It’s the big question isn’t it? If you’re tech savvy then it’s the eBook, right? Easy and light to carry around, it’s the epitome of convenience in an age of the convenient shopper. If you’re a socialite then it’s the tech to have on your person, along with that phone that finds its way into your hand every five minutes. On the move, everything is at our fingertips nowadays with the internet on our phones. But now, if we breeze past a book shop and realize we missed that launch date of the next book in a series we wanted, we can download it on the way back from work and start it there and then on the commute. Why nip into the shop and inconveniently carry around a cumbersome thick book? It won’t even fit into ones handbag without damaging, am I right ladies?
Now to the biggy. The eBook is the ultimate space saver. As my collection of paperbacks grows, and bookcases pop up almost overnight, my husband rolls his eyes and tells me we don’t have the room for any more. As upsetting as this tough love is, we actually don’t have the room for any more bookcases. I am now double stacking shelves and this kind of defeats the object of looking upon my books. He didn’t agree with my grabbing at straws idea of getting a bigger house either. What? It’s a solution! Maybe the suggestion of an extension would be more feasible…
Yet I still find that at least fifty per cent of people still prefer the paperback – or hardback of course. Taking the train, for example, I always, as secretly as I can, peer around the carriage to see what people are doing. I’m nosy like that. If people aren’t playing Candy Crush on their phones then they’re reading. I find it’s still fifty fifty.
Which am I? There are many advantages to owning an eBook reader and I agree with the majority of them. However, I’m old school. So a Kindle is a space saver, but I love being surrounded by the books I’ve read. Fantastic artwork is lost on the eBook. I like to feel the texture of the cover, whether there are embossed images or spot UV text. I love it! For example: check out the paperbacks of Sarah J. Mass’ series the Throne of Glass – front and back – and you’ll understand where I’m coming from.
Artwork people! I love covers on books! I’m not being biased because of my background in design either. I appreciate how the cover art connects with the story. A paperback advertises the story. I can take a sneak peek at what someone is reading on the train, I can’t if it’s an eBook.
So what happens when one goes to a book signing? You already have the book on your eBook reader, so what is your favorite Author in the world going to sign? I have a friend in this situation. Whenever we go to a book signing, she buys the book again! We all want that personal message from our favorite Author’s scrawled into our favorite books don’t we? I know I do. Admittedly though, her paperback collection is smaller and more manageable, but the Author also benefits, right? At least one person has bought their book twice. That’s how much we love and support our Authors though.
So are you an eBook lover or are you still clinging to the faithful paperback? Maybe you’re somewhere in-between like me, lol.
