| Summary: | E-books have gained significant success in english speaking countries but in Sweden the e-book market is growing slowly. Research shows that young adults aged 16-29 read e-books more than other groups among the Swedish population. Previous studies regarding young adults’ reading experiences and attitudes toward e-books have shown opposite and sometimes conflicting results. Some studies have found that young adults prefer print books to e-books whilst others have found that young adults appreciate the reading experience e-books offer. The aim of this master’s thesis is to contribute to a deeper understanding regarding young adults’ reading experiences of, and attitudes toward, e-books. Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with eight young adults between the ages of 19-27. A thematic interview analysis was administered. The theoretical framework consisted of phenomenology with an emphasis on the essence of experiences. Lifeworld phenomenology was used to understand the basis of the experiences. The concepts haptic dissonance and embodied reading were used as further approaches to discuss the findings. The study found that Swedish young adults are generally positive toward e-books. They appreciate the flexibility and accessibility that e-books offer. A majority of the respondents find the experience of reading e-books pleasant and many feel that they have the ability to become completely immersed in the e-book reading experience. However, all respondents experience a strong emotional connection with the printed book and for some the e-book cannot completely replicate that experience.
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