Cara Connelly | Digital or Print – Do I Really Have to Choose?

December 1, 2015

Most of you who are reading this are probably like me—you were weaned on print books. A new hardcover was a cherished possession. It had its own delicious scent. It promised hours of reading—and rereading—delight.

Paperbacks had their own charm. They were light. Portable. Easy to read under the covers with a flashlight. Perfect for passing among your girlfriends until they were dog-eared and sometimes tear stained.

For me, a trip to the bookstore was an event. Selecting a book could take hours. I handled dozens before committing to just one. Libraries were nirvana. All those books available to read for FREE! Nothing beat walking out the door balancing a stack of new arrivals under my arm.

The feel of a book in my hand triggered some kind of pleasure center in my brain. So when eReaders came along, I turned up my nose at them. Wrong feel, wrong smell, wrong weight. I didn’t care how many books they could hold, because they weren’t REAL books.

And then I got an iPad. Not that I had any plans to read books on it. But when I was packing for a trip to France, weighing down my suitcase with books, my husband pointed out that I could carry all of them on my iPad. All. Of. Them.

Hmm.

Less luggage to carry. No $50 surcharge for an overweight suitcase. And the clincher? I didn’t even have to buy all the books—I could borrow them from the library RIGHT ON MY iPAD!

So I went for it. Told myself and everyone else that it was only for the trip, not for life. I was a paper girl, born and bred. Digital books were not REAL books. Sure, the words might be the same, but …yada yada. You’ve probably heard it all before.

Suffice it to say, I didn’t hold out for long. Because digital books ARE real books, and eReaders are awesome! Not only do I have library access 24/7, but bookstore access too, day or night. And I can find any book I want. Shelf space at digital bookstores is unlimited—nothing goes out of circulation!

Not to mention that I now have a variety of books with me wherever I go, readable on my phone while I’m waiting at the doctor’s office or stuck in a traffic jam. And best of all, I can control the font size!

That said, I still love print books too, and when I published my first series with Avon Romance, I can’t deny the visceral pleasure of holding my own book in my hand. Best. Feeling. Ever. The entire Save the Date series is in both print and digital, and I love seeing all five books on my shelf.

But when it came time to publish the prequel to the series, my new book READY TO ROCK, I knew I wanted to go indie, to take control of the process and see what it felt like to self- publish this book that means so much to me.

I knew what I was giving up—seeing it on the shelf at my local Barnes & Noble— and I was afraid I’d feel bad about that. I was afraid I’d feel like it wasn’t a REAL book.

But now it’s here, and the only thing I feel is totally psyched! READY TO ROCK is on my iPad, readers are ordering it, and fantastic reviews are going up on Goodreads. It’s all good!

I know that some of my dedicated print readers will be disappointed, but hopefully they’ll discover the joy of eReaders someday. If a stubborn holdout like me can convert to digital, anyone can.

Giveaway

So here’s my question for you—have you converted to digital? If so, why? If not, why not? Or are you like me—a good book is a good book, and I’ll read it any way I can get my hands on it. I’d love to know where you come down on this! I’m giving away a copy of the first book in my Save the Date series—THE WEDDING FAVOR—to one commenter. I’ll send you either print or digital—you decide!

About Cara Connelly

Cara Connelly writes smart, sexy stories of modern romance. Her sparkling dialogue, witty story lines and unforgettable characters are all on display in Cara's Save the Date series for Avon, which focuses on the magic -- and mayhem -- of weddings.

“If you like your contemporary romance to sizzle then look no further,” says Jill Shalvis, New York Times best-selling author, about Cara's work. Cara's stories have won high praise, earning her several awards including the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart, the Valley Forge Romance Writers’ Sheila, and the Music City Romance Writers’ Melody of Love.

Cara lives in the woods of upstate New York with her handsome husband Billy and their blue-eyed rescue dog Bella. You can keep up with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.caraconnelly.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About READY TO ROCK

His name is on everyone's lips--sexy rock star Jack McCabe

Jack's gritty New York City band is red hot, almost as hot as his fiery romance with college student Lil Marchone, the girl from his past, now the woman he loves.

The problem is, Lil's controlling ex wants her back. Rich, powerful, and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing--including murder- -to get Jack out of her life.

But Jack's a badass himself, always up for a fight. And with the stakes this high, he'll risk everything for Lil, even his band. Even his life.

Comments

24 comments posted.

Re: Cara Connelly | Digital or Print – Do I Really Have to Choose?

