Reading in 2016 - eBooks vs Paperbacks

 You're going to read this year at some point

May as well get an answer. 

The eBook craze 

They've been going strong for the past 10 years - just in the past 5 years becoming accessible in your pocket, not just through pirating or spam chain mail only.

eBook readers read about 25 books a year - and look like they. Having access to all the bestsellers in history, is enticing enough to put out that bookshelf you forgot was in the corner of your office. But what about the feel of flipping just one more page, a few more pages, before you set the paperback aside for the night, because you have to work in five hours.

iPads can try to emulate page-turning and it looks cool. But for some, it's not as satisfying. They say they really like the smell of compressed dead trees - for the sake of authenticity.

Which is another thing! It costs publishers almost zero, nil, to produce eBooks, after formatting. They're giving everyone the book file ready-to-download. No need for standing in line or waiting two days for shipping. You get any book you want, now! And without need to print, ship and stock, most are cheaper too! 

Bookmarks falling out in your bag or scratches, rips and dogeared pages? Forget it! The condition of your book depends on whether or you really got a protective case for your device, rather than three for ten dollars; then you can bookmark, highlight and add notes to excerpts with a tap. 

A reading light?  Ha. You can change the size, font and brightness of the text.  

Reading eBooks on mobile devices offers a complete experience. You can have 100 books and the device will still weigh the same as before. You just can't do this with paperbacks. 

The Paperback Originality 

They're beautiful, they feel real - because they are - and they really do smell nice. Is that enough to spend upwards $15-$25 on one though? After all, it is a hardcover. You can hand it to someone to borrow, knowing they won't return it for another month, if they do. Physical books give a bookshelf a use. So what the problem. Did you read the last four paragraphs! eBooks are better for most people. 

Most book readers love eBooks. Any one who won't bite is either stuck in their ways or they like to collect books, not read them. eBooks are great for teaching kids to read before they start school - they want to use the iPad at every chance you give them. You don't need a $500 iPad either. A simple $99 Kindle Fire is designed for reading eBooks. 

The Verdict

The answer is this: for on-the-go - eBooks, hands down. Even the most traditional reader doesn't want back strain. For daytime reading on the couch - this is where preference comes in.

For night reading - I have to say paperbacks, if you still have a few lying around. You know what's up - stare at a screen for too long and you'll have eye strain this time; you need an evenly-lit environment. So really anyone would do well reading on their mobile devices. 

Reading only on mobile devices? Well we still have libraries. So no. I urge you to visit libraries. 

Plus statistics say most people read physical books more quickly. So to finish a book in a day, you need the real thing to get the lauding you deserve.

I Write Books!

I'm a children's book author myself. I started writing funny little books when I was six, but only published my first book a few days on Amazon! 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019VBUKQ2?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

It's a dog,  journal-style cartoon novel (whoa that's too long) called "Prissy Little Chloe" because the original purpose of this blog was supposed to be about my dog. Well I'm making up for it, Chloe! 

There's a surprise review from a very special man at the bottom!

You let me know, eBook or paperback.