Brianna: I think it’s safe to say, for the both of us, that our preferred reading format are ebooks. How long have you been an ebook reader and what prompted you to change to this format? What was your preferred reading format before the days of ebooks?
J9: I’ve had an ereader for 3 years and chose a Nook because my library rented EPUB books but not Kindle at the time. Now they rent both and I’m saving for a Kindle as well since books are priced differently between the two booksellers and Amazon has a wider selection. Before ebooks I didn’t have a preferred reading format, any and all books were up for my consumption. I do miss the secondary book market where you can buy a book for fifty cents. Ebooks are more expensive, in my opinion, and no option to wait for the secondary market. But thank you, Ms. Book Vixen, for constantly passing along freebie or sale books!
Brianna: I’ve been an ereader for almost 3 years as well. I’m on my 3rd Kindle (I keep upgrading) and still love it. I totally agree with you on Amazon having the better selection and better prices. I am constantly seeing ebooks for sale on Amazon that are not being discounted on BN. And the same goes with free ebooks. I did feel like I was getting the short end of the stick when libraries first started being able to loan out ebooks (in ePub format only) but us Kindle owners finally have that capability.
Before getting an ereader, my favorite format was mass market paperback (mmpb). It’s small, easy to hold, and fits easily in my purse. But now that I have a Kindle, I prefer to read on it than a print copy. The main reason is the ability to highlight passages, take notes, and the search function. It makes reviewing the book a whole lot easier with those features. But I will admit that I read more on my iPod Touch using the Kindle app than I do on my actual Kindle. I need to change that.
J9: You’re way more interactive with your ebooks than I am! I rarely use any of the Nook features though I do use the search feature if I am trying to find a quote I want in a review. Just today I searched “downstairs infection” for a review I was writing--bet you wonder what book that is! :)
I’m saving for a Kindle Paperwhite right now and can’t wait to buy it. I have the Kindle app on my Droid and I often get the Amazon freebies and sale ebooks on my phone. The problem I have is that I read so quickly that on my phone I have about 3 seconds of reading before I need to turn the page again. At least with an ereader I have a minute or two of reading before I next turn the page.
I also read mmpb before I had an ereader. Being an Avon Addict this year has brought me back to reading mmpb as Avon sends me a package every month. I do like them because I can give them away as I don’t have the space to shelf books!
Brianna: You don’t use any of Nook’s features?? Actually, now that you mention it, I think I remember reading somewhere that the highlighting feature and/or the note-taking feature on the Nook was not that easy to do; that it takes quite a few clicks to be able to do those things. Is that true? Maybe that’s why you don’t use those functionalities? I’m constantly highlighting and jotting down notes and it’s super easy to do with a Kindle. I am so bummed that I didn’t get the Elemental Assassin series in ebook format because it would have made note-taking for the read-a-long so much easier!
I can’t wait for you to get your Paperwhite!
And “downstairs infection”?? I can’t wait to read your review for whatever book that’s from. LOL
J9: Yeah, I’m not sure how easy those features are on the Nook since if I have time on my Nook you can bet I’m madly reading! I have used the dictionary feature a few times and found it helpful. I’ve never even noticed a note-taking feature. When I get my Paperwhite I’ll have you do a Kindle tutorial for me.
The Elemental Assassin series is so good you should buy it in ebook format anyway, regardless about the read-a-long! And that review with “downstairs infection” will be worth the wait!
Brianna: I’ll be glad to school you on Kindle 101 ;)
Our question to you readers – what’s your preferred reading format and why? Ebook? Hard cover? MMPB? Trade paperback?
Love this post and everyone's thoughts!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'm embarrassed to admit, I still love physical books. I don't know why...maybe it's because I still have so many physical books that I haven't really read a lot of e-books on my Kindle. In fact, my Kindle is very underused. I don't even know where it is half the time. I also think I stop reading an e-book easier than a physical book...and I scroll through all the other books on my Kindle and wonder what to read. I guess I feel more committed to a physical book. It doesn't stop me from downloading a ton of books though!
