A fire crackles cheerfully in the hearth of the Lake Hauto home Marcia Evans shares with her husband, Deacon. Her favorite chair is nearby, and alongside that, a basket overflows with reading material.

Most mornings, Evans reaches for something inspirational, such as a passage from the Bible. Or maybe she'll reread some of Thomas Merton's autobiography, "The Seven Storey Mountain."On this particular morning, she might pick up the latest copy of The Sun, and read an essay.Later in the day you're likely to find her curled up with a copy of Sue Monk Kidd's latest book or maybe something featuring time travel.What you won't find propped in her lap, however, is a Kindle or a Nook."Never," says Evans.She's not alone. Although e-readers are on the rise, the majority of readers still prefer the comfort of a traditional book.According to a study conducted by Pew Research Center last year, seven in 10 Americans reported reading a book in print, which was actually up 4 percent from the previous year. And of those who do read e-books, only 4 percent said such a device was their only method of reading.It seems that lovers of the printed word, for the most part, are traditionalists."I prefer books," says Evans. "I love the way the pages feel, the way the book smells. The physical space of the book itself is reassuring. When I am finished reading a book I especially enjoyed, I store it on one of my bookcases so it creates a visual presence that reminds me of its story and beckons me to revisit favored sections."A retired English teacher, books have been an important part of Evans' life almost as far back as she can remember.But there is one particular book that left an indelible mark on her."'The Robe' was my first 'adult' book. I was growing out of 'kids' books," says Evans."This book was safe because it was about the beginning of Christianity, to which I could relate. It put a human face on a historical era. It made me want to find things to read," she says, "other stories."Evans was in middle school at the time; about 12 or 13 years old. She says she read "The Robe" at least five times over the next few years.Her original copy still has an honored place on her bookshelf today.While Evans has many favorite books, she doesn't necessarily have a favorite author."I just like a good read. Right now I'm interested in YA (young adult), such as 'Twilight,' 'Hunger Games' or 'Divergent,' which are all series, or 'Out of the Silent Planet' by C.S. Lewis," she says."What do I call a book I enjoy? I call them brain candy, because I don't have to think about it. I just enjoy it."Some of that brain candy would include the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child, or the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon."I need twists and turns to keep me reading," says Evans.A family affairThe act of collecting books and having them in her home has helped Evans pass on her love of reading to her three children, and now, to her six grandchildren."I though that maybe if they saw them in my home, on a personal level, they would want to read them."Evans says she was thrilled last year when her granddaughter, Addison, who turned 7 in September, asked for a library for her birthday."I bought her several series. She's just read Helen Keller, and now she's reading a book about Elvis," says Evans, beaming."Her dad lies in bed with them at night, one on either side, and reads to them."When holidays roll around, it's a sure thing that each of her six grandchildren should expect a book, in addition to their other gifts."Just a little something extra," she says.Like visiting an old friend"Books are always like my friends," Evans says. "I would actually pick them up and read them again, because it makes me feel so good."She isn't kidding.Grab just about any book off one of her bookshelves and you're likely to find notes on the inside covers; highlighted passages or quotes so important, she had not only marked them in the original text, but rewritten them in the margins.No doubt, for Evans, these books are well-loved, often-visited, old friends.One of those old friends, which has been with her for years, is Ralph Ellison's "The Invisible Man," which she used during her 20 years as an English teacher at Marian Catholic High School in Hometown.The book is heavy with bookmarks and Post-it notes; its words highlighted and underlined. Suggestions, ideas, theories, line the margins and inside cover.It's not only a friend, it's a piece of her history, not to mention that of hundreds of students over the years who benefited from her knowledge and observations.Being able to read a book more than once allows Evans to have a different take on it, in addition to getting the chance to enjoy it a second time around."The first time I read, I read for the story," she explains."The second time, I know the story already, so it's not going to distract me."Then I'll stop and think 'Why did he choose that word?' I'm so fascinated with words and where they come from."I love words," Evans gushes. "I'll even read the dictionary!"Print or e-reader? Here's what our readers had to sayWe conducted a Facebook poll recently and the response was overwhelmingly in favor of the printed page.More than 60 percent said they read books in printed format only. Just over 35 percent read in print and digital format, but of those respondents, many said they preferred a printed book, and use digital formats for technical or work-related items.Less than 1 percent said they use an e-reader exclusively.Here are a few of their comments.@$:•••"There is nothing more satisfying than the smell and feel of a book in your hands as you read," says Angela Bing.@$:•••"The smell and the feel of a book in your hands is part of the experience," says Jolene Ahner. "Having rows of books on a bookshelf is kind of like hanging photos on a wall; like a collection of memories of the people and places all of the books hold."@$:•••"I got a Nook and tried really hard to like it, but I kept finding myself going back to a real book!" says Megan Rodgers. "I frequent the library and it's just not the same borrowing from the digital library. I guess I'm an old soul. I prefer a good, old-fashioned book."@$:•••"Paper," says Candice Sakasitz. "I like to relax on the couch with a book. Digital makes my eyes go blurry."@$:•••Brandon Johnson also prefers the printed page. "I look forward to sitting down each night and reading the daily news. I prefer the paper version all the way."@$:•••Author Johnny Scareshock also prefers paper. "I do not have or use a Kindle-type device. I also collect books and have a collection of over 5,000 volumes. Once I read it, for the most part, it becomes part of my collection.@$:•••"Paper, paper, paper," says Blythe Holynski. "I prefer their feel, their look ... and my head would explode looking at a screen that long."@$:•••"Books!" says Patricia Walker. "The way a book looks, feels and smells brings a feeling of comfort to my soul."@$:•••"I have progressive lenses and find it harder to read a book not in large print," says Marge Ayers. "I have increased the font size on my iPad and skip wearing glasses. It's also much easier to read at night." When she heads to the beach, however, she takes a hardcover book.@$:•••"Nora Kildahl also appreciates the ability to increase the font size on her Kindle, but she says she will never get rid of her "real" books."The physicality of the book itself, the smell, turning real pages, highlighting favorite passages, dog earring, created a much different relationship between myself and the material than the Kindle can offer."@$:•••Katie Evans says it's a tough call."I have read on a Kindle and own one, but prefer paper. However, with the rate of textbooks increasing in price, I am kind of forced to purchase them as Kindle books to save money."I have a pretty large collection of paper books, but I do like that a Kindle can hold hundreds of my favorites. The playing field is pretty even."@$:•••Elizabeth Vigue appreciates the value of both formats, although leans heavily toward the printed page as well."I prefer books and treasure them in a way I never did before, as I worry that they are dinosauring their way to extinction," says Vigue, "and my Kindle makes my eyes tired after a pretty short time."However, I love how I can read almost anything instantaneously on my Kindle and easily search for, highlight and comment on passages for future reference."@$:•••"As a general rule, fiction MUST be paper; nonfiction, generally digital," says Ione Connolly.