Q&A with David Callinan discussion

I know the wave of the future is upon us with Nook and Kindle, but I'm interested to know your preference. Would you rather read a physical book, or an ebook?

Right now I don't own any sort of e-reading device (Kindle, NOOK, etc), so any ebooks I own have to be read on a PC or my iPhone. Granted a phone is portable, but if it's a choice between that or a physical book, right now I vote for a physical book.

I just hope more readers disagree with me: my stuff isn't available in print form yet.

I'm torn, J.M. I don't own a Kindle or Nook, either, and yet I realize I'm behind the times. I so love the feel and the smell of real books!

I have a Kindle and have no problem with reading books on it however my preference is for the printed book, the feel of it in my hand.

And, if it happens to be an autographed book, it makes the book all the more special.

I figured I'd never switch to ebooks. Until I got my kindle AND went on vacation. 10 books in my purse plus games was all it took to convince me. Now I'm hooked. I still read paper books, but I'm finding them heavy to hold and not enjoying them nearly as much now. Call me converted!

I only have a Kindle app not a Kindle and I have no other reading device. I see benefits in both print and non-print (digital devices). I love the feel and smell of real books but I write and market ebooks.
Ebooks may even encourage a new generation of readers that would never enter a bookshop and for authors ebooks open new opportunities and challenges.

There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to both. I easily move between the two.

I appreciate that since I always have my mobile phone with me, I always have something to read. I tend to prefer an ereader when I'm dealing with something that will have many unfamiliar terms, like some of the classics, since it's so easy to look up the definition. And I like being able to so effortlessly sync across devices.

With the paper book, though, I never have to worry about it becoming obsolete, edited after receipt, or (barring robbery or burglary) being seized from me. I can do with it as I please, lend it for as long as I want, and sell or give it away at my pleasure.

Hi BD,
You make some valid points with each way. Nice to hear from you! Thanks for your input!
Have a great weekend.
CJ

I like my Kindle, because I find it more comfortable to read. I can place it on the table, and can read even without holding it in my hands. (I often read while eating.)
There is another aspect I'd like to point out: I can discover new authors. There are a lot of writers out there, who cannot get over the editors' slush pile, but still write quality books. They self-publish in e-book format, and their books are available on readers.

C.J. wrote: "Hi BD,
You make some valid points with each way. Nice to hear from you! Thanks for your input!
Have a great weekend.
CJ"

Thank you! I hope yours was good, also.

I'm hooked on kindle, and I find I read twice as much. It's also great for editing documents.

I didn't think I'd like digital books at all but now I find it's wonderful for books I'd like to try. And then it's such a good deal with books that you might borrow from the library. Otherwise, I still prefer the printed book for my "favorites" reading.

I have always been a fan of holding the book in my hand. In this day and age, many "write" their books on the computer, but I have always found solace in writing them by hand - the way it was always done. Unfortunately, you have to keep up with technology waves and you have to play to the market in order to sell books - which is why I now sell eBooks as opposed to actual books. I'm sure that the major authors can do both easily, but for the rest of us, it's easier, cheaper, and pays more to publish everything as eBooks. Of course, that does mean that you have to actually purchase an e-reader. And has anyone noticed that the digital reader files for Nook and Kindle are not compatible? That ought to be fixed; there should just be one type of file used for all e-readers.