I really do think that the speed you read, can dictate whether you prefer a downloaded book or a printed paper book; my reasoning behind this is what I call 'the holiday factor'. Imagine that you, the reader, are off on a beach holiday or a relaxing cruise. If you think that you will consume the contents of one book while on your trip, then you may buy two paperbacks of your favourite author; two to ensure that if you do finish your first choice book early, then there is a backup waiting in the wings; easily carried in your hand luggage. However, if you are like my friend and sci-fi author Dave Green, and can read seven novels a week; then you need a Kindle or other download tablet. Dave says the weight of books in his suitcase was taking his luggage allowance over the aircraft limits and so he switched to using a Kindle, he is also very 'techy' minded. The other thing is that downloads are lots cheaper, and that is a big thing! Paperbacks are expensive, and print on demand (POD) are the most expensive, this is the biggest hurdle for the new author to overcome! A print on demand book is printed in singular when a reader purchases the book; printing a 'One Off' costs approximately £13 UK or $18.50 cents US (2018 cost), whereas a batch print of a thousand books will make a single book £7 UK or $10 US. I love the feel of paper and prefer to pay the premium, but for the traveller and the more moderate spender, then I can see the appeal of the Kindle and other download variants, especially as the screens can be altered to look like paper and don't strain the eyes like the early versions did. I may be converted; but I won't hold my breath. I love the feel of paper and the reliability that it will never let me down.
However you prefer to read, just enjoy the stories that the authors do their best to imagine and ensure that you, the reader, interpret the way they have dreamt. After all, as a reader you are privileged to be inside another persons thoughts and dreams; and as an author you are laid bare to the world, your thoughts to be judged. Enjoy reading, and for the visually impaired out there, I do hope that you are able to enjoy the many audio books available and that you get involved in the Blog community too. I would love there to be more visually impaired authors and readers; everyone should be able to access and experience the joy of reading. The downloads bring more accessibility to the visually impaired reader, as I am sure there are electronics that read the scripted word aloud for your enjoyment. I am not sure about the realism of the voice types from these programs; but I do know that technology is not standing still, and that there will be voices produced that can read a downloaded book aloud in a manner that will out perform a human reader. The future is good for both authors and readers alike. God bless you all, and keep reading!