Print books will not become obsolete. Unlike e-books, which have limited shelf life, physical books will always be available in a variety of formats. Even though technology is constantly evolving, there is no reason to think that physical books will soon become obsolete. The demand for e-books is growing, and Publishers are scrambling to keep up.
Print books won’t disappear
It is not a given that print books will disappear in the future. The majority of people enjoy reading a printed book and the feel of holding it in their hands is incomparable to the experience of reading an e-book. E-readers are becoming more popular, but they are not comparable to the experience of holding a real book.
While there is a lot of talk about the death of print books, they aren’t going away anytime soon. The reason print books will stay around is the convenience they provide to the reader. The most obvious example is the way people consume narrated stories on their smartphones and tablets, but when they want to read a longer work, they still pick up a real book.
The issue is that the printing industry is having a difficult time meeting the growing demand for printed books. As a result, there is a labor shortage in the industry that is causing prices to skyrocket. As a result, many book publishers are being forced to pass the cost of these books onto their customers. The situation is more difficult for smaller printing companies, but they are continuing to operate.
Publishers are scrambling to keep up with e-book demand
The popularity of e-books has caused publishers to scramble to keep up with demand. In fact, e-books now account for one out of every six books sold. In the first quarter of this year, ebook sales increased by nearly 15 percent. That’s a huge jump compared to April 2020, when ebook sales were only $90.8 million. The growth in e-books has also resulted in an increase in user reviews, and readers are increasingly sourcing ideas for new books online and from fellow readers.
The UK Publishers Association recently revealed that sales of print books fell by 17% during the first half of 2020, compared to a 12% increase in demand for digital books. Meanwhile, Kindle owners could browse a wide range of free eBooks from their local library every month via a program called the Kindle Lending Library. The service also enables Kindle owners to lend digital books to other Kindle owners.
However, some publishers are taking steps to increase revenue from e-books. The UK’s Bookseller estimated that e-books would make up 19% of total book sales in 2020, according to unit and revenue data. But some publishers are limiting library purchases of e-books in an effort to protect their rights.
Technology is improving
While there are still many advantages of printed books, some argue that the future lies in digital books. For one thing, digital books are easier to manage and can be easily transported. They also do not require physical space, and can easily be exchanged and shared. Tablet displays already incorporate technology that makes them easier on the eyes.
The rise of e-readers and other digital technologies has changed the publishing industry. Publishers and book retailers panicked that e-books would take over the industry, but the industry has actually stabilized and even increased over the past decade. As e-books became more accessible, many people turned to self-publishing and were able to sell books more easily.
However, most people still prefer printed books, especially if they are reading intensively. However, attitudes are changing, and more people are reading digital books for enjoyment. In fact, e-books now account for between fifteen and twenty percent of trade book sales in the U.S.
