Anyone still read actual paper books? (years, best, travel, place)

[CatPeople]

Walking through Costco, there is a book section, some people browsing. Are they just bored waiting for someone or do people still read books today? I loved paper books as a kid, audio books later, now computer simulations of books. Books take up space so download it to the computer and delete when bored or done. I read an actual paper library book maybe once a year, here we have virtual rentals that expire like paper books so why drive a car for miles? Back and forth, waste of time.

[evening sun]

I get a library book for my book club, if I can't get the kindle version free. If I have to pay for a book, I am definitely getting the kindle version. I find paper books too hard to handle.

[oddstray]

I do read e-books, but I massively prefer paper books. I like the physical experience of it. Books were my salvation and escape when I was an unhappy kid, and I think the physical experience is almost as wonderful as the mental/emotional experience of reading.

Luckily we have a Barnes & Noble close to where we live. They may still be in business thanks in no small part to DH and me. We spend at least a couple of hundred dollars a year - usually more. And always donate/swap the books when we're done, usually to small libraries that many RV parks/campgrounds have these days.

I also make liberal use of the library when we're at home. For both paper books and e-books.

I read e-books on a Pixel C tablet. Makes it difficult to read outside. I may invest in a dedicated e-reader that's easier to use outside, and then may read more e-books than I do now.

[Fern435]

Yes, I read paper books from the library or from our own book shelves. Hopeless bibliophile here!

[upnorthretiree]

I was one of the bookworms who swore up and down that ebooks would never replace the feel of a real book. Until The day I was given an iPad and used it to read a book. There was no turning back. I still read maybe 10 paper books a year, from the library, on those occasions when a new book catches my eye during a book club meeting. The rest are all digital. I buy some on amazon, but read many more through overdrive, which is the library ebook program, and also pay a monthly fee to scribd to access their ebook system.

Reasons all are variations on convenience. I can zap the book onto my iPad in seconds at times when the library and bookstores are closed, and without traffic, looking for parking, and using gas. I live in a remote area where bookstores are nonexistent and there is only one good but small library. Through overdrive, I belong to three large library systems. When traveling, I can carry around thousands of books on my little iPad. I can adjust size and style of print. And it’s backlit, no need to have a bright reading lamp.

So I sit in my bookcase and book lined study, which still gives me a sense of coziness and pleasure, reading on my iPad. The best of both worlds!

[Trekker99]

Prefer paper books & magazines.

But will force myself to read on-line articles.

A whole e-book??? Makes my head hurt just thinking about it.

[Frank Purlin]

Yep. I do. Paper books are great.

E-books are great too.

I read around 60 books per year (90% non fiction).

[VTsnowbird]

I got a basic Kindle when DH was in the hospital and I was staying with him. But I haven't used it in years. I prefer real books and have a bunch in abeyance, waiting to be read. I do have a Kindle Fire tablet but I just use it for internet, not reading books.

[SoCal25]

I usually just buy the cheapest version, sometimes that's the e-version but often it's a hardcopy at the local used bookstore.

[oldgardener]

I kept shelves and shelves full of books for 40+ years. I hated having to keep them dusted all the time, it was quite a chore. Switched to a Kindle and never looked back.