I do find that the eink kindles give me the ability to read at times when I wouldn’t be able to with a paper book. For example, when my little one was younger and still nursing, I regularly would have my kindle there because there’s just not a whole lot else that you *can* do with a nursing baby!

I think Amazon probably does use “read” instead of “buy” for their statistics, otherwise they would definitely have skewed results. Most of the polls I’ve seen about ereaders discuss reading habits for how much you do, and buying habits in terms of the prices you’re willing to pay.

It would be interesting to see how the “average” kindle owner has changed across the years since the K1 first released. It feels to me that there was a shift around the release of the K4/Touch/Fire grouping where at least on the forums we seem to see a lot more casual readers asking questions on the forums. I’m guessing that’s because the Fire pulled in more casual readers (or non-readers), and the K4 was low-enough in price that a lot of people gave them to casual readers (or younger people) as gifts, whereas prior to that point, the price-point of the kindles were high enough that people wouldn’t buy the kindle unless the person using it was a serious reader.

I definitely find those who read, whatever the material, much more open-minded than those who don’t. Here’s hoping that the generation of Harry Potter readers who may not have become readers without that impetus, will grow up to be a more aware generation!

This is unrelated to the article, but I just received many price drop notifications from ereaderiq. None of them were major, but when I checked the links, all were from HyperCollins and none of them said ‘This price was set by the publisher’
Nothing concrete, but I’d say that’s a good sign, wouldn’t you?

I thought about that question (is it “buying and downloading” versus “reading”), and my thought is that Amazon would be careful about that…although they certainly sometimes say things that they have to clarify later.

Amazon could get at reading stats through polling. We can indicate whether we have finished reading a book or not at Amazon, but I don’t think many people do that (it obviously can’t do it automatically on paperbooks).

I do think some p-book stores will survive…with much higher prices per unit. They will likely become much more of an upper class place, as they used to be, and used bookstores will especially see an increase.

It’s interesting: with the first Kindle, people mentioned those categories as “never” being good on EBRs (E-Book Readers).

Eventually, and not far away, I think those are among the books that are much better as e-books. The image on an iPhone is better than you can possibly see…the reproduction may be better than what you see in a glossy paper book. When you see art in a museum, you often change your position to view it from a different angle (or closer and farther)…that virtual option will be there. You will also likely be able to actually project it on a wall, making it easier for people with some vision issues.

Recipe books with video seem inevitable…showing people actually how much the amount is, showing how to perform a particular technique (“mince”, “baste”) will expand their reach to those who aren’t as familiar with the kitchen. A virtual guarantee to me would seem to be an ability to “deep dive” into the nutritional values and health risks of the ingredients…but only if you wanted to do that. Having an e-recipe book that knows you are a diabetic, and adjusts the recipes seamlessly to be appropriate would save lives.

Travel books are another good example. I have an app on my Fire now that shows me webcams around the world. How great would it be to be reading about an off-the-track location and be able to see it…live? Direct booking is another killer app…you read about a hotel, choose it…and click and book right then. Special needs would be served especially well with e-travel books. Need wheelchair access, non-smoking, vegetarian, dog-friendly places? The book could adjust for you…and you wouldn’t have to be thinking about it on every listing. The book could also change as the actual local prices change…no outdated information.

All of this on a screen that could be bigger, brighter, and more colorful…and weigh less while being more accessible.

E-books still have a lot of room for growth.

As to distributing free books to those in need, that’s yet another spot where e-books can be much better. I’ve written a number of times about WorldReader.org, which uses EBRs to bring books to disadvantaged, rural areas. It’s much cheaper to install satellite based internet and use give them EBRs than it is to truck giant boxes of heavy paper books.

I appreciate your enthusiasm for books and the difference they can make!

You have raised many thought provoking comments in this article. However I am not so sure that ebook readers actually encourage people to read more. Do ebook readers actually read all those books or are some readers just collectors of free books? I have owned ereaders from the beginning and absolutely would not go back to paperback or hard cover books but at the same time I have been pretty disappointed when I found out that the ebook I read did not contain all those great pictures that were in the paper books. (i.e. “Lost in Shangrila”).

I believe that books are the key to world peace. Books educate us in all sorts of necessary and entertaining ways. I truly believe that EBR’s are here to stay and will eventually be responsible for the demise of most books stores. At the same time, I hope some specialty book retailers will survive. I still prefer buying art books, recipe books , travel books and the like in paper form.

Books are the best way to improve lives and I support any organization that distributes free books to those most in need such as “Books for America”.

That’s wonderful! Good for you!

At some point, they are going to have to figure out some way to do sub-accounts, I think. My adult kid and I run into the same thing with Netflix and recommendations.

Looks like Bezos is a sly one. Previously (when the Fire came out) he’d implied that it would be nuts to go head to head with Apple. And before that he’d said (when the K1 came out) that the Kindle was meant specifically for “serious readers” and that color, etc. didn’t matter to them. It’s possible that he had big plans all along, and made those statements as camouflage, at least in part.

Casual book-readers weren’t previously non-readers. They were likely mostly readers of magazines and newspapers. Those are low-cost items that don’t clutter up one’s home, because they will be tossed. E-books are also low cost and space-efficient. Those are part of their appeal, not just convenience.

“It might be acceptable to have the denigratingly called “penny dreadfuls” [and "dime novels"--RK] read by the “working class” and poor, but mind-expanding books were bound in leather and stamped in gold, out of the economic reach of all but the rich.”

That reminds me that Teddy Roosevelt, whom you quoted a few weeks ago, was pretty snooty about “Bel Ami,” the “Peyton Place” of its day.

I suspect that “immersive reading” will draw in people who are semi-literate, over time. Especially if reading assignments in schools specify such books, which will accustom them to such material. Immersive reading could actually be used to TEACH reading. The voice-over would function as virtual training wheels. Amazon ought to look into verifying this potential, and then exploit it in their sales pitches to schools.