Will digital completely wipe-out paper books?

(13 Feb 2012 03:16 PM)B J Burton Wrote:  Hi Tony.
Don't be too surprised if you don't get a lot of reaction. This is a topic that has been the subject of a lot of discussion on this forum already - most recently in a thread in General Book Discussion headed, 'A thought about ebooks vs paper books'.
For what it's worth, I'm with you on this one. I can't believe that print editions will disappear - they are just too popular.
I love taking my two-year-old granddaughter to a bookshop or a library. The excitement on her face as she trots towards the shelves and carries her prize off to a tiny chair is a treat to behold.
Like you, I've done book-signings, and I have an extensive collection of signed copies: it's fun, whether wielding the pen or clutching the signed copy. Jacqueline Wilson was signing in Plymouth on Saturday. It was great to see the crowd she attracted.
I'm not convinced about the environmental argument. Nearly all of the paper used in book printing now comes from sustainably managed forests, or has been re-cycled. Print copy books tend to be in circulation for a long time before being pulped. I have no idea about the energy consumption involved in making my Kindle, but I expect it will be thrown away when the battery will no longer hold charge after two or three years. Most of its components are derived from oil, which is hardly a sustainable resource.
I think we print lovers are safe for a long while yet. But, as I said on similar threads, ebooks have their advantages and it doesn't have to be all one or the other. We can cherish both.
Barry.

(13 Feb 2012 06:18 PM)B J Burton Wrote:  Sorry, Colin.
I must learn to read.
Then I must try to remember what I read.

(13 Feb 2012 07:15 PM)Chapin Wrote:  

(13 Feb 2012 06:18 PM)B J Burton Wrote:  Sorry, Colin.
I must learn to read.
Then I must try to remember what I read.

I expect that in the not to distant future printed copies of fiction books will only have 20% of the fiction market. However, I think that paper copies of non-fiction books will rule the roost for a long time yet. Large images need large books and making ereaders big enough to accomadate those images would be silly.
Chapin

(13 Feb 2012 07:32 PM)Susanne Wrote:  As a reader, I took my time getting the Kindle, just because I love books and the physical feel of them, reading the blurb on the backpage, thumbing through the books I have on my bookshelf (and although I have given away loads of books, I still have a bookshelf or two of my favourite DTBs that I would not give away), looking at books that were obviously well used and theerfore loved, I was upset when I first pondered the Kindle that I would not get the same enjoyment out of it as I did from DTBs.

To an extent, that is still true, I do miss looking at a physical book and thinking about how much I enjoyed it or, in a bookshop, whether I would want to read it, but the Kindle has also opened up so many new avenues for me - the books I have read in the past year or so - which would not have been available for me in a bookshop, have changed my mind. I have discovered the most amazing books, truly amazing books on Kindle - and even more so, I have been able to read books at a reasonable price that I would never have come across by indie authors.

I also miss people giving me books for Christmas or birthdays beause they now know I read on the Kindle.

I've run out of space for physical books, yet I now have a library far bigger than I had before. It's a conundrum.

(15 Feb 2012 01:55 PM)TresaC Wrote:  As others have said we have had great discussions here about this topic. One of the reasons I have been away is because of the launch of a tree book. An author in person with a pen signing physical books!

If you have a few minutes and are prepared to have a little giggle, you might like to look at this link 8 Unexpected Downsides to Having an E-book!