There’s been quite a debate in recent years on whether e-books will replace printed books. At BookExpo America (BEA), going on right now in New York, the topic was discussed in its Opening Plenary session yesterday. The subject, the Value of a Book, brought up many good points (from a publishing perspective) by publishers and authors regarding compensation rates and markets for digital publishing, as well as the future of books in general, printed or digital (
read some examples here).
Which got me thinking about which side I (as a reader) would choose in a battle between e-books and printed books. Now, I’m one of those people that loves holding a book, letting the scent of crisp copy and type invade my nostrils as I turn each page. I love being able to walk over to my bookcase and gently tap my fingertip over the tops of my books as I search the titles for the one I need. I love the memories a printed book can provide, such as when I pick up my well-worn copy of Rebecca and remember the day my Gran gave it to me.
E-books don’t allow you to do any of these things. So what is so great about them?
I used to ask that too. I had downloaded Kindle books to my iPod Touch and quickly learned that the Touch’s 3.5” screen is really tiny when it comes to reading a novel. It’s do-able, definitely, but after a chapter or two I sometimes had a headache. I had a few books on my Adobe Digital Editions account that I tried to enjoy but let’s face it, it’s not easy to nestle in and get comfy for a good read with a 13” laptop balancing on your knees. E-readers were so much money and seemed like one more gadget to add to my life. And, honestly, e-books aren’t that much cheaper (if at all) than printed books, so if I bought one it was because I a) was too lazy to go to my bookstore and b) was catering to my need for instant gratification and couldn’t wait for the book to be shipped to me from an online store.
And then came the iPad.
I know, I know, there are a lot of people not impressed with Apple’s latest toy. But, so far, I only have one complaint - the wi-fi kicking out sporadically. It sucks when I’m on Ebay or checking my Gmail and I have to log out and reconnect to the Internet. Although I have gotten rather quick with the whole jumping into settings and clicking the wi-fi on then off then on again trick. But unless you are actually in the process of downloading an e-book, that doesn’t matter because you don’t need the Internet to just read. So here’s the kicker – I’m actually reading more now that I have my iPad.
Huh?
I was a little confused when I realized this. I didn’t particularly love e-books, so why was I reading so dang many of them? After contemplating this, I’ve come up with several different reasons. First, I usually have my iPad with me at all times, so taking a fifteen minute break to read is much easier. I don’t have to go find the book on my shelf or carry it with me in the car, it’s already right there in my hands. Second, the 9.7” screen makes reading easy and screen brightness is adjustable. No squinting to see the words. Third, there are several ways to download books (Kindle, iBooks, Kobo, etc) so I can start reading immediately.
But this isn’t anything new, really. Other e-readers do all of this already, right? Hey, I’m not trying to say the iPad is the best thing out there. Unlike the Kindle or Sony Reader, it is not a dedicated device just for reading. And, folks, that brings me to the fourth reason why I’ve grown to enjoy the convenience of e-books: multitasking. Being able to check email, surf the Internet, play a game or two, and then squeeze in a few chapters of whatever book I am reading all on the same device, whether I am in my car or walking around my house, has actually freed up a lot of my time. Which means more reading time. You can see where I am going here.
I know I sound like I’m trying to plug the iPad. I’m not. I’ve never owned a Kindle or any other e-reader, so implying that the iPad is the best thing out there wouldn’t be based on a fair comparison. The iPad is just the tool that has enabled my recent reading resurgence. The point here is that it (or any other e-reader) combined with e-books has made reading more accessible for me.
E-books have their own perks, their own little nuances, that make them a valid format for reading as well. They shouldn’t be discounted because they can’t be touched or put on a bookshelf. In fact, that could be an argument for why e-books are good. They take up less living space than printed books and allow you to have your entire library in the palm of your hand.
But my heart still belongs to printed books. They’re easier to share with friends. They bring back forgotten memories. They provide something to physically hold and dog-ear and pass on to others. They look really nice sitting on a shelf or a coffee table. They will, I hope, be here for a very very very long time.
Final Verdict (for now): E-books are a great way to squeeze some reading time into a busy lifestyle. However, they can’t replace printed books, anymore than the taste of real sugary sweet tea can be replaced by tea made with Splenda. They might be a close substitute, but they can’t truly replace the enjoyment of the real thing.
© AK Willett and Black Rabbit Ink
