Really? When I borrow something from the library, I instinctively feel obligated to read it immediately before the due date sneaks up on me.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Does Anyone Buy Physical Books These Days?
- Thread starter MICHAELSD
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Really? When I borrow something from the library, I instinctively feel obligated to read it immediately before the due date sneaks up on me.
I know... weird. If it's my book, it's like I can enjoy it because there's no stress that I have to hurry up and get it one. I'm a very slow reader.
Perhaps. I usually fly through books, unless if there is something pressing going on in my life. I usually read for no less than 3 hours a night.
I imagine this applies to older scanned books. I have to belive all books written in the last 20 years have digital origins. I downloaded and read an online copy of The Hobbit with plenty of typos.
For myself, I used to prefer holding a book, but with paperbacks, in my old age, the print can be so small it's hard to read even with cheaters. I have transistioned to ebooks quite nicely and prefer them now. What I miss is finding the good deals on old books at places like Thriftbooks.com.
Oh my goodness. See, if I read for three hours I'd only be a couple chapters ahead.
I answered the question of the thread. "Does anyone buy physical books these days?" My question back is why?
Oh. I suppose because the OP wanted to seek out others who buy physical books to discuss questions like
Hope that helps.
I have no idea how some people read books on an iPad, let alone an iPhone. I read articles on-the-go on my iPad Mini and iPhone 6, but novels? No way. I can't.
Play with the back lighting and font. Like right now, it's 68º F on my back deck, my coffee is fresh and hot. I check a couple forums, read my newspapers and a couple chapters in my book. No need to turn on a light.
I've read a book or two on an iPhone 3GS and 4S before - not very fun. But I can easily read on my iPad Mini. However, I am reading a book, a real book, hardback too and am enjoying it.
I could say I read physical books because of: no DRM. Infinite battery life. 100% compatibility. Can survive almost any fall imaginable (most other accidents can be fixed with a cloth or a piece of sticky tape.) No problems with reflections. Last for decades.
But that's not really it. The thing I dislike about e-books is that - for me - they make the book itself a commodity. That's already happened with music and films (It's not "have you heard a good song lately?" but "how many gigabytes of music do you have?") and I don't want that to happen with reading. I want reading to be an immersive experience where I'm completely engrossed in one fascinating story. If I needed to carry several books around with me, I mustn't be really reading any of them.
But that's not really it. The thing I dislike about e-books is that - for me - they make the book itself a commodity. That's already happened with music and films (It's not "have you heard a good song lately?" but "how many gigabytes of music do you have?") and I don't want that to happen with reading. I want reading to be an immersive experience where I'm completely engrossed in one fascinating story. If I needed to carry several books around with me, I mustn't be really reading any of them.
I've found I can caress my iPad just as much as I can caress my paperback.
What puts you off about an electronic device? I'd guess it has something to do with the tactal feel of a book. When electronic manuals first appeared, I hated them, but once I discovered the search and bookmark, note features, my attitude changed.I think more so than anything else, enjoy reading a physical thing, and then setting that thing aside for the used bookstore. I've read e-books, and they're okay. I guess I just aesthetically enjoy a physical copy.
Having been in the printing business for 40 years I only read the real paper. Just love the feel of a good book in the hands and the weight. Have 7 bookcases full in my basement. Even prefer hardbound over paperback due to better filing.
Does Anyone Buy Physical Books These Days?
Two bookcases are behind me and the shelves on the right are movies. The two behind are packed completely with books. We need another bookcase due to inheriting some books from dad. We also added books since this picture was taken in 2008. The bookcases are 4 feet by 7 feet. Note the two smaller bookcases behind the couch too.
Two bookcases are behind me and the shelves on the right are movies. The two behind are packed completely with books. We need another bookcase due to inheriting some books from dad. We also added books since this picture was taken in 2008. The bookcases are 4 feet by 7 feet. Note the two smaller bookcases behind the couch too.
Last edited:
I've found I can caress my iPad just as much as I can caress my paperback.
Don't get me wrong. I love technology and gadgets. I love buying them. But when it comes to reading books, I prefer pbooks because of the reasons I stated in my first post here (which were mainly tactile reasons) and because reading on an LCD screen strains my eyes quickly and makes it uncomfortable for me to continue. Like I stated in my previous post, I read articles, online news, PDFs, etc. But novels, I just can't. I sit reading a book for hours and the best and preferable way for me to do so is the traditional way.
Very nice! I like the chess table too and I think I see the tail of a doggy on the right behind the couch.
Very nice! I like the chess table too and I think I see the tail of a doggy on the right behind the couch.
That was the tail of our cat, Freebie, a couple of years before he passed.