My weekend dilemma - ebook or print?

I know it is now 19th century to debate about printed vs ebooks but guess I am from 19th century for I just can't let go of the printed book. I dearly love the shiny covers, the not-so-fine paper and the printed word. Somehow I feel the worth of the book only after I feel its weight in my hands. As if the same book is an ebook, the author did not work as hard which is ridiculous but that is how I feel.

So, this weekend I was faced with a very uncommon problem. The urge to read. No not a simple urge. That would be common. It was the strong, unavoidable pull to a book. I had to read a book, a romance novel and specifically a Mills and Boons (yeah I read them and I am not hiding it! They are a good break from the heavy stuff! :)). So, I scoured through my collection which isn't much due to my recent move from India and sat disappointed that I had none. Then I looked at my husband like a hopeful puppy for a quick trip to the bookstore, but he didn't buy it as he was working! Therefore, poor me settled to googling about M&B authors and reading previews of their books to assuage some part of my craving. Guess what, that's what I should have avoided doing!

As I flipped through (electronically!) the preview pages, I just couldn't let it go. I wanted to read the whole book and when the preview was over, all that I could see was the blinking price of the book at the left corner coaxing me to buy it and read it immediately! Yeah, that was the lure. No need of any trips to bookstore. Just click, pay and download and lo! you can start reading right away. Exactly what I wanted! I swear I did at least twenty rounds to the buy button with my cursor before I gave it up.

In spite of every small lecture I gave against ebooks to my friends; In spite of the proud badge I put up on my blog (I have to remove it now I guess), I clicked on buy and bought my first ebook. That a M&B book would do this to me, I had never dreamed. I downloaded it and devoured it in 3 hrs (they are small books anyway) and it cost me so less too!

I know I am talking like a ebook supporter but really, this weekend, I saved a trip to bookstore (thereby contributing to a green environment). I saved money (thereby contributing to our family savings). I got instant gratification (thereby fulfilling my duty towards my book cravings)! So, should I convert to an ebook reader from a printed one??

I don't know at this stage. It definitely has its advantages but can I really forget the wonderful feel of printed books in my hand? Can I? I guess no. I really love them and whenever possible I would buy them and fill up my bookshelf. I think during moments like this weekend is when I would buy an ebook. I would continue with my pledge with printed books. At least as long as they live.

Are you a printed or an ebook reader? and for my writer friends, do you prefer to have your book published as an ebook?