Is $14.99 Too Much For An E-Book?
Considering that I am an early adopter of most technologies the fact that I have yet to try let alone embrace e-books is a bit strange. The thought of holding a thin piece of metal and plastic, and staring at a screen during my reading time has never appealed to me. Being plunked down in front of my computer part of the day for work probably plays a part in my dislike for the e-book idea. Therefore it is of little consequence to me that publishers are looking to bump up the cost of downloadable e-books. However, the difference between an actual book and megabytes on a screen seems drastic. A book affords a feeling of comfort, something tangible to underline, highlight or scribble in. With an e-book there is just text on a screen and once you have finished reading the “book”, it disappears.
In an article today in the New York Times they discussed the upcoming increases in e-book costs. There might be a blowback or even a revolt from some readers:
When digital editions have cost more, or have been delayed until after the release of hardcover versions, these raucous readers have organized impromptu boycotts and gone to the Web sites of Amazon and Barnes & Noble to leave one-star ratings and negative comments for those books and their authors.
Would you pay $14.99 for an e-book? I can’t imagine spending that much on a file that would sit on my iPad or Kindle instead of my shelf.
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Re. “Would you pay $14.99 for an e-book?” For me the answer is a resounding NO! I can’t ever see myself reading more than a blog and a newspaper article on-line. Reading fiction on-line is like trying to have a decent meal over the computer.
Nigel – I completely agree. My biggest fear is that e-books are going to become so popular that actual books become either a rarity or completely obsolete. The thought of not being able to browse through books in a bookstore is too horrible to imagine. Thanks for leaving a comment.