I’ll lay the foundations right away: I love reading. And I love buying books and arranging them carefully in my huge library. I am one of those who go to the bookstore for pure pleasure, without necessarily having an idea for a book to get. Besides, reading and buying a book are two very distinct activities in my eyes.
I’m a pretty traditional bookworm. Although working in tech media, I have long refused the idea of giving in to the sirens of an e-reader. “Because I love books, real ones, I love their smell” was the argument I constantly made. I understood the benefits offered by an e-reader, of course. Despite everything, I had a hard time imagining myself with some sort 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 at 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 don’t change their minds”
For my first try with an e-reader, I opted for a work that is easy to read and is not too long. It’s 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. Cherry on the cake? Since this is a public domain work, I didn’t even need to purchase it. It was free. Bingo! It’s my editor-in-chief who will be happy… In a bookstore, it would have cost me at least two or three euros to get my hands on Rostand’s piece. So that’s always the case! In this sense, digital versions of books are generally less expensive. This is a first argument in favor of e-readers.
But the real question is: what is the reading experience of an e-reader worth? To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself devouring Cyrano de Bergerac and to sequence the scenes and the acts. I particularly appreciated the display of progress but also of the approximate duration of the chapters. Although this is not precise, it gives a good idea of his progress. This is perfect for knowing whether or not there is time to continue reading a little. Indeed, having to leave in the middle of a chapter because you poorly anticipated its length can be frustrating. Moreover, the experience isn’t as far removed from a physical book as I feared. Electronic ink technology allows you to enjoy a display similar to that of paper and it’s stunning. I judged too quickly…
Using the e-reader is quite intuitive, it didn’t take me very long to get used to this new device and integrate it into my routine. Luckily, the BOOX Go 6 is quite autonomous. I only needed to charge it once to get several hours of playback.
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…
It is true that an e-reader revolutionizes going on vacation and other trips. Passionate about reading, I always take one or two books (at least) with me when I’m 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 paperback books, carrying several works in your bag or suitcase takes up space. This is where the e-reader emerges as a formidably practical device. With the end of year holidays, 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 am rather seduced by the e-reader. From my initial point of view, this is a true miracle. But of course, there are still some flaws that tickle me.
Also read – Best e-Ink e-reader 2024: which one to choose? (comparative)
Half convinced…
An e-reader is practical. But how slow it is! The BOOX Go 6 that I used for this feedback is distressingly slow. Unfortunately, it sorely lacks fluidity and responsiveness. For the impatient person that I am, it’s an ordeal. After a small benchmark, it seems that latency is a recurring problem for e-readers. However, the model in my possession is specifically long on the trigger. For its part, the new Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon demonstrates an immediacy that makes you dream. So perhaps I should look into the subject soon…
Latency is not the only drawback of e-readers. There is also the fact that it is impossible to lend books that you like to those around you. As with digital games, the 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’s also why I like reading. 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 is also what reading is all about.
Finally, I remain a lover of well-stocked shelves. I like my apartment to have a bit of a library feel that my friends can browse through when they’re visiting (and lend them books, as I’ve said before). If 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 definitely coexist. Here is my verdict.
If I started with preconceptions about this increasingly popular device, I would be sure not to 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…
