Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

100 vs. 1

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Did you know that e-readers have now been on the scene for twenty-five years? Twenty-five years! That’s a whole quarter of a century!

I’m not an early adopter of new technology, so I didn’t get an e-reader until 2007 or 2008 when my husband gave me a Kindle for my birthday. At that time, I remember borrowing free ebooks through Amazon Prime and not being very happy with the quality of the writing or editing. I stayed away from ebooks for a few years because I assumed that all the ebooks available on Amazon were subpar.

(Yes, I was a little snobby. I’d been through an MFA program where it was drilled into our minds that anything less than traditional publishing was… not worth thinking about.)

Then, in 2011, I gave birth to my first son. He cried a lot. He wouldn’t nap in his crib. He had trouble falling asleep at night.

I spent many an hour sitting on the couch feeding the baby, then cradling him against my chest while he napped. I’d hold him in one arm and use my other hand to *try* to turn the pages of a book. And let me tell you: it’s no easy feat to turn pages while you’re nursing a baby.

So cute, but so cranky…

I honestly can’t remember when I decided to dust off my old Kindle, but by the time I had my second son, I was e-reading all the time! It’s way, way easier to juggle a baby and an e-reader than a baby and a paperback book.

I didn’t stop e-reading after #2 stopped nursing, either. By that time, I’d discovered that I liked the convenience of being able to purchase books in the middle of the night. I liked the ability to read in the dark thanks to my e-reader’s backlighting. I liked the fact that I could increase the font so big that there were only twenty words per page.

I took advantage of Amazon’s “First Reads” program every month. I signed up for newsletters like BookBub that would alert me to free book sales. I started borrowing ebooks from my local library through Overdrive, and it was actually thanks to the huge selection of Love Inspired books on Overdrive that I discovered the genre of Contemporary Christian Romance. 😊

All of this is to say that I like reader magnets, free sales and books that are available on Overdrive, because all of these tools introduce me to new authors. If I love an author’s style, I’ll often go on to buy—and binge read—her entire backlist!

Which brings me to an important question that relates to the title of this post: Would you rather win a selection of 100 books from authors you’ve never heard of, or one book from an author you love?

Personally, if the books were ebooks, I’d rather win 100 so that I could find some new favorites. But if it were a paperback giveaway, I’d rather win a book from a beloved author, as I collect—and treasure—signed books from the authors I love. 🥰

How about you?

P.S. Be sure to comment below for an entry into the big Birthday Bash!

Meghann Whistler (24 Posts)

Meghann Whistler is a wife, mom, and Christian romance novelist who loves writing sweet, happy stories that WON'T make your grandmother blush! When she's not writing, reading, or jamming out to Christian rock music, you can find her enjoying a relaxing evening with her rocket scientist husband (seriously—he's a real, live rocket scientist!) or playing with her three kids.


Comments

  1. I’d normally choose 100. Because the odds are there would be some great new finds! Now, if the one book was a special edition or had a personalised note from an author whose books have been life-changing, I’d choose the one.

  2. If they were ebooks I would choose the 100 books so I could find some new authors which would be fun. I might even find a trope that I would not usually read.

  3. I would choose the 100 books if they were ebooks. You never know when you might find a new author that you really enjoy their books. If it were a signed copy by one of my favorite authors, then I would have to go with the one book. I already have five signed copies of books by some of my favorite authors, and I cherish them. They aren’t just signed; they have a personal message to me.

  5. I prefer print books for two reasons: 1) spending too much time on electronic devices makes me feel ill, and 2) I donate every book I read to my local library!

  6. I also started using an e-reader (and more often an app on my phone) holding sleeping babies!
    I would rather win the 100 books – I read a lot, so having all those new books to enjoy would be amazing, and as people have said a great way to discover new writers. If I love an author, chances are I’ve got the book or planned to buy it, so I don’t feel I’d miss out!

  7. I would rather win one book from an author I love because I think I would feel overwhelmed by getting 100 books at once and having them added to my already large TBR list/stack.

  15. This choice is hard! I still love print books but I am beginning to understand why some people prefer ebooks. Winning a print copy from my favorite author is mighty tempting but having a chance for 100 is even better. SO, I choose 100 ebooks!

  16. I would like the 100 ebooks. I would like a signed copy of my favorite author too!! Too hard to choose! :)

  17. Probably a print copy of a book from a author I like cause I prefer paperback books and when I’m done with a paperback book I give them to my aunt or send them to goodwill I get most of my books from goodwill. Right now I have way too many books on my kindle paperback books.

  18. About 5 years ago, I actually won over 50 ebooks from Enclave Publishing. I did find some new authors I’ve continued to follow, and I still haven’t read some of those books 😋 I think I’d prefer one signed paperback from a favorite author. When I’ve purchased a boxed set with lots of books, I rarely have found a new author I like.

  19. My son discovered his love of reading when his baby was a newborn! He often took the night shift when the baby cried in the middle of the night and he found that during that 45 minutes to an hour that he was feeding and rocking and shushing him back to sleep, he could read a couple chapters of the book he was reading on his Kindle. He enjoys buying the hard copy of the book and the Kindle copy so he can save one on his bookshelf! He says he misses those middle of the night reading sessions now that the baby is 16 months old!

