Will e-books replace printed books in recreational reading?

I don’t think there will be a total replacement, unless someone invents an undepleteable power source. Then, probably, the cost of publishing paper books will become unsupportable.

I like the feel of a book. Call me old fashioned. I also don’t always like staring at lit screens – i.e. computer at home, computer at work. I will always buy books as long as they’re around.

I hope not…. They should learn to live together in harmony..

Real books are much better than e-books,

The feel of a new book…The feel of a old tattered favorite…
The feel of the cover…
The smell of a new book the first time it’s opened….The “musty” smell of old books…
The sound of a new book being opened for the first time, the sound pages make when you first turn them…
The weight of the book in your hands…

E-books are great too…

You can carry hundreds…thousands of books with you everywhere..
Cheaper than real books…
Can zoom in…
They are really lightweight….
They provide their own light…

I like both…I don’t want to have to choose.

I think so in the same way cell phone are knocking out land lines, plus no late fees from the library!

Another example is Audiophiles never dreamed vinyl records would ever go away.

I don’t think so. @Cruiser Vinyl records were scratchy and noisy, so their demise was fairly predictable. Books are a little different.

@Adirondackwannabe Not if you took care of them. I am one of those purists that will argue the sound on vinyl is superior to digital especially the MP3 mass copied stuff out today. No comparison despite the occasional pop or skip.

I think the comparison with vinyl is a good one. I read e-books and listen to mp3s because I can conveniently carry LOTS of material around with me. But when I’m at home, I curl up with “real” books and I listen to vinyl.

No. Captain Jean Luc Picard liked reading books.

I don’t think there will ever be a total replacement. However, for me it took almost no time at all for my kindle to replace traditional hard copy. The reasons:

1) I don’t have to decide which book to take along in the morning as I have my entire library plus access to a book store instantly available at all times.

2) The form factor is small enough that it slips easily into a jacket pocket or my backpack so I always have it with me, thus giving me more opportunities to read for pleasure during those unexpected wait times.

3) It lays flat so it is darned easy to prop it up on the console of the cardio equipment at the gym.

4) It uses 100% recycled electrons rather than paper pulp.

@MacBean I second the comparison with vinyl. Nothing like sitting in front of a fireplace with some good jazz from the 50’s on a vinyl disk while reading a good old fashioned book (preferably with a snifter of very good single malt scotch on the side table).

I think for stuff that’s along the lines of “vacation” or “subway” reading….yeah, not replace, but a huge dent.

I think it will also replace a lot of other types of paper reading, but it won’t every completely replace all recreational forms. There’s something about curling up in a big chair with a book. They have a smell, and a texture.

I like how ereaders give you so many options of what to read right at your fingertips, however they do have limitations, like screen-size. I personally like the e-ink versions better because they are not back lit and are very easy on your eyes. As far as paperbacks, the ereader has replaced them for me once and for all. The only time I would read a paperback was if someone said they read a really good book and decided to lend it to me. Other than that I don’t think I’ll ever buy one again.

I dont think so. There is a very emotional bond that occurs when reading a book, magazine, newspaper and touching the paper.
I would never be able to read at the beach with an electronic version. I also think people collect certain authors or topics.

Never completely I don’t think. Reading an ebook is less emotionally satisfying. I like the feel of a book in my hands especially an old one.

I hope not. I can’t stand e-books. I like feeling and hearing the page turn on a real book. I’m actually trying to start my own library in my house.

@blueiiznh Get an e-ink (black and white, not backlit) version and you can read on the beach with no glare. I prefer them to the newer, color models. Agreed it just won’t do for magazines and such though. But for me, it is a definite great substitute for a paperback (as long as you have it charged).

book-quiddity; it will never be replaced

Probably, print books are not environmentally sustainable.

@YARNLADY Appearantly more people think like me and would rather have a real book. e-book readers are not environmentally sustainable. They have to be replaced. All these neat gadgets are cheap pieces of shit that peopel pay top dollar for. Then they have to be disposed of and plastic doesn’t break down. It isn’t degradeable. Also a real book is something people usually buy only once. The can last for generations. A cheap plastic overprice e-book reader may last a year or 2 before it is either obsolete or breaks. Not to mention that they have to be recharged with electricity. Electricity has to be generated by a power plant that may pollute the environment. Besides all this, some people don’t choose the environmentally sustainable option.

Absolutely not. I love holding a book in my hand. I’ll never succumb to the e-book craze.

@Mikewlf337 I agree, there are tradeoffs, but everytime I look at my extensive library, I see a dead forest, and it saddens me. Many of the things you mentioned are used by the publishing industry as well, plus poisonous inks.

@stardust Absolutely not. I love holding a book in my hand. I’ll never succumb to the e-book craze.

My thoughts exactly.

Try reading a 30-year-old digital book stored on a 5¼ inch floppy disk.

Try reading a 30-year-old printed book.

Then tell me the difference.

And please get back to me in the year 2040 and show me your e-books on your iPad.