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(WestSide Books, Dec 2011; Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Feb 2012)
SkinWalkers: 
new slim ebook reader
Another new ebook reader is coming onto the market, this one from Merlin Digital. They tote it as the slimmest ebook reader available.
(Excuse me while I get excited; I’m a gadget/tech nerd, as well as a book nerd. 
) What’s not so exciting is the price–$407! I think that ebook reader prices need to drop way, way down before the general consumer will buy an ebook reader. Technology may also need to get better, first–like a greater contrast between the text and the background, and perhaps the ability to have color (like for book covers).
What do you think?
August 12th, 2009 at 10:31 am
That’s 16+ brand new hardback books which I don’t spend in a year! The Kindle and Sony’s Reader are only slightly cheaper so you really have to be dedicated to using one. On the other hand, it would certainly free up my overladen shelves!
August 12th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Although it would really create some space in my purse, to be able to withdraw the two or three books I usually carry and just carry one ebook reader, I probably won’t buy one or use one. My big worry is that lack of ability to pass the book along after I’ve read it. Currently, I indulge by buying the book, then I read it, and then I either donate it to the school I work at, OR, if it’s an adult book, I pass it along to my brother or buddy, or someone. I won’t be able to do that with a ebook reader. I’m sure they’ll have some kind of digital rights management that prevents it, just as iTunes makes it tough to share a song with a friend. In my humble opinion, books are way too expensive to only be read by one person. So unless the price of a book drops significantly (paperbacks for $1) so that I could afford to buy the digital version for a friend if I wanted to… I won’t be buying an ebook reader anytime soon, and especially not when the price is in the hundreds of dollars.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
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August 13th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Janice, that makes a lot of sense to me. I love loaning out and giving away books, too–especially when they’re good books. And personally, I love the feel of turning a page, of holding a book in my hands, of being able to flip back through the pages. I don’t think an ereader will ever replace paper books for me. But in conjunction…it still appeals. Except for the cost.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:01 am
I know; it’s a crazy price! There are a few cheaper, and just as good, ebook readers out there.
And I like having books all over my apartment. On bookshelves, on tables, even on the floor. I think it would feel weird not to have books….