    I can’t pass up 100 books — that would be my vote.

  20. Hi, Meghann! Based on the over 2,000 books I have in my Kindle library, I’ve already gone the 100-book route (free or not, doesn’t matter) :-). I would enjoy the single signed book from a favorite author especially if the message with the signature came from a conversation we had had, something personal.

    Fun post!

  21. Because of space, I’d take the 100 books as ebooks, but I’d never turn down a signed book from one of my favorite authors!!!!

  22. What a fun question! I don’t know for sure what I’d do, but I’m Leaning towards the 100 for the reasons most above have given. But, I’ve recently been overwhelmed by my TBR, so that makes me feel like I might choose the one book from a beloved author instead. It would probably depend on my mood at that time.

  23. I think I’d rather win one paperback from an author I love. But my sister gave me her old Kindle a few months ago, and it is very convenient. :D

  31. Ha ha — I can relate, Lincoln! Some people delete books from their Kindle once they’ve finished reading, but I leave all of mine and have a huge library, too!

    A signed and personalized book from a favorite author sounds wonderful to me. :) I met one of my favorite authors at a book signing, and having the signed book is such a great reminder of the event!

  41. I agree with you–I would take 100 free ebooks to discover new authors, but 1 book if it were a paperback, special edition, or from a beloved author. I have actually been taking advantage of promos, free ebooks, and Overdrive, and have discovered many wonderful Christian authors, like you and many from Inspy Romance. And I love my tablet to read books. When we go on vacation, I can take a whole library with me.

  42. On paper I would prefer the book by the author that I love since I don’t know where I would put 100 pocket books!
    But in general, I would like 100 e-books, but only if these authors I know have something in common that tells me that I like at least most of the books: for example, they are all Christian romance authors or Christian authors or clean romance or clean fiction authors. Otherwise I risk ending up with 100 books that I won’t want to read! hahaha

  44. Yes, being able to bring my library with me wherever I go is sooooooo amazing, Bonnie! Glad you’ve found lots of great new-to-you authors here on the Inspy Romance blog! ❤️

  45. The budget minded self says that I should go for the 100 ebooks. I love the personalized copies for paperback books. I still love to hold a paperback book or hardback book in my hand. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

  47. I am new to this site and am really enjoying everything I am seeing so far! I love finding new reads and Authors and am excited to be here!

  48. I think I’d choose the print book, even though I like trying new to me authors. I’d choose print though because that way I could share it with friends after reading.

  53. This is a tough decision to make. I would probably pick the one book from a favorite author, but if I knew ahead of time what the 100 ebooks were I might choose them if there were a lot that looked interesting or I recognized the authors.

  54. its a tough question. If its 100 random ebooks ie all cf of different genres I would take the 100 unless it was against a book I really wanted. If it was of one genre like regencey, or heavy suspense or fantasy, horror or womens fiction. I would take the one book I really wanted.
    If it was paperback then I would go the one as I rarely read print books nowadays. (If I took the 100 paperbacks I would donate most to the library)

  55. Haha, can I say #same? I mean, there are bound to be some new favs in 100 options, right? But I also love my collection of signed paperbacks, so I’d love one too.

  56. Hm….it’s a hard one 😂
    I have so many new authors on my kindle but read my favorite authors…so one book it is!

  57. I think I would have to choose the one. I already have so many unread books on my Kindle that I would have to retire RIGHT NOW to be able to read them all :o)

  58. As I love print books only !I would have to say One book because I love holding the print book in my hand turning the pages!

  59. I’d rather win one book from a favorite author. I do enjoy reading Kindle books but having 100 sounds too overwhelming. 😂

  60. I would take the books because I love having my bookshelves full. We come from a long line of teachers, and books are everything to us.

  62. That’s an interesting approach, Jenny! I don’t read much beyond romance, so I wouldn’t want a mishmash of genres :) And, ha ha, we just moved and donated A TON of books to the library. I’ll bet they’d really appreciate a donation of 100 paperbacks!

  69. I agree. 100 e-books to try something new and expand my horizons but just the one if in paperback because space!

    I’m also a late adopter of the Kindle (also as a gift from my husband!) – I will always prefer physical books but for space-saving in a bag or being able to read after you’ve put your children to bed in the same room on holiday, kindles are a real boon!

  70. I would rather win 1 paperback, as I don’t read ebooks at all, I am not tech savvy.

  72. I would not care. A hundred books of any kind sounds like a win either way. I love reading in both formats. The ebooks are easier to carry with me places but the print books are better when I am worried about spending too much time on a device. I love to read anything that is given to me. Sometimes I can’t get into a story, but the local free library and library love when I donate the books that I don’t like very well.

  73. I’m still traditional – I prefer a printed book. While I’d love the idea of having 100 books at my fingertips, I’m still drawn towards my favorite known authors and the feel of a book in my hands.

