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Has the R Word crimped YOUR e-booking? And is the global recession a reason for the new $280 BeBook price?
January 27, 2009 | 3:03 am
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By David Rothman
Home Depot. Caterpillar. Sprint. Nextel. Those are among the big companies that, as reported in the New York Times, announced layoffs yesterday.
What does this dismal economy mean for you and your e-book reading? Are you buying fewer books? Settling for less than the ideal e-reader or book-capable cellphone for your needs?
I won’t take anything for granted. One small publisher tells me that sales are actually up. Could people be turning to e-books for escape, especially with prices less than for paper books?
We’re a global blog, so comment no matter what your location, which perhaps you can provide.
Speaking of affordability of e-book gizmos: BeBook has announced a “temporary” price reduction from $349 to $280 (via MobileRead). Might the R Word be a factor?
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Comments:
I’m cutting back on paper books and buying the same/more electronic books. Specificially, if I can get it electronic instead of paperback or trade paperback, I’ll go for that option. Hardcovers have been cut as well, but not as much as the other two categories.
And, if Subterranean or Night Shade Books (or Tor, heeeeellooooo!!!!!) continues to work in conjunction with Webscriptions, I’ll continue buying a nice collectible hardcover (Subterranean and Night Shade) and the electronic book–one for reading, one for collecting. For Baen and others (and Tor, if they ever get the act moving), I’ll buy the electronic book and a hardcover if it is a favorite author.
I’ll skip coffee and food before I totally skip buying books!
The recession is only going to be as bad as we make it since, sadly, most of US economic activity is based on comsumer spending. So even though bonus money was smaller than in previous years, I bought a PRS 700 from Sony (which I love) and I continue to buy paper, and now electronic books, at or near the same level I always have. I have looked at other ways to cut back, such as less trips to the movie theater and a few less meals out. I guess it depends on your priorities. For me, reading is a priority and a cost effective entertainment value.
I’m buying more of both e and print books. And, it’s not about escapism. It’s about something a lot more positive, I’d say. The economy crashing is a response to a lot of overindulgence in stuff and activities that a lot of us couldn’t afford and didn’t need, and which frankly, didn’t make us or our lives all that much better. Like a lot of people, I’ve been closely examining what things and activities enrich my life the most. Being healthy, being with family, doing meaningful work, connecting with others, learning and growing as a human being –these things came out on the top of my list. And, I realized I haven’t been spending nearly enough time reading good books, learning from good books, and sharing good books – so I’m making it a priority. I don’t think I’m alone. I think a lot of us are hungry for some substance and meaning in our lives, and the experience of good books (be they digital or print) seems like an obvious place to find substance and value for our dwindling dollars.