Summary Amazon has launched an e-book (electronic book) reading device in 2007 called the Kindle. Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos has referred the Kindle as ‘the kind of fire’ which he wishes to start in the book world. Hence, the war between e-books and printed books has begun. It is stated in the article that the book industry is growing, but it is losing life in the modern society.
The younger generation have instantaneously embraced the emergence of e-books because buying conventional books makes them feel “old and slow”. E-book has made reading easier because it saves time on running to the bookshop to purchase a book. E-books are looked upon as a reincarnation of fusty conventional books.
Link to theory: Multimodality and Reading Paths
What is the difference between an e-book and a printed book? E-book gives readers a variety of information just by clicking on hyperlinks and on highlighted headings. According to Kress and van Leeuwen (1998), highlighting important points and emphasizing reading structures may be visually fulfilling.
Print books however are designed in a linear form whereby readers are faced with reading paths restrictions. Readers would have to read the book page by page. “Any form of reading (skipping, looking at the last page to see how the plot will be resolved or what the conclusion will be) is regarded as a form of cheating” (Kress & van Leeuwen 1998, p. 205)
My opinion
The birth of e-book has definitely made a change in the book industry. E-book has given way to the rising numbers of reading habits among the younger generation. I have to admit in years to come e-book will eventually take over the traditional printed book because printed books are at a disadvantage in terms of “futuristic attributions” (FutureoftheBook.com, 2007). Printed books are for the older generation, the young ones make up the future of tomorrow; thus, e-book will take over the book industry.
Additional Reading
This video is about Lucy Monroe, a writer who shares her thought on the revolution of e-book. Also, she speaks about the differences between e-publishing and print publishing. Lastly, she predicts the outcome of the battle between e-book and book in future.
Google Image: eBook vs Print Book
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