How many of you read ebooks?

[mikeymikec]

A friend posted this on FB:

As FB images tend to go bye-bye after a while, it says (presented as thoughts in one's head):

"Me: I'm not buying any more books until I've read the ones I've had
Me to me: You'll read them all eventually. Add to your collection."

I read this from the perspective of wanting to avoid filling one's house up with books, and considering that most of us don't live in mansions, I assume this is how most people read this, thought I suppose it's not necessarily purely about physical books. I've been reading ebooks almost exclusively for a few years now (I started with my first smartphone in 2012 IIRC), and I've read far more books in that period than in the rest of my life, and they take up zero physical space.

 

[Feneant2]

I used to buy a lot of books... stopped for a while, gave some to friends/family, stored the others and moved to ebooks. But now I built a library in my basement using Billy's from Ikea and filled them with physical books I've been buying and I love it. It's the most quiet room in the house, it has no TV, no distractions so it feels like an escape.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't read much anymore. I used to read a ton, but the internet's ruined my attention span. I have too many physical books, and have run out of room. If I do read, it's an ebook. Ebooks make it easy to get something cause "I might like to read that some day". They only take up a small space on a drive.

 

[cbrunny]

Wife does both. I do both. It's all good.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I read a lot and am 100% ebook now. Since I got my Nook like 5 years ago I've not bought or read a real physical book.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I do both but given the option I'll take ebook. I prefer reading on my kindle and I'm out of room.

 

[TallBill]

I've been using the pretty extensive Army in Europe library system lately to get paper books, but they have an overdrive setup as well. Next book will be on my kindle fire. It doesn't seem like I can renew my checkouts though which sucks.

 

[Yakk]

I switched to audio books about 10 years ago. If a title is not available in audio format, then I'll buy the physical book.

 

[Mai72]

I switched to audio books about 10 years ago. If a title is not available in audio format, then I'll buy the physical book.

You also have to watch out for the abridged versions. I'll avoid abridged books because it's not the full book. It's the condensed version and I'm not really into that. That's why all of my audio books are unabridged.

 

[Mai72]

I like ebooks because I can take my book collection wherever I'm going. They're all on my phone. Also, I like using the read aloud as well. I read a lot of information type books so I listen to the book via the read aloud and then I'll go back and reread the book while highlightibg key points.

I had read that most Americans read 1 book a year. And, that's probably exaggerated.

 

[Yakk]

You also have to watch out for the abridged versions. I'll avoid abridged books because it's not the full book. It's the condensed version and I'm not really into that. That's why all of my audio books are unabridged.

Yeah always unabridged. Once in a while I also look at GraphicAudio for some fiction/fantasy novels. Their unabridged full cast with orchestral scores can add a lot of atmosphere to certain types on novels.

 

[Mai72]

Yeah always unabridged. Once in a while I also look at GraphicAudio for some fiction/fantasy novels. Their unabridged full cast with orchestral scores can add a lot of atmosphere to certain types on novels.

The person reading the book will make or break the audio version. There are some books that are horrible via audio, but the actual book is really good. The person reading it sucked. IMO, most authors should not read their books. They should hire talent who do nothing but work with audio for a living.

A good example of this is IT by Stephen King. I have the audio which is narrated by Steven Weber. He does a fantastic job of reading the book. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is narrated by Grover Gardner. He did a phenomenal job. Others are Washington: A Life, Columbine, North Korea: Nothing to Envy, and Conquistador. All done very well via audio. All are unabridged.

 

[Kazukian]

I read ebooks and audiobooks, love not having physical books to manage.

PSA, Amazon has a killer deal on refurbished paper white Kindles today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...btag=bc21dd00a2f844728a23cbbce2b126bcf55e156c

 

[IronWing]

I've tried reading a couple books on the iPhone. It's okay for short periods. I haven't had an opportunity to try out an e-ink reader yet. I suspect I would like that better.

 

[Thebobo]

You should of added AudioBooks in your poll. I listen to Audio Books that I get for free from my county library. These sites also have tons of EBooks to check out as well - all free. I listen to Audio books commuting. I actually look forward taking the commute to continue the book.

As an example here are the two Audiobooks services my county library contracts for country residents.

As an example here are the two services.

• 
  Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium (Overdrive)
  Downloadable audiobooks for adults, teens, and children from OverDrive. (This service also has readable e-books.)
  
  
• 
  OneClickDigital Audiobooks
  Downloadable audiobooks for adults, teens, and children. Most of these titles are always available and you won't have to place holds. There are some exceptions to the "always available" rule, including the Pimsleur Language Learning titles.

 

[mikeymikec]

The person reading the book will make or break the audio version. There are some books that are horrible via audio, but the actual book is really good. The person reading it sucked. IMO, most authors should not read their books. They should hire talent who do nothing but work with audio for a living.

I know what you mean, my wife bought me The Hobbit in audiobook format by the BBC. They picked the oddest voice for Gandalf, who sounds like he would be more at home as a bank manager who has a bone to pick with you, than a wizard.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'm 99% all ebooks for new purchases. Last time I moved I had half a closet full of boxes of fiction books, plus a couple of bookcases full of technical books from the days before StackOverflow.

I'll only buy a paper book now if the publisher is a jerk and is charging more for the ebook. Even then I'll sometimes just decide to wait a year and see if the price drops.

 

[Chaotic42]

I buy them from time to time. I collect math books and it would be nice if they were all digital, but they're rarely offered in that format. Unfortunately for some reason many Kindle eBooks aren't available on their eInk devices. I hate reading anything on LCDs. I hope eInk technology really takes off and we can one day get crisp, clear, colorful eInk screens for computers.