I Believe In REAL Books
It seems there has been a recent spur of posts about a look into peoples relationships with their money and I LOVE reading about them. If you missed mine, click HERE.
The main philosophy about the physical money that I gained was to Spend On What You Believe In. Ever since this jumped into my conscious, I’ve been taking a long hard look at what I spend my money on and why . . .
Its no secret that books, magazines and newspapers have taken on a different form in the past decade. Our digital world produces digital ways to find out what’s going on in the world whether its to find out what celebrity died, what the latest news is on the wars in the world or just to curl up and read a mindless novel. Through kindles, nooks, iPads, high-tech phones and the good ole internet . . . its clear that information on paper is dying.
Of course I can relate to this phenomenon. It saves trees, it saves room and it gives you the chance to have all the information of the world right at your fingertips (literally). I’ll admit, one of the coolest things I thought when I received an iPad was that I was able to download the Kindle for FREE. I started reading books this way and rarely set foot in book stores anymore. Nope, I curled up on my bed or on the train with a bright light staring in my face swiping page by page with one finger as my eyesight got worse.
Its just not the same!
Ask my Dad, I’ve always been a paper person (says the blogger). In fact, my first ever job was at Staples where I had unlimited access to all the office stationary you could imagine! When all of these high tech phones and palm pilots rose to fame, I held strong with my pen, planner and notebook collection and never turned back.
This part of myself carried over to books and its time to own it.
-When it comes to books . . . I like to purchase BOOKS.
-You know, the ones that have pages, paper and pretty pictures?
-I like the sound when you turn a page.
-I love being able to see how far you’ve come and how much longer you have left to go.
-I love walking into a bookstore and smelling the new paper with a hint of faint coffee from the little shops within.
-I enjoy the search of a book, the reward of finding the perfect one and getting excited to sit down, read it in my hands and learn something new.
-I like that people can SEE the cover of what I read as it generates discussion and lets someone know what I ‘m interested in, even if they don’t know me.
-I like how you are able to share a book with someone if they want to borrow it.
Technology obviously has its place in my life. And yes, there are times where I will buy a book digitally but for the most part, they are going to stay as the actual thing that they are and always were because I believe . . .
REAL Books Reign Supreme
Where are you in the digital vs real book dilemma?





I’ve been holding a similar position with books. I think it’s wonderfully convenient to go the e-reader route, but I also feel like I just love my physical books too much to go that direction. I love having my books, and I love the way they look in a room too! It also bothers me when the digital copy of a book is more expensive than the physical copy…silly!
That said, I recently moved again, and I’d be lying if I wasn’t wishing for digital books while I hauled those big boxes up and down flights of stairs
I was up and down with my stance too . . .
What really set me over the edge was the books are just as expensive if not more!!
If I dont physically have something in my hand . . . it doesnt feel REAL when it comes to books and just doesnt make that same impact.
I guess thats why I always use cash
I’m on the fence. I love reading blogs and gathering info on the web, but I HATE reading on a kindle. I love libraries and bookstores, I love reading novels and art books with spines and covers. I don’t doubt that books are being outmoded, but it’s sat to lose the experience of getting brand new shiny book that you’ve been waiting for.
I think it would be sad to lose that experience too!
I love paper books…love them. I’m with you on the sound and the smell and knowing where you are and how far you have to go and starting conversations based on the cover. It’s all awesome! I’m currently on a book diet because we’re running out of space and there are so many books on our shelves I haven’t read, but the library is my very good friend!
Ive been meaning to take a trip to the library!
Thanks for the reminder
I love to read real, live books, but usually just ones I get from the library. If I really, really want to own a book, it’s because it has some really valuable information, which usually means it’s non-fiction.
I can’t see myself getting a Kindle, but then again, years ago I didn’t see myself doing lots of things I do now!
I do love the Internet and getting tons of info from it, but I still tend to trust “real” information sources like books more.
Theres something about getting info from the internet that is just . . . shady. You just never know!
I also mostly buy books that have informational value that I look back in or read again.
Story books I never read again so its a waste for me to buy them for keeps!
I am on the side of “real books” but I can see the appeal of e-books – mostly for school. It would be SO much easier to lug around an iPad instead of a bag full of super-expensive textbooks! I still can’t see reading an iPad/Kindle by the pool though – I’ll stick to real books for that!
Oh I would totally make an exception for school books!
Its rare that curling up with a school book is fun so they shouldnt be allowed to have the pleasure of being real
I’m on the side of real books (after all I work in a library)!
However, I can see the benefit of e-books. I have one on my iphone so I can read something while waiting at the doctor’s office or whenever I have downtime.
I’m in the middle. I don’t think anything can compare to the experience and power of reading a real book I’m holding in my hands, but I also think there’s a time and place for e-books.
You are part of my inspiration to start a money series!
How awesome!
Thanks Katie! Im excited to read your series
I love real books. I like to look at the stack I have ready to go on my nightstand and be excited about it. I really need to see how much more I have left too!!
Sorry, but I vote for the not-so-green paper in hand books.