Local bookworms pessimistic about Amazon’s Kindle
Posted on 04. Dec, 2009 by dperri in News
JUAN ANTONIO SISON
NEWS REPORTER
The Kindle e-book reader sells for US$259 on Amazon.com
Amazon’s second generation electronic book reader, the Kindle, has arrived in Canada, but many readers still prefer the look and feel of a paper book, said Antanas Sileika, director of the Humber School for Writers.
“I know of zero people who intend on buying a Kindle,” said Sileika. “Will writers buy a Kindle? I don’t think so. We aren’t a nation of early adopters.”
According to Amazon.com, the reader can store up to 1,500 books and has wireless 3G networking built in. This allows users to download books from Amazon and subscribe to various newspapers and magazines.
Cynthia Good, program co-ordinator of creative book publishing at Humber, purchased the first generation Kindle in May 2008 before it was formally released to Canada. “I still like to hold a book. I like turning pages. I love the physical feeling of a book,” said Good.
Debbie Martin, North campus bookstore manager, said she shares Good’s sentiment of the feel of paper.
“I like to read a novel when I go to bed, I like the feel of a book,” said Martin. “There’s always a person that wants to cozy up with a book before they go to bed. I can’t see them cozying up with their Kindle as easily.”
The Kindle costs US$259 and can only be purchased through Amazon.com for Canadian customers. A US$30 import fee and taxes also apply.
“Price wise I don’t think they’re there yet – for those that are looking for a cheaper version,” said Martin.
“Customers feel that an e-book should have a real lower-end price compared to a physical text book, but that’s not the case. E-books cost 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of a text book, so the savings really isn’t there yet,” she said.
Good said the Kindle will not usurp the place of books anytime soon, but publishers will need to adapt to the possibilities electronic readers offer.
Good has 28 years of experience in the book publishing industry with 20 of those years spent at the Canadian branch of Penguin publishing.
Good said she wants electronic readers to offer more than what’s already available in a book such as animations, audio and videos.
Loading ...
