Our resident bookworm debate the merits of various publishing formats…

by Brian MacReamoinn

At last, you’ve managed to get away for a well-earned break. You’re looking forward to a week of doing absolutely nothing more physically demanding than reading. But what are you going to take with you?
Remember how you made a promise to yourself? This is the moment of truth; it can be put off no longer. Ulysses. Yes, you’re finally going to tackle the notoriously difficult literary masterpiece. And how appropriate in the centenary year of its publication. You’ve tried before, but this time you’re determined to make it to the end. But, as you attempt to squeeze the 700-page tome into your slimline carry-on suitcase, you pause. Surely it must be available as a free download?

Tech vs trad
Now you find yourself wrestling with a tricky decision. Which is better: the physical or digital version of a book?
Fans of e-readers are happy to list all the practical advantages. There’s the vast choice of books available in one place, an entire library in the palm of one’s hand. That means huge weight-savings, so no more lugging piles of heavy books around. The robust, compact design also means no bending of spines, no suntan lotion messing up the pages, no need for bookmarks which are always falling out. Extra functions include adjusting the type size, being able to look up words and “rewinding” which is much harder to do in a book. There are additional benefits such as being able to read silently without worrying about the rustling of paper waking up your holiday companion while they’re having a siesta.

Portable paper
Meanwhile, in the opposite corner, book-lovers are keen to point out the physical drawbacks of electronic devices. Staring at screens can make your eyes tired and itchy. They’re not good at the beach, because sand gets all over the screen. The chargers for them are different from those for phones, so that means remembering to bring yet more attachments. Which of course increases the chances of leaving them in hotel rooms and having to replace them at enormous expense in the local village shop. Above all, there’s the lack of ‘bookness’. Bibliophiles love the tactile nature of books, the feel and shape of them, the smell of a freshly published paperback. Some studies have suggested readers have the sense of starting at the beginning of a story and finishing as the tale ends. A book is a physical object which gives a visible, tangible sign of progression as the pages are turned.
Tablet or tome? Digital precision or dog-eared paperback? This is the dilemma facing travellers everywhere. It can cause angst and uncertainty on the eve of a holiday, just when the relaxing is supposed to start. However, there is a simple and obvious solution when it comes to choosing hardback or hardware…
Take both.