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Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to muse about one of several “bookish” questions… or, you can just ramble on about anything you like that pertains to books! You can join in by clicking the graphic above. Go ahead–it’s fun!
Here’s this week’s Musing Mondays ramble–
I came really late to the eBook party. I resisted buying a kindle because I’ve always loved the sight of the books on my many bookshelves and the feel of a book in my hands. The sight of my books is comforting to me, and they truly help to make my house my home.
I finally bought a kindle because I liked the idea of being able to borrow library books (and, more importantly, return them on time!) without leaving the house, and I thought it might be handy to be able to buy a book immediately if I ever just had to start reading something RIGHT NOW.
So I’m now a kindle person, and I do read via my kindle pretty regularly–and I don’t hate it. I love being able to have many reading choices at my fingertips when I’m away from home. I borrow quite a few eBooks from the library, but I’ve bought a lot, too.
But here’s the thing–if I purchase an eBook for my kindle and really enjoy it, I don’t even think twice about it–I buy that same book “for real.” It doesn’t even feel like it’s a choice–if I made a connection with the book, I don’t really feel as though I OWN it until the physical book is sitting on one of my bookshelves.
What about you–do you feel the need to possess the physical version of a book you enjoyed digitally? Or is the eBook version sufficient for you? I’d love to hear your take on this one!
Musings From A Bookmammal 
September 2, 2013 at 9:40 am
Hi,
Well, I don’t own an e reader yet. But as far as the possession question goes, I used to have the same problem with the books I borrowed from libraries. If I really liked a book I borrowed from a library, I had to go out and buy a copy.
Then, last year while trying to find out how to organize myself in a better way and get rid of stuff I had accumulated over the years, I found out about minimalism. And I didn’t turn into one of those minimalists who live with only two pairs of trousers, but I definitively reduced my stuff and simplified my life.
The most difficult part? To separate from books. But, I made a resolution and I donated many book to local libraries. I kept only my favorite books (that means still about 200) and now I’m planning to buy an e reader (when my finances allow it) and stop buying more paper books. While I don’t buy the e reader, I’m borrowing from libraries.
Great muse 🙂
Here’s mine:
Musing mondays – finding your blogging voice
September 2, 2013 at 10:25 am
I am actually pretty minimalistic in a lot of areas–I don’t like a lot of clutter, I don’t have a lot of “stuff”–but books are just in a whole different category for me! I don’t have piles and piles of them all over the house, but I have bookshelves in every room. I do periodically go through my books and either donate some or take some to a local used book store. But my books will always be a focal point in my home!
September 2, 2013 at 9:55 am
I was also late to the Kindle party but once I had it in my hands I was hooked. Although physical books will always hold a special place in my heart, I don’t feel their is any difference between an ebook and a paperback so I’m quite happy to have only one copy. In fact, ebooks take up a lot less room so they may be a better bet.
Here’s my Musing
September 2, 2013 at 10:00 am
I definitely agree with you about eBooks taking up less room-that’s one thing I love about my kindle when I’m traveling! But I just can’t break myself of the habit of actually SEEING my books around me–I’ve just resigned myself to the fact that my home will always be furnished in “American Book”!
September 2, 2013 at 11:01 am
When I got my first Nook I would also buy hard copies. Since I’ve been an ereader for such a long time, I don’t anymore.
September 2, 2013 at 11:32 am
So maybe I’ll eventually move out of this phase? We’ll see . . . 🙂
September 2, 2013 at 11:43 am
I initially resisted the idea of an e-reader but once I had one I generally prefer reading on it to real books. The bit that I do miss is lending really good books to my close friends – saying you should look out for ….. seems much less generous. I also miss having my favourites on the bookshelf although I was forever taking stacks to the charity shop to make way for new ones so perhaps that’s not such a bad thing. I am happier since getting a kindle fire as at least I get to see the covers now.
September 2, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Yes–the whole loaning books to friends thing is a completely different deal when you’re reading eBooks . . .
September 2, 2013 at 12:03 pm
YES. I refused to buy any sort of ereader until one day I just had a little more money to spend than usual and saw that my library had an ebool library so I bought a nook. Now I’m using an iPad. I’m pretty cheap so I don’t think I would ever go out and buy a physical copy if I already had an ebook copy but I haven’t come across an ebook that I fell in love with so much yet, so maybe someday. Great post!
September 2, 2013 at 12:09 pm
I know–I NEVER thought I would be a “kindle person”, yet here I am!
September 2, 2013 at 5:34 pm
I don’t feel the need to own the physical copy to feel like I own it. I have as many physical books as I can fit on my shelves anyway, so it has be to ebooks now anyway.
Sonia Lal @ Story Treasury
September 11, 2013 at 9:42 pm
I am the same way – when I read one I really like, I usually go and buy the physical book, but my reasons are a bit different. It’s not to feel like I own it. I love ebooks because I love to read tons and tons of books while not having to own tons and tons of physical books. But when I find one that I know I’ll want to read again or loan to people, that’s when I buy it. One thing I find challenging about ebooks is getting back to certain sections I remember from last time. I’m one of those visual people who remembers where it was on the page and that just doesn’t work on a Kindle! And a lot of the joy of a great book for me is loaning it out again and again. Amazon’s one loan ever policy just doesn’t do it for me!
Thanks for sharing this on Booknificent Thursday! Great discussion!
Tina
September 12, 2013 at 6:18 am
I agree with you about the lending limit–that’s one of the big drawbacks for me about the Kindle.
And–I am also a person who can remember exactly where on the page a certain section is, and you’re right–I can’t do it as well when I’m reading an eBook! I’d never really realized that before!
September 14, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Here’s a random thought: In the case of a zombie apocalypse where no electricity is available, what will happen to all of us biblio-vores hungry for a good read? We’ll have paper books, and Kindle owners will have a sleek, $200+ thing best used for chucking at the undead.
For more anti-eReader arguments (that don’t involve a zombie uprising), check out my own post: http://kelizaeverson.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/confessions-of-a-21st-century-bookworm/
September 14, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Can’t discount those zombies . . . 🙂