How many of us are reading exclusively in electronic format?

[beachwanderer]

Reading in electronic format makes up a sizeable amount of my reading. And it does so, with a rising tendency, since 2003. But interestingly I find that, as the amount of electronic reading I have to do in my job or that I do for gathering information is rising over the years, I like to have a recreational break with an old paper book. Its rather like having a good wine or scotch. -

And, I have to add that and I'm strict on this: For recreational reading I buy only titles without DRM. So I'm not a customer of one of the big portals, paying for "reading licenses only" - Sorry, Kobo, Amazon and others .... (Note: I'm okay with DRM as far as lending library ebooks e.g. via the "onleihe"-system in Germany is concerned.) With the job that's different, there is no way around DRM in many areas.

On the durability of ebooks/electronically stored information:

Ask yourself: Imagine you want to take down notes on your infant children about their progress in life that you want to pass on to them when they are in their twenties or thirties for them to keep. Which format would you use? Analog or digital?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by beachwanderer

...

Ask yourself: Imagine you want to take down notes on your infant children about their progress in life that you want to pass on to them when they are in their twenties or thirties for them to keep. Which format would you use? Analog or digital?

Digital! And keep a print-out on archival paper.

[WS64]

I don't read paper anymore.
If a book I want to read is not available as file I'll scan it myself.

[beachwanderer]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Digital! And keep a print-out on archival paper.

You, Sir, seem to be a wise man.

[sparklemotion]

I still read paper books, mainly because not everything I want to read is available in digital format.

[ucfgrad93]

I'm trying to. I love the ability to get a new book without leaving my house and without having to store a physical copy.

[sneakyspider]

I've not purchased many ebooks yet, mostly because I don't have the money for it right now, but ever since I bought my first ereader I haven't purchased a physical copy of a book. I'd want to read it on my ereader anyway, and I don't see the point in buying two copies. I'd only buy a physical book if it was unavailable in ebook format. Even then, I might wait awhile to see if it becomes available as an ebook.

[piperclassique]

They are only data, and all of my microsoft reader books are an obsolete format.

Calibre will convert them to whatever you fancy

[MrDoug]

Originally Posted by afv011

Pretty much all my reading is now electronic, I haven't read a "classic" book in a long time.

65 yrs old here.. for the past 50 yrs, I would buy the newpapers daily, magazines weekly.. I could not even leave the house without reading a paper newspaper.. not any more.. back just a couple of yrs ago.. I would send my wife down to the hotel lobby to get me a newspaper.. not anymore.. i just push a couple of buttons on my iPad and I have them.. faster and cheaper..
wow.. now when I look at a new stand on the corner I think.. your days are numbered.. sadly though.. but it's called I think Evolution..
Doug

[jojoba]

I don't use paper if I can avoid it, but some of the books I need for work (research) only come in paper.

[Katie1]

I am 99 44/100 % eReader! I Never read PB or HB pleasure books I still have a few Dog Breeding & Travel books tho LOL

[church mouse]

I fell out of love with reading because I fell out of love with paper books.

My first e-reader was bought for me about 5 years ago in the hope it might re-kindle (no pun intended) my desire to read. It worked, I have never read so much as in these last five years.

Electronic only for me. I cannot bear paper books and have never even been tempted to read those which lie untouched on my library shelves.

[Latinandgreek]

I much prefer reading ebooks, but not all of the books (fiction) that I would like to read are available as ebooks, so I will pick those up as paper books.

Many of the academic books that I need to read aren't available as ebooks, and I don't see that changing soon, unfortunately.

[cromag]

I prefer ebooks, but that's just a preference. Price is a big factor.

The conventional books (and old sci-fi magazines) I buy are mostly from used book stores and clearance houses.

I also read conventional books from the library.

[VeggieCat]

For me it's about the content, not about the delivery system. Even though I do prefer reading electronically over reading paper books, I have no problem reading a paper book. When I'm looking for a particular book to read I always check the Phoenix Online Digital Library for the Kindle book first, then I check my brick-and-mortar library if the Kindle book isn't available. If it's not available at either place then chances are I'm not going to read it.

I will admit that I do seem to have a weakness for the clearance racks at Half Price Books...