Can e-books replace paperbacks?

[Zoe303]

Well, I hope they wouldn't be replaced! In my case, reading e-books is more convenient, as the closest bookshop to me is pretty far, but I still prefer paperback! Seeing my books neatly lined up on bookshelves gives me such pleasure as well as being able to physically touch the book I'm reading, I feel more connected to the book that way! So yeah, let's just hope they wouldn't be replaced!

[allwritemel1967]

I certainly hope not! I'll never forget when I was about 6 I joined the school book club. I was sat in assembly and the teacher was giving all these brand new books out ... I got mine (still remember what I got!) and kept running my hand along the shiny, smooth surface of the cover, gently flicking through the pages. That was it - I was hooked! I LOVE the feel of a paperback in my hand. To be honest, I needed to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Someone bought me an ebook when I was going away a few years ago and I didn't really get on with it - couldn't seem to find many books to go on it. Then mum got me a kobo which I loved - the best thing for an avid reader like me was being able to carry hundreds of books at one time - certainly made my bag lighter! I read a lot on the bus. I love that I can get certain books on ereader which have gone out of paperback ... and the fact that I can read with the light off - particularly important for me at the moment as I get very little sleep and I don't want people commenting how late I was up! However, even with all those advantages, nothing will, for me at least, beat the feel of a real paperback book in my hand. I WILL say one good thing about ereaders in general - I am able to read books I would never usually have attempted ... Because so many are free, I have a tendency to think, I"ll try this book whereas if it was a paperback I would hesitate because of the money.

[smartmomways1]

i am still not so sure about this one.. excluding "eye" impact, me myself, still more interested on paperbacks, going to the bookstore, spent hours to choose which one to buy, enjoy reading, adding color mark, take notes...

[fnichols1]

I don't think e-books will ever completely replace the real thing. There is something about holding a paperback book curling up with a blanket or like I do and taking to the bathtub. Honestly I have a nook and I very rarely use it. I personally would rather have the paperback book in my hand.

[sdavaloz88]

It seems it will change with the generations, but something about a traditional book gives me a cozy feeling. Now I have to also agree thought that the convenience of just downloading an ebook is nice too. Plus if it helps the environment you can't be against it. My little ones and I love going to the book stores and leaving with a bag of new reads though

[cellotech]

In my opinion no.. the feel we get while reading a actual book is better ... in fact ebooks are not that good for our eyes or health.

[allwritemel1967]

fnichols1 made my day! People laugh at me because I take a book into the bath (and the toilet, if I'm honest!) but nothing beats soaking in hot water and reading a paperback. The only trouble with that is I don't like the way the pages crease with the steam ... can't do much about that I guess. I've just found out that FINALLY I can get one of my favourite series of books, The Kingdom Keepers on ebook. I always swore I would never do that but while I was functionally blind, two days after I got them, I spilled coffee over the whole set! Now they have coffee stains, the pages are creased and they look horrible. Needless to say, I live in England and we can't buy them over here! On this occasion I guess I'll have to cave in ... oh ... just checked and unless my eyes are deceiving me, they are ONLY available on Kindle, which I don't have! Never mind! I might email the publishers and ask them about releasing it on Kobo!

[bluemel4]

It seems it will change with the generations, but something about a traditional book gives me a cozy feeling. Now I have to also agree thought that the convenience of just downloading an ebook is nice too. Plus if it helps the environment you can't be against it. My little ones and I love going to the book stores and leaving with a bag of new reads though

I completely agree that this will change in time. Books are becoming more accessible through technology. Plus less of an impact on the environment. I love physical books but even I can see that it is only a matter of time. I have been able to get a lot of books I have wanted to read through online loan from my library.

[littlemissmimi13]

As I'm a teenager and even though they are becoming quite popular today (especially with the new generation) and well more convenient especially at night, where your laying in bed and trying to find a good position to read, because you could sit cross legged and lean forward but that gives you a bad back or lay down on your side can be alright but I always end up with one of my hands being freeing as its out f the blanket so I can turn the pages.

Although I can say I haven't had a ereader yet but would be better for me at night, this is mainly due to the fact I love the feel of actual books in my hands and like going back and rereading them and flipping through them, not to mention the smell of them... which I absolutely love, which I'm sure other people agree to liking the feeling of an actual binding book in your hands.

Therefore even though ereaders are more becoming increasingly popular, and will continue to, I believe that traditional books are still always going to be there.

[Bri2000]

Well, I hope they wouldn't be replaced! In my case, reading e-books is more convenient, as the closest bookshop to me is pretty far, but I still prefer paperback! Seeing my books neatly lined up on bookshelves gives me such pleasure as well as being able to physically touch the book I'm reading, I feel more connected to the book that way! So yeah, let's just hope they wouldn't be replaced!

I have to agree full heartedly. Paper books are the way to go but I also think that the E-readers are a good idea but having to stop reading to charge the e-reader is a big drawback.

[allwritemel1967]

[quote="littlemissmimi13"]
Although I can say I haven't had a ereader yet but would be better for me at night, this is mainly due to the fact I love the feel of actual books in my hands and like going back and rereading them and flipping through them, not to mention the smell of them... which I absolutely love, which I'm sure other people agree to liking the feeling of an actual binding book in your hands.

I certainly agree with you here - I LOVE the feel of a book (I can't say the smell because I was born without a sense of smell ... I'm used to it now but people say they love the smell of new paper/flowers/food - not a scooby what it smells like ... the only things I can 'smell' are mint, coconut and bananas - the last two make me seriously ill if they are in the same room as me which can be awkward and embarrassing). Anyway, I digress. I, too, love to flick through the real books and the feel of them in my hands. I'm forever going back and rereading them which makes people laugh - even re-reading my favourite bits (I read one of my favourite series, Rhanna, very slowly because I am constantly going back to re-read favourite passages which make me laugh and cry off the page). I use my ereader for two reasons only - one is if I'm in bed/on the bus when I can't carry a real book; and two is if my arm is too sore to hold the weight of a real book in my hand. I still don't LIKE readers but they do have distinct advantages.

[jameepage]

I also love e-books but still prefer having a real book in my hands. I have a Nook e-reader and I love it for traveling or even something like going to the doctor's office. However, nothing beats the feel and smell of a book. I am excited that e-books are available but I will always be an advocate for reading in the traditional manner. I am also passing the love of books onto my son. I think it is important we do not let our children miss out on the opportunity to collect and read actual books!

[alauddinkaka]

E-book is a digital format of books. Obviously e-books can replace in paperbacks.

[c_medina]

E readers are amazing but there is something about holding the actual book that can't be replaced completely

[Shelbilyn09]

One day they will. It's just the way of the world, with each advance in technology, we let go of the "outdated" way of doing things, and it's a shame! I never really got into e-books until recently, even though I owned a Kindle. To me nothing beats holding an actual book in your hands, turning the pages, and then displaying it on my bookshelf collection when I finish it.

I have to admit that I have seen the benefits in the e-books and e-readers. It comes in handy if I am on the go, or if I'm laying in bed reading and don't want the light or lamp to disturb my husband. But it does take away part of the experience of reading.