homes where the only items on display are specially purchased ornaments and I generally find them a little soulless. A bookshelf gives a room a bit of colour and tells visitors about the tastes of their host. A home with many books feels warm and inviting.
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