Do you prefer ebooks over books? \ stacker news ~BooksAndArticles

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1020 sats \ 52 comments \ @ek 8 Dec BooksAndArticles

Today, I went to my local book store to order the third edition of Mastering Bitcoin.¹

The clerk said they couldn't order the printed version of the third edition, only the second edition, but they had it available as an ebook. I tried to hide my disappointment and only said, "Then … not. Thank you anyway, bye!"

While walking home, I remembered that I had also wanted to read How to Win Friends and Influence People for a long time.² So I walked back and asked if they could order it. The reply was the same: only the ebook was available (I also wanted the English version, not some possibly weird German translation).

While walking home again, I wondered if I'm being too altmodisch and if I should just get with the times and buy the ebook versions instead of bothering with the printed ones. Then I also wouldn't have to wait for delivery, I would always know where my ebooks are, I would never accidentally flip more than one page, I would spend less money, and a heavy book couldn't smack me in the face if I accidentally dropped it while reading in bed.³

I would describe myself as someone who has grown very skeptical of any technology, but especially of new technology. I think technology is turning us into something that following generations might not have a problem with, because they won't even know what they are missing out on, just like I don't know what I'm missing out on. I try to use technology very selectively and be aware of what it does to me, even though I wouldn't necessarily say I'm good at it. But I'm at least trying, you know?

Anyway, what do the stackers think? Do you prefer ebooks over books?

I've read the second edition of Mastering Bitcoin years ago, but the 2026 BOSS Challenge from Chaincode specifically mentioned we should read the third edition. Makes sense because of the major changes. ↩
I heard good things about it iirc, but is it really worth reading it? Can someone here recommend it? ↩
I'm assuming an ebook reader hurts less and/or is easier to hold. ↩

ebooks28.9%

books71.1%

38 votes \ poll ended

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3 replies \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Oh, I forgot to mention: paying for the ebook version of Mastering Bitcoin might even be a scam, because it's available for free online.

101 sats \ 1 reply \ @optimism 8 Dec

Paying for it is honoring v4v, I think. Can even just read the online version and then pay for the ebook as a zap.

101 sats \ 0 replies \ @SimpleStacker 8 Dec

i'd argue that depending on the format, the ebook may also offer additional functionality than the free online version. Having searchable notes has been a very useful feature for me with ebooks

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 20h

totally

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @SevenOfNine 19h

Mastering Bitcoin and other technical books are ones I prefer to have in physical form to quickly flip through or take notes. Everything else I prefer as an ebook.

242 sats \ 1 reply \ @Scoresby 8 Dec

I used to have a twenty-foot tall bookcase that was full of books. I built it into my stairwell. I really loved those books. I had a very hard to find copy of the journals of a Tasmanian missionary who was also a jerk; I had every book by William Vollmann, I had several shelves of 1970s scifi; everything Steinbeck published; three copies of Catch-22; the complete collection of Robert E Howard; numerous journals of Arctic explorers; and a paperback copy of Wisconsin Death Trip.

I don't own any books now.

My conversion to ebooks happened in this way: I like the convenience of getting things right away and being able to access them instantly.

That said, I don't like ebooks as much as I like webpages.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @brunenzio 9h

I resonate with essentially all you wrote.

Because of physical constraints (lack of space and frequent space relocation), I had to stop collecting physical books/comics/mangas/magazines well before ebooks (and tablets/smartphone on which to read them) were as good and as widespread as they are now. It has been dramatic for a long time. I loved (and still love) to physically manipulate written words and images, and I absolutely adore the quest for finding them in new libraries or old/weird/hidden second-hand markets.

However, with the passage of time and the advancement of technology, I started realizing that digital reading is more efficient, it is better adapted to my cataloguing/labelling/annotating brain, especially with the help of software like Zotero and Obsidian, and allows me to be as ruthless as I want when I read out of home because I do not have to select in advance what I'll be reading.

Obviously, if I had adequate surplus of space and purchasing power, I would definitely indulge myself in collecting a lot of books/comics/mangas/magazines, but making sure I also have digital copies (and multiple backups).

Finally, I am still wrapping my head on the webpages>e-books relation you mentioned. At first, I instinctively disagreed. Now, I think I get what you mean, and perhaps I have to say I actually agree. The fact that you could also get something like an e-book/webpage like:

is an even more evident support of your thesis. The real problem is that I do not know something like Zotero to save locally and organize websites (and automatically update entries).

