Is this the year of the e-Book?
For the first time ever, e-books of bestselling novels have out-sold their hard copy counterparts. As per USA Today, 42 of the top 50 titles in this post-Christmas 2012 season were largely purchased as e-books. We've been hearing the same foreboding question for years: "Is this the end of printed books?" And still, they have yet to go extinct. Is this all a bunch of hype, or are we really seeing a significant shift in the way we consume literature?
With more advanced technology, e-books are ubiquitous. Tablets like KindleFire and Nook Touch joined the iPad in going above and beyond basic e-reader capabilities. More titles, including a lot of classics, are now easily available. But how is this different from any other year? In many ways it isn't: e-book sales have naturally been growing for years. But with all these new devices coming out that we're finally excited to use, we may be watching the final barrier disappear before e-books truly break through. Printed books aren't going away any time soon, but they will have a little more company this year.
-
Books Profile
Tao Lin Wired Hipster Realist
By Tracy O’NeillLin continues to dissect and exploit the 21st century in… >>
