The Future of Print Books

[Nicole]

Whew! That's a relief. :P

[[deleted user]]

:P

[Nicole]

Lol! I gtg. See you! :D

[[deleted user]]

Aw. Bye!

[Connor]

I'm glad this discussion could end like this......

[[deleted user]]

THE FUTURE OF PRINT BOOKS!!!!!!!!

[[deleted user]]

(Hallelujah!...Hallelujah!...Hallelujah!Hallelujah!)

[Madge]

I'm going to jump into this without reading many comments lol. I think that eventually print will become a thing of the past, but I don't think we'll see it in our lifetime, or our children's. E-readers are great (I have a Kindle, but I don't use it much because it's cheaper to buy a used print book most of the time), but so long as there are people who love the feel, smell, etc. of printed books, I think they'll stay around.

[Everly]

I absolutly believe that print books are going to the wayside. As a self-published author I am ok with that. Technology is always changing and you need to adapt or you will get run over. I do think it's interesting to see how many people are not able to let go of books, me included. I don't think people had this feeling about tapes or records. I wonder why we feel this way about books?
Elle Lapraim

[Sffgeek]

It looks to me as though e-readers are changing the format of books available in the UK. Our 2 main chains (Waterstones and WH Smiths) now have hardly any MMPs - almost everything is in Trade PB (B-size) format or bigger.

I like all the books in a series to match, so any new authors are going to have to be collected in this larger format.

Incidentally, that's a key word - "collected" - that's one reason I won't be buying a Kindle any time soon. (The other is I want to be sure when I buy a book that it's mine forever, not dependent on a specific piece of hardware.)

[Sarah]

Print books are great, my desk is covered with them. I'm just not sure that I'd have ever had the nerve to try and get my books published without the ease and lack of nerve-wrecking wait time creating an ebook requires.

[Jon]

I hope print books will remain in style throughout my lifetime. I love my little library of books. And as a traditionally-published author, I rely heavily on print sales.

[Jessica]

I work at a library, and I would say that ebooks doesn't diminish the amount of people that come in to get old fashioned books. :) And our library rents out ebooks online. Which is awesome. I don't think we are in danger yet. I just love that people read, whether electronically or the old fashioned way.

[Teresa]

I don't think print books are going away, or will go away. Books don't become obsolete; electronic devices do. I accept that I'll have to offer my own books as ebooks, because people want ebooks now and they're priced more attractively. Maybe books are a bit of a luxury item at the moment (although not for those who can't afford to buy a reader in the first place). When the economy recovers, I believe that a lot of people will have grown tired of the novelty of ebooks and go back to the printed kind. Some will stick with ebooks, of course, but I think the number of readers who prefer them will decline.

[Kevin]

I think print will definitely stay around, but ebooks will be high in the market.

[Sabine]

I have heard nook are better for downloading especially if you are not in USA. A friend of my sister bought a kindle and it stopped working outside USA (that is, it doesnt allow her to download books because her region has changed.)

[Fayley]

Ebooks are great for Australia since print books come out here up to a year after they are released in th UK and USA. While I keep my favorites as print books , I dont have room for all the books I read, so ebooks suit me fine. I also buy most of my books either late at night or on the bus to work, so again ebooks suit me better, I also read exclusively at night in bed (where the self lit reader is better) or on the bus to work (where again the e reader is small enough for my handbag). I buy at least 3 times as many books per week since I got an e reader , so I do t think it will go away any time soon .

[[deleted user]]

As an author, I have to say that I both love and hate ebooks. I hate the idea that they may take away traditionally bound books (not completely, I don't think, but they are definitely becoming less popular), but I love the fact that they are making it much easier for Indie authors to read and review, as well as get their work into reader's hands. It has never been easier to find a book and buy it, and get it read quickly. I know ebooks have made it much easier for me to review my fellow author's works for them, because I don't have to wait for their book to come in the mail.

That said, I personally prefer print books. I think there is something special about holding a book, smelling its pages. I have a special collection of my favorite books on my shelf (in hardcovers) that I will never get rid of.

Ebooks are here to stay, but so are print books I think. And in this age, readers will be able to buy either to suit their tastes -- and I think this is very important, as the readers are who the writers write for.

