My new eReader

I bought an ereader this week.

Now, depending on your individual attitude towards new reading technology and the iconic nature of the traditional format, you will have thought, "So, which one?" or (with corresponding gasp of horror) "Why?"

Until very recently I would have placed myself firmly in the "Why?" group. I am, as readers of this blog will know, passionate about the book.  I love the covers and designs, the tactility of the printed word, and yes, I am a 'sniffer' of books. I love the buildings and furniture we create to house books (see my Pinterest board 'Favourite Book Places') and the accessories we use with our paper friends. For those who can relate to this perhaps you feel I have turned to the dark side. That I, who professes such affection, even mild obsession with the paper book format, has lost any credibility with all right thinking bibliophiles.

However I made my decision to buy and use an ereader for practical purposes. A student reads a lot and not for pleasure it must be said. Most of the journal articles and reference texts I need to consume are weighty, dry, academic tomes which can be extremely expensive to buy, and almost impossible to borrow as an online student. An ereader allows me to download PDFs of articles from the required reading lists and read them without having to log in on the computer. I also save a few million trees because I won’t have to print out stuff  I’m not going to use.

I’m fairly sure I’ll never be converted to reading from an ereader as a preference. To me an ereader is a tool which provides some practical benefits of storage and convenience. It can’t possibly provide me with the same pleasure as a bookshelf full of lifelong favourites displayed in all their glory.

Oh and for those ereader converts who have read this far (with admirable patience) and are still asking “so, which one?”…. I went with the Kindle…. Yes yes I know but it’s all I need.