Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? (I do, even though shelf space is at a premium!)
How much do you read on an e-reader these days?
Do you read on your phone?
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
14 thoughts on “Reader Friday: Reading Habits”
▪️Do I find it hard to part with my printed books?
Most definitely… and there are some I’ve donated to the library that I still wish I hadn’t donated… but, like you, we just ran out of room… and when we moved, even less bookshelf space…
▪️How much do you read on an e-reader these days?
I don’t – I prefer the tactile/”kinetic” feel of the story moving from the right side to left side that the old, analog, printed books convey… plus I find it easier to find my place or to flip back to something I want to reread or annotate…
▪️Do you read on your phone?
See above…
▪️Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
Probably a bit more – and a lot of different things/genres – I seem to be into a lot biographies/autobiographies these days… musicians, especially – David Crosby’s auto-bio a few weeks ago, finishing up Phil Lesh’s 2005 auto-bio here today (probably), and a biography of Brian Eno is on top of the TBR pile…
Thanks for asking!
*Do you find it hard to part with your printed books?
Yes and I don’t often. Because generally my rule is, I purchase non-fiction in print (although sometimes ebook when it’s much more cost effective), and do fiction via e-book. And the non-fic I purchase is typically material I’ll wish to reference more than once (and I like to mark it up). Occasionally I buy a non-fic that I pass along to others to read because it isn’t reference material, but that is an extremely small percentage of my print book purchases.
* How much do you read on an e-reader these days?
About 50/50 for the reasons above.
* Do you read on your phone?
Unlike the majority of society I’m not in love with phones (even from the ancient days of corded phones on the walls – most people love yaking and playing on their phones. I find it a nuisance/annoyance. As for reading, no way these ancient eyes would enjoy reading on a tiny device. I’d be having to swipe the screen every few seconds.
* Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
To my dismay, much less. With the frantic pace of life and time always at a premium (and health issues/fatigue) I don’t read as many books/year as I used to. Hope that will change. Just need to figure out how to cram more than 24 hours in a day.
But I’m very thankful that between print and ebook, we have access to a gazillion books! I think in my kindle library I have something like 1700 books–no way I could physically house all those in my small living space!
Do I find it hard to part with your printed books?
Yes. I love my printed books. I too am running out of space, even with built-in book shelves in the bedroom and an office filled with shelves. I’ve been donating them to a small library that has book sales to raise money to buy new books because the county government doesn’t include that in their budget (why oh why?)
How much do I use an e-reader?
Quite a bit, because I can adjust the font size (I’m that old), because when I fly I can take a bunch of books w/o taking up space or being heavy, because I can use the Libby ap to check out ebooks from the library at no charge, saving money on my tight budget.
Do I read on my phone?
Never.
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
I go through spurts. I read more than I did when I was working full time and had two kids to raise and wrote in my “spare time.” But less than I’d liked to read because I prioritize writing and my husband, who doesn’t read, likes me to watch movies and TV with him in the evenings. When he worked nights, I read for hours in the evening. I still squeeze it in, especially on the weekends. Otherwise I start to go through withdrawal!
I do find it hard to part with printed books. We have book shelves in three rooms in our small house which are stuffed to overflowing.
That said, I read fiction mostly on my e-reader these days, as well as some non-fiction, though in many cases (books of writing craft, reference books, books on astronomy) I prefer to read in print.
I only read on my phone if I don’t have my e-reader or a print book with me.
I don’t spend quite as much time reading as I used. I definitely am working on making sure I have more time to read.
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? Part with print books? What is this you say. I have around 3,000. Some things I like to have on paper.
How much do you read on an e-reader these days? My iPad? Not very much. It is hard to hold for a long time. Some things it is perfect for.
Do you read on your phone? Sometimes. It puts me to sleep. But I have long periods at work where I am waiting for a system to do it’s thing. Kindle on the phone is perfect for this.
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Both? I read more technical books. All of those are e-reader. Less for pleasure reading. See above, reading on my phone is difficult. PDF on a laptop, much better.
