Since we’re about to talk literature here, allow me to paraphrase Gertrude Stein. A book is a book is a book. Or is it?
We’ve been wondering how bookworms are reading today, especially those who get their fix from reading on electronic devices. Each has its advantage: Tablets are great because they’re a one-device-does-all choice. Smart phones are super-portable and you are likely to always have them with you anyway. And of course e-book readers are built for, well, reading.
So we asked our Facebook friends to tell us their favorite way to read a book electronically. Did they prefer a tablet, an e-book reader, or a smart phone? E-readers and tablets were pretty equally favored by most of the commenters. And, perhaps surprising, they far outpaced the number of people who read on their smart phones.
E-book reader users were very specific in what they liked about their devices. “I love my Kindle,” Adrianne from Reedsburg, Wis., said. “It has one purpose so none of my kids are interested in it. It's slim and durable, so I can shove it in my purse and not worry about it breaking or taking up too much room. I also like the no backlight. Even in the dark I wouldn't want to stare at a bright screen.”
No matter which you choose for your reading needs, we've got Ratings! Choose from tablets, e-readers, and smart phones.
Most e-reader users said they liked that the display was easy on the eyes.
Adrianne also came up with a couple of other high notes about e-readers: "If I drop it on my face, it doesn't hurt and I don't lose my page.” Funny, Adrianne!
Many readers said they use a combination of devices. “I have iPad mini, Nook color, and iPhone 5s,” said Lori. “Nook lives on the bedside table, since it is heavy, iPad goes everywhere and is primary reader, iPhone is always around, used when iPad is losing charge or iPad has been loaned to mom because she didn't bring hers.”
Alan from Houston, a magazine fan, had this thought: “I prefer a large smart phone (phablet) running the Kindle app. It is both convenient and easy to read. It is great for magazines also, as they do not get damaged in the mail and there's not a big pile of them to be discarded.”
We didn’t ask about paper books, but a few commenters said, hey, I’m still a paper person. Said Nancy, who mostly uses an iPad, “I do occasionally still read a real book.”
We’d like to know what you think. Take our quick poll at the upper right of this page or at this link and tell us whether you’re a tablet, e-reader, or smart phone bibliophile. We added paper books to the mix too, so speak up if you’re a traditionalist.
—Donna Tapellini
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