On physical books versus ebooks, five upcoming releases that genuinely sound amazing, please give me author of the week recommendations, and a series that I adore: Beartown
I completely agree on the physical books. It’s how I learned and how my kids learned too. There’s something almost magical about the smell and feel about books. I always think about “You’ve Got Mail” and how Meg Ryan’s characters love and appreciate books so much. I’ll always opt for a book if it’s one of my favorite authors. I love building a “library” that I can hopefully pass along to my kids one day.
People get passionate on this topic, but I don't see it as a competition. I enjoy the tactile feel and romance of a physical book. But I also enjoy the ease and portability of an ebook (such as the ability to read on my phone if I find myself with a spare moment). I also enjoy audio books, and the ability to consume them when I am walking or biking. I used them each at different times for different reasons.
Yeah, to me the bottom line is while anyone can have their own personal preference, anything any individual does is fine. I do think writers tend to be more into the romance of publishing. So we like the idea of seeing a wall of books and the idea of the "permanence" of printed books, even if some of those things are more emotional than reality. Readers are hard to attract and keep, so I am grateful if people consume my writing in any form or on any platform.
I've always preferred physical books. recently got into the habit of only buying second hand books as well. when i start reading, i always wonder who would have read this before i did. plus there is soo much more to choose from..
I tried an ereader and it didn't work for me (for reasons that are too long to get into here), I just didn't like it. I will go for second-hand books for things I know I want to keep and read more than once, but I'll try a library too, before I look to purchasing new books (and, again, then only if it's one I'm sure I'll want to keep).
Moving is always a challenge when I have half of my boxes filled with books!
Love me some physical books. They are the best. However like you, when traveling nothing beats an ereader. There is a section of your newsletter that I always get confused by. Probably a me thing and everyone else gets it. The Top Reads. Are those your top reads from last week that were on the lists or ...?
Whilst I do love a physical book and have my own little library at home, The space restrictions you have on a warship means that I do have a LOT of books on my Kindle.
Great rundown of the difference between Ebooks and physical copies. I still prefer to hold a book in my hands. But I am ever so grateful for my Kindle when I'm traveling, like now. It enables me to take as many books as I want along with me in case I get bored. Or finish a book faster than I think!
I'm currently writing my next Substack which is going to be about my Kindle. There's just something about physical books, though - as you say, they amplify the joy of reading.
Thank you for sharing the upcoming releases, I know "I Hope This Finds You Well" is a romance but that would be *such* a good name for a horror/thriller!
I quite agree. I've roughly a hundred feet of book shelving loaded with pleasure as well as reference. I just checked & I've 683 ebooks in my computer.
Paper & ebooks have a place in today's world & we mustn't loose sight of the value of both.
Thank you! It definitely helps to disconnect. The kindle is really nice to travel and ease of use, but I’d look into a kobo because you can annotate them!
I completely agree on the physical books. It’s how I learned and how my kids learned too. There’s something almost magical about the smell and feel about books. I always think about “You’ve Got Mail” and how Meg Ryan’s characters love and appreciate books so much. I’ll always opt for a book if it’s one of my favorite authors. I love building a “library” that I can hopefully pass along to my kids one day.
Yes, for sure! That’s a brilliant idea.
People get passionate on this topic, but I don't see it as a competition. I enjoy the tactile feel and romance of a physical book. But I also enjoy the ease and portability of an ebook (such as the ability to read on my phone if I find myself with a spare moment). I also enjoy audio books, and the ability to consume them when I am walking or biking. I used them each at different times for different reasons.
I think this is such a great take. I too use both and like both for different reasons!
Yeah, to me the bottom line is while anyone can have their own personal preference, anything any individual does is fine. I do think writers tend to be more into the romance of publishing. So we like the idea of seeing a wall of books and the idea of the "permanence" of printed books, even if some of those things are more emotional than reality. Readers are hard to attract and keep, so I am grateful if people consume my writing in any form or on any platform.
I completely agree. It’s definitely more romanticized for myself and other writers to have that physical copy.
I've always preferred physical books. recently got into the habit of only buying second hand books as well. when i start reading, i always wonder who would have read this before i did. plus there is soo much more to choose from..
Same! Even better if there’s a handwritten message in the front.
I tried an ereader and it didn't work for me (for reasons that are too long to get into here), I just didn't like it. I will go for second-hand books for things I know I want to keep and read more than once, but I'll try a library too, before I look to purchasing new books (and, again, then only if it's one I'm sure I'll want to keep).
Moving is always a challenge when I have half of my boxes filled with books!
Hi! Thanks for your comment! I’m moving soon and that’s actually part of the reason I made this - I’m dreading having to move all my books lol!
I hired a moving company the last time, it was well worth it! I also choose the smallest boxes for the heaviest things, like books.
I think that might have to happen this time!
Yes!! I love a good second hand book.
I love a physical book and even take them with me on holiday.
Me too! Bringing two with me next month :)
Love me some physical books. They are the best. However like you, when traveling nothing beats an ereader. There is a section of your newsletter that I always get confused by. Probably a me thing and everyone else gets it. The Top Reads. Are those your top reads from last week that were on the lists or ...?
Hi! Apologies for any confusion - those are books that have recently joined the bestseller lists so not my own top reads!
gotcha
Whilst I do love a physical book and have my own little library at home, The space restrictions you have on a warship means that I do have a LOT of books on my Kindle.
Yes the kindle is super helpful when you lack space!
Great rundown of the difference between Ebooks and physical copies. I still prefer to hold a book in my hands. But I am ever so grateful for my Kindle when I'm traveling, like now. It enables me to take as many books as I want along with me in case I get bored. Or finish a book faster than I think!
Thank you! I completely agree that the kindle is so helpful and convenient for traveling.
I'm currently writing my next Substack which is going to be about my Kindle. There's just something about physical books, though - as you say, they amplify the joy of reading.
Thank you for sharing the upcoming releases, I know "I Hope This Finds You Well" is a romance but that would be *such* a good name for a horror/thriller!
Can’t wait to hear what you have to say! And yes, that would be such a great title for a thriller!!
I quite agree. I've roughly a hundred feet of book shelving loaded with pleasure as well as reference. I just checked & I've 683 ebooks in my computer.
Paper & ebooks have a place in today's world & we mustn't loose sight of the value of both.
I completely agree!
Thank you! It definitely helps to disconnect. The kindle is really nice to travel and ease of use, but I’d look into a kobo because you can annotate them!