E-books should not replace conventional books essay sample

Books have been around for centuries. Technology has greatly impacted the society thus leading to inventions such as E-books. E-books should not replace conventional books mainly because, with books, there is never a need for upgrade in software unlike an E-book. Secondly conventional books are more user friendly for kids and older adults, and are cost effective. And finally if E-books were to replace conventional books this would mean the end of one of the world’s oldest institutions, libraries. Times are changing and Kindles appeal to the modern citizen, we don’t want to carry around cumbersome books, we want to be able to read when we want, whatever we want. Not having to order and wait for a book, or go to a bookstore, is incredibly convenient and means particularly that children can get their books immediately, ensuring that when they feel like reading, parents can ensure that they are able to. But, what can compare to the smell of a paperback, or the feel an old book with browned pages?

The kindle is as replaceable as any technology, a book you have on your kindle won’t be there ten years from now, because the kindle won’t be there, however, a tangible real book that you’ve treasured and kept safe since childhood will. Not to mention there is never a need for an upgrade in software or updates on a traditional book unlike an E-book. Secondly, books are without a shadow of a doubt cost effective and are more user friendly for children and older adults in that which it is much easier to operate. Conventional books don’t need to be charged and is affordable for one and all; unlike an E-book that needs to be charged and is very expensive. While some may argue that E-books are eco-friendly and saves millions of trees, it is still nothing compared to physical books which satisfy a tactile need in us that e-readers can’t stimulate. The scent, the feel, the weight of a book in the hand is a true comfort.

Statistics showed that the US giant Borders was forced t close its 600 stores recently, physical book sales having declined so sharply, whilst Amazon’s sales of Kindles and E-books continue to thrive. How do you browse the shelves of a virtual book store? Not everyone enters a bookstore to specifically purchase book X and then leave – the easy browsing and discovery of titles that you wouldn’t otherwise consider has not been replicated online. Can you throw a kindle in the bottom of your bag and take it to the beach? And not care if you drop it in the sand? So the statistics suggest anyway; the US giant Borders was forced to close its 600 stores recently, physical book sales having declined so sharply, whilst Amazon’s sales of Kindles and E-books continue to thrive. Where to for the future of the physical book

If I’m reading a book and I am incredibly enticed and the page is about to end, I want that feeling of paper between my fingers, waiting to finish this first half of the sentence and find out what happens next. An ebook is just a button or a finger sliding on a cold glass surface.

And along with the two reasons above, there is the reason that you NEVER own the ebook — you’re only licensed it. You can only read it on that device, you can’t share it with your friends or family. They have to buy it themselves. The only way I could think of is by letting that person borrow said device.

With an actual physical book, I can SHARE it to my friends and family. I can let them BORROW it. I have the comfort that I OWN the book and am not licensed it.