If you look at the news in the world of publishing, you’ll find articles on how e-book sales have flattened out a bit. It could be the rise in price (these days the cost of an e-book is fairly comparable to its physical twin, whereas ebooks used to be marketed as the cheaper option). It could also be people, like myself, tend to prefer a physical book in hand.
However, even as a physical book lover, I don’t predict e-books disappearing. If anything, I think they will soon gain ground again and here is why:
Image courtesy of Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Baby Boomers and Older
It used to be my opinion (perhaps an ignorant one) that bound books would never be replaced by e-books because, if anything, older generations would not convert to using the new technology. Well, I was wrong. From my experience, older generations LOVE e-readers.
It used to be my opinion (perhaps an ignorant one) that bound books would never be replaced by e-books because, if anything, older generations would not convert to using the new technology. Well, I was wrong. From my experience, older generations LOVE e-readers.
My 52-year-old co-worker started selling off her large collection of paperback novels that was “cluttering her house” and instead favors her e-reader where she already has a collection of over 2,000 novels stocked up. She no longer needs to drive around to various bookstores to find the novel she is looking for, which she is happy about, as she does not like to drive.
Meanwhile, a friend's grandma was just discussing how she likes being able to choose the size setting on her e-reader so reading doesn’t strain her eyes anymore. When she was searching the bookstores for books, she had a limited selection, as not all books come in large format print.
E-readers are easy to navigate, they are lightweight, and they can store more books than a bookshelf, making it much more easily accessible for any generation. E-books are not only more accessible for those limited with their transportation, but with the use of e-readers and the ability to adjust font size, they are also easier on the eyes, making them a popular buy with older generations.
Portability
Another hot sell with e-books is their portability. Something I’ve come across more than once while traveling is finishing a book, and having nothing else with me to pass the time while waiting at the airport (or the dmv, or doctors office, etc). The wait can be boring, and it’s difficult to carry more than one physical book with you at one time, especially while traveling.
Another hot sell with e-books is their portability. Something I’ve come across more than once while traveling is finishing a book, and having nothing else with me to pass the time while waiting at the airport (or the dmv, or doctors office, etc). The wait can be boring, and it’s difficult to carry more than one physical book with you at one time, especially while traveling.
With an e-reader, finishing one book isn’t really an issue, since there can be dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of books on one single device. E-readers can easily be slid in a bag or purse, and can be carried with less effort than a physical book - especially large books or sets of books. Your entire library can be carried with you wherever you go.
Which brings me to…
Instant Gratification
I can read for hours, sucked into a world written by authors where no one can reach me, except the characters and the world the author has painted. The idea of having to pause to charge up always seemed frustrating and a waste of time. However, what’s more frustrating is reading a good book in a series, and finishing it just in time for the bookstores to be closed.
This is where instant gratification comes into play. In my desperation of wanting the next book, it’s easy to click a few buttons and have the next book at my disposal. An e-book serves its purpose, giving me my moments of solitude from the outside world, and allows me to continue my story, uninterrupted, without leaving the comfort of my home.
The thrill of immediate gratification is not something people throw aside easily. If something is accessible in a faster, uncomplicated way, people will start preferring that route, once they get used to it. Simply put - it is a “why wait” attitude that e-books have the ability to fill, and people are happy to take advantage of what is at their fingertips. Myself included.
Although I do personally prefer physical books, I can recognize e-books have a strong place in today's world, and I feel they will only become more relevant as time goes on. The way I see it, the initial e-book boom was caused by e-readers and tablets being something new and shiny to play with. Now that they are common place, it gives those initially against the new technology more breathing room to experience it for themselves. Sales of e-books may be slowing for now, but after exploring the pros of what it means to have a wide selection of books at your fingertips, wherever you go, easily accessible for all generations… I can’t help but feel e-books have a bright future.
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