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Lately, I've had trouble finding time to read, between work and family and all those other things that interfere with daily life. I have heard from many people that a digital reader such as the Kindle is a very useful alternative to carrying around a book, being thinner, lighter, and capable of storing several books. Add in things you wish books had like backlighting, and it sounds like a tasty deal.

The problem is that I, probably like many of you, love books. Not just reading them, but the physical objects known as books. I love to read a new book with that singular scent that they have, or an old book, with a cracked spine and careworn pages. I feel like a digital reader would detract from that vital experience.

So, what do you folks think? Which do you like better, and why?

While I don't get the problems with my eyes like Renkon does, I still prefer paper and ink to a computer screen. Its more... Intimate, I think is the word I am looking for. Much more intimate.
That, and the smell of books, old or new, has always had a comforting effect on me. The smell of libraries, the smell of old libraries in particular, makes me feel safe and cared for. Some of my best friends in all the world are in the books I read. So having the actual pages, some dogeared, some slightly torn with age, the ink, some of it fading, possible a tad smudged if I'm not careful, the cover a little ripped, but still intact, and the spine creased to all hell and back because I've read it so much...
A "digital reader" just couldn't compare to that! That would be like roleplaying sex over the internet, when you can get the real thing from someone you love very much, any time you like. Yeah, the online version can be fun, but the real thing is always going to be infinitely better!

Whereas the idea of an 'eBook' is a good idea, it lacks the qualities that people enjoy in a standard paperback.
Most people that I have spoken to about this in the past have said that it's not just the novel or book, but the feel of the book in their hands, the satisfaction of physically turning a page.
eReaders take that physical satisfaction away.

Add to this the fact that staring at a screen for a long time hurts my eyes, and you've got a definite vote for the printed book from me.

I'm more of a printed book person, but as of late I'll do digital if I don't have the time to go out and buy it as I'd rather now wait for the mailing if I try and get it online. I also do audio if they've got it in that format before I go out and get an entire series.

When it comes to print I tend to get tired faster or end up walking around will reading it cuz I can't hold still or find a comfortable place. but I suppose the same can be said with digital, but it forces me to stay in my terrible computer chair in my room to read it. lol. But either way I do both ^_^

Book person, all the way. I love turning the pages, and feeling the weight of the book in my hand... And.. yeah... I like the smell of books.

Not only this, but I have trouble reading large amounts of print electronically. Bothers my eyes.

Printed book hands down! I want to turn the pages myself rather than scrolling down. It's so much better to physically see/touch/even smell the books as they age.

I like printed books much better because reading things on a computer hurts my eyes and gives me a headache in only about a page. Printer books I find are easier to take with you and you can pretty much bring them everywhere. I haven't tried using a kindle for digital reading but i know some people who have them and so far i have heard nothing but great stuff about it from them.