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Will The Rise Of E-books Mean The Death Of Paper Books?

E-books are proving very popular. They are part of the new media revolution.

Remember in the music industry, there were once vinyl records; alongside them came cassette tapes. Then along came CDs to replace both. Now it's all about ipods, mp3 players and downloads. The forecast is for CDs to become a thing of the past. (I don't know about you, but I've still got music on all of those formats!).

Will the same thing happen to books?

I guess scrolls saw off stone tablets, and paper replaced parchment, but books have been around a long time. And there's something about picking up a book and settling down to read it - anywhere - with no wires attached, and no electronic impulses frying your brain!

However, e-books are gaining in popularity.

Most e-books that are bought are non-fiction, and many of them are self-help. "How To..." e-books are very popular. People like to feel that they are getting something for their money that will in some way improve their lot; not necessarily financial (although that is VERY popular!), but in some way: health, wealth (mentioned) or well-being.

In addition many e-books come with freebies or extra goodies as an added incentive to buy. Upon purchase the e-book arrives as a download very quickly - much quicker than going to your local book shop, or ordering a physical book from the internet. You can start reading your e-book within seconds of purchasing it. And that satisfies today's "instant gratification" society.

So, what about fiction e-books?

With the inexorable march of technology, it is hard to see them not catching on. You can read from your laptop right now. It might not be too comfortable reading a book from your tiny mobile phone screen, but how long before that is solved? Perhaps an extendable screen to give your phone more of a paperback book size?

I doubt it will mean the death of the book for many years to come, but e-books? They're here to stay.