The Library Makes The Man

[Csargo]

Get with the times gramps!

I've never used a Kindle or any other similar device for reading. I can see the convenience of having one though. I don't understand what you are so upset about.

[drone]

Real books. If I wanted to rent a book, I would go to a library.

[CBR]

I guess there is some nostalgia involved when moving away from the dead tree versions.

OTOH there is no horrible smell from used books, no despair over running out of room on the bookshelves, no annoying tall books that forces you to put it somewhere else, less time spent when going through multiple books for a particular reference and when encountering one of those of oh so uber academics who insist on "Verba Obscura" the iPad is handy for the quick lookups,

Apart from that, paper is great!

[TinCow]

I completely agree with the OP. I can understand the appeal of e-readers for 'throw-away' fiction that you'd be embarrassed to have displayed on your shelf anyway, but the only way I will ever switch away from paper for my non-fiction reading is if I simply cannot get paper copies anymore. In addition to simply enjoying the feel of a book, I very much like the visual appeal of a home library. It looks good, and you can't have a room like that if you've only got e-books. Plus, it's kind of hard to collect and display rare books in electronic form, which is another one of my side-projects.

[Montmorency]

E-books are preferable (though on the PC; I don't have an E-reader). There is nowhere comfortable for me to sit while reading a book, and reading in bed is impossible: I fall asleep immediately.

Books are for when I want to read outside the house. Otherwise they're only good for endnotes. Going from page 20 to an endnote in a non-bookmarked pdf is a monstrous ordeal.

Finally, physical copies are too rich for my blood. I have no idea where to find these used book stores, so it's either Amazon or the library for non-digital.

[Fisherking]

I hate reading from an electronic page.

I don’t know what it is but if it is over two pages I just leave it. It is like I get some kind of claustrophobia.

I like being able to hold the book. See the whole thing, turn it over and see the back cover and thumb the pages.

Scrolling just does not do it for me.

[Hosakawa Tito]

My favorite room of the house. One thing ebooks do have going for them is ease of storage space. My late wife was a highschool English Lit. teacher, and with both our collections it feels like I have almost as many books as the town library. I can't imagine having to move them all.
Nothing beats a leather chair, glass of cognac, and a good book.

[B-Wing]

Hosakawa, what's on the shelves between the two bookshelves, if you don't mind sharing?

I love the idea of being an avid reader and owning lots of books, but realistically, most of my reading is done online. Wikipedia, TVTropes, and these forums provide pretty much all recreational reading I do now.

[Beirut]

My favorite room of the house. One thing ebooks do have going for them is ease of storage space. My late wife was a highschool English Lit. teacher, and with both our collections it feels like I have almost as many books as the town library. I can't imagine having to move them all.
Nothing beats a leather chair, glass of cognac, and a good book.

Wonderful! That is just lovely.

A perfect setup, but I would change the cognac for bourbon.

[Prince Cobra]

My favorite room of the house. One thing ebooks do have going for them is ease of storage space. My late wife was a highschool English Lit. teacher, and with both our collections it feels like I have almost as many books as the town library. I can't imagine having to move them all.
Nothing beats a leather chair, glass of cognac, and a good book.

Wow, I envy you. I find the chairs nowadays are completely unable to make me feel comfortable enough. That's why I read sitting on my bed or directly on the floor. If only I had such a cosy place...