Where Do You Buy Most of Your Books?

Name the places you buy most of your books. Is it a bookstore, on a reader, where?

Is it the End of the Book As We Know It?

I’ve been working at Barnes & Noble for well over a year now. I am my store’s Digital Sales Manager (even though B&N recently changed that title). So my insight into e-reader devices has grown exponentially over the last year. Here are several things that really worry me about digital books.

First, I’m not opposed to them but I do see some serious flaws in the whole idea. The reading devices themselves are only useful for a certain amount of time. Eventually, just like any other electronic device two things will inevitably happen: the device will eventually break down and become non-operable. Or, the device will become so technologically obsolete it will eventually be useless. The latter typically happens before the former (e.g. Nook first editions are no longer made and have become obsolete, and my Kindle second edition is now obsolete). The former is currently happening. Readers come into the store with their first edition devices, we cannot fix them so they have to trade up because their current device is no longer made. Let me remind you that physical copies of books never become “obsolete” in the same sense that digital readers do. Granted, a book may go out of print, but if you have it and take care of it, it will last until you die. Even then, if it’s taken care of, it will continue to live on.

Second, digital readers/books will eventually cause B&N to downsize their locations. In other words, I believe that digital books will force B&N to close at least 200 or more of their stores, and force the company to find smaller buildings for the remaining stores. The cost of keeping up with current technology is extremely expensive.

Third, eventually, and I’m not sure when, the book in the form as we have always known it will fade. Those who still want physical books will be forced to find them at second hand bookstores. This will cause independent bookstores to either turn to a used books market or go out of business. So, digital books/readers will cost a lot of people their jobs.

Fourth, once a reader’s device no longer works, their only option (unless they get an app on their PC or other device - which will also break down) is to buy another device. And this will go on and on and on. So, not only is the reader buying electronic reading devices (that are not too cheap I might add), they are buying the digital books as well. Buying the reading device itself is shelling out extra money that could otherwise be spent on books.

To me, the above sounds bleak. While I am not opposed to digital books, I simply love and prefer physical copies. What all this means for me is that from now on I will buy nothing but physical copies of books. Because, to be quite honest, sometime in the future I will not be able to do so from a new book vender.

Is there a plus side to reading digital books and using eReaders? Yes. First, you do save space in your home. Second, you can take thousands of books with you on the device when you travel. Third, the new release digital titles are less expensive than their printed editions. Other than these three things, I can not think of any other advantages. Can you?

Kindle Versus “Real Books”

thebluenowhere replied to your post: The downside to Kindle: Having to wait for the damn thing to charge so I can read my book.

Just curious, what’s a Kindle like? Are they easy to use? Better than reading a book etc? What’s your view on them? :)

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I’ve posted on this before; eReaders versus books (I’m currently unable to find the link). Now, having owned a Kindle for a couple of months, here are my current thoughts.

1. I love the Kindle options. Being able to buy books I do not necessarily want to take up space of my shelves.
2. Kindle (Amazon) has a huge selection of books.
3. I like the thin portable sleekness of the Kindle.
4. I love the fact that when you want to sample a book, Kindle sends you the first chapter or so.
5. The freebies are great. I have found most of the classic novels for free and downloaded them.
6. I can carry around hundreds, if not thousands, of books in one spot.
7. I tend to read faster with the Kindle (not that I read slow).
8. You can change the text size with Kindle.
9. The downside is that Kindle has to charge. I am still working out how to charge and read, but at this point, everytime I charge, the system shuts dowen completely.
10. I love physical copies of books; I love the way they look on my bookshelves, their smell, their texture, etc. Kindle does not offer this type of esthetic.
11. I can’t take my Kindle to a book signing and get an author to sign IT. Well, I guess I could, but why the hell would I want someone writing all over my Kindle?