Given a list of 30ish young adult novels to choose from, I debated whether to buy the hardcover books or purchase them on my ipad. Being the cheapskate that I am, I went for the cheaper option. The paperback versions were usually cheaper, (especially on Half.com) but some newly published novels were priced the same on the ipad. (Check out the Vandy summer YA lit list!)
Now that our course is complete, I am left with the question- which is better? Digital books or tangible books? My benefits list for each:
photo from wired.com
Digital books: - Forget the big box of books! It is all digital, easy to carry
- Easy access: thanks to the iCloud
- Highlighting text couldn't be easier
- Lights up! No need for a flashlight to read in bed
- Always there, it lasts as long as the ipad is around
- Easy to reference, I love selecting the notes and all the highlighted or bookmarked pages pop up
- Trendy, digital, modern, sleek
- There is something special about a new book- the smell, the cover, the pages (Okay, yes I am a nerdy reading teacher.)
- You can pass it along.
- Easy to share. That is part of the joy of reading when you can pass on (literally pass on) a great read to someone else.
- Sticky notes, bookmarks, highlighters, underlining- a good reader interacts with the text. This seems natural with a real book.
- The fact that I call it a real book shows I may be a bit partial.
- Cheaper? Usually paperbacks can be found used for a few dollars.
- Bookshelves! are beautiful and make for great home and office decor
So I ask, which is better? Where will the idea and act of reading be in 5, 10, 15 years? How do we as teachers prepare our students for the digital generation to come? I'd love to hear (read) your thoughts! :)