The cost of living has gone up in recent months. With income unchanged, many of us have to spend our money more carefully.
I’ve had to decide which of my subscriptions I can do without. As a result, one of the things to go is my Amazon Kindle Unlimited membership.
This caused to me to think about how much my reading habits have changed during these last ten years. When ebooks became available, it opened up a whole new world for everyone. Suddenly, it became easy to see a book, and download it. From then on, that’s all I did.
I’ve always loved seeing people reading a paperback. Often, I’ll think – oh, I’ve read that, or that one looks good. On television, I try to make out the name of the book they are holding rather than listening to what the character is saying. Or if someone stands in front of a bookcase, I’m immediately distracted because I’m scanning the titles behind.
When I started to read seriously in the seventies, one of life’s pleasures was to buy a new book. Their beautiful covers attracted me. I’d take it from the shelf to see if the description on the back matched the cover that had drawn me in. When I bought it, I owned that book. I couldn’t wait to get home and find a quiet corner to read in.
Before Amazon, Goodreads, and Social Media, these were my go-to places:
- The library
- A bookshop
- A supermarket
- Or passed on by a friend
It’s made realise how subconsciously I’ve avoided paperbacks in charity shops and supermarkets. I don’t go near bookshops anymore, in case they draw me in. As I only read on Kindle, I’d shut out one of my biggest pleasures.
Having a book beside me on the arm of the chair again, I find my eyes constantly flick to it. I have a strong urge to pick it up and run my hand over the cover. Inside is a wealth of treasure, a work of art that can take you on a journey. I’ve even been known to hold a book under my nose and breathe in the promise it holds.
Yes, I am a book addict! It’s so much more than the words. It’s a living object that gives great pleasure.
Follow me Tiktok to see what fun can be had with a printed books.
This doesn’t mean I won’t read eBooks any more. There will always be a place for them. In my next article I’ll talk about that and why they are still of value to me.
World of Stories 
I really neglected paperbacks when I got my kindle ten years ago and started reading lots of Indie authors, books I would never have had access to otherwise. also writing took away reading time. But you can’t beat seeing what others are reading or remembering what the book you are reading is actually called because you can see the nice cover on the coffee table.
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Absolutely, that’s a good point, I often had to come to remember what the book is called, as I’m enjoying it. And seeing your kindle on the coffee table doesn’t lure you in the way as a paperback does.
I’m also starting to read mainstream authors again, so usually have one of those and an Indie book on the go. Thanks for commenting 😊
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I read both. I could never give up my paperbacks. I try to alternate, a print copy and then an ebook. Except when I travel then it’s ebooks as I can no longer drag books along with me. If I do, I leave it my destination when I finish it.
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I honestly never thought about it before. Now I realise how much so miss them.
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I have migrated to mostly ebook because I don’t have the space for paperbacks in my RV. Also, I read so much that it is more cost effective for me. That does not stop me from going into bookstores or to the library. The library offers ebooks as well as paperback options, and the bookstores just help me find what to download!
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It just shows there the old argument still doesn’t stand in 2023 and there is room for both ebooks and paperback depending on reader’s preference and circumstances.
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