E-readers are an incredible convenience that many people swear by. You can have all of your books in one place and they are extremely portable. Sometimes there’s nothing more frustrating than being forced to haul around loads of large books, however, they’re not made for everyone. Keep reading to learn about some of the pros and cons of e-readers.

What are the choices?

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to e-readers: the Amazon Kindle, the Sony Reader and Barnes & Noble’s Nook are among the most well-known choices. Some newer versions offer Internet capabilities, but the primary purpose is to display e-books.

Tablet owners frequently use their tablets to read e-books as well. Most tablets, however, do much more than just display e-books, so that is not their primary purpose.

Pros

• E-readers are unbelievably portable, which is fantastic for any person who likes to read while on vacation or a business trip
• Yet another travel bonus – if you are in a foreign country, you may still download an e-book in the language you have chosen, instead of searching for an accommodating bookstore.
• Books are frequently cheaper than you will find in normal bookstores.
• Privacy – you almost certainly don’t want everybody to know if you’re reading a self-help book. If you’re using an e-reader, they won’t be able to tell.
• All of your books are located in a single place.

Cons

• Depending on the type of e-reader or tablet, you may not be able to read in direct sunlight because of screen glare.
• Cost – even though you might pay less for books than you normally would, e-readers generally cost upwards of $140.
• If you’re accustomed to shopping in used bookstores, these books will cost a great deal more than you’re accustomed to spending.
• Lending books isn’t always an option.
• All of your books are in one location – if you lose your e-reader, you’re losing all of your books unless you buy a replacement.

As with any other decision regarding buying a new device, this decision should be based on personal preference. Some people really like the convenience of being able to have all of their books with them everywhere they go. Others appreciate the weight and feel of an actual book and enjoy being able to showcase all their books on a shelf for the world to see.

For more insight into the debate between e-readers and traditional books check out this article.