"The Book is not dead, it's just shape-shifting"

[made_in_ink]

Working in print publishing (I've start my new job by promotion as a New Book Production Controller 1st of August) the rise of e-books has been a bit concerning. In order to maintain a job over the years I see a need for my job to diversify beyond just print books. This is going to be difficult as we already have a department in place to handle

Comments

[dref22]

I have no problems with paperbacks, but I really adore ebook readers. I wouldn't be lying if I say my Sony Reader has brought back my love for reading. When I commute to work, I don't have to carry huge books around, I can read any book I want with a simple touch. I don't understand why people are that^bitchy about this. A book is a book, digitized or not, but also, I can understand the idea of collecting them and putting them on bookshelves. I agree, one day will come and we won't have paperbacks anymore, but definitely not in our lifetime.

No one reads stone tablets anymore, right? :P

[made_in_ink]

Exactly!

In my mind an e-book is just a variation of the same; just line e-zines are cousins to print magazines. Same product, different packaging. Also, if they encourage the 'iGeneration' to read that's a big mark in it's favour.

As I say part of me can completely understand the practicalities of having one and if I was someone who had a commute on public transport for work I would probably own one already. But I do like me a bit of paper and I enjoy passing on and lending books I've loved (although I think there are apps etc that let you do this with e-books now -right?)

Also, my mum has poorly eyes so the ability to increase the text size (without having to hunt our rare large print books) can only be a bonus!

[dref22]

In fact not just lending books, but also piracy becomes a lot easier with e-books. :P I have no idea how the companies plan to deal with that. You just take the file and send it to your buddy. :P Btw Sony does not have any restrictions like Nook or Kindle have. You can get any book from anywhere with a Sony reader.

Oh yes, to be able to increase the text size is an awesome thing! Even I used it for some of my books!

[iamrman82]

If you get an e-book, how the hell do you turn over the corner of the page to keep your place?

[ungratefulwench]

ebooks will never replace actual books for me, but they have their place. I don't think that castigating people who choose to read ebooks over physical books is a sensible attitude at all. After all, at least people are reading. Nothing will ever replace the experience of reading a physical book, but that experience isn't important for everyone, and not everyone agrees with the quote "a room without books is like a body without a soul" so, you know, what I guess I'm trying to say is each to their own.

[made_in_ink]

Firstly, love the icon!

My younger cousin's have really gotten into reading now they have a kindle; they even stop playing on their x-box occassionally just to use the kindle (this is an occurance which pre-kindle would never have happened).Surely, this is just the thing that's been needed to inject some enthusiasm back into books and reading? After all we don't watch TV in black and white anymore and games have moved a long way from Pong; it's about time books had a bit of a revamp really.

I think your view point is the same as mine. I can see a place for both formats but, for now at least, my heart remains with print.

How are you btw? How's work? x

[catherinehaines]

I like both print and ebooks and they work best in tandem. In the end though I am of the attitude that the story is the most important thing and dead tree and electronic books are just two ways of accessing the same things.

I will add though that my Kobo is wonderful for travelling, and was a life-saver the day my ferry home was delayed by nine hours.