Back in September 2008, I wrote a brief article wondering if e-readers could possibly mean the end of books (Article: Could E-Readers spell the e-nd of books?).
Today, I came across an article in the Telegraph stating that e-books now outsell hardbacks on Amazon at a rate of 143 e-books for every 100 hardbacks. (Article HERE). In fact, this has been consistent for the last three months, and during the last month alone, Amazon has sold an amazing 180 Kindle e-books for every 100 hardbacks.
I find this astonishing, but perhaps not as surprising as I might had I not written that other article just two-and-a-half years ago. It just seems like such a short period for such an increase to have taken place (although, since I gave birth to my son just a few weeks after writing it, I’ve spent that entire time engrossed in raising and reading stories to him, over reading my own books).
I don’t own an e-reader, but my mother does, and I can see the appeal too. It’s a slick piece of equipment that is lightweight and takes up very little space, yet at the touch of a button, you have not one, but potentially many hundreds of books right there at your fingertips. When travelling, this must be SO much easier than packing half a dozen paperbacks into an already over-stuffed suitcase. not only that, but with instant download, you can have a brand new book right in your hands without having to leave your poolside lounger if you don’t fancy the ones you already have.
I have to admit, I’m sorely tempted to invest in one, but for me, an electronic device will never replace the joy of holding a real book in my hands – the texture of the paper, the smell of the pages, the cover artwork and the heft of it in my hands are all things I could not do without for very long, no matter how handy an e-reader might be.
And let’s face it, with a real book, you don’t have to worry about your battery running out!
Kell Smurthwaite, May 2011 ©
Comments on: "E-books Outselling Hardback on Amazon…" (6)
[...] It’s been a while since I wrote anything for the Book Club Forum blog, but I was compelled to write a short article today. Check it out HERE. [...]
I had a Kindle bought for me just after Christmas. I love its portability and also most ebooks are cheaper. That said I still buy both hard and paper back books and my e-reader cannot take the place of a real book when i read in the bath. So I suppose as far as I am concerned there is a place for both.
Kindles and Ipads are great, but I’m not sure I can really imagine leaving it on my towel by the side of the pool on holiday….at least a book only costs about a fiver if you lose it…
[...] I’ve actually written a couple of articles on the subject of e-readers for The Book Club Forum Blog (Could E-Readers spell the E-nd of books? and E-books Outselling Hardbacks on Amazon…). [...]
Having read quite a lot about this on forums lately; it seems one of the big advantages of a Kindle can be that no one knows what you are reading. This is very beneficial to female readers who like to read erotica while travelling, on holiday etc.
I never thought i could defer from good old fashion paper books, but when a book is only brought out on kindle and you want to read it, there is NO choice but to download it and read it on kindle. It took me a long time to get used to the medium, the book was worth while the effort in the end. BUT it will never replace my precipous paper books.