For a few years after e-readers were release onto the market I refused to buy one. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to replace a physical book with a plastic, electronic hand held device. Then I had a back injury and was struggling to carry a heavy bag so I let myself be talked into buying one. I did find I liked the idea of a smaller, lighter device that could hold thousands of books and not cause my back to hurt by lugging a heavy book around.
I decided to purchased a Kindle (the small cheap one they brought out) due to its size, weight and price compared to the others and also due to the ease of using my already established Amazon account.
After a few weeks of using it, I got used to pressing a tab instead of physically turning a page and the light weight of the device was a bonus. I even purchased a plastic cover, so I could use it in the bath without getting it wet!
However, although I had started to like my Kindle and my back wasn’t playing up so much, there was something a miss. I realised that I missed the scent of a book, a scent that was relaxing. I also missed the physical page turning, the dog eared pages, and even being able to place my book mark in when I had finished reading. I found myself even missing the front and back pages of a book, being able to read the blurb and enjoy the colourful covers.
When the Kindle Fire was released, I thought this is my chance to have at least some colour back and so I purchased the HD version. However within a few weeks of using it, I wasn’t convinced. It was chunky, heavy and not anything like my older Kindle. I didn’t use the apps as I already had an i-Pad and I found it difficult to use as an E-reader, so in the end, I gave it to my eldest son to play with.
Nowadays I do still own a Kindle, well two in fact – I have my original one and I recently purchase the Kindle Voyage which I must say is a big improvement on my older model. For me, I like to be able to download a book and have it delivered straight to my Kindle in a matter of seconds. Being able to have a choice of books when I am out, or at the hospital with my youngest son. I like that Amazon offer lots of books for free, though I don’t have an Amazon Prime account so I don’t partake in the lending scheme that they have.
However, after missing physical books so much and having a bookshelf that I was struggling to fill, and believe me a Kindle does not look right on a book shelf, I have found myself purchasing physical books again. My collection is growing and between buying brand new books and older battered books, which I love from my local charity shop, I once again can have that scent and relaxing atmosphere, and let’s face it, nothing beats curling up with a cuppa and a book for relaxation.
For me, I have found a harmony between the two. When I’m out I take my Kindle with me but if reading at home, I read from a book.
I have never used the other e-readers that are available on the market such as the Kobo, so can’t comment on their functionalities and ease of downloading etc, but would love to hear which you prefer and whether like me, you use both, or does one take president over another.
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