I am currently reading Me, Dead Dad & Alcatraz by Chris Lynch (print) and Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwen Cready (digital) and as far as I know, I'm making more progress - although still dismal - reading the first book than the second. It's not that Seducing Mr. Darcy is not good, I think it's all right, but I've been doing a lot of things that's been preventing me from getting near my reader. On the other hand, ARGH says I don't make much progress because I mostly forget to bring my reader with me and continue to lug heavy books around, and because I favor printed books, which he thinks is so 1999.
Which results to a new argument discussion between me and ARGH:
I prefer printed books because:
- The story feels more tangible to me when I have its printed book in my hands as I read it.
- I love the cover designs and the different colors. Ebooks also have cover designs but I love seeing a particular book cover whenever I want to without having to start a gadget or whatever hassle just to look at it.
- It's easier to pace myself when reading words on paper. With digital books, I get dizzy sometimes and my eyes hurt from prolonged reading.
- It's easy to purchase - just go to the bookstore and there you go! Ebooks aren't sold much in the Philippines.
- I can go back and forth different pages easily.
- My library looks impressive because of the number of books I have :D
- I don't have to lug around a laptop/my reader just so I can read. Print books do not need power to function - just a well-lighted, comfy spot.
- I can smell them - can't do that with digital books!
- The urge to do my book ritual is satisfied - I can't cover Ebooks with plastic cover.
- A printed book helps me concentrate more on what I'm reading, unlike Ebooks which I automatically associate with digital articles which I have a little difficulty focusing my attention on.
But ARGH thinks Ebooks are cooler because:
- It saves trees from getting slaughtered and turned into books. You can't recycle a bad book - you think you can turn it into a flower vase once you got tired of it or thought it was hideous?
- You do not have to carry a heavier bag just for the sheer amount of books you packed in it.
- It saves space - especially in the bedroom so he has more space for himself.
- Ebook readers are compact but contains multiple ebooks so whether you got bored reading one book, you can switch to another.
- You can easily take notes and bookmark a page - unlike printed books that get ruined pages when you fold them as bookmark, and the notes stay on the page forever.
- ARGH also points out that my eyes got ruined at a young age because I loved to read - even in dark places. Ebooks are read using a reader and it has its own light source.
- Ebooks never get damaged from fires, water, or sticky substances - not to mention the destructive reading habits of other people who borrow your perfectly-kept print book and return it like it's practically dying.
Do you agree with ARGH or with me? We can't settle this by ourselves so if you could help us, that would be great: Do you prefer the printed book or a digital copy would suffice?
