How do you shelve an ebook? aka week 9 #22

First off I like the concept of ebooks, and indeed quickly added the link to my favourites so that I can return to them later. I also find, and this extends to audiobooks in general. Its a great way to take in a book I might not have the time or inclination to read, and if like me you're looking at a daily commute to work taking anything from 40 to 90 minutes. Then it makes a welcome change from radio too.

Indeed they are catching on with the wider public, more and more, they are no longer the sole province of 'print challenged' readers. One of our patrons extolled their virtues, in that she can fit the equivalent of 16 audiobooks onto her ipod, and if you're going on holidays and space and luggage is at a premium then its a fantastic way to stock up on holiday reading.

One slight problem is that due to copyright restrictions, you're often limited to either classics or obscure special interest works, and thats fine up to a point, after all you get what you pay for. This also extends to another form of ebook I've come across on CD-Rom , which hasn't really taken off to the same extent. Which is books stored as text and simply read on screen. I own more than one, which have anything from 18 to 1800 titles stored on CD, one has the grandiose title of 'Library of the Future' I sincerely doubt it.

Which brings me to my final point. For all of their pro's ebooks will never replace print. Why? Books are supremely practical, all you need is enough light to read by, no batteries to replace, no need to plug in, no headphones or speakers needed, nothing to download or upload, no need to rewind if you miss something, no parts to breakdown or be affected by adverse conditions. And frankly nothing beats the pleasure of curling up with a good book beside an open fire and a glass of red at hand (Just don't spill it) And if you still want the pleasure of an ebook try reading aloud. Its fun for one, and can be even more so for two.