Asking
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

How many still read a physical book? Just curious....

Due to disease, I must use my tablet to read. I don't like it and very much miss real books.
ArtieKat · M
Real books! I love the feel of them, the look of them on my bookshelves - and owning them!
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Aysel I have lights too! It looks amazing though makes me sad I can't just pick one up and read it anymore.
Aysel · F
@Mikla Sorry ❤️
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Aysel Oh please don't be! It could always, always be worse. Thank you for your kindness!
Counsellor · 41-45, F
Mostly physical books - both for the tactile experience and then putting them on my bookshelf afterwards (among the thousands already there) But when traveling, a kindle.
in10RjFox · M
Yes, nothing like a physical book, but as an author I have burnt not just my finger, but myself thinking that physical books would sell more than ebooks, as eBooks can be easily copied and shared. After 10+ years of hiatus due to the financial crisis, I am slowly gathering myself and uploading on KDP. Not an easy world for authors and creators, as books don't even get the respect popcorn in movie theatres gets. We rather publish popcorn.. 🤣

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHSKDK7?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi

Visit the series and let me know your thoughts.
nicedave · 46-50, M
I prefer the look and feel of a real book
Justme5868 · 36-40, M
I love reading I think you still don't get something more transporting and relaxing than reading a book I read a really awesome one this week it is called " the travelers gift " and there is nothing like the smell of a book Shop maybe I'm a nerd somewhere inside
Quakertrucker · 70-79, M
I ONLY read paper - 40+ monthly magazine subscriptions, and several books a week.

I love the tactile sensation of turning the pages.
Mikla · 61-69, F
exexec · 61-69, C
I always read a physical book for each book I read on my kindle. Plus, I have a large library of books that I use for reference or to read for enjoyment.
SW-User
I love physical books and graphic novels and I have a large collection of them. I love going to book sales and getting them for $2 or less. I've tried to read from a tablet, but I couldn't focus as well. I like to read by a window with natural light. I think e-readers are great for some people, especially to save space and to enlarge the print if you have vision issues, but they're not for me.
Aysel · F
I do! I love the smell of old books.

Is that strange? Lol
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Aysel Not strange at all, I am the same.
I stll read a physical book.
The smell of its paper, style of type face and binding, is a tangible experience e-readers can't reproduce.
It's also tied to good memories of rainy Saturdays at libraries among all the physical copies.
@Mikla They are wondeful places! 😌

That's really cool! It's a fine art, book binding. There's a company in San Fransisco that still does it the old fashioned way---lead type sets, and all.
Authors can get their copies custom bound.

You'll love this.
Here's one in SF for authors and artists artists: Beautiful and inspiring. I want my first book to be printed here.

[media=https://youtu.be/i-5NhxYRqUI?t=67]

Watch, or listen on headphones.

https://craftsmanship.net/printing-with-love/

https://www.arionpress.com/
Mikla · 61-69, F
@SethGreene531 Thank you SO much for this...much appreciated!
@Mikla For sure, you're welcome; enjoy!!
(BTW Thanks for adding me ☺️)
SW-User
I read quite a bit and a few at once. I love written words
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
Every day -- the house is filled with thousands of them.
PunkRockSuperStar · 61-69, M
I certainly do. I'm not sure exactly why, but I find it difficult to maintain my concentration and interest for long when reading on-line. I've never used a hand-held device for reading, but I imagine it would be the same or worse. But with a book, if it holds my interest, I can read several chapters in one go. And I simply like books.

Also, as with vinyl records and CDs, books have a tangible quality and permanence that doesn't exist with digital formats, and that's something that's important to me. I need to have possession of the physical item, but the world that's being created is one in which the super-rich elite will own everything, and we will be forced to pay rent to them for everything we need and do. I will do everything in my power to reject and prevent that.
smiler2012 · 61-69
@Mikla 😞sorry that is a case it is something forced on you due to disease and really is an itch you cannot scratch . you have to deal with this misfortune the way you are it is a pity all the same it takes the enjoyment out of reading for you
Mikla · 61-69, F
@smiler2012 It certainly feels like I'm lacking something of substance when I read. On the bright side, I've made many happy giving them (who I know will actually appreciate it) my cherished hardcover books. So that's something!
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
I'm sat here looking at about ten books i've bought but yet to read.
My eyesight has gone downhill so much i need new glasses but i can't get a test before November.
I can understand your frustration. ❤️
I only read real books. The experience isn't the same for me with a reader.
But in the case of a medical issue I'd take the reader over not reading at all.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@robingoodfellow I am fortunate that a reader IS available. I couldn't live with not reading at all (so to speak).
I still like reading physical books. I'm sorry you've had to resort to your tablet. I'm sure you miss the books. I would, too. 🫂
Mikla · 61-69, F
@PhoenixPhail Things could be much worse for me than reading on a tablet,lol. Seriously, I am lucky there even is a thing to read upon. It's the same but what is?
It has to be a physical book for me. The scent of the paper, the cover art, the ink on the page. It's part of the reading experience.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@robingoodfellow I agree with all you said.
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
Very rare for me. No space for them. I still prefer them if I have desk space though.
Quakertrucker · 70-79, M
@PhilDeep
One note about collecting books - and over my recent 72nd year, I have collected (and given away thousands - and never charged anything for them):

Remember that you are responsible for what your spouse or significant other has to go through after you die - assuming, of course, that since men tend to die younger, and you are 5 years younger than your wife (or, at least, I am) you will die first.

