eReaders take away a large part of the marketing of books. With a traditional paperback, one could take interest in another’s book by its cover, making for another eager customer; however, a book’s cover cannot be seen on an iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc. Publishers are hoping that people will ‘share’ their current readings on Facebook/social media, rather than having people take an interest from the opposite seat on a train. They are also hoping for a website, app, etc. to be created specifically so one may share one’s latest reads and finds. Books to be sold digitally must have their covers altered so as to ‘fit’ the format of Amazon or other eBook websites; the font of the author’s name, for example, must be enlarged so it is legible from a much-smaller screen.
There are upsides to a digitally-shifting world of reading, however. Heather E. Johnson asserts that privacy as well as a buffer from questions are two factors some people prefer. But Bindu Wiles disagrees, finding a sense of pride in her literary taste.
“You can’t tell a book by its cover if it doesn’t have one.”
“Perhaps no other element of the book-making process receives as much input from as many different people as the jacket.”
“Some digital publishers suspect that one of the reasons romance and erotica titles are so popular in electronic editions is because e-readers are discreet.”
This article is accessible, an interesting read. Two sides to this ‘issue’ were defined and personal anecdotes and comical add-ons were refreshing and engaging. The idea that not only reading but conversation and engaging with another person should be completely digitalized worries me. I understand that the market place is shifting, but solely relying on a New App to be released instead of just asking a friend for book suggestions or a stranger on the train what book their immersed in is disturbing. 
This is something I never truly thought about. I enjoyed how you covered a variety of points and for the most part, I agree. One of the greatest parts about reading a book is that you are able to discuss it with friends and with people you trust. However, with the new e-book social technologies many of these conversations are going to be missed. Also, without original covers it makes it difficult to appreciate the art and analyze why an author decided to choose a certain picture for their book.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that there is no cover and thus "you can't judge the book by its cover" and that being a possible reason for which erotic novels are more popular through e-readers is ironic due to the fact that, that would imply that the people themselves are afraid of being judged by their cover, or first impression which in this case would be: the kind of books they like. Perhaps the privacy of the e-readers is better because we do live in a society which is judgemental by nature so being allowed the privacy of interests is one less worry for people. Personally, I've never been one for e-readers, I've always disliked them because in my eyes they deprived the people of the joy that is going into a bookstore and reading little bits and pieces of the books while perhaps drinking a cup of tea, deprived the people from being able to smell their new book, but this article allows me to look at these e-readers in a new light. If they are making people more comfortable to be themselves, then maybe they aren't so bad after all.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the rising popularity of erotica because of the relative discretion of ebooks makes me remember something I read years ago about why a novel like Fifty Shades became so popular. When people have no idea what you are reading, are you more apt to read "less intellectual" works?
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