Do you think that the ebook will take over the paper books?

[shelly blomker]

I heard from a few book sellers that have told me that the paper books won't be around in about 20 to 25 years from now. Do you think that will be true?

[ManOfLaBook.com]

The attraction of libraries is ALSO the books but certainly not the only thing. Here in the US the library is the only source of entertainment for many families (more than you'd think).

 

Libraries fill a roll which Google can't, finding relevant information in a society where information overload is the norm.  Yes, the role, function, look and maybe even name of libraries will change but they'll still be here.

 

http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

[Janet LEE]

For me, I will cling to my old ways...when they can invent an e-reader which looks like a book, smells like a book and I can read it in the bath, then I will buy it...oh wait, they already have and its called...a book

[ManOfLaBook.com]

eReaders are not meant to replace paper books, they are just a different delivery system to get the product to the consumer - that's not a bad thing.

If they do or do not replace paper books (I don't think they will) remains to be seen.

 

http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

[C.K. Volnek]

I don't think paper books will ever go away...especially for an author's vanity sake. ;-) There's nothing like holding your baby in your hands and feeling the paper slip through your hands. But I love my kindle. and I am seeing so many more people getting into the e-reading. Just talked to a mom this week who said she got her kids nooks for their birthdays. Yay! That makes me happy since I write MG and YA.

C.K. Volnek

[SmatteringsBooks]

Hmmm... The poll at GoodReads that I participated in yesterday, said many people hope not. If our world goes completely digital, the world will regress to primative times when we have natural disasters that lead to the loss of electricity for too long a period. This is exactly the type of question inspiring us to write and publish the Knife of Truth series by Cynthia Willerth.

[Beccie]

I just had this discussion with my blog fans and all of them agreed that while ebooks are great there is nothing like holding a new book in your hands and smelling the new pages.  I one day hope to open my own bookstore and have been told numerous times it's not a good idea since everyone is turning to ebooks but I know millions of people who buy books like they are candy LOL.  They may not be as popular but people will always buy books.

 

Beccie

www.facebook.com/Bookiesfan

[Mary Lee]

I hope not!! I love reading from books! I have a kindle and it's great but i love the smell, the touch from reading a good book! Not to mention that reading books has so much history behind it and it would be so sad to see it disappear..

[Sherry Gammon]

Yes. Maybe not completely, but close!

[Carrie Roberts]

I own an eReader (Kobo).  I did it mainly for university classes that I have to use eBooks.  I also enjoy getting the freebie books or cheap books.  However, I REFUSE to fork over $10 for an electronic book when I can spend the same $10 for the real thing.  While I don't hate the eReader like I thought I would (it's actually not bad at all!), it cannot take the place of a real book.  I do think it will have an impact on the book industry, but I don't think we'll see the end of books as we know it.

 

Carrie

Journey Through Words

[LInda Rockhill]

I love my e reader and can't imagine carrying around a hardcover again (paperback - maybe). That being said, I think print books are here to stay for a long, long time. 

[Jaime Huff]

I don't think that paper books will disappear in it's entirety (You have old fashioned folks like me who need to feel the book in their hands), I do think that ebooks will be the heavy hitting player in the future.  I don't buy an E-reader because a) I need a paper book and B) the environmental repercussions of the E-reader keeps me away.  They only last, what? 5 years and then they create environmental issues with waste.  More and more publishers are publishing on recycled paper.  Also, in regards to the life of an ereader, my physical book will still be on my shelf long after the Ereader has shorted out.

[Debbie Renner]

With the way technology is going, and the fact that bricks and mortar shops are closing...it could be sooner. I am a big advocate of 'real' books. Nothing like curling up and reading by a fire, or in bed having a lazy day. I would say in the next generation, paper books will be sneered at by the green generation. I hope I am wrong.