E book (digital) versus paper book, which do you prefer?

[Muushka]

We are seriously thinking about buying a used book store. As I am trying to learn more about business, I got to thinking my friends here on the DIS might help. So, which do you prefer and why? (Paper books or digital ones)

Thank you for helping us out!

 

[MIGrandma]

I love books. Real books.

I know those things like the kindle are getting more popular, but I can't see myself ever wanting one. To me, they are kind of expensive, and then having to purchase the books too.

I prefer just going to the library, and getting used books (I enjoy poking around in used book stores) sometimes too like at garage sales, library book sales, church sales, etc.

 

[AKL_Megs]

REAL books.

I have no desire to have a Kindle or the like, even though, in my career (I travel every week) such a thin option for reading would be ideal.

I love how a book smells, how it feels in my hands, how you can visually see your progress... I love to "dog ear" pages, to curl the front page around the spine and back of the book as I read, to have a bookmark...

To me, there is nothing like a BOOK.

Good luck in your venture!

 

[Muushka]

Thanks you 2!
It really is a scary thing to think about starting a business (during this recession!), but your words are encouraging.

 

[froggygrrrl]

Paper books! I love collecting books and displaying them on shelves (and reading them, of course!). I have no intention of ever owning a Kindle. It seems like it takes all the personality out of reading. I want to physically turn each page, not scroll down on an electronic device. I enjoy looking through my bookshelves and noticing the covers of the books and then remembering something unique about the book itself or maybe what was going on during the time I read it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Real books. I always have at least one book or magazine in my car, and one at my bed. This way if I am in a restaurant alone or if I am waiting for someone I always have something to read. And if it is small I can just put it in my back pants pocket.

And for a good (humorous) book on running a bookstore, look for a book "The Customer is Always" by Lewis Meyer, which came out about 40 years ago.

 

[Muushka]

Well, so far so good.......thank you everyone who has answered.

 

[Muushka]

Real books. I always have at least one book or magazine in my car, and one at my bed. This way if I am in a restaurant alone or if I am waiting for someone I always have something to read. And if it is small I can just put it in my back pants pocket.

And for a good (humorous) book on running a bookstore, look for a book "The Customer is Always" by Lewis Meyer, which came out about 40 years ago.

Thank you for the tip! We will read that one!

 

[Mickey's Minion]

We are seriously thinking about buying a used book store. As I am trying to learn more about business, I got to thinking my friends here on the DIS might help. So, which do you prefer and why? (Paper books or digital ones)

Thank you for helping us out!

what do I prefer? A real book

what do I use? my kindle

I see more and more of my friends moving to the Kindle, especially for when they travel.

But, I will always have at least one real book around to read in the bathtub. Electronic devices don't do well in bubble baths.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

real books. DH and I buy nearly 100% of our books these days at used bookstores or used on the internet! I have no interest in getting a kindle or any other kind of electronic book reader.
I love the feel and smell of books and actually having one in my hands. I always have a book to read in my purse at all times!

Good luck with the bookstore, if you decide to go for it! I truly appreciate used bookstores and the people who sell back books there...I never let go of books, but I am grateful to people who do so that I can give them a new home!

 

[3boymthr]

Seriously I totally prefer my real books as reading on my laptop just isn't as liberating as a book plus what happens if the power goes out. And truly when I'm done with a book I want to get some of my money back by selling it. But so many books, especially from the independent publishers only publish in e-book format or publish in e-book for the price of standard paperback then release in tradepaperback for $10 or more, that I have been buying a lot of titles directly in pdf format because it's either the only affordable way to buy the book or just plain the only way to buy the book. So many of the up and coming authors have started out at these publishers lately and a bunch of other authors are releasing some of their quirkier titles through them; Lora Leigh's breed series started out with an independent publisher and Susan Sizemore has released a couple of non-standard titles through another and I can think of many more.

I have to say one of my favorite places to get books is my local used book store - any way I can save money on books is good. Plus my used book store will order new books for me and gives me a 20% discount off the cover price on all new titles no matter how obscure - not just the best sellers .

 

[suejai]

Put me down for real books as well. I like to read in bed and in the tub. Besides I spend so much time in front of an electronic screen, it is nice to be able to rest my eyes on paper.

Good luck in your new venture

 

[bumbershoot]

2 months ago? Book.

Now that I've gotten my hands on a kindle (thank you, amazon-working hubby)? KINDLE.


I'm looking at all of my filled bookshelves, and planning to sell almost all the books, and slowly replace them with e-books. Think of all the space. I've had to rent FAR bigger apartments than I really need, b/c of all the books. Poor trees.

