Let’s start off with a basic fact. I truly enjoy words and books. I love to read. My Kindle 3G reader holds 3,000 books and there are another 1000 or so I own in the cloud. My library at home has about 1,000 hard copy books. I really like to read. I really like books. I like the look of them, the feel of them, the smell of them.

 Many of you who read this blog embrace technology and have among other pieces of technology an e-Reader. In my opinion my Kindle 3G e-Reader is one of the best gifts I ever received. I really enjoy having so many books, magazines and blogs available on my device. I also like that when there is a word I want a defined, I can click on it and get a good definition or even go to the internet for more information all sitting in bed reading from the device and not moving.  I also like listening to music on my Kindle while I read so that I have one of those “Calgon take me away moments.”  Another good feature about an e-Reader is just the sheer number of books that you can hold in your hand with no problem at all.

As much as I enjoy my e-reader and believe me, I am not giving it away, I still truly enjoy reading an actual paper book. If new book smell ever becomes a perfume, I will buy it by the gallon and spray it on everything. Ever since I was a young child, one of my favorite smells in the world has always been the smell of new books. Most people who love to read will admit that there is nothing like holding a book in your hand, reading the words and smelling the paper and the ink. I get happy just thinking about that experience.

Whenever I am asked which I prefer, the e-reader or the hard copy book, I am torn. They both have advantages and disadvantages. With an e-reader when I am finished reading one book, I can start another right away. I can take enough books with me on vacation to occupy the entire week on the beach and fit it all in my purse or pocket. However, with  a hard copy book I can feel the pages, smell the ink, fold back the corners and have the nostalgic feeling of holding the book and actually turning pages instead of pushing a button. For now, I do not have to choose, so I plan to continue enjoying both for as long as possible.  So the question for you this sensational day is do you prefer an e-reader or a plain old-fashioned book?