I always enjoy reading when travelling, whether a long bus drive or intercontinental flights. I like books, the ones made out of paper, and even better if I can cram it into a jeans back pocket. They don’t need batteries, charging points or wifi. They don’t break if dropped on tarmac, can sustain a light shower and can even be used as a pillow in extremis.
But there are times when they can be less than ideal. Pages have to be held open. They can be hard to read in low light. And more than one consumes that valuable commodity — space. I like the feel and even the smell of a book. I like to read a previous owner’s margin notes. A well-designed cover can be a prize visual possession when travelling light and they can even be a conversation starter. All of these things would go out the window with an electronic reading device (no-one is likely to ask “what are you reading” as you’re glued to a digital screen). Yet the kindle/iPad/tablet surely has its advantages.
What are your experiences? Currently, for reading, I only use such things (mostly an iPad) for reference, to search a document or look something up. If it’s important, I’ll print it. If it’s a book, I’ll order a print version. So what am I missing? Even a casual search for ‘kindle’ suggests such a bewildering host of options that it looks complex a choice. Yet people increasing use such things. If you do, what were your reasons for buying, did it satisfy them, do you still read paper versions and what’s the balance, when where and why? Recommendations?