Sometimes, a comfy chair, and a good book is what the day needs.
* Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? Yes. We parted with a lot of print books when we moved into a smaller home. But I’m also a realist, and I’m grateful for the space we have now, even though the bookshelves are crammed full. 🙂
* How much do you read on an e-reader these days? I read almost all fiction on my iPad. Almost all non-fiction in print. That’s probably an 80/20 mix.
* Do you read on your phone? Never, unless I’m stuck somewhere with no other options.
* Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Much more than when I was working full time. And loving it.
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? Books on shelves, books in boxes, books on the floor, books in bags . . . get it? It’s vewy, vewy hard to give up my printed books. The books I’ve had for a long time are like cherished friends. Sometimes I like to just get them out and stare at their faces for a few minutes…both the books and the friends! 🙂
How much do you read on an e-reader these days? Fiction–almost exclusively. Research and non-fiction–print.
Do you read on your phone? Nope!
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Less than when I was a kid, but more than when I had a 9-5 and kiddos at home.
Happy Friday!
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? It depends on how I feel about a book. Some books I can’t see me ever parting with and others I’m ready to move them out as soon as I get them home. In fairness to most of my books, the answer is yes. I have a hard time parting with them.
How much do you read on an e-reader these days? I don’t need another piece of technology. No.
Do you read on your phone? Very little. But more than I used to.
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Way more than I ever have. For most of my life I stuck with a handful of authors. I worried over buying the book and hating it. Not so any longer. I actively look for new authors to love and add to my ‘never can depart with’ collection.
I’m dealing with this question right now. Don and I are in the process of moving, and we have 4 rooms of bookshelves, many bookcases 6 feet tall. I love my physical books and some are signed by friends or writers I respect. I’m culling books now, and ones that I don’t want I give to the condo library. If I haven’t read a book in a while, I may try to reread it. If it makes the cut, I keep it.
I read on an iPad often, but never on my phone. I read 2-3 books a week.
If someone gives me a paper book, I try to get it in ebook format because it’s easier to read, and I can make the fonts bigger. I’m also allergic to old paper and many scents like perfume and cigarette smoke which collect on library books. I have been reading much less in recent years, but that’s from 200 books a year to just above 100. Back problems make sitting for long periods of time not so much fun.
I still have books that I had in my childhood, so no, I don’t want to give them up. The last time we moved, we had thirty boxes for just books. However, I’m still loading up my hard drive with books that are mostly research or non-fiction. I never read on my phone, but my computer and tablet get a workout when I’m not playing games or writing.
I’ll answer the last question first. Do I read more or less now? Not as much as when i was a kid, because I read All.the.time. then. Now I mostly read at night, sometimes until 3 in the morning.
I typically go through my books once a year and give away a lot, keeping the ones that friends have signed. I generally give away two books a month on my blogs.
And as for whether I prefer print over ebooks and do I read on my phone, I’ll read anything, anywhere, including the backs of cereal boxes (which aren’t on Kindle). I usually buy books on Kindle unless it’s a craft book. I read so much on my Kindle, if I’m reading a print book, I try to slide the page instead of turning it. 😉
And I’ll read on my phone if my iPad isn’t close.
We’re redoing our downstairs, which meant taking books off shelves–five big plastic storage containers of books. Some of them might have to go, although it’ll require a lot of decision making.
I read both print and ebooks. I don’t buy print books given our lack of space. Libraries fulfill that need.
No to reading on my phone. Too small for these old eyes.
I’m probably reading less now, although I still have two or three books going at any given time. I read mostly at night, and there’s the falling asleep factor.
Getting rid of books — Once I reclassified my books as cellulose-based insulation, getting rid of any became hard. After all, who willingly reduces the R-value of their walls.
Use of e-readers — For years, I spent most of my work day staring at computer screens. After that I went home and spent more time staring at screens on my own behalf. Staring at another screen for my recreational reading, didn’t appeal.
Reading on my phone — No way.
More or less reading — In the last few years, less. Now that I’m retired, I intend to work on my towering TBR pile.
