Tell us your thoughts on e-reading and win a Kobo Arc tablet, plus a signed copy of award-winning author Margaret Drabble's latest novel The Pure Gold Baby

I think e-readers are brilliant for people who travel and like to have a book to hand. They take up so little space in your bag and of course, keep your bookshelves clear as I like to save some books and read them again at a later date.

I've never used an e-reader but I am keen to try. I wonder though whether they cause eye strain more than reading an actual book.

I'd love to ask Margaret whether she ever gets writer's block and if so, how she manages it.

We love books in our household and used to take loads on our camping holidays, ebooks have saved us a lot of weight and space

I have not tried an e-reader but I am curious to try. I worry as I love the feel of a book & the anticipation of turning the first page.

As a life-long user of public libraries I feel really sad to think that e-readers might be the cause of their demise. I can see that it is much easier when travelling to have numerous books available on screen but there's nothing like browsing the shelves of a library and I regret that pleasure will never be known by the generation embracing e-readers.

I cant say I have ever thought of using one. My daughter has one and she uses it often. I think if I did get one I would use books and the tablet equally as I have some cherished books at home. Although I suppose I could download the Kindle version!

Do you think there's still a hardcore of readers who will always prefer the feel of paper to a tablet or pad form of reading

I do like e-readers as they are the ultimate storage solution and fantastic for a complete holiday selection, but the thing is I do love the smell of books

I love reading on an ereader as it's so comfortable to read on commute and am not restricted by the weight of the book (like Ken Follet's huge books)

Having read through all the comments on this thread, I'm persuaded to give e-readers a try. I confess that I've been resisting them. I do love the feel of a good book in my hand, being able to flick back to check on details, etc. However, so many Gransnetters have been eloquent in their praise...I'm particularly convinced by the argument about avoiding the weight issue when travelling. So thanks to all for helping me see the light.
Now all I need to do is drop a hint when asked what I'd like for my upcoming birthday!!

Not good for reading in the bath, though.

The best thing about tablets or e-readers is being able to have umpteen books at your fingertips, so there's always one to suit your mood or available time, such as non-fiction you can dip into.

i would love to have an ebook. we have recently come back from holidays and i noticed a lot of people using them.

I have used an e-reader in the past and I think it is excellent, especially for travelling as it saves so much space and can be carried in a handbag. You cannot use while taking off or landing in a plane though!

I was very interested to read recently that most libraries now offer an e-reading facility, the book is simply deleted from your reader at the end of the loan period.

A question for Margaret Drabble - do you use an e-reader, and if so, do you prefer to use that or to read a traditional book?

I have never used an eReader, but would like to try, sounds like it would cut down on the weight of my luggage on holidays, but wonder if I would miss things like the turning of the pages, sharing my books with other people ( I normally pass my books on to family members or to charity shops)

I know that e readers are the future, and I bought one, but I have so many books to still read that are hardback, I have not got the time to use it. Maybe when I next go on holiday as it will save on weight.

I have M.E chronic fatigue and I now find it difficult reading anything too complex or long. Do you have any suggestions for short reads books for e book. Thanks. Elena

I somehow still love the fell of a real book particularly if reading in the bath!

I'm quite happy with ebooks as it is easier on my hands to hold the reader than a hardback book. For reading with the GC then I agree I prefer actually books, especially when they're young.

E-Reading has made my life much easier. Instead of ordering in the shop or browsing the local library when I could not find my item now it just a few clicks away making life easier. It also feels good to know you will never loose the item and keeps events more organised.

An e reader helped my grand daughter so much. She loves reading and is an avid reader, but was always loosing her place on the page. She then borrowed her Daddy's e reader and said to her Mummy "when I use this, with a grey page, the words stay still and don't move about". It suddenly dawned on my daughter that that was a sign of dyslexia. Because she was such a bright little girl she had managed to learn to read fluently and cope with dyslexia. She now uses her Daddy's e reader all the time and is so much happier and also the school have taken on board the problem and are helping her. All thanks to an e reader......

Up to now I have dropped hints about an e reader to everyone, but I still love the feel and the smell of books, and still haunt the library when I can.
Love Margaret Drabble books, wish I could write like her, so believable and so memorable, thanks Margaret for giving me many happy hours of reading!xx

I do like reading on the kindle but I do miss real books. I like the fact I can read with the light off with the kindle.I love my bookshelf full of books and I like to pass books on to friends and family that I have enjoyed and I want to share. It's love/hate really.

Really love to settle down with a proper book but think an e reader would be great for travelling and holidays as l never have enough room for the number of books l want to take with me.