[Amethyst]

I don't think printed boos will disappear but the may become more of a luxury item.
I like having the actual book but paperbacks don't stand up to a lot of reading hard backs are expensive and for the more sizeable books i.e. eragon there very heavy and tire the wrists out.
I got a kindle in July and I love how easy it is to use and change the font size etc. But when looking for new books I feel as if there is to much choice and it easier to get something that not to your taste - I brought stray thinking it would be an interesting shape-shifter book But the structure and the society of the shifter put me of the rest of the series.

[Fayley]

My husband asked me what time it was while I was reading a paper book and I tapped the middle of the page with my finger! True.

[Brenda]

When Santa brings me that Ipad, I plan to get one of those holders that looks like an old book.

[Fayley]

I've never heard of one of those holders before . I just read everything on my iPhone - light easy cheap. I went old-school and took a paper book to bed the other night (instead of my back-lit iPhone). I turned the light out and hopped into bed to start reading. My husband nearly chocked laughing at me.

[Kevin]

Teresa wrote: "I don't think print books are going away, or will go away. Books don't become obsolete; electronic devices do. I accept that I'll have to offer my own books as ebooks, because people want ebooks ..."

Kindle and Nook have moved WAY beyong being a novelty. Times change and we adapt to the new technolgy like it or not.

Books will be around for quite some time, there is no way to get around this, there are so many books in print at this time.

[Brenda]

For visual reasons I need a big screen. A phone is too small for reading.

[Stephen]

Brenda wrote: "When Santa brings me that Ipad, I plan to get one of those holders that looks like an old book."

I have a nice cover for my Kindle, red fabric that protects it, makes it possible to stand it up, and allows space for authors to autograph, since I currently by eBooks almost exclusively.

[Donna]

I think there is room for both breeds. I prefer a paper book, love the feel and smell of a book. I don't have a portable kindle but I would think about one to travel with in the future. I do have Kindle on my PC as some short stories tend on only be e-books and I wanted to read them. But it means spending more time in front of the computer and after a while it hurts my eyes, brain etc. Also, paper books don't need recharging nor turning off in planes. ;)

[Connor]

I have a kindle and I love it, but I do prefer paper books as well. I never read off a computer screen because it hurts my eyes sooner than later as well.

The nice thing about the kindle is the screen is like electronic paper so the screen doesn't have the light that hurts your eyes. Kindles are really nice for travel though.

[Stephen]

Connor wrote: "I have a kindle and I love it, but I do prefer paper books as well. I never read off a computer screen because it hurts my eyes sooner than later as well.

The nice thing about the kindle is the screen is like electronic paper so the screen doesn't have the light that hurts your eyes."

        Yes, and the resolution on the Kindle is incredible.  It never hurts my eyes, either.

[Connor]

It's like reading a super flat book where you can be super lazy because you just push buttons to turn the page! It's so American! lol

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

So which is the best e-reader type? When I have cash and have bought other things I'm looking at getting an e-reader. So much more convenient for out of copy-write classics and so on.

[Connor]

I think the kindle is great, but I haven't used anything else. If you do get the kindle, get the kind with a keyboard. Actually, I just don't recommend the kindle touch.

[Fayley]

Make sure you get an e-reader that has a back-lighting option (great for reading in bed), lets you lie on your side and read (without changing orientation), and connects easily to the Internet (you don't want to have to plug it into your computer). I love my iPhone but a lot of people find it too small.

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

Back lighting is the lighting that does not strain the eyes as much right?

[Fayley]

Actually I'm not sure, but I love it. My friend has an unlit kindle and she can't read in bed as easily as I can.

[[deleted user]]

I prefer print books, but one of the really exciting things about ebooks is the lack of length restrictions. Some stories never fit into a size that made them easily publishable. They were too long for a short story collection, but too short to be a novel. I first read some of my favorite authors in the Ace doubles, a couple of novellas or novellettes (sp?) in one binding, but with a cover on each side. Anyone else remember them?

[Brenda]

Yes, there is now no paper outlet for novellas or novelettes. The only place you can get them, really, is in e format.