124 sats \ 0 replies \ @optimism 8 Dec

ebooks, because single page and dark mode.

150 sats \ 2 replies \ @StillStackinAfterAllTheseYears 8 Dec

I prefer physical books, but for casual reading, I don't dislike ebooks (when I'm traveling, would much rather have a kindle with 50 novels on it than a bunch of larger and heavier items). But for reference books of any sort? Absolutely want them physically - I end up flipping back and forth constantly, and a PDF isn't the same.

71 sats \ 0 replies \ @WeAreAllSatoshi 8 Dec

I agree with this. The one thing I really like about ebooks for reference is the ability to control-f search. Casual reading I prefer physical books, but I also don’t do much casual reading

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 8 Dec

when I'm traveling, would much rather have a kindle with 50 novels on it than a bunch of larger and heavier items

Great point! I usually bring one book with me, but then I'm not interested in reading that particular book.

101 sats \ 3 replies \ @SimpleStacker 8 Dec

Also, it's interesting that even though you work in tech, you are becoming more anti-tech. I have a friend who said something similar. He works for Google and he says the longer he works in tech the more anti-tech he becomes...

67 sats \ 2 replies \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Mhh, yeah, maybe it's related to how, when you see how the sausage is made, you no longer want to have the sausage? Even though, taken literally, in my case I did not enjoy sausages any less after I looked up how they are made.

Another example might be bitcoin's culture: I feel like the more I get involved with in it, the more of a normie I become again. It’s that repulsive sometimes … haha

77 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 8 Dec

Another example might be bitcoin's culture: I feel like the more I get involved with in it, the more of a normie I become again. It’s that repulsive sometimes … haha

I get that. I just stick to my conviction that, "It would be good to have a money that is outside government control and can't be printed". Everything else about bitcoin culture is just noise. I just hope that the toxic bitcoin culture doesn't lead to unwise, damaging changes in the protocol

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Yeah, no plans to drop bitcoin, but staying vigilant not to go full retard.

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @jimmysong 9 Dec

I'm going to shill the daylight computer here, because for me, reading on it is such a great experience.

256 sats \ 2 replies \ @SpaceHodler 8 Dec

eBooks all the way. They're downloadable, searchable and extractable from with LLMs. And I can t2s them with Librera.

I don't need paper to take space and gather dust.

20 sats \ 1 reply \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Had to ask ChatGPT what t2s means, haha:

Great point! Extra sats for being the only one who brought this up.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @SpaceHodler 23h

I should have used the acronym TTS!

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @samhainsam 8 Dec

This is such a difficult question! But I guess, it depends on the book. Ebooks are very convenient and are at available as soon as I want them but physical books are still irreplaceable, there's nothing like flipping through the pages and holding the book and when you finish it, looking at it like it just brought you to like, in my experience.

132 sats \ 0 replies \ @j7hB75 8 Dec

Depends. If it’s a technical book that I will be flipping around in and referencing material frequently, then physical book is the way to go. Otherwise, casual reading is more convenient to have in ebook fashion.

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @itsTomekK 8 Dec

I prefer ebooks for convenience... unless there is lots of pictures, graphs, reference pages to which one needs to get back often - then paper wins

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @TotallyHumanWriter 8 Dec

I much prefer reading physical books and am happily growing my citadel library.

EBooks do carry a lot of advabtages though. Speed, availability and cost. I live in a part of Spain where book shops are poorly stocked and shipping is a nightmare, so I'm probably 50/50 on eBooks and paper right now.

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 8 Dec

Physical books are always gonna be my jam, but I gotta admit, sometimes an ebook is better. This probably ain't a big deal for most folks, but you can't forget that a sweet physical book, especially if it's a hardcover, still holds some value, just in case you wanna flip it later. I don't recall seeing a secondary market for ebooks!

55 sats \ 0 replies \ @orto 8 Dec

Ebooks because:

☆No cutting trees ☆Multiple device reading option ☆ Screen quality is getting better every day ☆Cheaper books ☆ Easy internet search while reading

33 sats \ 0 replies \ @Hector_of_Troy 8 Dec

Hmm... 🤔 Remember back a few years ago, when everyone said digital books were going to overtake physical books and there'd be no more bookstores? Clear case of the tech nerds getting ahead of themselves.

To answer your question: Absolutely not 👎 , but if you read a lot, ebooks are very helpful. They can expand your library far, far beyond what you can physically contain. I'm sure every bookworm would like to have the castle library in Beauty and the Beast, but a library of EPUBs will have to do for most. For the books you love, though, there is no substitute to a hardcover.

