Can e-books replace paperbacks?

[TammyO]

I have read numerous ebooks. I have also purchased various ereaders. I love them, but I must still read paperbacks. I don't think I will ever convert to just ebooks. It's just something about the actual book in my hand. I have tried, but I cannot overcome this need to have the physical book in my possession.

[Mrsshelor]

I don't believe e-books can replace actual books. I do have a Kindle Fire, and I do have quite the library of e-books on it. However, for me at any rate, NOTHING will ever replace the feel and the smell of an actual book in my hands. I go to the library about once a week, just to soak in the atmosphere and to get a whole truckload of books to take home with me.

That being said, I do think e-readers have an advantage in that I can read them when my husband wants to sleep and all the lights are out! But I will keep a book in my hands until that lamp turns off!

[ejcogan]

No. However e-books do a convenience thing going for them. At the touch of a button you can have a book at your fingertips with out having to wait or fight traffic.

[Bdgrady09]

I don't thinks so. E-readers are great for trips and such but I love being able to look at my bookshelf and see all of my favorite books. Each one has a specific memory of emotion.

[Duende Knocking]

I hope this question will lest forever. Concerning nature, for internet, we use electricity. For healthy is more convenient. A pleasure with the paper book is irreplaceable. Ortodox's books are very usefull for soul in paper forme (by reading in some nice, calm place, may be in nature). Anyway, I admit that I find more time to read books when I am on the Internet.

I regularly loose electricity during storms (sometimes for 5-6 days at a time if it's really bad), so I can really agree with this.

Sure, you might happen to have stuff charged before the lights go out, but it only lasts so long.

[Lisalovecraft]

I don't thinks so. E-readers are great for trips and such but I love being able to look at my bookshelf and see all of my favorite books. Each one has a specific memory of emotion.

I agree with this! I have books on my shelf that remind me of different times of my life, different people, and different places that I have visited. I love ebooks but don't get that feeling with any electronic book.

[puffbear]

I have to say I like to read books in bound form and also e-books. Both are equal to me. I am concerned that reading the older way is going to disappear. We will see

[CataclysmicKnight]

They kind of have for me, for the most part... If the local library was entirely ebooks instead of books, I'd be happy! But there are books, like art books, that can never be done right in an ebook... And lots of people don't own devices to read ebooks! I don't ever see physical books completely disappearing though, and I don't think they should! It'd be sad

[Bmxmom]

I never thought I would say this but yes I think E Books will replace hard copies. They are so convienent and I love that I can get a different book anytime I want. No waiting for a best seller to hit the shelves or going to the store or library to find out the book you have been wanting to read is not there.

[FunLovingBookWorm]

Technology is such a big thing now a days. This generation is all about high-tech gadgets. Although technology is very useful, there's just something about having a book physically in your hands then just reading it off your computer as an e-book. It would be really sad if e-books replaced paperbacks.

[kotori]

Ebooks have all but replaced physical copies for me. I used to have a ton of books, well into the thousands, but through an accident, most of my books got destroyed.... there was no way I could replace them all so I got a kindle and saved as many of the physical books that in could. I now have about a hundred physical books and a few thousand ebooks. For me, ebooks are easier. I can take them everywhere I go. I have a kindle HD so I can read at night when i get up with my infant. I have a ton of kids books on here that I can read to my daughter but I've got a ton of my own books as well. So portable and convenient. Having ebooks saves space for me and I have less worries about loosening books since Amazon stores your books in the cloud. I've broken a few kindle by mistake and I was still able to get all my books back.

[csimmons032]

I can see how they would be more convenient for traveling, however I will always love the regular paper and hardbacks much more. Books have been my main hobby for years. I have spent so much time over the years going to thrift store and collecting them. I probably have over a thousand, and I am not exaggerating. The only way I would use an e-reader is for traveling purposed, for this website, or maybe for work related reasons. Otherwise, I will never be able to get regular books out of my heart.

[KAYKAYKAY60]

No, I don't think ebooks will completely replace books ... at least I hope not.

An eReader was the best option for me, my eyesight is not as good as it used to be. Although I could read large print books they were too cumbersome and heavy to hold.

I basically gave up reading for a few years, until my sister gave me her old nook. I nearly cried now that books were back in my life. I have since upgraded to a 10.5" tablet and downloaded the nook app.

[dmoradi]

I like both, however, because its easier for me to pick up my kindle, I read mostly e-books. I think it just a matter of personal preference.

[apanxx]

it depends on the person really, there are some people, who despite the owning a kindle, still insist on buying a paperback version. But for people like me who're more bothered about about the story I'm reading rather than what I'm holding, ebooks are much more convient.

To be honest, I think paper books will soon become an 'antique' concept bought only by collector type of people. The general public will probably get used to ebooks enough to even buy ebook textbooks for education purposes instead of physical ones.