While I like print-I don't have a dedicated e-reader and red
ebooks through the Kindle app on my computer-I do like the
convenience of ebooks. E-books make reading easier from my
perspective.
(Edward Washington 8:32am December 1, 2015)

I'm a print girl, and love to feel a book in my hands.
I'm also on a limited budget, due to health reasons,
and my Husband is retired, so an e-reader isn't in the
cards for me. Because I also volunteer to teach a
knitting class, there are also times that I need to
pick up a certain book of patterns that might be
helpful. If too many people switch over to e-readers,
it will make the print industry obsolete, and will
hurt industries such as this, by putting them out of
business!! But I digress. I really don't travel, so
other than filling up my bookcases, that is the only
drawback. But for me, to curl up with a cup of hot
cocoa, one of my kitties, and a good book, is one of
my guilty pleasures in life.
(Peggy Roberson 9:28am December 1, 2015)

I enjoy both... I love the feel of a book in hand, but also love the convenience of all the books available on my reader.
(Colleen Conklin 12:08pm December 1, 2015)

I enjoy print and ebook. Which I use depends on the
circumstances. Like you, I use ebooks when I am
travelling due to the lesser weight. I also use them
when reading in bed, my husband might want to turn off
the lights and go to bed but I can still be reading
beside him. But for curling up by the fire and sipping
coffee or tea, I like the feel of a print book in my
hands. It is the whole comfort thing.
(G. Bisbjerg 2:00pm December 1, 2015)

both but I like paper more
(Marissa Yip-Young 2:01pm December 1, 2015)

I, like you fought the digital books until a lot of my favorite authors started coming out only in digital so I broke down and asked for a Kindle for Christmas.
(Shirley Cochran 3:37pm December 1, 2015)

I enjoy both types. I guess the kindle has spoiled me because I like being able to make the print larger and enjoy using the kindle while reading in bed. If it's a very good book, I like to have a printed copy to save in my bookcase. Also, I like being able to share printed copies with my friends or donating them to my local library.
(Anna Speed 3:41pm December 1, 2015)

I enjoy print books only. Holding a book gives me enjoyment
and print is a treasure.
(Sharon Berger 5:26pm December 1, 2015)

I love print! I still read print and that is my preferred method of reading.
However, if a book comes out that I am just dying to read and I know I won't
have time to get a copy in print, I will give in and read it on my tablet.
(Lily Shah 7:03pm December 1, 2015)

i got anook,but i still read the paperback and hardcover at
home.and i am always at the library too.
(Ann Unger 9:27pm December 1, 2015)

I like print the best because I say the book "stares" at me to
be read. I do have a Kindle and I do like it.
(Leona Olson 9:51pm December 1, 2015)

Print for me...I do have an Kindle my children got for me after hearing me say I had so many authors releasing in e-only, but given my preference: print. I do use the Kindle when I travel, taking only three or four print books with me, instead of 14! I read the print on the plane and while waiting. I've evened ordered POD, when available. It's worth it to me!
(Kathleen Bylsma 11:49am December 2, 2015)

I have a kindle---but I really prefer print. I find that
my eyes just get too tired trying to read on the kindle.
(Sue Farrell 1:19pm December 2, 2015)

Yes, but...
I think its hard to scroll through my digital "library" and
browse for a book.
(Krypton I 1:21pm December 2, 2015)

Both. I have been reading mostly on my ereader because of how
easy it is to take everywhere. But I've been reading a lot of
regular books the last couple of months. I love the smell of
them.
(Julie Wingate 4:45pm December 2, 2015)

I prefer print because I like to hold the book but room to keep books makes digital a good choice.
(Melinda Marks 9:54am December 3, 2015)

Not yet. I like books in my hands.
(Pam Howell 11:24am December 3, 2015)

I love my books .They are precious to me , they can take me places that I would never go without them . I don't have an e-reader and really don't want one ( I probably wouldn't know how to operate it ) .
(Joan Thrasher 11:53am December 3, 2015)

I always take a print book with me, no matter where I go. It's easier to have a book book, then an e-reader because one always has to wory about keeping the e-reader charged. I still take the e-reader traveling, though, because I can pack fewer books :)
(Kathleen Bylsma 6:03pm December 3, 2015)

i read more on my kindle because with my RA it's easy to hold but i do say all signed books
(Jennifer Beck 11:00am December 4, 2015)

Print copy please, because even though I have and e-reader, I love my books.
(Kathleen Bylsma 2:10pm December 4, 2015)

I have an eReader, but really prefer print - but maybe I just
have to try reading more digital to get more comfortable with
it.
(Diane Sallans 3:56pm December 4, 2015)

I prefer print (hey, I'm a librarian and my job is to
catalog those beauties!) but I do have both a Kindle and
a tablet where I download books. It is a whole lot easier
traveling now that I don't have to pack a dozen books --
but i DO still take one or two. I do download from amazon
and the library- but don't like having to wait for the
latter! somehow paper books get read faster as well.
(Sandy Haber 4:03pm December 4, 2015)

thanks for the good books and for the contest
(Gloria Vigil 10:55pm December 4, 2015)

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