Pros and Cons
By TexanTornado
@TexanTornado (5573)
United States
September 19, 2015 9:41am CST
As I have stated before, I am an avid reader. I love to read just about anything. If it can grab my attention from the start and hold it to the end.
Last week we went to West Texas to visit hubby's family. While visiting with my mother-in-law (who I love dearly) we got to talking about all the technology they have now a days. Cell phones, smart watches, etc. Then she brought up the fact that she saved up to buy a Kindle, it was something she had wanted for years and decided to spurge and buy herself one. She then went on to say how much she loved her Kindle.
I had bought my youngest son one a few years back, because he too is an avid reader. He also talked about how much he liked his. I myself never found the appeal in them. I love holding a book in my hand and flipping the pages.
So I been trying to think of the pros and cons of a Kindle versus Paper Book.
The Kindle Pros:
You don't have to drive anywhere to get a new book.
The Kindle Cons:
The battery can die right in the best part of the book.
You have nothing to show for the money you spent on a book.
You can't resell it after you done with it (if you wanted to that is.)
That is all that I have came up with. Does anyone have any pros or cons regarding the Kindle?
16 people like this
15 responses
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
19 Sep 15
It is a difficult thing to fix, if you drop it.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
Ah yes, you would need a replacement if you drop and break it. Good one.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
@gregario888 Oh yeah, you have a very valid point. I totally agree with your statements.
1 person likes this
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
19 Sep 15
@TexanTornado These hand held devices are usually a big headache to repair, and you loose the original quality, after the repairs.I'd say-there is nothing like the good ol' friend-the tome!
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
19 Sep 15
noperz, i don't care to read a book on a gadget. there's somethin' 'bout the feel 'f the paper, the smell that comes within, that manually turnin' 'f the pages, the site 'f dog-eared pages... those electronic gadgets jest don't go it fer me. i tried, readin' a book on the puter. heck, can't e'en read my own, but gotta print it out 'n then doodle all o'er it...jest to retype 'em back onto the puter once changes 'f been made.
my aunt 'n daughter, on the other hand, 've embraced this sorta technology like fish to water.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
Exactly! I am so with you there. It's all those little things in which you mentioned that keeps me with a paper book, and not some kind of e-reader. No matter what e-readers offer. My husband is like you, he has to print a hard copy of everything he has a need for from his computer.
I guess it's for some people. I know my mother-in-law could stop going on about how much she loved hers.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
@crazyhorseladycx Yes, perhaps you are right. I know I am stuck in my ways when it comes to such. No, you aren't alone. He likes hard copies of things. Yeah, I understand the killing of a tree, so just plant a new one every few years and you make up for it... a little.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
19 Sep 15
@TexanTornado perhaps we're jest too hooked on the nostalgia?? so glad to hear yer hubs does the same coz i was started to feel 'lone in that, lol. do feel guilty 'bout killin' a tree to do such though....
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
20 Sep 15
I love the smell of the books and looking at the cover and if i really get crazy..hahah..i might cheat a little and look at the back page..
Now i was given a kindle as a Christmas present and enjoy it cause i like storying 100's of books at once..i can get on the internet..and it is easier to hold then stretching the pages of a book.
But you are right if i am reading an forget to charge it over night it will need to be charged
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
20 Sep 15
@TexanTornado oh did i forget to say i read them..hahah..and what is weird is i have dropped it many times cause i carry it with me in case i go somewhere and want to get online..and it hasn't broke yet..
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
@Rosekitty Yes, you did fail to mention that you read them. 
Glad to hear you haven't broken it yet. So you use it more for the internet then to read books?
Glad to hear you haven't broken it yet. So you use it more for the internet then to read books?1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
Oh so you don't actually read them?
Yes, I can understand the storing of multitude of books. But nothing would irk me more then getting totally engrossed in a book, and unable to continue it, cause I have a black screen. That kindle would be smashed up against the wall so fast. 
