Print and eBooks

People like to talk about which is better, a book whose pages you can flip or a library you can carry around on a little piece of cool technology. I know I've started to write about it in the past, I don't know why I deleted that post.

Which is better? I don't think one is really better than the other. Sure, I have a favorite, but I won't claim that it's better.

The nice thing about eBooks is that, as mentioned above, you can carry libraries around on a fancy little Kindle or Nook. Or in my case, on my iPhone. If I need to travel light, that's a good thing. Also, you can search for words or phrases, and I feel no guilt about making notes or highlighting in eBooks.

I find print books much nicer to hold, though. To feel them in my hands, turn the pages, smell them...yes, I smell books sometimes. Don't judge. It's easier to flip through them, jump from one place to another, and I don't have to recharge any batteries with them. There's also something very satisfying about seeing a bookcase full of books. Not to mention, how do you get your favorite author to sign your eBook?

I suppose the next question should be which is my favorite, or which I choose. Print books are my favorite, but I choose both. Why not? They both have their strengths, and as much as I'd love to have lots of shelves full of books I don't really have the space or money for that. Maybe someday I'll have a large room dedicated to books...this is one of my happy daydreams.

A photo from last year of my bookshelf

Which do you prefer? Do you have firm opinions about which is better? Do you have a preference? I'm curious. :)