E-readers vs "Real" Books

Real books

First let's look at what real books have got going for them. Turns out, it's a lot.

• Can gift to people. Wrap it. Put a bow on it. Add a heartfelt note. Or give it as is - maybe it's your own copy that you've handled and read many times. Either way, this kind of gift is wildly superior to "oh, I emailed you a voucher code..."
• Probably a better choice to read in the bath. Either choice is a splash risk, but a book is somewhat more salvageable than an electronic device.
• Can be signed should you be lucky enough to meet your favourite author.
• Some titles DESERVE a spot on your bookshelf and to be held in your hands.
• Speaking of which, all homes should have a bookshelf. It's the rules. During zoom meetings, you'll look a bit stupid if your bookshelf in the background is empty, or just has a dildo on it.
• A paper and ink book shows evidence of use over time... ie love. It has heart. There are few things sadder than a pristine book with a spine uncracked. Your favourite book should be one you need to re-purchase eventually because it's fallen apart from being read and re-read so many times, or because you gifted your much-loved copy to a friend.
• When you are reading a good book on the train, you can be a twat about it. People can see that you are, in fact, reading a good book, and not just mindlessly scrolling social media like some kind of uncultured peasant. You can even display the title, if you want to be really smug.
• Old books smell fucking delicious.
• Without these sort of books, we wouldn't have libraries, and that would be a terrific loss to our society.

Kindle, or other e-reader

While there's definitely a lot to be said for the above points... the kindle or tablet definitely has pros of its own... and they are not to be sneezed at.

• Never run out of space. If I didn't have a Kindle I would have had to stop buying books years ago. Or... I would have had to get rid of some books. Do you hear me? Actually get rid of.... No. It's unconscionable.
• Backlight. I agree with Dana, it's a Gamechanger.
• If your house burnt down, you'd still have a copy of any titles bought this way. While I am not planning on having my house burnt down any time soon, this is still a definite plus for me. At the risk of jinxing the situation, it is nigh impossible to lose a kindle book.
• I am extremely grateful to my Kindle for taking some of the heft from my Books To Read pile. Going to bed at night has become a deadly game of Jenga. Were it not for my trusty Kindle, I would dread new recommendations. I sleep better knowing I won't be buried alive in a tomb of my own making.
• Cannot be dog-eared. (Do not!)
• How many titles do you take on holiday? How much do they weigh? How many extra suitcases do you need to accommodate them? Need I say more?
• You can highlight or annotate bits without ruining the book.
• Your pet is unlikely to use it as a toilet if they get caught short.
• The Kindle edition of a book is often a bit cheaper.

So... there you have it. The winner is:

.

.

.

.

.

drum roll

.

.

.

.

Neither. We can only conclude there are extremely good reasons to own books in either or both formats.

What we need to do is, gang up on those heathens who listen to audiobooks.

(I'm kidding! Audiobooks are a great way to consume stories.)

Bonus content - Audiobooks

• Often, reading is not something that lends itself to multitasking. For example, you can't read and drive. Or at least, you shouldn't. Please don't.
• Maybe you're the sort who likes to (needs to) fidget or knit to help you concentrate.
• Maybe you have a shit-tonne of chores to do and this leaves you with little time to enjoy your favourite authors. Have I got the solution for you!
• Enjoy a book in the bath without worrying about the splash risk.
• Some narrators have very pleasing voices, and that can add another layer of enjoyment to listening to the story.

+++++++

As always, thank you for reading! Thank you especially to Dana Stewart who inspired this piece. Special thanks also to Cathy Holmes for the hot tip regarding feline bodily functions taking you straight to the front page. I am confident it will work beautifully.

And as usual, I have questions! Please leave a comment to make it easy for me to reciprocate the read. Tell me:

1. Who wins in your opinion - e-readers or "real" books? How many of your books are digital vs hard copy?

2. How did you come across this one - were you browsing Vocal or a different site?

3. Has your cat ever shat (or vomited) on a treasured book? And is that cat still alive today?