According to a Pew Research Center survey, 89 percent of book readers said they read at least one printed book in the past year, while only 30 percent said they had read at least one e-book. So it is not a surprise that hardcover books are selling better than expected despite the proliferation of e-books. Reference books, art books, fiction books of literary importance, and narrative nonfiction are selling. Maybe some books with great illustrations are treasured as “coffee-table” books, and maybe some books are bought by those who enjoy the pleasure of reading a real book. Bookstores and authors are hoping that the e-book, like the paperback, is just another kind of book. That way, antiquarian and vintage book collectors can plan on more years of treasures. (See the full story in the Wall Street Journal, Jan. 7, 2013.)
The e-reader tablet is a wonderful convenience, particularly when I travel. However, nothing can replace the beautiful illustrations, the print, feel, smell of a real book. One cannot display their tablet on a coffee tablet!