E-books and Hardback Sales

[Haunted]

Yesterday, I was told that Border's may start closing some of its stores!! And that the e-books are to blame.

There is a movement to make Amazon, Sony and B&N raise the price of their e-books from $9.99 (US) so that hardcover books could compete.

I understand that e-books can be very convenient for travellers but to think that the book stores and their precious stock will die away fills me with horror.

What do you think, Constant Readers?

[Srbo]

but to think that the book stores and their precious stock will die away fills me with horror.

Same here, same here.

[~Ally~]

Personally I love the feel of a book in my hands, and can't resist that urge you get to quickly turn a page and see what will be written there. I also love finding old books in second hand stores, I find the old smell and yellowing pages they have intoxicating. The more battered the better for me, as it usually shows the story has been well loved.

I can't imagine ever owning an e~book reader, but in the future this may very well be how books become "published" dependant on their popularity. I hope this doesn't become reality.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Yes, I think it's terribly sad (Borders UK closed its doors in 2009) but I think it is probably inevitable.

It doesn't seem so long ago that the chain bookshops, like Borders, forced many independent shops into closure.

The book is gong the way of the vinyl record, I fear, although I can see a corresponding rise in s/h bookshops in the near future.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Haunted]

Hi,

Yes, I think it's terribly sad (Borders UK closed its doors in 2009) but I think it is probably inevitable.

It doesn't seem so long ago that the chain bookshops, like Borders, forced many independent shops into closure.

The book is gong the way of the vinyl record, I fear, although I can see a corresponding rise in s/h bookshops in the near future.

Long days and pleasant nights

Now there is nothing better than a s/h bookstore BUT in the new bookstores there are the shiny covers and that wonderful aroma of print on
paper.

[ashiepoo84]

This makes me so sad. I love the feel of books and the smell. I've never caught on to the ebook and i probably never will.

[Becks19]

Now there is nothing better than a s/h bookstore BUT in the new bookstores there are the shiny covers and that wonderful aroma of print on
paper.

I sincerely hope that we never lose those shiny covers and the aroma of print. Too sad

[Bryan James]

It sucks, but it will happen.

Those young whippersnappers with their "Rock and Road" music better stay off my lawn! I'm only loaded with birdshot and Beam, but I got good aim!

The Sale-Price-to-Cost ratio is probably amazingly good with the digital format of printed media.

It's already happened to music.

Within a decade, a "Collector's Limited Edition" novel will be a basic hardback on paper.

"It was a pleasure to burn."

~BJS

[Renzo]

Yeah, it is a sad future for bookstores. My wife and I were lying in bed the other night and I was just getting done sifting through my bookshelf of novels (I am pretty OCD about what order they have to be in). And I looked at her and said, "Our kids probably won't even have books in school by the time they are in high school. They will use those e-reader things". That makes me sad. The smell of the pages, the weight of the book in your lap. I hate looking at digital screens all damn day long, too. When I come home, I want to rest my eyes on something that isn't backlit.

[Raoul Duke]

Hardcover for life