I own an Apple iPad, which is an excellent ebook reader. I also have Amazon's Kindle free software and Barnes & Nobles' Nook free software installed on the iPad, so I can purchase books from Apple's Online Store, or from Amazon, or from Barnes & Noble. Early yesterday evening, I read an interesting online article about a topic I have been following recently (not genealogy-related) and the bio on the article stated that the author also had recently written a book about the same topic. I wanted to read more so I searched online to see if I could order his book.
The author's own web site sells the book for $14.95. Several online book stores sell the same book for $12.95, give or take a little. Amazon.com sells the book for $9.95. Most of the stores wanted additional money for postage. HOWEVER, the Apple iPad Book Store sells the electronic version of the same book for 99¢. No postage, immediate delivery.
I thought that was a typo. Perhaps it was for an older edition or something. Out of curiosity, I paid the 99¢ and the book was soon resident on the iPad. I found out that it is exactly the same book, with the same publication date. The only difference is that it is electronic instead of printed on paper.
Had I ordered the printed book, not only would I have paid a lot more, I also would have to wait for two to perhaps seven days for delivery. Instead, I paid 99¢ and the book was available for reading on the iPad within two or three minutes. I went to bed and read the first two chapters before falling asleep. (The iPad is MUCH easier to read in bed than a printed book.)
Yes, I am enthusiastic about ebook readers. They save energy, they save trees, they are easy to read, easy on the eyes, and the books are available when I want them. The "books" consume a lot less space on my bookshelves. Sometimes, but not always, the books are also a lot cheaper.
