Why do you read ebooks? - Page 2

Mare of Earth · 02-09-2010, 04:33 PM

I can keep the entire contents of the local library in my purse, and in the palm of my hand, right in front of my eyes.
I love ebooks!

Dusty · 02-09-2010, 04:48 PM

All of the above reasons.
One pleasant surprise was the choice of books available from my local library. I have over a dozen books on reserve, once in a while I get an email telling me a book is ready for download, like a mini surprise present, all without leaving home.

BeccaAnn · 02-09-2010, 04:48 PM

Always have my library with me and I was running out of space in my apartment for books. Besides, I reread the majority of my books and the pbacks were looking well used in the spine and the sides were turning colors. Also, noone can tell what book I'm reading by the cover.

booklover6 · 02-09-2010, 04:53 PM

Currently I read ebooks that are usually short, and not available in print. My habits may change once my new Jetbook arrives. (And I have never paid more than $5 for an ebook, usually less)

LDBoblo · 02-09-2010, 05:04 PM

I read ebooks because I'm a masochist.

susan_cassidy · 02-09-2010, 05:13 PM

I like ebooks because they are easy to store, easy to find and buy books (no trips to the bookstore trying to find something to read), easy to read (adjustable font size), and I can pile up bunches of reading material and take it with me. No more carrying 2 books in my purse so I have something to read when I finish book #1.

ardeegee · 02-09-2010, 05:41 PM

For instant gratification, for obscure or rare things things, for things I find free (or very cheap) on the internet. When it comes to actually paying for ebooks, when the price is even close to the price of a used hardback copy on Amazon (or ebay, or whatever) then I will buy the physical book over the ebook 100 times out of 100.

Bremen Cole · 02-09-2010, 05:50 PM

Because it helps keep me out of trouble....

desertgrandma · 02-09-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdf9511

curious about why people are switching to the ebook format from the old paper books.

.

Because I can read what I want whenever I want, where-ever I am. I am never tied to whatever ratty book is rattling around in the car, or doctors office. My selection is only limited to what I have on my Kindle......or what I feel like downloading from Amazon.

No matter where I stop, it always opens to that same page.

I can read thousands upon thousands of books for FREE, legally, (public domain) that I would have to pay for, IF I could find them in a dusty shop.

I can read a HUGE volume, like "The Complete Stories of Arthur Conan Doyle" with a tiny device the size of a small paperback, for any length of time, without cramping my arms, hands, or getting a hernia.

If I had a physical handicap with my hands.....there would be no problem turning the page.

The font is adjustable. No more 'too tiny' type!

I can eat while I'm reading.........I just prop it up against the napkin holder, and turn with one finger...

I can download books from the library, (mobipocket for me, epub for others), upload to my Kindle, and the books close automatically after the loan period is done. No more running to the library, or worrying about overdue fines. This is huge!

There are many more reasons...these are just what popped thru my mind.

CW001 · 02-09-2010, 06:13 PM

Because I'm out of shelf space for paper books.

Sydney's Mom · 02-09-2010, 06:54 PM

Somewhere, I picked up that it was a sin to throw away a book. Consequently, since my local library doesn't have room for them, I have boxes and boxes of pbooks in the basement. I actually like it that I can't donate the ebook when I'm done - then I would have files and files on my computer!

Clancy_s · 02-09-2010, 07:28 PM

Pretty much the same as the OP: access and storage convenience. I'm in regional Australia, for years I've bought most of my books online, I get ebooks (almost) instantly, can carry around my whole library and don't have to find more storage space.

HorridRedDog · 02-09-2010, 08:52 PM

There are uncommon books (mostly history and maps) that will probably never make it to ebook form.

But for the rest I like having a few bookshelves in one hand.

What makes it really great though are the new writers. My purchases may help to launch the next great writer. Or maybe only launch a dream within someone.

SCION · 02-09-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorridRedDog

What makes it really great though are the new writers. My purchases may help to launch the next great writer. Or maybe only launch a dream within someone.

mollybo · 02-09-2010, 09:00 PM

I started when I realized my husband and I had been married for only about four years and were filling an entire bookshelf (tall) worth of books a year. Were we going to collect ourselves out of house and home? Then this thing called the Rocket eBook came along as a solution to our problems ... a short lived solution, it turned out, but the ebook revolution seems to have caught on this time around.

