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« Last post by JFriday on May 19, 2023, 01:33 PM »
I've been thinking about something since Vijaya said she liked the cover of my paperback in the water cooler Welcome thread. I'm wondering if others feel the same way I do about the experience of reading an ebook vs. the physical book.
I have a Kindle because I published ebooks along with my paperbacks and hardbacks. I figured I really should be able to read my ebooks if I have them. Although I've downloaded other books, I find I rarely reach for my Kindle to read a book. I would much rather hold a book in my hands and turn the pages. Even if it costs more.
One of the things that drives me nuts is I don't see the cover as I'm reading through an ebook. With a physical book, I see the cover every time I pick up the book (or notice it lying around and think oh, I can't wait till I have the time to read that). When I open an ebook, the cover disappears. When I'm done reading, it just goes back to a flat Kindle. I really like seeing covers, some of them are beautiful. I feel cheated.
I've also noticed when I read an ebook, I tend to forget it quickly. That goes for both fiction and non-fiction. It's just gone. Does that happen to anyone else? With a physical book, not only do I get the pleasure of repeatedly seeing the cover, but I can feel the weight of the book in my hands, physically turn the pages and hear the paper, easily re-read passages I like, fan the pages as I read (am I the only one who does that?), underline or highlight (I know I can do it on an ebook, but it's not the same), and then see the book, even if it's only the spine on my bookshelf, and remember it. It's more of a reading experience - touching, smelling, seeing, hearing. So I remember it much longer.
Has anyone else thought about this? Does anyone else miss having a physical book when reading on a Kindle or tablet? I've even bought several paperback books after reading them as an ebook. Have I totally missed the train or am I not alone?