"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

4 Reasons to Buy Books in Print


Many people own Nooks, Kindles, or other tablets now. We continually hear about bookstores closing down, and major book retailers downsizing. So, who is still buying the actual books you can hold in your hand?

1.      Lovers – so many readers and writers still prefer the tangible experience of the book. The way it feels in their hands, the sound when you open a new book and the pages fall, the smell of the paper and ink… these are all experiences cherished by book lovers. They may occasionally use the electronic devices, but as long as print exists, they will always prefer the ‘real thing’.

2.      Furnishers – these are people who cherish art and beauty. Books are decorations, colorful objects used to enhance the ambience of a room. I know several people who buy books because of the “look”. They never actually open them, let alone read the contents.

3.      Seekers – these people are looking for friends, approval, and respect. Their purchases are based entirely upon the popularity of a book. They want to “talk knowledgably” with others. They continually check the bestseller lists as well as the goodreads lists of those they will be around. Their purchasing decisions will be the same as that of others. Buying the print version is proof or validation of their "accomplishment".

4.      Money Makers – books are still seen as an investment, especially early printings, or rarely signed by the author copies. Don’t think books can bring in much money? Try this Chaucer for $225,000 or this Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations for $185,000. Try a search for rare books and you’ll find many more examples.

What about you? Do you still buy print? Why?

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a Kindle but I still prefer books I can hold in my hands.. It's the feel and the smell, new or old, nothing beats the smell of a good book..

Suzanne said...

I don't have a Kindle etc .... yet! Not sure I want one. I must be in Category 1, just. I will buy a new book if it's an author or series I can't wait to read, but I also will buy second hand books to try out different authors, or for a quick read. I just love curling up with a paper book :)
Suzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe

Crystal Collier said...

I'm half and half. We're collectors, but readers too, and we're finding our shelves have run out of space. *sigh* Kindle keeps that problem at bay, and then anything I truly, TRULY love, I have the freedom to purchase. Without ereaders I would have forgone a couple indie titles I've fallen madly in love with--that aren't in print. I can't imagine missing those fabulous reads because I decided to avoid ereaders.

loverofwords said...

Yes, I do buy real books. Some I keep, some I pass on to a friend, but I just like turning real pages and not depending on batteries, etc. I have quite a few books that are in our five book shelves and when I look at those decorator magazines, I always look for book shelves and then try and read the titles. I love the look of books on shelves. Europeans have more I notice. Here it is where shall we put the big screen TV? (sigh)

D.G. Hudson said...

Yes, guilty of loving books since I first learned to read on my own. I buy paperback or reduced hardcover copies. I do like physical copies of reference material, art and travel books, or books by some writer friends.

I read ebooks on a KOBO, but only in mobile situations. I loved the library in my hometown where my friend and I spent hours in the marble coolness.

Jeff Laws said...

I'm strictly a Kindle guy nowadays. They are just more convenient plus with the Kindle app on my phone, I always have books with me if I get stuck unexpectedly somewhere. I just got an app that I can get books from the library on my Kindle as well so I don't see myself ever buying another (physical) book again.

Sylvia Ney said...

I own a Nook, but I rarely use it. I'm really a combination of the first two.

CrystalB said...

If you saw my house, you would question my sanity, so it's not #2. Too many to claim mere decoration. I'm definitely in camp #1.

Ann said...

I've switched to a kindle. While I miss the print versions, it's easier to hide how much I've spent on books since it goes directly to my device! ;-)

Unknown said...

I use my nook the most. It's definitely a space saver, and I don't have to worry about getting rid of the ones I didn't like - simply delete.

shelly said...

I love 'how to' and non-fiction in paperback and my fiction on my Kindle.

Good post!

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Diana Wilder said...

I like books. Their feel, their scent, their covers... I like to have a book on my lap. I don't mind when I bonk myself in the nose with a book when I'm reading in bed and nodding off.

I do have a Kindle - the cheapest kind - because I'm one of those madwomen who has a neurotic fear of being stuck in an airport or a luxury hotel or among beloved friends with nothing to read. After lugging around suitcases with five or six books of varying sizes and weights, I bowed to sense and bought my kindle. I don't notice that I read any more with it, but at least I can cart twenty or thirty books around with me.

But I do prefer books. There's something about holding a book in your hands, one that you just know you'll like, lowering your head as you 'crack it open', catching the scent of the ink...

Diana at About Myself By Myself

Jack said...

I own e-readers to help with some of my writing and publishing, but to me they can never replace paperback. I love holding them and the sound of pages turning and how they look sitting on my shelf. I love walking through book stores and looking at all the titles and covers. Nothing can replace that.

Nicole said...

I'm a print lover all the way. The feel, smell and holding-it-in-my-hands arguments all work really well for me. ;)

Plus, I am on a computer all day long for my job and when I come home, I'm on my laptop all night long for add'l work and writing. When I escape into a story, the LAST thing I want to do is stare at a screen.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I'm a lover all the way. Print is it for me. I have been buying more ebooks lately but that's just because of convenience. A lot of books take a while to reach Jamaica. The fastest was Insurgent by Veronica Roth that pretty much reached Jamaica the same time as America. Got my copy in print of course.

Unknown said...

I do own and enjoy my Kindle, but some books I want to open, underline, highlight and make notes in. I want them on my shelf to touch and feel and relish their beautiful cover. I know the big box stores are struggling but I hope this makes way for all the unique independents that will are small house publishing books.

Sharon Himsl said...

I own a lot of books on my Nook, many I have not read yet, but I have a similar collection on shelves at home. I love browsing used book stores and used online books for purchase. At conferences or book signings, I often pay full price for a hard copy out of respect for the author.

Kern Windwraith said...

Book lover! I love my Kobo for its portability and the convenience of always having a collection of books at my disposal, but if it came down to a choice, it would be bye-bye Kobo. Nothing--nothing--beats the heft and scent, the page-flicking satisfaction, or the visual loveliness of a an actual, physical book.

Unknown said...

Even though having a tablet, I only can read a physical book. While reading, I can easily underline and feel what I read. In my opinion, tables only give some knowledge or information, but physical books give more than what writer can give. It is really sad that its industry declines. Oh, also physical books can easily take a picture with to post on blog showing that I read! Haha.

Unknown said...

Even though having a tablet, I only can read a physical book. While reading, I can easily underline and feel what I read. In my opinion, tables only give some knowledge or information, but physical books give more than what writer can give. It is really sad that its industry declines. Oh, also physical books can easily take a picture with to post on blog showing that I read! Haha.

Unknown said...

Even though having a tablet, I only can read a physical book. While reading, I can easily underline and feel what I read. In my opinion, tables only give some knowledge or information, but physical books give more than what writer can give. It is really sad that its industry declines. Oh, also physical books can easily take a picture with to post on blog showing that I read! Haha.