Yes, I can understand the storing of multitude of books. But nothing would irk me more then getting totally engrossed in a book, and unable to continue it, cause I have a black screen. That kindle would be smashed up against the wall so fast. 1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
19 Sep 15
kindle pro : Kindle unlimited lets you borrow books instead of buying them.
kindle pro : I am not particularly sure of this, but I believe you can share books with friends for free via the kindle unlimited program as well.
I wasn't a kindle person myself for awhile but then got into it. I used to use scribd and oyster (book subscription platforms) but even before those i was more a hands on hold the book type person.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
Borrow books? You mean like they give you a free book to read? (Those that aren't worth buying, so they offer them?)
The share feature sounds nice. So someone buys the book via the kindle and they can send the link to a friend to read it to?
I see you mentioned 'unlimited' in both cases. Is that the type of kindle or like an upgrade within kindle you have to purchase?
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
@ScribbledAdNauseum Ah ok, so you pay an extra $10.00 a month to borrow books. Which I guess it isn't too bad. It depends on how you look at it..
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
19 Sep 15
@TexanTornado Kindle Unlimited is the name of the subscription type service. Here is some info about it.
Amazon Try Prime Kindle Store All Departments Amazon Home Services Amazon Video Appliances Apps & Games Arts, Crafts & Sewing Automotive Baby Beauty Books CDs & Vinyl Cell Phones & Accessories Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry Women Men Girls Boys B
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
20 Sep 15
I have a Nook which is similar to a Kindle. I love it! There are so many free e-books out there that I rarely ever have to buy one. I don't have a problem with my battery. It comes with a cord which I can plug in and still read from bed.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
That is great that you can find books of interest to you, without having to pay for them. I had browsed through my phone with the ones offered on it, and I have to say, maybe 1 or 2 of the free books they offer would I even read. So that leaves me with no 'free' reading material after that. I average a book, every 2-3 days.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
24 Sep 15
@simone10 That is interesting, I don't think I ever read any that were self publishers.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
24 Sep 15
@TexanTornado The books I read are by self publishers so not all of them are good but I would say about 80-90 percent are.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I have a Kindle but still prefer a real book. I love to read and actually see my collection of books. A real book is much easier to lend to a friend or resell.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I think that is one of the things as to why I couldn't change to a kindle. I enjoy seeing my collection of books grow and I guess in some ways, to be able to show it off.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 Sep 15
I have no experience with a kindle. My dad and his wife received one for a gift and he enjoys the books, he is a reader. She plays games on it.I love the whole atmosphere of a library, and I do not think I would get that with a Kindle. I would consider taking it to the library for some of the ambiance if I had one.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
I think the Kindle or other e-readers are for some people, and not so much for others. I am like you, I have the need to be surrounded by books.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
19 Sep 15
Nothing can equate the satisfaction derived from reading a physical book, holding in hand and turning over the pages as you read.
I dont own a kindle, but yes, here is my cons for all those technical gadgets on which you can read a book- There is a lovely smell as you open the pages of a book - when it is new it is different and if the book remained closed for years and you re-open it, it has a different smell - no device can get any close to smell of paper yet.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
19 Sep 15
@TexanTornado We both are suffering from Symptoms of being Ancient, I believe and as the Gen X/Y/Z (I dont know what they want to be called) says "how uncool"
and as the Gen X/Y/Z (I dont know what they want to be called) says "how uncool" 1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I couldn't agree with you more sids. Nothing, in my mind, could ever compare to it either.
I don't own a kindle either, I never could bring myself to buy one. I even refuse to read the ebooks on the computer and the ones offered on my phone. I want an actual book to hold in my hands.
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
@thesids I don't mind being Ancient, I am all about old school when it comes to reading. If I had the funds, I would love to purchase the old leather bound books. But that is a bit out of my price range. Yes, you are right when they get to our age and have kids, their Kindles will be uncool' too.
