In a world where everyone seems to be becoming more and more techno-savvy, it’s always great to hear of new and exciting ways to enjoy reading and possibly to encourage those who don’t already read to give it a try.
Over recent years, there has been a glut of “E-readers” introduced – hand-held electronic devices onto which you download book content and read “on the go”. The great thing about them is that you can have literally hundreds of books with you wherever you go, without having to hire a large van to transport your library. It’s a traveller’s dream solution – a lightweight alternative to the packing nightmare of choosing half a dozen or so books and then realising when you reach your destination that you don’t fancy any of them at the moment – at the touch of a button you can have any book you like from the classics to the most up-to-date contemporary best-sellers.
I do, however, find it disconcerting when I see articles like THIS one, claiming that the newly-launched Sony Reader* “could mean the end of the book or become one of the biggest hi-tech flops in history.” There are just too many readers out there who love the feel of a proper book in their hands – they connect more with the plot and characters through this medium than through any other – for the book to ever become obsolete (at least, I’m absolutely certain it won’t happen any time in the near future and certainly not in my lifetime!). There’s no doubt that there’s a market for e-readers – they’re a great invention that, in a fast-paced world, will become more and more relevant, and the sleek design and accessibility of the Sony Reader (which can hold up to 160 books at any given time) should pretty much be ensured success (I’ll certainly be adding one to my own Christmas list once the initial price of £199 comes down a bit!), but for me and countless other readers, it will never replace curling up with a proper, good-old-fashioned book in my hands.
* There are many other e-reader handsets available, it’s just that this one is hitting the news as it’s the newest one out…
Kell Smurthwaite, 2008 ©
3 responses so far ↓
beef // September 13, 2008 at 6:01 pm |
Good article, as for the “end of books” comment, thats just advertising I doubt even sony actually believe that (For now) however as we head to a future where people become more and more worried about their carbon foot prints I think *eventually* the amount of books actually printed will be decreased drastically from now.I would like an e-reader but I wont buy one for a while till a king is crowned in that field and the price drops.
inver // September 13, 2008 at 6:39 pm |
I don’t think it will ever be the end of books, and can understand the lightweight carrying on holiday, but please the joy of going into a book shop and browsing has much more appeal than downloading onto a machine!! Imagine snuggling up to am e-reader with your little one, where are the ‘pictures’ ! Or I am missing the plot and is it only just for grown up books!
beef // September 16, 2008 at 1:33 pm |
Which reminds me of what i had meant to ask – anyone know how these cope with diagrams? like in a textbook maybe?