Ebook or traditional book? You had to make a permanent choice what would you choose?

[Homer403]

I like the traditional style (paper-back or hard cover).I guess because it more tangible.I couldn't see myself sitting there and reading a ebook.Maybe I'm just old school!

[Ragan]

It just isn't the same if you don't have a physical book in your hands...

[DebA913]

I much prefer actual books! It will be difficult for me if they ever decide to quit printing paper books!!! Although I must read!! So I suppose if that ever happens, I will have to learn to adjust.

[91rewoT]

When I buy a King book the first thing I do is take the jacket off and check it over, turn it in my hands, feel the weight of it, look at the front, back, spine, and cover, then put the jacket back on. How the heck do you do that with an e-book?

[Tery]

Only for the storage situation, I'd choose an e-book. To be able to have thousands of books in a small device... if it's a permanent choice, I'd have to do that. As it is, I still have *real* books and love them, too.

[GNTLGNT]

You don't get that wunnerful "book smell" from a "chip"...

[The Sentimental Fool]

I like having a real book. Ebooks have the appeal of many promising books at my fingertips, but without pages to flip there isn't anything in it for me.

[FrankJac]

I like real books as well...I have a collection of Mr. King's works in hardcover...including some signed firsts and special editions. But to do the reading IMO you just can't beat an ereader (I use the Kindle). Especially when reading a long novel such as "Under The Dome" or the forthcoming "11/22/63." Just much easier to carry around.

[Ben Staad]

I can speak for two demographics myself (36 yo) and my daughter (11 yo). We both have access to an e-reader and we both consistently are seen with actual books in our hands not the reader. I think for both of us we like the sensory (touch, smell, look) in reading an actual book which are missing from the e-reader. We also like to easily flip back and reread something or in same (rare) cases flip to the ending first!

For myself specifically, for reasons unknown, my reading comprehension is severely impacted while reading an e-book versus the actual book.

[Aericanwizard]

"Tree-book" for me. As many of you have mentioned, there is just something satisfying about holding a book in your hands. I also like the looks I get on the bus when I have the bookmark near the end of a 1000-pager (kind of like "You read all of that?"). I love what 91rewoT said about examining the book. How do you do that with a set of 0s and 1s (oops, a 1 is misplaced, no ending for you). Also, the members of the board cherish our first editions, and our signed copies (those of us that have them ). There is no difference between editions of e-books, and unless you get your reader signed, signed editions may be going the way of the dodo (and sadly, the serial novel). Furthermore, who among us has not relished at finding a hard-to-find or out of print book in a used book store? Since I don't think e-licenses are transferable, I can't see used e-book stores in the future. I understand the convenience of the e-book, but I prefer everything else about the real book.

Long days and pleasant nights.