  74. I would rather win 100 paperback books, but also like the idea of winning 1 book from a favorite author all in paperback. I am not into eBooks at all because I prefer the actual book form to hold onto.

  77. I would love to win 100 print books from authors I have never heard of as I read a new author a month and review it along with my other books. Many new authors come to be popular authors as time goes on.

  79. welcome today. awww your son is adorable. thanks for your post today. three years ago my husband got me my first e-reader for Mothers Day. I was so not sure about it. I mean, technology is just not my thing. It is my husbands thing 100%. I love my paper backs. But now as a retiree and being on a huge book budget, well, that cut out buying books. Sigh, ok, I put some books on my new kindle and started to read. Oh my goodness, you hit on the head. It was so much easier to read my e-reader while doing something else. holding a book and trying to eat at the same time, gets a little messy and frustrating. Dont get me wrong, I still love my paper books. But I have moved over to e-books a lot. Now my husbands says he has created a monster with all the books I have on it. LOL If the prize was all e-books I would go for that and have fun learning about new to me authors. If it was only paper books, I would take the one paper book from an author I love. So I guess, I can go either way.

  81. I would have to say the 100 books, as I’m a book fanatic! I would enjoy finding new authors and sharing the books with friends or placing them (if physical books) in the little libraries I’ve found near me. How fun would that be?! If it’s a favorite author, chances are I would already have purchased the book.

  82. I would say the 1 special book like you from an author whose work I really love. I also got into ebooks later too. I was hesitant about the technology and the price was high in the beginning. I still prefer print now, but I love having my Kindle when I travel.

  84. You definitely make things hard. lol I think I would rather have the 100 books. You never know if you might find some new authors you like.
    I love having paperback books. I can also give or trade with friends.
    Thank you.
    Kathy

  87. I would choose one book from a favorite author. I prefer paperbacks. I occasionally read a kindle book but 100 books sounds overwhelming to me even though I love discovering new authors.

  89. I’m so glad you’re able to find a good home for the books that aren’t for you, Samantha! And I totally agree: the format is way less important than the quality of the book!

  95. I love my eReader! I can literally carry around access to thousands of books to read at a moment’s notice (with internet access)! So, my choice would be 100 books from authors ai don’t know because the chances are I’ll find several that I really enjoy.

  107. It would be pretty hard to turn down 100 books, Kathy! Although, if you wanted to give me 100 books in a genre I don’t read (like horror), I’d turn them down!

  112. I prefer 1 book from an author I know. I have so many authors now that I read I don’t have time enough for them much less for new authors.

  114. I prefer print books but I usually get books by my favorite authors so I would choose the 100 ebooks to find new authors. The only way I have to read ebooks is my phone as I do not have any other type ereader.

  115. I’d probably say 100 books hoping to discover new authors to love even though I much prefer traditional books to ebooks.

  116. That makes sense, Carolyn! I usually buy books by my favorites as soon as they come out, too!

    I occasionally read on my phone, but I much prefer my e-reader!

  119. I would much rather win a single book from an author I already love. I can easily access free books through my library, Amazon, etc. to try new authors but I can’t get a physical copy to keep for free.

  120. I would say ‘ditto’ to Milla’s thoughts! I couldn’t say it any better.

  124. I would take winning a 100 paperback books over a signed copy from an author that I love, as I love to read, plus once I’ve read a book, I usually give it away rather than keep it.

  125. I think I will go with the 100 books because I can find new authors to love with those odds. However, if it is an author that I adore their writing, I might go with that one.

  126. If it was 100 books in genres that I liked that would be great otherwise 1 from my favorite author would be fine.

  134. I agree with You Meaghann it would depend whether the prize was ebooks or actual signed book. I would go for a signed book to go with my collection of autographed copies I already have from favourite authors. Although living in Australia we are sometimes at a disadvantage due to the cost of postage from the authors home country

  135. I prefer holding the actual book so I’d be happy with one. However, a hundred ebooks would be pretty tempting!

  137. I think I would choose 100 books from authors I’d never heard of because it’s fun to find new authors to like! I do still like holding a book to read, but I am enjoying my 2 kindles too! Plus, I could share them with friends and book club!

  138. I would rather choose 100 books from different authors I do not know. This is a great way for me to find a lot of new authors that I never would of known about ..

  140. I would choose the 100 books if I could pick them out, also ebooks. I would like to find
    new authors.

  141. I would choose the paperback book as I don’t have a way to read ebooks and prefer to hold a book in my hands. However I do like finding new authors.

  142. Depends, if I’m someplace where an e-reader is more appropriate, then bring on the hundred! If someplace(beach or poolside) then I would prefer to have a book in hand… I have somebody that I really enjoy.

  143. Postal costs are definitely expensive these days, Dianne, but it sounds like you’ve amassed a nice collection of signed books despite the mailing challenges :)

  153. Always enjoy holding a book but it is convenient to read an ebook because I am never caught somewhere without a book.

  154. If I get to pick the author, I’d choose one. But if it were random, I’d pick 100.

  155. As I don’t do ebooks I only do paperback books I would have to still say 100 paperback books lol Have a Blessed Day

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