eBooks vs Paperbooks

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The majority of the books I own come second hand from used book stores or off the internet. I'd say that less than 10% of all the books I own were bought new.

Most of what I do buy new are ones I find cheaper than used ones. This actually happens a lot on Amazon. I picked up the 3 core books for Pathfinder new on Amazon, cheaper than used on Amazon, or new off the shelf. There are also several books I've found on Amazon that are only available there in physical and electronic format. No store will ever stock them on the shelves. And then there is the new books that I have to have now. This is only two series right now - Brandon Sandersons Stormlight Archive series, and Larry Correia's Monster Hunter. If possible I never buy hardback if a less expensive and smaller size non-hardback version is available. I will wait till the paperback version comes out before buying which I do with the two series mentioned above.

Interesting - I never bought anything really important online. Airline tickets of course, car or hotel reservations, but NEVER clothes, food or books. I need to see and touch them before I know whether they are ok for me. I know I will never buy clothes or food online, but I am now wondering about books, I guess I could give it a try? Trouble is I always read a couple of random pages in the book before getting it, and that's usually only really possible/acceptable in libraries . . .

The deciding factor for me is what lighting I have to contend with.

I used to wrinkle my nose at the idea of ebooks, but then I got a 10" Android tablet and downloaded the Kindle app. I've since bought a few ebooks and stolen many more. They take up barely any room, are cat-proof, are easy to back up, and easy to copy. The whole lending to friends and never seeing the book again just doesn't happen

Digital comics too <3

Doubt I would have ever bought a dedicated reader though.

I haven't used the Kindle app, would you recommend it over say iBook or eBook Reader?


. . . but the 'feel' of reading is quite different . . .
Having said that, I never even considered all the advantages you mention!


especially when moving house as I did so often in the past . . .


If I could have a cat I would gladly share my books . . .


I am THE backup queen, travel a lot so having my stuff on memorysticks allows me to travel light and have it available on any PC.
Question: Could I copy books onto my PC and read it there with a different application?
Could I copy books to a memory stick?


That's actually not an issue for me as I always think the book I lent is making someone else happy 😊

Yep, gone are the days when I could read under the blanket by the light of a torch, or tucked away in the corner on top of a wardrobe, or hidden away in the branches of a tree . . .

I only buy online what I know about or really want.

Examples: I just bought the He-Man movie with Dolph Lungren. I love that movie. Couldn't find it at an FYE, or other place that sells used movies and I'm not paying a store shelf price. I got it for just over 6 dollars on Amazon with free shipping. I also just bought a different style of mask for my cpap. I'm familiar with other products from the company that I already use for my cpap. It's way less expensive than going through my health insurance and the local provider. I've also bought parts for my car online from RockAuto. When I was big into the Legend of the 5 rings card game, I used to buy cards on Ebay that I needed. Books that I'm familiar with, I will buy online as it makes it easier to find rather than visiting every used book store till I hit the jackpot. I still go to used book stores because you never know if you'll find something you wouldn't otherwise know about.

If you can, for whatever it is you want, look around at different sites selling them to see reviews. Also check out seller ratings. If anyone has any personal experience, that can go a long way for determining who I buy from online. My friend who was a mechanic in the Marines recommended the use of RockAuto for auto parts. I'm glad I've listened to him as I've had good service from them.

Conversely there are things I will never buy from a purely online source. Computers are one. I only buy them from the local Microcenter Store. Although technically, I will use the stores online 18-minute pickup to have them get it ready for when I show up later in the day and pay for it there.

And there are things I take a risk on. I've bought books because I'm looking for certain setting or genre. I've looked through Amazon and tried to find any superhero novels in print format. Most were good. There was one that was really bad and I had to stop reading it halfway through. There was one that wasn't marked as young adult and it should have. I probably would have still purchased the book, but I would have purchased others instead and waited. I bought a sword holder for a katana and wakizashi I have. The thing is a piece of crap despite the high reviews. The MDM board it's made of is cracking apart. where each screw goes into it. It was a let down and now I need to buy another one that's better quality.

The more you buy online, the more experience you get and discover what to watch out for.

The Kindle app is great. Not only does it mean that I have most of my textbooks with me for my studies, it also means that I have a very convenient way to read classic books from Project Guthenberg.

Honestly have no idea, I originally downloaded the app so my ex could sign in and read her books if she left her dedicated Kindle at home. It does everything I need it to, though I suspect it might be a little more 'bloated' than the other apps you mentioned.

My cats like to wipe their paws on my books after they've used the toilet. You're welcome to have them (the cats) if you want!

Look here http://calibre-ebook.com/ for a multiplatform ebook manager. It can read and convert your books into different formats.

Yep.

That's the difference between being a nice person, and being a nasty bugger.

Thanks, that's really good advise

I have a Nook (kind of like a Kindle) but I don't use it. Call me old fashioned but I prefer an actual book with actual pages.

I used to have cats before I was married, but my cats tended to cuddle in my lap, only walzing over my books when they wanted attention.
And I am perfectly sure you are a nice person otherwise you would not have taken the time and effort to reply in such detail

I have a Kindle Paperwhite and I like it but I still buy paper books.

I decide which version of a work I want on an individual basis.

I'll buy the paper version if the book is nicely produced and something I might like to keep.

I'll buy it on Kindle if it is significantly cheaper, if the paper copy is really big and I plan to read it when commuting.

There's one big disadvantage to ebooks that no-one has mentioned yet - no bath time reading! Sort this please someone.

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😊😄😊 sorry, couldn't help myself - just had this romantic image of sitting in a bath, lots of candlelight, nice hot tea - and a tablet . . . 😄😂😄