Does she have to sort through your collection of thousands of books from many genres - science-fiction; alternative reality (I don't know what the term would be but something that would include "Narnia" and "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy"); history, science, mystery, labor, philosophy, etc. in mine - or have you presorted and predisposed of, saving her the emotional and time consuming task of sorting thousands of books; giving away, or leaving them at Goodwill or similar charitable organization?

I can't think of the Swedish word, but it means "death cleansing", and means going through your possessions before you die - thus saving your beloved one that tedious task.

About a year ago, I started on that job - beginning with my books. I started packing a book box - mover term - or two with books that I intended to give away. I included Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Asimov, Jack London, Arthur Clark, Maupin, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Bukowski, many children's books/series from the early-to-mid 20th century - as well as many of lesser renown, and some of no reknown. I included a pristine copy - not old, just not tattered and torn - of Ulysses.

I have kept the box - or, sometimes, boxes - filled and in our main car. Whenever I see one of the small personal libraries - and, I know where three are in my county - I always stop and fill it up. I then refill the box(s) when I get home. I have even put books into these mini-libraries while on trips to the Detroit, Michigan area and to Columbus, Ohio.

I have now saved my wife the strain and trouble of having to sort through about 6,000 books. Now, I still need to give away about another 3,000 before I am called up yonder. The preceding is just being used as a metaphor, though I am a Christo-Centric Quaker!

Next, I need to start on hats - the only thing besides books that I have ever collected. I have a collection of about 50 XXL (size 7 3/4) hats in all styles - homburg, porkpie, fedora, newsboys caps, top hat, stove pipe top hat, 10 gallon hat, Gilligan - I can't think of the name for the type of hat that he wore throughout the series. My hats also come in many materials: cotton, wool, straw, and leather of several thicknesses and design or bareness. I also have Stetsons and Borcalinos among other name and nameless brands.

I will have a hard time convincing myself to give up my hat collection - which was begun my senior year of high school in Spring, 1970, when someone jokingly gave me a yarmulke. Other than baseball style caps and winter hats, I had never owed a single hat; but that joke put me on the road of collecting hats, and searching out men's hat stores whenever I am on the road - resulting in the purchase in 2006 in Albuquerque of a grey wool 10 gallon hat with a 6 inch brim, as well as a white, straw 10 gallon hat with a 5 inch brim, both of which will need homes if I can convince my wife of my need to do this to make sure that her job post-me is easier.

Now, I will just have to convince myself to start giving away hats as well as books. I will also have to figure out how to give the hats away - carefully considered and orchestrated gifts to friends or acquaintances, or just donations to charities - like Goodwill or Volunteers of America.

Time will tell!
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
@Quakertrucker I've thought about this for sure. I've given away hundreds too. Definitely plan on giving away more. I don't have much in the way of family but I plan to clear out well in advance of life expectations if I can. Thanks for sharing and all the best to you and yours.
Me. Reading from a screen bothers my eyes. It’s also harder for me to concentrate on words that are on a screen.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@Colonelmustardseed I am really happy to see most people who responded DO love real books.
Ontheroad · M
That's a bummer, I still read a real book at least half the time, but I also like to read books on my tablet.
I do! Some need to be held and loved. But I also have quite a few electronic books.
Maritocorneo · 56-60, M
I prefer to read real books. I have a tablet but don't use it much for reading.
SW-User
I do read them but lately I rarely read anything.
SW-User
Yes. I always have a book on the go.
Only when it's cheaper.
Canuckle · 51-55, M
Both are options for me.
LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79
I agree, unfortunately I too have eye trouble and reading on a Kindle becomes the best option. I'm able to change the font size to suit.

But yes, the heft of a REAL book! And I love it when the book is old and well read.
Sevendays · M
I am a Stephen King fan and find myself reading some of my favorites again, the physical book. My face is The Stand.
SW-User
I like to have several books on the go.
Pick them up, and put them down.

Read more on holiday.

Have my favourite authors.
Always.
Never read a single digital book online or on any such source.

I do have a books page

IG ardentbiblio_roy
Only on my tablet. Have not pick up a book in a long time.
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
Read the original 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, much better than the films ... the scene where he's been chased back to his Castle over the Bodega Pass, just brilliant
Mikla · 61-69, F
@BigGuy2 I'm impressed! I would love to read it one day.
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
@Mikla 👍👍👍 the way he wrote the scene, the sense of urgency, had me thinking "quick, hurry up, catch up before he gets into his Castle"
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
y thank u again 🤭🤭🤭
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
My asigmatism I have had since childhood has gotten worse, I can no longer read print books or magazines :( At least my kindle has text adjust.
Mikla · 61-69, F
@NativePortlander1970 I get that completely! :)

 
Post Comment