Original post was written for the Venture Gallery blog
on October 2, 2014
by Stephen Woodfin AMAZON
Do you prefer paper books, eBooks or audiobooks?
It’s not a
theoretical debate.
theoretical debate.
The digital
revolution has changed all sorts of things about the book business.
revolution has changed all sorts of things about the book business.
Ebooks are
here to stay.
here to stay.
Audiobooks
are on the rise.
are on the rise.
But the
demise of paper books has not occurred, as some predicted.
demise of paper books has not occurred, as some predicted.
Independent
book stores, not so long ago believed by many to be on the way out, are on the
resurgence.
book stores, not so long ago believed by many to be on the way out, are on the
resurgence.
So the book
world now is schizophrenic.
world now is schizophrenic.
Readers read
books on their smart phones, listen to audiobooks on their phones or tablets
while they commute or take trips, and purchase paper books.
books on their smart phones, listen to audiobooks on their phones or tablets
while they commute or take trips, and purchase paper books.
I’ll use
myself as an example.
myself as an example.
I buy
several eBooks per month straight off my Kindle. I buy an audiobook or
two each month and download it on the Audible app on my phone. I listen
to it on head phones connected to my phone. I buy paper books of a few of my
favorite authors when new releases come out. For instance, I always
pre-order the next James Lee Burke book. I also buy paper copies of
classic or hard to find books. I am more likely to purchase a paper book in an
independent bookstore, although we don’t have many such stores in my neck of
the woods.
several eBooks per month straight off my Kindle. I buy an audiobook or
two each month and download it on the Audible app on my phone. I listen
to it on head phones connected to my phone. I buy paper books of a few of my
favorite authors when new releases come out. For instance, I always
pre-order the next James Lee Burke book. I also buy paper copies of
classic or hard to find books. I am more likely to purchase a paper book in an
independent bookstore, although we don’t have many such stores in my neck of
the woods.
I don’t know
whether my book buying habits are representative of book buyers in
general. My thought is that there are a number of factors that come into
play in the equation. Some of those are the proximity of a brick and
mortar bookstore, the age of the buyer and the genres of interest to her.
whether my book buying habits are representative of book buyers in
general. My thought is that there are a number of factors that come into
play in the equation. Some of those are the proximity of a brick and
mortar bookstore, the age of the buyer and the genres of interest to her.
I think we
are beginning to see a backlash against the ubiquity of the Internet.
are beginning to see a backlash against the ubiquity of the Internet.
The Internet
is great for many things, but it can’t replace the smell of a bookstore or the
personal interaction a book buyer can have with knowledgeable bookstore
proprietors who can point her in the right direction. Neither can a
reader shake hands with an author at Amazon.
is great for many things, but it can’t replace the smell of a bookstore or the
personal interaction a book buyer can have with knowledgeable bookstore
proprietors who can point her in the right direction. Neither can a
reader shake hands with an author at Amazon.
So, I’m
curious.
curious.
Do you
prefer paper books, eBooks or audiobooks, and where do you like to buy them?
prefer paper books, eBooks or audiobooks, and where do you like to buy them?
When I read Stephen’s blog, I just had to share it
with you. I guess the fact that I had received my son’s Christmas list early (as
he’s heading out of the country until Dec 21st) might have something
to do with it. You see… his list consisted of three, hard-to-find, hardcover books
from Amazon.
Then last night, my mother called and asked me to send
her two paperback copies of my own book Special Agent Francesca because she
wanted them for Christmas gifts. (What is it with this Christmas stuff???
Sheesh – it’s only October.)
her two paperback copies of my own book Special Agent Francesca because she
wanted them for Christmas gifts. (What is it with this Christmas stuff???
Sheesh – it’s only October.)
But…I digress!
The point here is that many folks still enjoy holding that physical book in
their hands and then displaying it on their bookshelves.
The point here is that many folks still enjoy holding that physical book in
their hands and then displaying it on their bookshelves.
My personal theory – we might be able to alter the old systems with progress
but we’ll never change human nature.
but we’ll never change human nature.
~~~~~~~~~~
I'm a fan of e-books (for the cost and convenience and a lover of printed books, especially for the convenience–an e-reader doesn't work well at the beach because the screen gets filmy and it's either too bright or too dark, and even non-glare screens reflect light. Also, a hardcopy doesn't need electricity or batteries to read it. I like audio books on long trips–so count me in for a little bit of everything.
You know, I've never tried an udio book -but I will for sure now that I see how popular they are. Thanks Carole
I like both and I really don't see why you can't have both complete with physical bookstores. I've listened to a couple of audio books but they're not a big thing for me.
You know Pat, I think that's what's probably going to happen in the near future anyway. We will continue to have local bookstores and as long as we support them, they'll stick around.
I'll put it this way. I lived in the country as a child, in the suburbs as a teenager, and now live just outside of downtown in a high-density residential area.
I love where I am, I would consider moving back to the country under the right circumstances, but I could never live in the burbs again. The burbs have all the car-centrism and long distances of the country, but all the endless buildings of a poorly-planned city.
In the same way, I love the portability of ebooks, and the variety. I love my local indie bookstores. But what I detest are the big-box stores. They have the lack of personality of any big-box store, but also the lack of selection of a poorly-run small shop. Actually, I find the indie shops tend to be better curated — and happier to take special orders.
Hi Katherine, I live in a small village kind of a town where we have everything we need to make life work without all the glitz and glamor… and problems of a big city. We also have a local book store that caters to it's customers in a way you wouldn't find in one of the big centers. You mentioned the Indie shops – gosh I would love to be able to visit an Indie bookstore…? Next trip to Phoenix I'm going to search one out 🙂