I don't mind being Ancient, I am all about old school when it comes to reading. If I had the funds, I would love to purchase the old leather bound books. But that is a bit out of my price range. Yes, you are right when they get to our age and have kids, their Kindles will be uncool' too. 
@besweet (9831)
• Ireland
19 Sep 15
First, I have to say that I like Paper books more.
I can think of one additional advantage of the kindle. If you want to read your book when you are outdoors, for example on your way to work or in the subway, Kindle is much lighter and easier to carry in the hanbag. Also, sometimes I see people next to me looking or trying to read the book that I am reading while I am in public transport.
I hope it has never happened to you, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Kindle is more personal and no one else sees what you are reading.
I hope it has never happened to you, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Kindle is more personal and no one else sees what you are reading.1 person likes this
@besweet (9831)
• Ireland
19 Sep 15
@TexanTornado I remember when I was reading 50 Shades of Grey in the subway, I got some strange looks from people around me.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
No, that has never happened to me. I have had where someone will glance over and try to read the title of the book, but never the book itself.
You do however have a good point about it being a more 'personal' way of reading, if you are a private person. However for me, I would't care if someone knew what I was reading.1 person likes this
@besweet (9831)
• Ireland
19 Sep 15
@TexanTornado They are easy books that don't require much concentration. I like reading popular books and have an opinion even if they are not my style. This trilogy was fun but I wouldn't read it again.
I imagine that you have a different style as well.
I imagine that you have a different style as well.1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
Yes, it does make sense in that regards, with the traveling that is.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I have a kindle, but I too prefer to feel the book in my hands and to turn the pages.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
Yes, I have the need to turn the page and not scroll or swipe. Whatever it is you do on the kindle.
@CookieMonster46 (13453)
• United States
20 Sep 15
Here is one for you, we had an issue with internet this week, I have a Nook, also read books on it, I have a lot of books stored, I can not read a thing for 4 or 5 days until the internet is fixed around here. Right now, I have a pass to the internet, but can only use it on the computer, won't be able to read a thing on my Nook for awhile.
Books are still a lot cheaper on a Nook, you don't have to store them, but if something happens to the device, you are out of luck until you can fix it.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
You gave a prime example. Thank you.
I myself would simply go crazy, and into deep withdrawals if I couldn't read. Especially if the choice to do so or not, was not something I could control. Hence the lost of the internet.
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
Yes, that is true. I understand the spacing issues of paper books compared to the Kindle. I myself don't have a problem with space.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
20 Sep 15
@gudheart Well, that is great. It does seem to be a 'pro' when it comes to the space.
Well, that is great. It does seem to be a 'pro' when it comes to the space.@gudheart (12659)
•
20 Sep 15
@TexanTornado I have a Kindle Fire HD and it is great :D Helped me reduce the clutter in my room lol
1 person likes this
@SimplySara (148)
• Temple, Texas
25 Oct 15
I can transport unlimited books with me when I travel with my Kindle. The downside though is it's way harder to find your spot once you lose it on a Kindle. Such as when your child goes randomly flipping through the pages for you...It's very confusing on a Kindle. With a paper book, you can eyeball it.
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
25 Oct 15
Yes, the traveling with it, is a very good pro. I do tend to take 2-3 books with me when I travel. Mostly for the traveling itself. Oppss I don't mean to laugh, but it seems you might have some experience in losing your place.
Oppss I don't mean to laugh, but it seems you might have some experience in losing your place.@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
26 Oct 15
@SimplySara See, I for one would lose my patience with it. I mean to have to sit and scroll through all of it over again.
@SimplySara (148)
• Temple, Texas
25 Oct 15
@TexanTornado LOL! Yep! My kiddo has a done a number on me more than once! It's ok to laugh about it, It IS pretty funny.
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Sep 15
Ok you might have a point there. I usually bring about 3 or 4 books with me and read only in the early morning, late evening when we actually in the room and aren't doing anything.