Breaking Book News: The Robot Books are Taking Over!

Just a couple of days ago I was sitting in a Chinese Restaurant, eating some lunch and eavesdropping on an awkward first date unfolding at the table behind me. After a few topics of conversation were tested and quickly fizzled out, the new couple embarked on the now ever-common discussion of the Kindle eBook vs. print. The gentleman was throwing around phrases like, “I guess I’m an old fuddy-duddy” because he just couldn’t jump on the Kindle train. He clearly stated the advantages of the robot book (yep, just came up with that), like the conveniently small size, the inexpensive stories, the slick look of it all…yet pointed out the way in which it lacks the soul of the real thing. The coarse paper that you’re actually touching with your fingers, the weird smell of stale, old pages and funky library books, and the ability to scrawl something casually in the margins.
Well, thanks to you sir at random Chinese restaurant in the I.D., because now I too am embracing my “fuddy-duddy” feelings and admitting that I’m a little disturbed that Amazon has announced that after only four years, the Kindle eBook sales have surpassed print sales. Though they’ve made clear that this doesn’t account for ALL print or eBook sales (considering there are still some awesome indie book shops kicking in this economy), it does make a gigantic statement about what’s going on in the publishing and book world.
I guess none of us can be too surprised considering that Amazon Kindle eBook sales surpassed hardcover sales back in July 2010, and paperback sales this past January—and that every big bookstore has an enormous eBook section that one can barely skirt by upon entering. It probably also helps that the price of the Kindle has dropped from $259 just a year ago to $114 currently with an ad-supported version that is selling more than any other Kindle device.
Is this how people felt when the ipod started replacing dusty, grainy records? Am I turning into a cranky someone who will reminisce about the “olden days” of books and what used to be, glaring at electronic book-readers on the bus and throwing paperbacks at school children?
Perhaps, but at least I can find solace in the fact that Amazon also says that 2011 has had the fastest year over year growth rate for its U.S. book sales in over a decade in BOTH eBooks and print.
And though it’s good to know that we’re all reading something, I still prefer my stories in a more tangible incarnation.