Books on the Nightstand discussion

Do you think ebooks make as good a gift for Christmas and birthdays as print editions?

Which would you rather give? Which would you rather receive?

If it's the thought that count, are ebooks more thoughtful - think environment, paper, printing, transportation.

Which format do you find more enjoyable to read - ebook or print?

I love e-books when I want to look up a definition or highlight something. I read more print books.

I listen to books most of the time.

Dear Gerald
Thank you for joining the discussion. I listen to books, too, but find I only enjoy doing this when I'm walking. Otherwise, I read a mix of ebooks and print. I prefer print because so much of life now takes place on a screen that it's a pleasure to read from the printed page.

Not to be pushy, but since you say to like fiction based on history, you might like, 'In A Town Called Paradox', a novel I co-wrote with Richard Starks. It's set in 1950s Utah when, in fact, the Big Five Hollywood studios were there filming their blockbuster Westerns. Sorry, it's not yet an audio book, but we're working on that.

Regards, Miriam

Miriam wrote: "Do you think ebooks make as good a gift for Christmas and birthdays as print editions?

Which would you rather give? Which would you rather receive?

If it's the thought that count, are ebooks mo..."

To answer your question, yes, depending on the person. Mind you I am more likely to give a gift card and let the person get something I really like. I don't have an eReader myself and I do prefer a physical book, but I would have no problem using one., On the other hand my wife prefers the eReader, the library takes up less space.

I embrace them both. Of course I grew up reading books that were bound paper. The covers were often the draw in early years and then the authors, subject and other preferences decided what to read. E-books have their place in my reading plans. Often I am able to borrow these or purchase far more easily, at less cost and space usage than a physical book. I like that I can search for a passage quickly, look up a word, highlight an interest, increase the text size and take many titles with me in my purse.

Like Gerald I listen to audio books regularly.

I'm a reader. I will read in any format. I am also a life-time library supporter. I could never have read all that I have without them.

I have never thought about gifting an e-book. More often I will purchase hardbound editions of what I think of as keepers for my younger giftee, paperbacks for those that may not be kept for varying reasons. Generally a gift of book for adults would be hardbound, or a gift certificate to an independent bookstore.

Would I like a digital gift? Yes.

While I wish my attitude about e-books was aligned with Carol’s, I would never again read an e-book, and I listen to an average of one audio book a year. I like my paper! I read about 100 books a year, all paper, so I would much prefer either a gift certificate or paper book as a gift.

Miriam says:
I find e-books are life savers when you're travelling. (Remember those days!) You can amass quite a library to take with you. Also, the generous e-book previews that are available to download are useful in deciding which e-books to buy. I often use these preview opportunities when I'm looking for new authors to try. Much as I am a fan of libraries, during the early Covid months, for obvious reasons, I avoided taking out their print editions but chose a lot of reads from their e-books catalogs.

Where I live the library was close during Covid. My wife was fine as she uses eBooks anyway. I have a fair-sized personal library as well, even if a good chunk of it is in storage.

Gerald wrote: "I listen to books most of the time."

Me, too!

Jo Ann wrote: "While I wish my attitude about e-books was aligned with Carol’s, I would never again read an e-book, and I listen to an average of one audio book a year. I like my paper! I read about 100 books a y..."

I love your response Jo Ann. As much as I embrace those e-books, I use my cell phone mostly to listen to audio books.

Miriam wrote: "Miriam says:
I find e-books are life savers when you're travelling. (Remember those days!) You can amass quite a library to take with you. Also, the generous e-book previews that are available to d..."

You give many good examples of the appeal and convenience of e-books. One other for me is the saving of paper for ARC's, (advance reading copies) and galleys. Publishers give many of these away before the actual publication of the book. These cannot be sold, and rarely are they to be shared. I really dislike discarding them when I am finished reading one. Digital is perfect for this dilemma.

Miriam wrote: "Do you think ebooks make as good a gift for Christmas and birthdays as print editions?

Which would you rather give? Which would you rather receive?

If it's the thought that count, are ebooks mo..."

I read them both and I like them both but as gifts, giving or receiving, always a print edition.

ebook pros:
Lighted screen makes it much more amenable to reading in bed or in a darkened room
If you travel, you can take your ENTIRE library with you and never be at a loss for something to read
Love to be able to look up words and / or people
If you have an Echo device, they can read your kindle book to you
Easier to read books with many pages

print books pros:
3 words: Used Book Stores
When you're finished with a book, you can pass it along to a friend or library
I just love to look at all the books on our shelves
Much easier to see any included illustrations, esp. maps
*BEST* for gift giving

audiobook pros:
Listen to on a commute to work
If you're on public transportation, having the earbuds in makes people less likely to talk to you
You can listen and knit at the same time
Makes workout time go much faster