I wouldn't say my love for print books is dying but it's definitely becoming less and less. And I have a lot of print books that I still need to read.
DeleteHow funny - both of our Kindles are underused but for different reasons :)
Woo...interesting thought abt the commitment to a physical book, never thought about that! Do you keep all your print books? Space was a huge issue for me before my ereaders.
DeleteSpace isn't an issue for me and I refuse to let it get to be an issue. I have 2 bookcases and I have no plans to get anymore. Granted both are pretty much filled up (there's still a little bit of room) but I only keep books I loved on my shelf after reading. Other I will find new homes for.
DeleteSo you're a part of the cheap secondary book market that makes me insanely jealous because ebooks don't have that option!
DeleteIf Amazon has their way, there might be a used ebook market O_o But that's a different topic for another day.
DeleteHehe, can't wait for THAT discussion!
DeleteI love ebooks! It's funny, because 2 years ago I would have said paperbacks hands down. However, my kindle has won me over. I adore my kindle fire's backlight-it's perfect for reading before bed and I don't need a night light! After using my kindle for so long, I've discovered that Hardbacks are super hard and bulky to read and I used to love those.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, my answer would have also been paperbacks. I never thought I favor ebooks over print. But it happened.
DeleteI do have to say that I am jealous of your Kindle Fire :) When the time comes where I am able to get a tablet, it'll either be a Kindle Fire or an iPad Mini.
I just got my Paperwhite a few days ago and it's sooo much lighter than my Nook and makes any book too bulky as you said. Were you a book hoarder and if so are you having to replace your favorites as ebooks?
DeleteI am so excited you got your Kindle Paperwhite!!
DeleteMe too! I am going to be bugging you to death as I figure it out!
DeleteBug away :)
DeleteI just mentioned on Twitter how I still prefer print books because during the middle of reading a really good book today, my Kindle battery died! Granted, normal people plug it in at night to charge, but I usually fall asleep reading and the hubby only turns it off and puts it on the nightstand for me. LOL
ReplyDeleteI am still a newbie in what I can do with it. I don't understand tech stuff and that could be another reason I like prints.
I hate when that happens! I've had my iPod Touch die on me while I was reading. And it always happens at a really good part. Always. LOL
DeleteWhich Kindle do you have? Do you use the highlight, notes, and search function at all? Those are the 3 majors things I love about reading on my Kindle (the actual device or the app).
Do you borrow print books? I think I spend more money on ebooks because lending isn't really a viable option for most books.
DeleteI have the Kindle Touch. I use the highlight and share function. Highlight for notes, and share when I want to share a specific quote with my twitter pals. I hate that we can only share from books purchased at Amazon though. If I buy one from say Smashwords, it won't let me share stuff. (or I haven't figured out how) I haven't tried the search function yet.
DeleteI have never borrowed ebooks with the share feature/loan feature either on Amazon. Print books I will get from the library but I mostly do trades with my print books.
That's one thing I haven't done with my Kindle - share quotes on Twitter. I love the search function! I'm always using it :)
DeleteI don't borrow books much either. I think I've only borrowed one, maybe two. And I have tons of books that are lendable via the Amazon lending feature but no one seems to want to borrow them. LOL
okay if you would have asked that a couple years ..I would have paperback or book format...now I love my kindle and that I can highlight pages or quotes. It also makes it really easy to down load books from net galley/eidleweiss too :() . But I there comes a time when I do love have something with me...I like a book, but will bring the kindle too .
ReplyDeleteGreat topic
If I'm going somewhere overnight (like the in-laws), I too bring a print book along with my Kindle. Just in case...
DeleteFor me it's when I fly because all electronics have to be off for take off & landing. I *detest* that every frickin time I fly I have to carry 2 paperbacks just for this!
DeleteYes I end up bring both at times. :) Like to be prepared and total mood reader. Looks at pile and tries to find something good.
