Everyone has seen a post or two where someone has made something quiet cool out of a large stack of books. I find them kind of ironic considering how popular ebooks tend to be now. Even more ironic is that the odd are, the person who clicked the like button on these posts is likely to buy primarily ebooks right now.
So where does that leave us? Will the paper printed book end up becoming an antique and be joked about on facebook questioning if anyone remembers what they are? I don’t think so.
As popular as ebooks have become, and they are, I really don’t think the printed books will every truly leave us. For one thing, ebooks are primarily read on ereaders like the Nook, Kindle, and iPad, and not everyone can afford one. If they can afford them, can they afford one for everyone in their family? Not very likely. At least not any time soon.
So in my personal opinion, everyone who loves the way a printed book feels and smells in their hands, I don’t think there is any problem. Your favorite books store should still have plenty of worm infested pages just waiting for someone to pick them up and give them a good home.
What do you guys think?
Auzy
I've had a kindle for three years, but even if I buy a book on kindle, if I LOVE it, I buy the print as well. And if I know I'm going to love the book (fav. author, etc.) I buy it in print.
ReplyDeleteI think printed books will be around for a long, long time. I am a big fan of giving worm infested books a good home.
There's room for both - print books to read in bed, and ebooks to read on the bus!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I agree that not everyone can afford ereaders. I know right now the cheapest one is still around $70 which is steep for a low income family, but I think in a couple of years the first generation Kindle will be going for $20. I'm also concerned that as environmental regulation tightens you will see further changes in the book industry. Either in the sense that publishers won't be able buy back and hoard unsold print copies, or books will be just be taxed as the industry has proven the waste of paper isn't required. But I do love my books, and bookstores, so I hope bookstores find something else book related to sell. (Audio books, framed cover plates, something nerdy).
ReplyDeleteI like the cool things people do with books all the time. However, I have only recently obtained an e-reader (Nook color)...and I am slowly purchasing books for it. That being said my first instinct has, and will probably always be, to buy the physical book itself first. E-readers, though convenient, are not as comfortable to read with. I would much rather curl up with a book than my e-reader.
ReplyDeleteThe physical books have been a part of our lives for so long, it would be sad if we lost them.
I like the cool things people do with books all the time. However, I have only recently obtained an e-reader (Nook color)...and I am slowly purchasing books for it. That being said my first instinct has, and will probably always be, to buy the physical book itself first. E-readers, though convenient, are not as comfortable to read with. I would much rather curl up with a book than my e-reader.
ReplyDeleteThe physical books have been a part of our lives for so long, it would be sad if we lost them.
I buy print...if the e-book version is not available. I read e-books quicker. They're more comfortable to me because I can lay in bed in whatever position I want without having to hold down any pages or worry about losing pages. I read on my Surface, so I can lay on my side with my Surface propped up and change pages at the touch of a button. Also, even if my Surface craps out, my books still exist in the digiverse and I can just buy print until I get another tablet of sorts (but with an extended warranty, I can get unlimited ones for free ;) ). My Surface also gives me leeway to read at work because customers assume I am doing something work-related when I am on my Surface, when in reality I am just reading.
ReplyDelete