Can e-books replace paperbacks?

[David Dawson]

Paper books will become less common and I would imagine e-books will become the "standard" way to read, but I think the vinyl parallel is instructive. There will always be people who appreciate the physical sensation, the artwork, the feel and the smell (especially the smell?) of a paper book.

[R_H_Ali]

While e-books are really convenient and allow ease of access, I still treasure good ole' paperbacks.

Even if I read a particular book online/ through kindle or iBooks, and I absolutely love it, I would purchase the paperback to add to my library collection (which by the way, has outgrown the shelves).

So I really do hope that even as e-books become more and more popular, that paperbacks don't become extinct.

[Little House]

Ebooks should be like vinyl records! Since vinyl has become trendy again, people can go buy tangible physical records with digital download codes enclosed for the mp3 versions of the albums. Some publishers are messing around with the idea (and more than anything struggling to figure out how to price these packaged deals) but I really think it should be the norm. Everybody wins. You can have your physical library at home and your digital library on the go

This is a good point, and I have heard of new books being released where the author offers a "package" that includes an e-book. I hadn't thought of that in relation to this conversation, but it does show how we can have both.

[AndrewCollar]

E-books should never replace paperbacks. Technology isn't flawless and never will be totally safe. Between viruses, blackouts, batteries dying, EMP, solar flares, and other things that can ruin everything. Also as technology advances, so does the rate of which hackers and programmers will make more viruses. Think what would happen if someone made a black hole like virus eating up and destroying all data, codes and programs until nothing was left on what we call the "World Wide Web"?

On the other hand, E-books are a more convenient way of purchasing books and reading them; but, sometimes it can be more stressful on the eyes than reading an actual book. Then again it would save trees and recyclables, but them supply and demand would dictate that in the long run. Idk I'm 50/50 with using either side, but to go total E-book would be a "NO" on my end

[Romes123]

Yes, ebooks are set to replace paperbacks. But remember there are many people that do not know what ereader looks like and many that are yet to hear about it.

[RobertM]

In some ways, eBooks have already replaced paperbacks. For example...at Amazon...for authors other than the really famous ones, the Kindle versions often outsell their paper counterparts. With the bigger publishers and the very famous authors, it's still pretty close what version of that author's newest book customers will buy. But that's because the big publishers make separate deals with Amazon to jack the prices above the normal 2.99-9.99 for Kindle books. The Big Boys believe there is no difference between Kindle and paperback and that they and the author should make the same royalty on both versions.

As a result, buyers will often just go for the paper version, since the Kindle costs just as much, or close. All of the small to medium publishers often set their Kindle version prices lower, because they know there is vitually no overhead costs to sell them, unlike paper, which requires paper, ink, setup and shipping fees. So the small-to-medium guys are making good inroads against the Big Boys mainly because of the greed from the Big Boys. Of course, if these big publishers were smart, they'd lower the price of their Kindle versions to a reasonable level and take back some of the market they are currently losing. But greed is a good motivator and they will continue to do this until they get the idea it isn't working.

I have seen some examples on how this works a few times. (at Amazon) Two books on basically the same subject. One by a big-name author, another by an unknown author. The big-name author easily outsells the unknown guy in paperback. But the unknown will often have his Kindle book ranked higher at Amazon and selling better than the big-name guy's Kindle version. This happens when the big-name's publisher sets the paperback AND the Kindle version at the same price, and that price is over 9.99USD for both versions. Potential buyers of big-name's Kindle book will go for the paperback and pass on the Kindle.

[fcassie74]

I don't believe that e-books can replace paperbacks because there is a lot of people who loves to flip pages, or have books to decorate. I myself would never want paperbacks to disappear I barely read on e-books.

[AndrewCollar]

I don't believe that e-books can replace paperbacks because there is a lot of people who loves to flip pages, or have books to decorate. I myself would never want paperbacks to disappear I barely read on e-books.

I concur on that statement.

[muleminded1]

they may to some, but not to me. there is feeling I get from knowing others have held or will hold the same book in their hands as they felt the ,joys,fears,and other feelings the author worked to bring to us that my kindle just does not give me.

[AndrewCollar]

Yes, there is something special about holding a book in your hand and turning each page. The feeling in your hands is more that that of the feeling of a mouse and clicking or that of your fingers tapping and sliding to each page. I don't know, that's just what I think anyway.

-- 12 May 2014, 02:48 --

More than that* not 'more that that'*

[quiltingrose]

I prefer to read books on an e-reader. My daughter is just the opposite. She wants to have an actual book that she can hold and have the ability to write notes in the margins. The fact that e-readers have the capability for making notes is not as appealing to my daughter has having the book in hand.

I actually use an e-reader in church for Bible scripture and make notes via the notes option of the app.

I have a Nook.

[readinginreview4]

I just don't think they can. I prefer a book in my hands, like you said. I think people need to read more books in hand too. It's less clutter, but more satisfaction in my opinion.

[Kristin Schaefer]

I'd like to see text books become mostly digital some time soon. I think it would help cut the costs for students. It might also make renting textbooks a much more viable option.

[Pilar N]

Sadly, I do feel that e-books could replace paperbacks in the future. But I do feel that is still years away. Hopefully many years away. I personally do not own an e-reader of any kind. I feel that technology is for some, but not as much for me. I still have to ask my husband for help with this computer!!

I fell in love with reading as a child. When I was younger, my local library had a reading program that I participated in each year. They provided a reading list, I read the book, and upon my return to the library, I received a prize. It may have been a sticker, a pin, or simply a cool pencil. To ensure that I was reading the books on the list, my mother even made me give her a rendition of the book. An oral book report if you will. I loved this! Each week the books were a bit longer or more in depth, but I loved the challenge. I loved the books.

Now that I am older, the love has never faded. Despite the advances in technology (and I love many of them), the e-book aspect is not one of them. There is nothing better than holding a book in your hands. Yes, they are made out of paper and this in turn has an effect on the environment. But we now have advances that we can print out of recycled paper (among numerous other things). Writing an email is a great way to communicate. But when I send a letter on paper to someone, it seems more personal. I created my expression to give to someone. I do not feel guilty I wrote the letter on paper, or guilty the book I read is made out of paper. I do what I can to help the environment, but paper? I am probably lacking! That is why I feel technology has it's own place.

Technology will be the future. It will continue to advance, make our everyday lives easier, and with this more people will want it in their lives and one day the book era may be over. But no matter what, books will be history. I want to always be a part of that.

[Phlo]

E-books will replace most paperbacks in some years from now I feel. But there will be paperbacks available for those of us who enjoy reading a good old fashioned book. I used audio books after an eye surgery and thoroughly enjoyed them. The variety of books available is not wide, but there's lots to chose from. One can listen even while doing mundane chores!