DeleteI definitely prefer physical books-I find that the words stick better in my head. Saying that, I still read e-books and I adore my nook. Both have their pluses and minuses.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the words stick better when you read print books. I haven't notice that with either format but I do read faster when reading ebooks.
DeleteI have been loving on my kindle a whole lot lately because it has so many books on it waiting for me to read and it's so easy to travel with but it no way takes away from a good physical book. I love to smell books, not so much my kindle, lol
ReplyDeleteI used to love the feel of a mmpb in my hands and actually turning the pages. Now I love the convenience and portability of my iPod Touch :)
DeleteI loved reading mass market paperbacks. Then I got my kindle (2nd gen.) I loved it. I could have access to all my books. Plus I was running out of storage room. I also bought the kindle fire, which is nice to watch movies. Reading a book is weird now because I read my kindle so much.
ReplyDeleteNice that you have a Kindle Fire! I want one of those :)
DeleteI'm 50/50 with ebooks (Nook) and paperback. I go for the cheaper price. If the ebook is cheaper I get it, if I find a paperback on sale cheaper than the ebook I grab it. I've started shopping more used books to save money as well.
ReplyDeleteYou're an audio book listener too, right? Including audio, what percentage do you read - audio/ebook/print? I wish I could do audio books but I can't with the kids :/
DeleteFor me it really depends on what time you catch me. There are times when I think I'll never buy a physical book again and will LOVE my Kindle and other times when I glare at my Kindle and it's impractical costliness. :) This is how I see my book buying habits: a Kindle version is more expensive but much more convenient and with a physical book (while possibly a little bit more expensive upfront) I'll get some of the money back when I swap it or trade it in. It really depends on how I'm viewing the matter at the time! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and it maddens me! Physical books are less expensive and have a secondary market where ebooks are the price they are, rarely go on sale (unless they're book one in a series!) and have no secondary market. I know I spend more on my ebook habit than I ever did on my print habit!
DeleteI know it. :( BUT I did see something that gave me hope the other day. Apparently Amazon has been issued a patent for a digital rights resale marketplace. I read about it over on Dear Author. I'll be very curious to see what this means for ebooks!!
DeleteEbook pricing is another thing. Who thinks Kindle books should be more expensive than their mmpb counterparts must be delusional.
DeleteI used to be such an ardent supporter of physical books, but the instant gratification of ebooks got me. I'm a fast reader and even though it's hard on my wallet, nothing beats being able to buy a book the minute I want to read it.
ReplyDeleteI'm maybe a little unusual in that I don't use a Kindle - I use the Kindle app on my phone or computer, or very rarely on my iPad. I like the ease of being able to just pick it up and put it back down all the time.
Yes, that instant gratification when buying an ebook is awesome!
DeleteI've been an e-book reader for almost 5 years, the first two of those I spent reading on my laptop. In all those years I've barely bought any paper book. At first it was a forced choice because I ran out of storage room, but once I got my Kindle I never looked back. I read more books now and I no longer feel book-angst when going on a trip (you know, the did-I-bring-enough-books angst) because I just bring my Kindle and problem solved. I'm also the queen of instant gratification, so being able to download a book just with one click is the best thing ever. E-books changed my reading habits, and because reading is a big part of my life, they also changed my life.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm reviewing I highlight and take notes, but those are features I (mostly) could do without.
Great post, ladies!
I can't believe you read on your laptop that long! I cannot read books on the computer. And when I leave the house, I have to bring my Kindle and a paperback book, just in case :)
DeleteGreat discussion! Two years ago I swore I'd never get an ereader because nothing beats paper (hardback, paperback, any format). But since most review books I receive are ebooks, reading on my Android tablet is a lifesaver. I use the notes and highlights function a lot, while with paper books I hate to have to put the book down to find pen and paper...
ReplyDeleteAnother plus is that, being an international blogger, many books that I want to read don't come to our bookstores, or are expensive to order from an online retailer.
I was once the same way - I thought I'd never get an ereader. But now that I've have one for a few years, I prefer reading ebooks.
Delete