> But now a year later I've never read any paper books, all the books I've read are ebooks.
This is the most mind-blowing thing I've read on HN. It really makes me appreciate generational differences.
This is the most mind-blowing thing I've read on HN. It really makes me appreciate generational differences.
I don't think it's generational rather just some people "clicked" with ebooks and some didn't.
I couldn't live without search, saving passages, device handover, hold-click dictionary/wiki (so good for setting the image in your head if the book mentions a city/country you haven't been). I read maybe a few physical books a year before, now I read a novel or 2 a week, almost every week, and carry my kindle absolutely everywhere since they launched (have worn out 3).
However, I consistently buy "used" books via Amazon and other means, especially technical books.
It doesn't surprise me, because the younger generation seem to be getting tired of technology. It is something they're expected to be on for fun, social connection, and work, so it's not a stretch to imagine they want some time off.
All of my hobbies were on computers, and it has been a real struggle being in the software industry when my social and leisure time also involves sitting at a computer.
I have taken to grabbing a book, leaving the phone at home and finding somewhere to read.
I agree that's it's probably not entirely generational, but there is something to be said for growing up with 24/7 connectivity being the norm.
I do like the feel of a real book when actually reading it but don't mind reading books on my phone either.
Features I cannot live without are adjustable font size, the backlight (can only speak for PaperWhite model) and the builtin book-store.
Paper books are more expensive and I can't easily take them in the plane. I always have my kindle with me (even though I use it far less than I'd like). It has weeks of battery and it's always full of stuff I want to read but haven't. I also take great care not to put stuff in it I don't want to read otherwise it starts looking like my Steam games library.
I pretty much abandoned paper books when I got a Kindle on a vacation. Many years later, after moving to a country where I can find any book I want delivered to my doorstep in 2 days, I abandoned e-books and audiobooks.
Kindle causes me to read far more than I would otherwise. A few reasons:
- Hundreds of books fit in a space smaller than a single physical book
- Can read at night without an overhead light bothering myself or anyone else (and without blue light!)
- Can travel (and/or move houses) without books taking up space
- Can download a new book in five minutes vs going to the store or waiting for a delivery. This makes it much easier to start books
- Can come back to a book I bought three years ago while living in a totally different place
Getting a kindle was the best decision I ever made in terms of encouraging myself to read.