With the rise of the Kindle and many people now opting to read a book in eBook format, we put it to the test to find which one comes out on top.
Do books come out on top?
Holding the book in its physical form – Let’s be honest, we get so much more satisfaction holding a book in paper form than we do on an electronic device. It feels better, looks better and for some, overall better in every way. Not to mention we can physically see where we are in a book; whether that be at the start, middle or nearing the end so no surprise endings.
Smell of a book – What is it with books and their smell? There’s nothing like holding a well-thumbed book, with it pages yellowing and taking in the glorious smell of the book. It calms us and sends us to a happy place where here we get lost in another world.
Sharing the book with friends – How many of you love to share a book you really enjoyed after you have finished it? With the Kindle, this is a thing of the past! You will no longer be able to lend your favourite book to your friends and unless they go and buy the book themselves, you will not be able to discuss the book with them. Although on a positive, at least people can’t steal your books or take longer than necessary to return it.
You can put them on the bookcase – Walking in to someone’s house and seeing a book case full of books gives the impression to others that you are intelligent. Others will think highly of you and it is a subtle way to brag about your knowledge. You can’t do that with a Kindle!
You can show it off in public – Have you ever been on a train and seen someone opposite you and sneakily checked out the front cover of their book? I know I have! We’re all told not to judge a book by its cover but deep down we all do and this is no exception. Seeing someone reading one of your favourite books on the train makes you think highly of someone and you might even spot some new ones to read on your travels. You may even strike up conversation and meet a new friend.
Kindle
Light – The Kindle is light meaning your bag is not weighed down by huge, heavy books. Walking around with ‘The Hobbit’ sure can put strain on your back!
More space in the suitcase – Have you ever struggled fitting in a good amount of books in your suitcase for your holiday? With the Kindle you can carry over 1000 books so you don’t have the hard decision on choosing which ones to take away with you. Result!
You can carry round several books at once – When you know you’ve nearly finished a book but don’t have room in your bag to squeeze in a second, this can become frustrating. With the Kindle, you can carry round 1,500 books without any weight gain added to your bag so you can read at your pleasure.
Paper-like quality – Many people worry about switching over from books to eReaders as they feel like they are not delivered with the same quality as a physical book. However, the kindle has no backlight (so it will not strain your eyes) and the screen provides clean, clear and crisp pages that almost look like a real book.
Quickly download books – So, you really want to buy a book but all the shops are closed? With the Kindle, you can buy eBooks 24/7 and they are downloadied within 2 seconds ready for you to read. No more travelling to and from the shops!
More space – Holding over 1000 books on one small device means there is more space in your house to hold other things. You no longer need to struggle to find space for your latest book!
Cheaper books – eBooks are often cheaper than physical books, meaning that you will save money, which is always good, especially for students and people on a budget.
The future –With the ever growing rise of the Kindle and other eReaders, we will more than likely wave goodbye to the book. Technology is consuming our lives and as we adapt, other platforms are likely to take a backseat. Printed novels are likely to become a thing of the past.
Do you prefer the Kindle over the classic book? Are there any other positives for the book or Kindle that we’ve missed? Let us know your views by commenting below or tweeting @FemaleFirst
By Claire Lancaster
Tagged in Books