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I'll lay the groundwork right away: I love reading. And I love buying books and carefully arranging them in my huge library. I'm one of those people who goes to the bookstore for pure pleasure, without necessarily having an idea of a book to get. Besides, reading and buying a book are two very different activities in my eyes.
I am a fairly traditional bookworm. Although I work in a tech media, I have long refused the idea of giving in to the sirens of an e-reader. “Because I like books, real ones, I like their smell” was the argument I constantly put forward. I understood the advantages of an e-reader, of course. Still, I had a hard time imagining myself with some kind of tablet in my hands to read. Then one day, I told myself that I didn’t want to die stupid. That if everyone was singing the praises of e-readers, there must be a reason.
So I swapped my good old bedside book for an e-reader that was lying around the editorial office: the little BOOX Go 6. After a first reading on my e-reader, am I really satisfied to have gone “to the other side”?? Here is my feedback after several days of use.
“Only fools never change their minds”
For my first attempt with an e-reader, I opted for a work that is easy to read and not too long. It is a test, remember. So, I chose to tackle Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, a play that I had really wanted to read for a while. The cherry on the cake? Since it is a work in the public domain, I didn't even have to buy it. It was free. Bingo! My editor-in-chief will be happy… In a bookstore, I would have had to pay at least two or three euros to get my hands on Rostand's play. So it's always something! In this sense, digital versions of books are generally less expensive. This is a first argument in favor of e-readers.
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But the real question is: what is the reading experience worth? 'an e-reader ? To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself devouring Cyrano de Bergerac and chaining together scenes and the acts. I particularly appreciated the display of the progress but also the approximate duration of the chapters. Even if it is not precise, it gives a good idea of its progress. It is perfect to know if there is time , or not, to extend your reading a little. Indeed, having to leave in the middle of a chapter because you didn't anticipate its length can be frustrating. In addition,the experience is not as far from a physical book as I feared. The e-ink technology allows you to enjoy a display similar to that of paper and it is amazing. I had judged too quickly…
The handling of the e-reader is quite intuitive, it did not take me very long to get used to this new device and to integrate it into my routine. Luckily, the BOOX Go 6 is quite autonomous. I only needed to recharge it once to enjoy several hours of reading.
Its main advantage in my eyes is its very compact format. This e-reader is small, light and relatively thin. With its 6-inch diagonal, I was easily able to slip my e-reader into my fanny pack so I could read quietly on the subway in the morning. An undeniable asset…
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It is true that an e-reader revolutionizes going on vacation and other trips. As a bookworm, I always take one or two books (at least) with me when I go away. During long periods, I always have this “fear” of not having enough books with me. What if I ran out of books once I got there ? Even when it comes to paperbacks, taking several works in your bag or suitcase takes up space. This is where the e-reader comes in handy as a terribly practical device. With the end-of-year holidays coming up, I know that my e-reader will allow me to save a few grams (or even kilos!) in my belongings. That's good, knowing that I'm already loaded with gifts.
So, I'm rather seduced by the e-reader. Considering my initial point of view, it's a real miracle. But inevitably, there are still a few flaws that tickle me.
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Half convinced…
An e-reader is practical. But how slow it is! The BOOX Go 6 that I used for this feedback is painfully slow. Unfortunately, it seriously lacks fluidity and responsiveness. For the impatient person that I am, it is an ordeal. After a little benchmark, it would seem that latency is a recurring problem for e-readers. However, the model in my possession is particularly slow to start. For its part, the new Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon demonstrates an instantaneity that is the stuff of dreams. So I should perhaps look into the subject soon…
Latency is not the only flaw of e-readers. There is also the fact that it is impossible to lend the books we have loved to those around us. As with dematerialized games, e-books do not really belong to us, we simply have the right to use them. Not being able to lend a book to a loved one, I find that extremely unfortunate. Because that is also why I like to read. Being able to discuss a work that has touched us in one way or another and lending it to be able to talk about it, that is also what reading is all about.
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Finally, I remain a fan of well-stocked shelves. I like my apartment to have a little library feel that my friends can browse when they are passing through (and lend them books, as I have already said). While an e-reader is practical and economical, it will never replace (in my eyes) the beautiful bookcase that proudly decorates my living room. But the two can certainly coexist. Here is my verdict.
If I started with preconceptions about this increasingly popular device, certain that I would not succumb, I now understand better the appeal of e-readers. Although I am not yet fully convinced, I am no longer as reluctant as I was before my experience. Like what…
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