[Stephen]

Horace wrote: "I prefer print books, but one of the really exciting things about ebooks is the lack of length restrictions. Some stories never fit into a size that made them easily publishable. They were too lo..."

        Oh yes, I remember the Ace Doubles.  Some of them were decent.  I believe Marion Zimmer Bradley got here start in Ace Doubles.

[K.L.]

It is all up to you guys, the readers (and authors who read a lot too) assuming we continue to have a free market and all. If readers are still willing to pay print book prices and carry them with them, then there will be print books to be had.

Another way to look at it is that ebooks and print books are very analogous to the news industry. We are seeing a trend where consumers are using internet media (alternative media sources) to get their news. It could be because the get it quicker than waiting till 11:00 pm or they don’t value what the news shows are delivering as much, so they go elsewhere. The same will be with publishers. If readers decide that they no longer trust publishers to give them good choices to read, they will go elsewhere to get it, and they are not afraid to find it themselves.

[Kevin]

Amethyst wrote: "I don't think printed boos will disappear but the may become more of a luxury item.
I like having the actual book but paperbacks don't stand up to a lot of reading hard backs are expensive and for ..."

I hope printed boo's never go away, they are such a Holloween treat! LOL!

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Jonathan wrote: "Back lighting is the lighting that does not strain the eyes as much right?"

No, back lighting is exactly what you have on computer. Bothers some people and not others (maybe not a good choice if job requires you to already stare at screen hours on end). The eInk readers are closest to paper.

I have dealt with pretty much all the ereaders. Unless you read textbooks, childrens books or others that have color illustrations or diagrams or something where you need to read it in color—the only reason I see for paying higher price for full color backlit devices is if you will be using the other features like internet access, particular apps, etc. Maybe in future if more ebooks have enhancements like video built in but not a lot right now available. Some travel better than others to different countries if you will be downloading books (already downloaded before trip is fine).

Your first ereader after you download a lot of books will be your favorite just because it has your largest selection. I am an old lady using ereaders to get larger text and these old eyes and a job more than 12 hours a day on computer means I do not want more backlit computer screens. Doesn't apply to everyone. Kindle has a lot more self-published books in general (pays larger royalties from what I understand); but, most self-publishing authors now are starting to publish in all formats.

With nook, colornook, kindle, various tablets, and an iPad - I mostly stick to the eInk readers for lengthy reading. The colornook pretty useless for me without hacking because runs very limited apps and certainly not kindle app (heavier and more awkward to hold). The tablets and iPad that let me run apps for nook, kindle, overdrvie (public library ebook downloads) are another story—backlit or not, I do like to have all my reads on one of the tablet devices and will do short term reading or reading in bed before falling asleep. (Bad idea to have bedsheets the same color as iPad cover if you fall asleep with otherwise good if pricier than I would have paid if was not a gift).

[Christopher]

I think the market is going to keep on shifting until the majority of reading will be done on e-readers and print books are mainly purchased for special reasons: collecting, picture books for small children, decoration (after all, having a full shelf of books looks awesome), etc.

The convenience and speed of an e-reader is such a compelling killer app, how can we resist? Also, once libraries really embrace the overdrive/public download setup, that'll encourage more shift. Right now, though, my library only has a meagre list of titles available (mostly romance).

I love my kindle. I thought I never would, but that slim little thing has totally seduced me.

[[deleted user]]

I agree with Deborah's assessment of the e-ink, backlighting, & color in ereaders. Those with younger eyes probably won't agree as much, but I've felt the strain of the computer monitor more & more as the years have passed.

Another issue she doesn't mention is battery life, but that makes a huge difference. E-ink only really draws current the first time it writes a page, unlike color.

IMO, the perfect e-reader would have one side of e-ink, preferably several pages, & the other side with color & a keyboard with a touch pad or something. Color is awfully nice sometimes (cover & other art, maps, etc.) & the ability to write notes attached to portions of the text would be wonderful.

Having several pages so that I could look back to a previous page or lock one at a different point (glossary, characters, map, etc.) would be wonderful. In a paper book, I often mark such sections with a sticky or by bending the corner of the page. My reader takes too many buttons & time for me to be happy with bookmarks. I also read fast, so more words before a redraw would be nice, too.