I can't have old books around b/c they make me sneeze. Books catch dust on the tops, and dusting the tops of pages makes a horrible sound/feel (I can't touch terracotta without having a chalkboard/fingernail feeling and that's what it's like) so I don't do it, and then I sneeze.

I've been working out again (finally!), and the Kindle fits MUCH better on the elliptical machine book ledge than actual books did, and I can put both hands on the heart rate monitor doohickeys instead of holding one arm up to keep the pages flat, or hold the book in my hand and bend my neck down (ouch, and not possible on the elliptical or treadmill, but on the recumbent bike yes).


Plus, I'm on the computer so much that in the last couple years I kept thinking, as I would read (and realized I'd zoned out a bit), I would think "where did I read that bit, what is there to remember about that person", and I would wish for Control-F to find that page...and hey, the Kindle can do that. Perfecto!


But there are plenty of book people (as I was until late June until I played with a Kindle) out there, so I'm sure your store will do well.....BUT make sure it doesn't stink. So many used book and/or CD stores stink. Don't have a stinky store.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm going to vote for my Kindle.

There so many pros, I am sure I will miss some.

- I travel frequently and used to take two or three books with me. I would end up leaving them in hotels, cruise ships etc. With my Kindle, I can take as many books as I'd like.

- My Kindle has six font choices. It never occured to me earlier in life that I might experience eye problems, but I have. Being able to move to a larger font is a real plus. Most book stores have a very limited selection of large print books available. Not all books are printed in large print editions. With the largest generation ever aging, maybe this will change. My Kindle has already addressed that issue.

- Being able to shop for books 24/7 is wonderful. I realize that books can be ordered at any time of the day or night. With my Kindle, I can purchase a book at 3:00am amd begin reading at 3:01amd.

- I am able to test drive most books. Amazon allows me to download the the first 1,2 or 3 chapters (depending on the book) free of charge. This allows me the opportunity to find out if there is real interest in continuing.

- I also have the iPhone Kindle app. The Kindle and iPhone version communicate. If I read a bit on my Kindle and then find myself in line atthe bank....I can pull out my iPhone and the Kindle app sees that I have gone further and asks if I would like to sync to the last page read. The reverse is true as well. This allows me to spend those dead times reading in places I would never have though to bring a physical book. I dont think I could read a full book on my iPhone....but for 15 or 20 minutes, it's awesome.

- The Kindle has an onboard dosctionary. I can look up any word right then and there.

- The Kindle allows me to "clip" sections, quotes, pages etc. and keep then in a downloadable file.

- I live in a smallish house and have run out of room for storing books. I love the way they look and feel, but there are very few books that I re-read. There are refernce books and those that I have loved enough to re-visit, but I read mostly for pleasure. Being able to store 1500 books in a device the size of a small notepad works for me.

- The Kindle has exposed me to some terrific reading experiences that I would not have had were it not for the device. Wriiters are allowed to self publish via Amazon and the Kindle. I've found several books that I have thoroughly enjoyed that were free downloads.

There are cons to the Kindle as well, but the pros far outweigh them in my opinion.

Also...this is not an :all or nothing" situation. I still visit bookstores and buy the occasiona; book.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tink888]

REAL books.

I have no desire to have a Kindle or the like, even though, in my career (I travel every week) such a thin option for reading would be ideal.

I love how a book smells, how it feels in my hands, how you can visually see your progress... I love to "dog ear" pages, to curl the front page around the spine and back of the book as I read, to have a bookmark...

To me, there is nothing like a BOOK.
Good luck in your venture!

My thoughts exactly!!

 

[disneyhand]

I prefer books always!

However I do think that younger people are moving more toward technology and ebooks.

I work in a book related industry and can tell you that most brick and mortar stores I'm familiar with seem to be struggling. Sales are down and costs are going up.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Muushka]

disneyhand, are these new book stores? We were thinking that in a lousy economy people would be more careful with money and more likely to go to a used bookstore.

Very interesting. Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

 

[amid chaos]

I LOVE small, independant bookstores. My favorite one is struggling. With that being said, I also love my Kindle and have not bought a book FOR ME since I purchased it. However, I still continue to buy books for gifts.

 

[MelanieC]

100% Kindle girl here! I now only buy books that don't come out in Kindle that I absolutely have to have. I now can take my entire kindle book collection on any trip I go on. I was sold last year after we went to the Smoky Mtns and dragged about 10 books with me since we were in a cabin for a week. Now I just grab my small kindle and throw it in my carry on or purse.

 

[mickey&minnie04]

I want real books!! After spending the whole day staring at a computer screen why would I want to look at another screen to read?! A real book is so much better for my eyes and I just love having books on a shelf. not stored on a hard drive.