Do you think whether the e-book will replace the traditional books?

While I think e-books do serve a purpose (getting people to read who otherwise might not), I don't believe they will EVER replace literature in print format. There's nothing like curling up with a good book and escaping into its pages living the life found therein. I find it difficult to curl up with my PC anywhere as comfortably as I do a book. Plus, it's hard to fall asleep sitting at the computer like I sometimes do reading a book - which is a testament to how relaxing reading can be. So, no - e-books will never replace traditional books. They will supplement them by getting those who are averse to books but who love computers to read, which is still a good thing.

They better not! I can't stand reading extensive text on the computer. I get writing newsletters that are long and I avoid opening them because I know they are going to take time and good eye sight to read. Like the others, I would rather be able to carry a book around with me. I usually take one everywhere I go in case I find myself waiting for something or someone. I can't do that with the computer. I'm sure I could with the laptop but it's just not the same. I like to feel the book in my hands. I love turning the pages. I think a lot of people are like that, even those who live in the computer. I don't think books will ever disappear. A lot of them are being printed on recycled paper now so the environmental issue is not really a problem.

I do not believe that the E-book will replace the traditional book. Sure some people will switch over to it but I think most people feel more comfortable opening and reading a standard book. We have been reading books for many years now and I think many people enjoy the traditional book. The e-book may be good for people with vision problems or some other type of disability but I do not see most people changing over. There are still many people out there that are computer or technology illiterate.

I believe at some point there will be a new way of reading books, it may not necessarily be "e-books" so to speak, but there may be a different way. We evolve, and with evolution there is changes. Although I don't believe anything like this would happen in the near future, but we're progressing much faster then we used to so it's a possibility it might happen in our lifetime(I'm only 19), or the time of our kids lifetime.

I think there will always be a demand for traditional books. E-book readers are nice and dandy, but there's really nothing to compare to a regular book. You can take it out in the sun without straining to read a sun; there's that new book smell; you can take notes in the margins; you don't have to worry about charging the batteries.

It's a supply and demand issue, in my opinion. As long as there is enough demand, traditional books won't dissappear. I know I'll do my part to keep demand up.

maybe audio books would do that! I try to read e-books but i only get anoyed. I can't underline anything on them, i can't read them in park, in bus or at work. So i prefer the older versions.

E-books are popular nowadays but I think it will not overcome traditional books. Many are still using traditional books and many young people are aspiring to be a writer hoping to see their work on the shelves of bookstores and not on the screen of their laptop.

Well ; E-Books have made their own importance and market . Yet ; they cannot provide the comfort and touch-sense we associate with the Traditional books . So,the Traditional books might not remain as popular ; yet won't vanish altogether . Regards, Icon

Hi catsender. This is a very thought-provoking subject. I cannot imagine that books will ever be completely replaced. However, as older people who are used to books die out and as younger people who have been oriented to use computers and gadgets since they are 3 or 4 years old, grow up, I do think we might reach a time when books will only be found in libraries. I am sure that I will be long gone by that time.

No, I don't think it will ever get to that. I think that most people still like to read offline because they can lay down to read and relax. You can't really do that if you are reading off of your computer. I have never read a book online and I know I won't be doing that anytime soon. I am an avid reader and I like to lay in the tub or in my bed, to read. Or I like to sit in my comfortable livingroom to read. Here is a picture of my livingroom where I do a lot of my reading. There is a fireplace on the left hand side, doesn't show in my picture, and I like to have it on when I am reading, even in the summer. I live in a basement suite so it is always cold down here, so the fireplace helps me to get the chill out of my bones.

Hi and Welcome to MyLot! I tend to agree with your friends. I started attending an online college a couple of months ago and in my first class, my book was on the internet at the college website. As I read my assignments, I found it a little difficult at first to not have the book in my hand but I got used to it. I believe your friends are probably right about using ebooks more in the future. With the environmental concerns that we have, it would make more sense to have books online instead of printing all the books. Have a good evening and I hope you get to love MyLot as much as I do! Char

I agree with you. Not everyone love to read e-book. Dictionary such as histroy,it will not disappear. cheers.

I think alot of people would like to see traditional books disappear. I pray they don't because I can't stand reading books online. I want to be able to curl up to a good book and you can't do that if it is on the computer.

I really hope not!! I love real books so I hope they stay around forever. I can see why some would think e-books are best but, I don't like sitting and the computer and reading all the time and I've seen the kindle at Amazon and I am not so sure I like it plus its expensive. I just want my real books to stay around so I can hold them in my hands. I love the smell of books too and the look so... And how would kids get to learn how to read if they can't hold a book and look at the pictures?

My husband reads some books online that he can not find otherwise. It is a good way to have access to rare or out of print books. I don not think that e-books will replace traditional books however. Think of how many years humans have been writing and reading. It will not just dissappear.

I also agree that the traditional book will never disappear. I am not sure why, but I just feel like traditional books are one thing that will always be around. I am happy about this because I love that to be able to read a good book and have it in my hands.

I hope not. I just don't like reading from e-books, not only is it uncomfertable, but it is VERY hard to keep track of your place in the book.

I really think that the traditional books will not disappear. There is nothing like picking up a book and opening the cover and reading! E-books cannot take the place of that. You have the book in your hands and its hard to explain, but for me there is enjoyment in handling that book. You can take it with you wherever you go. Yeah, you can also take a laptop with you and so would have access to e-books, but I just do think its the same thing. I will definitely say traditional books will override e-books!

I think that traditional books as we know them -- i.e. on paper -- may disappear. However, I think that will not happen until a format comes into play where we can conveniently read books much as we do now, curled up in a corner, etc. Laptops and even mobile phones do not yet fulfill that because they are either cumbersome or too small. I think it is likely that a more convenient method will develop, but I's not sure what that would be.