Kindle vs. Paper

I'm about to read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Ellen Forney, illustrator. It's on my list of books to read ASAP because it is read at the high school in grades 9 or 10, I can't specifically remember which, but I know it's read. I have elected to read it on my Kindle instead of a paper copy for two basic reasons: 1. It's easier (and free-er) to use Overdrive to check out an ebook than to go to the library or a bookstore, and 2. It's the only way I've figured out how to read in the dark (without a flashlight or book light, etc.). Reading two (or more!) titles at once is not unusual for me, especially in two different formats. One ebook to read in the dark, and one paper book to read because it's my true preference.

I have very little idea of what Alexie's book is about. I don't have the book physically in front of me; I can't read the back cover or the inside of the book jacket. I read books on the Kindle faster for whatever reason (it takes less time to turn the page?), but I will interact with it differently than a paper book. I just finished Gary Schmidt's Trouble in ebook format. I absolutely Loved It. It is most definitely an Important Book. I want to write about it, but I can't flip through the paper pages to refresh my memory or look for quotes, so I haven't yet written about it.

I am not curmudgeonly; this is not an older is better point of view. I love and appreciate the digitization of resources, especially nonfiction and reference sources, but when I read fiction, I love the weight of the book in my hands and the physical turning of the pages, even if it takes that extra few seconds. What are your thoughts? Do you have a preference? Have you read an ebook?



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