Kindle verses Paper? The quiet trade off no one talks about.

I have recently been considering getting a kindle, I like the idea of being able to read in bed, in the blind, and not have to bring multiple books with me when traveling. But something about the kindle has also always bothered me. And part of it is the price of the books. I mean $15-20 for a digital book?

I have heard that when you get use to reading on a kindle you can read faster, and while I haven’t tested this, it was interesting. But while I thought over this, I thought about numbers, prices, (more time starting at a screen) and then I ask myself, What am I giving up for the sake of convenience? Because convenience is the only reason I want the kindle. So it’s easier to read while I’m traveling, in the blind, and when I should be sleeping in bed. I can instantly download a new release and read it in a few days.

But what am I missing out on? The anticipation on waiting for a physical book in the mail? The joy of finding that book you’ve been searching for in a second hand shop? The memories of stained pages, and sticky notes, and teeth marks on the corner of the cover? The afternoon going to three book stores searching for a copy of the Christmas Carol so your sister can read it before she goes to watch her friends act in the local production of The Christmas Carol? Being able to pass down books to my kids that I read as a kid?

My question to you is what are you giving up for the sake of Convenience?

I understand Readers have their place, my mom loves hers. And for our military personal they make perfect sense to read while on deployment. But how many of us are looking at kinds with a fear that we’re missing something without considering the cost of what we’re giving up.