It started with hardbacks, then paperbacks now its digital. Electronic hand-held readers could get popular soon. In a couple of years we might be able to read e-books rather than in the printed form on a paper. Some of these electronic readers will be able to upload up to hundreds of novels which could be a great blessing when you are away from home or travelling. E-books also have other advantages such as offering footnotes, useful extra information, movie clips etc. An e-reader can provide links to websites where similar books are available or where more information about the book you are reading can be had.

However I do not think that e-readers will replace books. There’s no way this will happen, rather this new medium will be more complementary to the printed form. I personally like the smell of a new book (esp hardbound!), the feel of newness, the paper quality and its look. Digital versions are welcome but it wont stop me from thinking, buying and using book in paper form. A TV or a DVD did not kill theater, e-reading is unlikely to kill the printed book.

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