[[deleted user]]

Christopher wrote: "I think the market is going to keep on shifting until the majority of reading will be done on e-readers ..."

I think you're right. I certainly hope that print books stay reasonably priced & available. I prefer them, but there are a lot of advantages to ebooks. I read a book where there were extras on the web site including Google maps with the a timeline & travel for the story marked on an overlay. It was a murder mystery with travel around a bay & some islands, so that sort of view was wonderful. It's something that was/is often done by fans. This is an area, mixing media & applications, where ebooks shine.

[Christopher]

I suppose value-added components like that will become more and more the norm. Pretty amazing to reflect how far we've come from Gutenberg. I wonder if there's a line somewhere (perhaps defined by level of interactivity, experience, technology, I don't know) where the book is no longer a book, but something entirely different?

[Raven]

I remember the first time I opened a book with no pictures, just lots of words,I felt so grown up,the feel of the hardcover,opening it up the musty smell of a book that has been read many times,turning the pages and getting lost in a new adventure,I was hooked for life.Today I still get that memory back each and every time I open a book.
That being said,the ecological statement of cutting down trees for print...the cost of recycling...the advent of technology is making the printed book more and more expensive to produce and less of a business to get into.The e-reader is the way of the future and I too have been seduced to the ease of an electronic book,but I still miss that little boys first adventure with a REAL book.

[[deleted user]]

Christopher wrote: "I suppose value-added components like that will become more and more the norm. Pretty amazing to reflect how far we've come from Gutenberg. I wonder if there's a line somewhere (perhaps defined by ..."

I don't know about the line & won't worry about it any more than I do genre. I will say that Fahrenheit 451 makes a case for the ability to put a book down & think, not something so easily done with TV & other forms of entertainment.

[[deleted user]]

Raven, I wouldn't worry much about the environmental impact of books. Compared to how nasty electronics are, I'll bet that paper books really aren't that bad. In Maine, an old logger told me that when he first started, the paper mills would only take 8"x8' or better logs. Back when I talked to him, they wouldn't take anything bigger than 4"x4'. He worked a pretty good sized area over & over by cutting an acre square & leaving the 4 acres directly touching it alone. 20 years later, it was ready to be logged again.

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

Thanks for that info about e-ink screens, that's the type of reader I'll be looking for when I can afford it.

Horace wrote: "Raven, I wouldn't worry much about the environmental impact of books. Compared to how nasty electronics are, I'll bet that paper books really aren't that bad. In Maine, an old logger told me that..."

Not to mention that most areas that are logged now are somewhat sustainable plantations.

[Doyle]

Saw a show on some channel that showed a logging company doing the plantation type logging. For every one tree they cut down, they replant 5 more in the same area. The new trees would be ready in about 20-30 years. Seemed like it was a really well laid out systematic process for logging that allows for continual renewal of the resource.

FYI new to Good Reads and this group, but thought I would start throwing my two worthless cents in the ring around here a little :)

[[deleted user]]

Not all is perfect in the world of replanting trees, but it is better than some of the horrors that are committed upon the earth to dig up the materials for electronic devices. The birch forests I mentioned in Maine have many smaller trees and that hasn't been kind to the moose, but has helped out other species.

The biggest danger of replanting is creating a monoculture, though. While many of the forests are primarily one species or another, much of the replanting is done with just a single species & variety. One pest or plague and suddenly huge areas of forest can die off which absolutely ruins everyone.

Such blights are more common than most people think, too. The Chestnut blight that wiped out 25% of the Appalachian forest (ALL the American Chestnuts) in the 1900's is probably the most famous example. Suddenly (50 years?) a wonderful source of lumber, but more importantly a huge source of food and habitat was gone.

Most have heard of the Dutch Elm disease, too. Main street USA suddenly lost its shade trees. Not a big deal really, but unsightly. Now we have the Emerald Ash borer beetle that is killing off ALL the white ash trees (I'm losing 20% of my woods.) and the northwest fir forests are being wiped out by the Mountain Pine Beetle. It's very scary stuff.