Do You Prefer E-book Readers Or Having The Physical Book?

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
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Interesting question. I prefer physical books. But here's something you may find surprising.

Even though I prefer physical books, I am getting to the point where I want to purchase digital comic books because whenever I find an old comic book or an old Mad/Cracked/Crazy magazine (I really love the latter three), I've lately noticed that many of my finds from the comic-book store have really strong odors that I am allergic to. Plus, they just look too dirty these days (for whatever reason). I'm getting increasingly afraid of germs as I get older, so buying digital comics is one area where I might prefer a non-physical copy. Of course, it would be great if they could create a print-on-demand business for old issues of Mad, Tales From The Crypt, etc. (Seriously, why isn't this being done?)

And here's something else: I find it very difficult these days to check books out of the library. Whenever I do, I always wipe them down with an alcohol cloth. Anyone else do that? (A fear of library books -- there has to be a Stephen King story in there somewhere.)
 
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Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Interesting question. I prefer physical books. But here's something you may find surprising.

Even though I prefer physical books, I am getting to the point where I want to purchase digital comic books because whenever I find an old comic book or an old Mad/Cracked/Crazy magazine (I really love the latter three), I've lately noticed that many of my finds from the comic-book store have really strong odors that I am allergic to. Plus, they just look too dirty these days (for whatever reason). I'm getting increasingly afraid of germs as I get older, so buying digital comics is one area where I might prefer a non-physical copy. Of course, it would be great if they could create a print-on-demand business for old issues of Mad, Tales From The Crypt, etc. (Seriously, why isn't this being done?)

And here's something else: I find it very difficult these days to check books out of the library. Whenever I do, I always wipe them down with an alcohol cloth. Anyone else do that? (A fear of library books -- there has to be a Stephen King story in there somewhere.)
I think we have all become "germ-phobic" unfortunately but it did give me pause when a story surfaced about bed bugs being found in old library books! Yikes - who doesn't like to read in bed? [shudder]
 

lenona

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2006
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66
Las Vegas, Nevada
I have a Kindle. I like reading it. It has several advantages that books don't have. Light weight, I can shop for a new story to read anywhere there is wifi and it is a space saver to name a obvious few. I love books. Books don't need electricity unless your in a dark room. If ever trapped on a isolated island I want a book.
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
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The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
I wonder KFF - if you put a library book in the microwave would it burst into flames? That might kill the little buggers! (Don't try this at home, kids!) ;-D
I'm going to be the boring guy again I think.....Microwaves work by vibrating water molocules in your food or water, the friction heats it up. Without water molocules I don't think much would happen to a book. Your e-reader on the other hand, the electronics would cause a pretty light show.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I'm going to be the boring guy again I think.....Microwaves work by vibrating water molocules in your food or water, the friction heats it up. Without water molocules I don't think much would happen to a book. Your e-reader on the other hand, the electronics would cause a pretty light show.
So it would not kill the bed bugs?
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I just looked it up on Google. Check it out for yourself. Ask if microwaves will kill bed bugs inside books. I seem to remember something about prolonged heat baking them to death.

I looked it up on Google too and ended up with lots of different answers and opinions.

Talk about "cooking the books", eh? One method involves putting books in large zip lock bags and leaving them in the hot sun for a long time to kill the bugs?
 

lenona

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2006
119
60
66
Las Vegas, Nevada
Well.... this last bit of conversation kinda creeped me out. The bedbugs living in books thing does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. I buy books on ebay and second hand stores. Argghh.... Scary. Sooo trying to be optimistic, I will rationalize that if you can kill a cat by putting it in the microwave, which I hear has been done (the poor thing), a bedbug must suffer the same result if microwaved. What is gross... having bedbug guts in my book while reading it. But then again, I have no problem with food or drink stains in the used books I I bought. Heck, I put some there myself.