I think it was genius to distribute them alongside magazines!!

So the way I read it, three things pushed the paperback revolution:
1. mass attraction
2. an inventive distribution tactic
3. cash-American in the bank

Turning to eBooks:
1. mass attraction is there — phenomenal growth year-over-year so far
2. distribution to proprietary devices is clunky but distribution through the nanosphere is fast
3. cash-American [or any other currency] still not stabilized enough to make good predictions.

BUT

The writing is on the wall, in the stars, online, in the social media universe, and consistently addressed in this blog – EBOOKS are HERE, NOW.

hmmmm?

there’s a zen thing in there somewhere…be here now?

And like vinyl, they’ll matter less and less to future generations. Future readers won’t care as much about the smell or other sentimental things, just as most modern music listeners don’t care about the supposedly better sound of records.

I have to say, though, that I am worried that eBooks will completely replace paper books. Personally, I love the feel of the textured paper on my fingertips and the slightly musty smell. Every time I pick one out at home, I hold it up, smelling the pages, and fan through it before sitting down to read (What? You don’t?). I told my husband once that I could never go completely digital because of it. His response, “I’ll get you drawing paper and a book scented air freshener.” I proceeded to ask him, expectantly, “They make those?!”

I have to say, though, that I am worried that eBooks will completely replace paper books. Personally, I love the feel of the textured paper on my fingertips and the slightly musty smell. Every time I pick one out at home, I hold it up, smelling the pages, and fan through it before sitting down to read (What? You don’t?). I told my husband once that I could never go completely digital because of it. His response, “I’ll get you drawing paper and a book scented air freshener.” I proceed to ask him, expectantly, “They make those?!”