Now it's form factor and convenience. I don't *like* holding a book open with both hands. I don't *like* waiting for Amazon to deliver a book, even with Prime shipping. Poor impatient me, but ebooks solve my "problems".

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02-09-2010, 04:33 PM	#16
Mare of Earth Leaver of Hoofmarks Posts: 207 Karma: 24077 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Alabama Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle Paperwhite 4	I can keep the entire contents of the local library in my purse, and in the palm of my hand, right in front of my eyes. I love ebooks!

02-09-2010, 04:48 PM	#17
Dusty Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 500076 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Device: sony 300, T1	All of the above reasons. One pleasant surprise was the choice of books available from my local library. I have over a dozen books on reserve, once in a while I get an email telling me a book is ready for download, like a mini surprise present, all without leaving home.

02-09-2010, 04:48 PM	#18
BeccaAnn Groupie Posts: 188 Karma: 660 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spearfish, SD, USA Device: Sony PRS-505	Always have my library with me and I was running out of space in my apartment for books. Besides, I reread the majority of my books and the pbacks were looking well used in the spine and the sides were turning colors. Also, noone can tell what book I'm reading by the cover.

02-09-2010, 04:53 PM	#19
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Currently I read ebooks that are usually short, and not available in print. My habits may change once my new Jetbook arrives. (And I have never paid more than $5 for an ebook, usually less)

02-09-2010, 05:04 PM	#20
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	I read ebooks because I'm a masochist.

02-09-2010, 05:13 PM	#21
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I like ebooks because they are easy to store, easy to find and buy books (no trips to the bookstore trying to find something to read), easy to read (adjustable font size), and I can pile up bunches of reading material and take it with me. No more carrying 2 books in my purse so I have something to read when I finish book #1.

02-09-2010, 05:41 PM	#22
ardeegee Maratus speciosus butt Posts: 3,292 Karma: 1162698 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-350	For instant gratification, for obscure or rare things things, for things I find free (or very cheap) on the internet. When it comes to actually paying for ebooks, when the price is even close to the price of a used hardback copy on Amazon (or ebay, or whatever) then I will buy the physical book over the ebook 100 times out of 100.

02-09-2010, 05:50 PM	#23
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	Because it helps keep me out of trouble....

02-09-2010, 06:13 PM	#25
CW001 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	Because I'm out of shelf space for paper books.

02-09-2010, 06:54 PM	#26
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	Somewhere, I picked up that it was a sin to throw away a book. Consequently, since my local library doesn't have room for them, I have boxes and boxes of pbooks in the basement. I actually like it that I can't donate the ebook when I'm done - then I would have files and files on my computer!

02-09-2010, 07:28 PM	#27
Clancy_s Zealot Posts: 133 Karma: 1010308 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Newcastle, NSW Device: Kobo Glo HD	Pretty much the same as the OP: access and storage convenience. I'm in regional Australia, for years I've bought most of my books online, I get ebooks (almost) instantly, can carry around my whole library and don't have to find more storage space.

02-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#28
HorridRedDog Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1592 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: PRS-600 EB-1150	There are uncommon books (mostly history and maps) that will probably never make it to ebook form. But for the rest I like having a few bookshelves in one hand. What makes it really great though are the new writers. My purchases may help to launch the next great writer. Or maybe only launch a dream within someone.

02-09-2010, 09:00 PM	#30
mollybo Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 2896 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Rocket eBook, Gemstar, and Kindle 3	I started when I realized my husband and I had been married for only about four years and were filling an entire bookshelf (tall) worth of books a year. Were we going to collect ourselves out of house and home? Then this thing called the Rocket eBook came along as a solution to our problems ... a short lived solution, it turned out, but the ebook revolution seems to have caught on this time around. Now it's form factor and convenience. I don't like holding a book open with both hands. I don't like waiting for Amazon to deliver a book, even with Prime shipping. Poor impatient me, but ebooks solve my "problems".