Disadvantages of Ebooks and Readers

[Zannie]

I was unable to find this topic already posted but if it is I am sorry for reposting.

With all the advantages of ebook readers pointed out in this forum , I thought it might be interesting to see what people thought were the disadvantages.

Personally I hate how I cannot have two books open at the same time. If I am studying a book I need to have the book open as well as study guide and flip back and forwards. If both are ebooks this cannot be easily done on the Kindle.

So What is your ebook pet hate?

[dianejai]

tactile! I hate staring at a computer for ages...I love the feel of paper...the sound of turning pages. I love putting a book down and then picking it up again...........and NOT having to switch on a machine...no matter how small or large.

[Zannie]

Oh yes! Not having to turn it on and then running out of battery! I have forgotten what that feels like.

[Fran]

Well forgetting to charge it and running out of battery is the obvious one.
While my kindle is brilliant and so much cheaper for loading up with books for the holidays, one downside is that you can't really just leave the Kindle lying on your towel while you go for a quick dip - I wouldn't get too upset if a paperback went walkies but having to replace the Kindle is costly.
eReaders have destroyed the lovely passtime of speculating on what your fellow travellers or fellow patients in the doctor/dentists waiting rooms were reading & then discovering they were on a totally different genre to what you would have expected. Now they could all be reading 50 Shades and, short of asking them, you have no way of knowing - it's very annoying! It used to be a great converstion opener or chat up line too ... "I haven't read that book, is it any good?" followed by "It's OK but not a good as his earlier book, you can have a lend of it when I finish if you like?" and away you go with a whole new friendship established.

[Zannie]

I use to give my books to mum and Grandma to read. With an ebook you can't. And I didn't realize it until you posted but I don't talk about the books I have read now.

Where I live ebooks are not the norm so you can still check out what others are reading. I shall savor it while I have it.

I also dislike how tired my fingers get tapping to turn the page.

[KMilliron]

I've never had a cat break a book. R.I.P. Back-up Kindle.

[scuba_steves]

That magical smell of books. Plus, I take a weird pride in my massive bookcases full of multi-colored spines. It's not nearly as impressive to show your library on an ebook reader, though much more convenient. Also, I feel more confident reading physical books in the tub than electronic. Oy, that'd give me palpitations!

[Sveta]

The format problems is one; another is that not everything is available to e-read, sometimes e-reader can break then you'll have to spend a lot of money getting another, and I like to read multiple books at once, or flip through pages and check out the ending, while with e-reader I can't do that

[EGilbert]

Here where I am, I don't have the option to lend e-books to friends or family, like I can with a physical book. That is a major complaint of mine. Besides that, there's the standard "you get less of a book experience with e-readers" argument which is also a downside.

[Zannie]

Yes I only seem to buy books from Amazon now and they don't have all the books that I can find in paper. People can't walk into my house and see the books I read nor what that tells them about my personality. I have never had my Kindle break but have forgotten to charge it.

Thank you for your opinions

[Fran]

Yes I only seem to buy books from Amazon now and they don't have all the books that I can find in paper. People can't walk into my house and see the books I read nor what that tells them about my personality. I have never had my Kindle break but have forgotten to charge it.

Thank you for your opinions

That's a very valid point - I love browsing someone's bookshelves to see what they are into.

Likewise my Kindle has given no trouble & I have it about 3/4 years but like you, Zannie, I have forgotten to recharge it on occasion

[Misaela]

No lending. I love to recommend a book and be able to give it to them in their hands. There is no value (in my opinion) to "Here! I have a PDF! Read it!"

[msdaniellerhudy]

I hate not being able to feel the paper between my fingers. Also my head starts to hurt if I stare at a screen for too long. I love the feel of real books and being able to turn the page.

[nan m]

agree with what you said. Plus your paperback will never get stuck no matter how badly you behave with it.

[SarahPapesh]

So far, you have all talked me out of an e-reader. I like the actual books, but I was swaying the other way for convenience.