Just like the grocery checkout, a hybrid system is best, I find.

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @SimpleStacker 8 Dec

For the most part I prefer either ebook or audio book now. Part of it is simple space constraints: the house is already overflowing with too many books, I don't want to add to the clutter.

But even without that constraint, I still prefer ebook if it's something I plan to study, teach on, or write a review about. The search and note taking features are too helpful to pass up

33 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 8 Dec

I prefer physical books and even if I didn't I think there is value in not having another screen related activity.

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @winteryeti 8 Dec

I prefer real books. My brain seems to get more out of them versus a digital copy. Plus, unlike digital versions, I can get most books I'm interested in at the local goodwill for less than $3 each. The same would be $10-30 online for a license copy. Kind of a no-brainer from that perspective.

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @rootmachine 8 Dec

books would be and should be the preferred option for everyone. at least in my universe this is a thing.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Why though?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @rootmachine 20h

I am siding with the authors due to my work expertise. Plus the smell of paper and ink of a new book, the feeling flipping pages and finding the end. All these can never be reproduced by a eBook. And I could continue with so many other reasons.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 8 Dec

IRL books > Screen books

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @Solomonsatoshi 8 Dec

Like ebooks because they are usually available free. Prefer the physical substance of a real book but rarely buy them now. Would like an option to support writers while reading their ebooks. Ammous has the right approach in this regard.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Ammous has the right approach in this regard.

What's his approach?

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 8 Dec

Books are better, but ebooks on an e-reader is not too much worse.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @SwapMarket 8 Dec

Only audiobooks for me.

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @BITC0IN 8 Dec

that's a hard No.

physical books are superior in every way.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Really in every way?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BITC0IN 9 Dec

all the ways that matter

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @DarthCoin 8 Dec

are audio books considered ebooks? Because for my age and weak eye-sight, the audio books are the solution...

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 8 Dec

Not going to zap anything you write until you re enable Bitcoin MoE on your SN account.

For gods sake participate in one of the very few global BTC circular economies available and stop being an arsemilking hypocrit.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 8 Dec

Mhh, good question. You reminded me I wanted to try audio books for a while.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Angie 4h

Me cuesta leer libros electrónicos, los leo pero en ocasiones le pierdo el interés, es diferente cuando tomo un libro impreso no se porque pero lo primero que hago es olerlo, luego toco sus hojas para palpar sus hojas, si son suaves,lisas o asperas, ahora mismo estoy leyendo un libro viejo y de hojas asperas y me encanta esa relación, la cuál no persibo en un libro electrónico.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @TheWildHustle 19h

TheWildHustle always found it difficult finding a good reading position

Always was hunched over shifting and turning and whatnot

Reading from my laptop has been an unusually nice experience lately.

But maybe some sort of reading desk fixes this

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 20h

f I should just get with the times and buy the ebook versions instead of bothering with the printed ones. Then I also wouldn't have to wait for delivery, I would always know where my ebooks are, I would never accidentally flip more than one page, I would spend less money, and a heavy book couldn't smack me in the face if I accidentally dropped it while reading in bed

All true -- and your enjoyment and reading retention would suffer as a consequence. Don't do it.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei 9 Dec

Using Libby on my phone increases my reading rate because I can read it on the go. Still remain attached to physical books, especially because I am the kind who loves the crisp smell of new books

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @unboiled 9 Dec

At home, I prefer a physical book unless its so big/heavy that you can only read it on a desk.

When traveling, it's ebooks on a reader without backlight. Compact convenience wins when we're on the road for months at a time with backpacks only.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BitcoinIsTheFuture 9 Dec

Podcasts lol

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @billytheked 9 Dec

I prefer paper. But when I don't have paper, I usually rip it from offline and stick it on an old kobo. djazz.se is a good tool for getting ebooks onto your ereader. Reading from any screen irks me, but eink is tolerable.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @mateusdeap 8 Dec

Books are always better in my opinion. More relaxing. I like ebooks for the books I’d never spend the money on a physical copy or that are too expensive or hard to acquire where I live. I end up never reading any books at all due to work and kids, but I consume both formats no problem. I just think physical books leave a lasting impression compared to ebooks

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @fred 8 Dec

I like hardcopy books but I haven’t read one in a long time as I spend most of my time online.

Footnotes