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? (I do, even though shelf space is at a premium!)
▪️Do I find it hard to part with my printed books?
Most definitely… and there are some I’ve donated to the library that I still wish I hadn’t donated… but, like you, we just ran out of room… and when we moved, even less bookshelf space…
▪️How much do you read on an e-reader these days?
I don’t – I prefer the tactile/”kinetic” feel of the story moving from the right side to left side that the old, analog, printed books convey… plus I find it easier to find my place or to flip back to something I want to reread or annotate…
▪️Do you read on your phone?
See above…
▪️Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
Probably a bit more – and a lot of different things/genres – I seem to be into a lot biographies/autobiographies these days… musicians, especially – David Crosby’s auto-bio a few weeks ago, finishing up Phil Lesh’s 2005 auto-bio here today (probably), and a biography of Brian Eno is on top of the TBR pile…
Thanks for asking!
*Do you find it hard to part with your printed books?
Yes and I don’t often. Because generally my rule is, I purchase non-fiction in print (although sometimes ebook when it’s much more cost effective), and do fiction via e-book. And the non-fic I purchase is typically material I’ll wish to reference more than once (and I like to mark it up). Occasionally I buy a non-fic that I pass along to others to read because it isn’t reference material, but that is an extremely small percentage of my print book purchases.
* How much do you read on an e-reader these days?
About 50/50 for the reasons above.
* Do you read on your phone?
Unlike the majority of society I’m not in love with phones (even from the ancient days of corded phones on the walls – most people love yaking and playing on their phones. I find it a nuisance/annoyance. As for reading, no way these ancient eyes would enjoy reading on a tiny device. I’d be having to swipe the screen every few seconds.
* Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
To my dismay, much less. With the frantic pace of life and time always at a premium (and health issues/fatigue) I don’t read as many books/year as I used to. Hope that will change. Just need to figure out how to cram more than 24 hours in a day.
But I’m very thankful that between print and ebook, we have access to a gazillion books! I think in my kindle library I have something like 1700 books–no way I could physically house all those in my small living space!
Do I find it hard to part with your printed books?
Yes. I love my printed books. I too am running out of space, even with built-in book shelves in the bedroom and an office filled with shelves. I’ve been donating them to a small library that has book sales to raise money to buy new books because the county government doesn’t include that in their budget (why oh why?)
How much do I use an e-reader?
Quite a bit, because I can adjust the font size (I’m that old), because when I fly I can take a bunch of books w/o taking up space or being heavy, because I can use the Libby ap to check out ebooks from the library at no charge, saving money on my tight budget.
Do I read on my phone?
Never.
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to?
I go through spurts. I read more than I did when I was working full time and had two kids to raise and wrote in my “spare time.” But less than I’d liked to read because I prioritize writing and my husband, who doesn’t read, likes me to watch movies and TV with him in the evenings. When he worked nights, I read for hours in the evening. I still squeeze it in, especially on the weekends. Otherwise I start to go through withdrawal!
I do find it hard to part with printed books. We have book shelves in three rooms in our small house which are stuffed to overflowing.
That said, I read fiction mostly on my e-reader these days, as well as some non-fiction, though in many cases (books of writing craft, reference books, books on astronomy) I prefer to read in print.
I only read on my phone if I don’t have my e-reader or a print book with me.
I don’t spend quite as much time reading as I used. I definitely am working on making sure I have more time to read.
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? Part with print books? What is this you say. I have around 3,000. Some things I like to have on paper.
How much do you read on an e-reader these days? My iPad? Not very much. It is hard to hold for a long time. Some things it is perfect for.
Do you read on your phone? Sometimes. It puts me to sleep. But I have long periods at work where I am waiting for a system to do it’s thing. Kindle on the phone is perfect for this.
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Both? I read more technical books. All of those are e-reader. Less for pleasure reading. See above, reading on my phone is difficult. PDF on a laptop, much better.
Sometimes, a comfy chair, and a good book is what the day needs.
* Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? Yes. We parted with a lot of print books when we moved into a smaller home. But I’m also a realist, and I’m grateful for the space we have now, even though the bookshelves are crammed full. 🙂
* How much do you read on an e-reader these days? I read almost all fiction on my iPad. Almost all non-fiction in print. That’s probably an 80/20 mix.
* Do you read on your phone? Never, unless I’m stuck somewhere with no other options.
* Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Much more than when I was working full time. And loving it.
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? Books on shelves, books in boxes, books on the floor, books in bags . . . get it? It’s vewy, vewy hard to give up my printed books. The books I’ve had for a long time are like cherished friends. Sometimes I like to just get them out and stare at their faces for a few minutes…both the books and the friends! 🙂
How much do you read on an e-reader these days? Fiction–almost exclusively. Research and non-fiction–print.
Do you read on your phone? Nope!
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Less than when I was a kid, but more than when I had a 9-5 and kiddos at home.
Happy Friday!
Do you find it hard to part with your printed books? It depends on how I feel about a book. Some books I can’t see me ever parting with and others I’m ready to move them out as soon as I get them home. In fairness to most of my books, the answer is yes. I have a hard time parting with them.
How much do you read on an e-reader these days? I don’t need another piece of technology. No.
Do you read on your phone? Very little. But more than I used to.
Overall, do you read more or less than you used to? Way more than I ever have. For most of my life I stuck with a handful of authors. I worried over buying the book and hating it. Not so any longer. I actively look for new authors to love and add to my ‘never can depart with’ collection.
I’m dealing with this question right now. Don and I are in the process of moving, and we have 4 rooms of bookshelves, many bookcases 6 feet tall. I love my physical books and some are signed by friends or writers I respect. I’m culling books now, and ones that I don’t want I give to the condo library. If I haven’t read a book in a while, I may try to reread it. If it makes the cut, I keep it.
I read on an iPad often, but never on my phone. I read 2-3 books a week.
If someone gives me a paper book, I try to get it in ebook format because it’s easier to read, and I can make the fonts bigger. I’m also allergic to old paper and many scents like perfume and cigarette smoke which collect on library books. I have been reading much less in recent years, but that’s from 200 books a year to just above 100. Back problems make sitting for long periods of time not so much fun.
I still have books that I had in my childhood, so no, I don’t want to give them up. The last time we moved, we had thirty boxes for just books. However, I’m still loading up my hard drive with books that are mostly research or non-fiction. I never read on my phone, but my computer and tablet get a workout when I’m not playing games or writing.
I’ll answer the last question first. Do I read more or less now? Not as much as when i was a kid, because I read All.the.time. then. Now I mostly read at night, sometimes until 3 in the morning.
I typically go through my books once a year and give away a lot, keeping the ones that friends have signed. I generally give away two books a month on my blogs.
And as for whether I prefer print over ebooks and do I read on my phone, I’ll read anything, anywhere, including the backs of cereal boxes (which aren’t on Kindle). I usually buy books on Kindle unless it’s a craft book. I read so much on my Kindle, if I’m reading a print book, I try to slide the page instead of turning it. 😉
And I’ll read on my phone if my iPad isn’t close.
We’re redoing our downstairs, which meant taking books off shelves–five big plastic storage containers of books. Some of them might have to go, although it’ll require a lot of decision making.
I read both print and ebooks. I don’t buy print books given our lack of space. Libraries fulfill that need.
No to reading on my phone. Too small for these old eyes.
I’m probably reading less now, although I still have two or three books going at any given time. I read mostly at night, and there’s the falling asleep factor.
Getting rid of books — Once I reclassified my books as cellulose-based insulation, getting rid of any became hard. After all, who willingly reduces the R-value of their walls.
Use of e-readers — For years, I spent most of my work day staring at computer screens. After that I went home and spent more time staring at screens on my own behalf. Staring at another screen for my recreational reading, didn’t appeal.
Reading on my phone — No way.
More or less reading — In the last few years, less. Now that I’m retired, I intend to work on my towering TBR pile.