I do not feel comfortable without a book nearby (a print book, That is). And the older I get, the more books I read at the sametime; Usually I’m in the midst of two or three. This is no boast, Because I’ve religiously avoided reading serious literature eversince the Course That required me to read Nausea and The Death of Ivan Illyich in the same week. Now I read mostly mysteries, Which I could argue are, in fact, serious literature, but I do not Because then I would not want to read them anymore. I get a lot of paperbacks from Amazon, Especially since I recently discovered how cheaply I can get distressed paperbacks There (i also get lots of distressed paperbacks from the Harvard Book Store in the interest of Supporting brick and mortar bookstores ).
Then one of my favorite mystery writers released a novella only in a Kindle version available through Amazon. In brokedown, downloaded the Kindle app to my laptop, Bought the novella, and read it online. For me, it was an empty experience. I did not enjoy it nearly as much as the print books by this author. The words just kind of lay there on the screen, and I found the glare annoying (I experience this constantly in my work, but it felt worse When I was reading for fun). I have not Bought any more ebooks. In havebeen trying to read From Manassas to Appomattox: Memoirs of the Civil War in America at the Internet Archive, but it’s been slow going in the online format.
I think I ‘m going to be in big trouble if print publishing ever goes the way of the dodo … But will it? In wonderment. As much as I love Electronic Library Resources (and I do! I really do! I much prefer doing research online to the print!), I do not love ebooks for pleasure reading, and I wonder just how much others actually read ebooks and enjoy them. And of course That point to my sending out a one-question survey. The survey question was this:
your pleasure reading:
- ___ Kindle (Nook, iPad, iPhone, other e-reader) OR
- ___ print?
That was it. In late the “survey” to about 60 Colleagues at home and around the country. They included academic, public, school, and special Librarians, Archivists, administrators, and digital specialists. Somewere seasoned librarians, somewere newbies (or relative newbies), somewere baby boomers, somewere digital natives, Gen X, Gen Y, Millennials … you get the idea. I’ve got a terrific response, and most people said They’d be very interested in hearing the results. So here they are:
- Those who prefer an e-reader for pleasure reading: 8
- Those who prefer print for pleasure reading: 31
- Those who indulge in bothering: 19
As with others of my brief surveys, Reviews some of the comments That Accompanied the survey responses provided additional context, so here are a few Of Those (completely anonymized, as always):
“I do not really like pleasure reading from my Kindle. I prefer when i am reading at home to read a [print] book. The navigation on my Kindle is not good. I hate not being Able to flip back to re-read an important issue passage. When I go back to read into a [print] book, I can remember Exactly where the paragraph was on the page. I can not do that with my Kindle. I also love cracking open a new book and enjoying ITS smell, the feel of high quality paper, and the art work of the dustjacket. “
” In do read print but I like to read in bed so I can read on my iPad with the Kindle app without having the lights on-and the other thing I like about reading on the iPad Is that I can look at Google maps to see the locations and Things Referred to in my story. “
” Print, Except When traveling, then the Kindle. “
” I stick to print but only because i get migraines and the glare / reflection from ereaders (I actually do own one, but still prefer print) gets to me after long periods of reading. “
” For Pleasure reading electronic is fine, for deeper reading I prefer print. Can not really answer because i feel they serve Different Purposes. “
” Kindle. I read more books, more Regularly [with it] than I ever’ll have. “
” iPad, with a very occasional print book (so occasional That I find myself tapping the page of the print book to turn it …). “
” What the heck are Those things you mention in the first line? Print hands down. “
” Kindle on train. Print at home. “
” Both! The Defining Factor ice if I want to share the book, if I’m reading on a beach, or traveling for more than a few weeks. “
” I use bothering. I like my iPhone when i travel (using the Kindle) but a [print] book in bed unless my husband complains about The Light When I read in bed and then I will switch to my phone. “
” Kindle for me! (This from a special collections librarian – it’s true, though). “
” Both. When traveling I always take my Kindle Because Of weightloss / space constraints and Usually a print book (or two). Right now I’m reading print, but i also read Electronically. I’m not that picky. “
” PRINT !!!! “
” It’s Funny Because five minutes ago I was talking to a colleague about how I tend to read magazines in print. The The New Yorker , Atlantic Law Library Journals. Most other pleasure reading ice Online, Including trashy romance novels! “
One respondent asked if my survey was related to the recentchanges The Washington Post article,” Why digital natives prefer reading in print. Yes, you read That right. “It was not, but I Certainly found the article interesting, considering the results of my Wholly unscientific survey. The thing is, I do know who Answered what, and I was struck by the fact-That-preferences definitely did not run along age lines. There were plenty of “young people” who preferred print, just as there were plenty of “seasoned folks” who preferred electronic or Used Both. For some, the form Followed function / environment; for others, one format or the other was simply preferred. I do know what my preference is, but i also respect the differing preferences my Colleagues reported. May we all pray Able to do our pleasure reading-in whatever format we prefer-for a very longtime.
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