Ebooks are a uniquely interesting invention. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on them. Some people believe they're the greatest invention in the last century. Some people believe they'll be the death of print. Here's a list of the good and the bad of ebooks:
1. You can carry a million books in your pocket.
This is, by far, my favorite argument for why ebooks are great. The possibility of carrying all your favorite book and your entire TBR (to be read) shelf with you wherever you go is very appealing. Never run out of reading material again! Finish a book but still have an hour in your commute? No worries! Just pull up another! Brilliant!
2. There's a handy dandy dictionary.
I used to learn words I didn't know through context clues alone, and even then I'd never be able to explain it to another person. Not anymore! Now I can just click or tap on the word I don't know and the internet will tell me what I need to know. Yay for knowledge!
3. Slim, sleek, easy storage.
Reading ebooks does help open up space in your bag. Carrying around as many books as I do, especially in college, can be very tiring. The solution? Ebooks! More light weight than hard copies and easier to transport around the average college campus. Sit it easily next to all those textbooks you have to carry around.
4. But the glare!
One of the major cons of ebooks is the glare. It is possible to get e-readers specifically to block glare, but for someone on a budget (moi), those cost more money than I'm willing to spend. If it's a nice day and you want to go outside to read, forget about ebooks. You won't be able to read a single word on the screen with the sun bearing down.
5. Two words: low battery.
There is nothing worse than reaching the big climax of your book and having the battery die on you. Sure, you can plug it in and read on while it's plugged in, but that hinders movement. It's hard enough to find a comfortable position to read in without having to deal with a charging cord.
6. Ebooks are easier to read while lying down.
Want to read a book before going to bed? Maybe try an ebook. Especially if you're reading a book that could double as a murder weapon (looking at you, Brandon Sanderson), it's hard to hold a physical book up while unwinding after a long day. But with an ebook, you could even read it on your phone, which, in most cases, is a lot easier to hold than an actual book.
7. Ebooks lose the joy of watching your progress.
I don't know about you, but when I read a book, I enjoy watching one side grow larger as I read as the other side grows smaller. I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment as I watch the pages turn. When I read ebooks, I don't get that feeling. It's not quite the same watching the little marker work it's way across a progress bar. Not to mention the significant tactile different between turning a page and swiping across a screen.
8. That book smell
You know that smell when you walk into a bookstore? Yeah. That's my favorite smell. It's warm, friendly, and inviting. Ebooks lose that part of the experience. And it truly is an integral part of the experience for me. I am totally that person that will smell a book simply because I can. If your ebook has a smell to it, you probably need to get your device fixed.
9. Access to a wider range of books.
While I try to get my books in print if possible, it is pretty nice when I can find a readily available version of the one I want online. The instant gratification of ebooks is amazing. It's a huge pick-me-up when I've had a bad day and I can pick up that specific book fast as downloading allows.
10. You can't show ebooks off on your bookshelf.
As I write this, I'm staring at the bookshelves in my dorm room that are filled to the brim with books I brought from home. I love seeing all my books displayed before me, beautiful spines becoming not only a comforting presence but also a decoration, making the room distinctly mine. While there are online bookshelves available for "displaying" your ebooks for people to see, it isn't as gratifying as looking at a physical bookshelf.
So which do you prefer?
