To e-To e-

OrOr Not to e- Not to e-

Qin Wang 3308099Qin Wang 3308099

To e- To e- or or

not to e-? not to e-?

That is the question facing millions of book-lovers: Will That is the question facing millions of book-lovers: Will you buy an e-reader to read books electronically?you buy an e-reader to read books electronically?

Sony debuted its Reader in 2006, and since then Sony debuted its Reader in 2006, and since then has sold 10 million e-books, according to Chris has sold 10 million e-books, according to Chris Smythe, director of the Reader Store at Sony. Smythe, director of the Reader Store at Sony.

In November 2007 came Kindle by Amazon. In November 2007 came Kindle by Amazon. About 1.5 million Kindles had sold as of About 1.5 million Kindles had sold as of December - and the world took note when December - and the world took note when Amazon said that on Christmas Day, it sold more Amazon said that on Christmas Day, it sold more e-books than physical books, e-books than physical books,

for the first time.for the first time.

What eReader Means for BooksWhat eReader Means for Bookshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JzjN7MvbRo&feature=related

Will E-Readers Kill Books?Will E-Readers Kill Books? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Wv-XmFY28&feature=related

According to the Association of American Publishers, According to the Association of American Publishers, 2009 e-book sales (in a year when plain old book 2009 e-book sales (in a year when plain old book sales ebbed 1.8 percent) increased 176.6 percent over sales ebbed 1.8 percent) increased 176.6 percent over 2008, to $169.5 million. E-sales rocketed to $117.8 2008, to $169.5 million. E-sales rocketed to $117.8 million through April of this year, at an annual rate million through April of this year, at an annual rate double 2009's. Americans now own an estimated 2.8 double 2009's. Americans now own an estimated 2.8 million e-readers - not counting computers.million e-readers - not counting computers.

Sales of Electronic Books on the RiseSales of Electronic Books on the Rise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwKXJqx6-Mo

Will e-readers replace Paper Books?Will e-readers replace Paper Books? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJFeOgroUghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJFeOgroUg

Online giant Amazon has seen its profits soar by 71 Online giant Amazon has seen its profits soar by 71 per cent.per cent.

The e-tailer has reported a massive rise in the The e-tailer has reported a massive rise in the fourth quarter of 2009, and says the popularity of fourth quarter of 2009, and says the popularity of its Kindle e-book readers is a major factor.its Kindle e-book readers is a major factor.

The web store's net profit in the fourth quarter was The web store's net profit in the fourth quarter was $384 million. That's up from $285 million for the $384 million. That's up from $285 million for the same period in 2008.same period in 2008.

Revenue rose by 42 per cent to $9.52billion.Revenue rose by 42 per cent to $9.52billion.

"we're losing the physical materiality of books, the memories "we're losing the physical materiality of books, the memories

attached to them. For people who love books, it's not just attached to them. For people who love books, it's not just

what's in them; it's all the things we associate with them, who what's in them; it's all the things we associate with them, who

we were when we first read them, who we are now. It's hard to we were when we first read them, who we are now. It's hard to

write all of that into an electronic text.“write all of that into an electronic text.“

—— ——Rochelle Gurstein Rochelle Gurstein

Questions:Questions:

1. Which kind of books do you prefer?1. Which kind of books do you prefer?

2. What do you think about both of the two books’ 2. What do you think about both of the two books’ future development?future development?

3. Do you think objecting e-books is identical with 3. Do you think objecting e-books is identical with objecting mobile news to some extend?objecting mobile news to some extend?

4. Do you think oppose e-books is a behavior with 4. Do you think oppose e-books is a behavior with negative and conservative attitude?negative and conservative attitude?

References:References: Eaton, K Survey of Kids: Physical Books Here to Stay, In Parallel to Rise of E-

Readers, viewed 29 Sep 2010, http://www.fastcompany.com/1692026/survey-of-kids-physical-books-here-to-stay-in-parallel-to-rise-of-e-readers.

Timpane, J E-readers are on the rise thanks to older readers, viewes 5 Jul 2010, http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100705_E-readers_are_on_the_rise_thanks_to_older_readers.html.

Emigh, J CES 2010: E-readers on the rise, viewed 7 January 2010, <http://www.betanews.com/article/CES-2010-Ereaders-on-the-rise/1262885610>.

Will E-Readers Kill Books? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Wv-XmFY28&feature=related.

What eReader Means for Books? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JzjN7MvbRo&feature=related.

Will e-readers replace Paper Books? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJFeOgroUg

Amazon profit jump, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E5u7SvSLxw. Sales of Electronic Books on the Rise, http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=nwKXJqx6-Mo E-readers the latest challenge for independent bookstores ,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30SaQeyROQE.