Reading isn't dying out; it's evolving and becoming more tech-savvy instead.
Over the last few years, there have been many types of electronic book readers released. Among the top are the Kindle, the Nook and the iPad.
Even though all three readers are similar, their capabilities are different.
Amazon's Kindle 2 and Barnes and Noble's Nook both carry 2GB of storage space, which is enough memory for thousands of e-books, according to "Good e Reader."
Memory capacities and wireless capabilities are two similarities between these two models, but they also have a few differences.
The Amazon Kindle has the ability to download books internationally in more than 100 countries, whereas the Barnes and Noble Nook may only add books domestically.
If you enjoy colored text and a disappearing keyboard, the Nook is the e-book for you, but it also has a smaller screen than the Kindle.
Both readers have an E-Ink enhancer that gives the impression of a real book, instead of a computer screen, which is available in both models.
One possible advantage of the Kindle over the Nook is the text to speech capability. The reader has the option of hearing the book out loud on the Kindle, whereas the only option available on the Nook is reading.
The iPad offers extras incentives over other e-book readers such as applications, music, Internet and email.
"For me, the iPad just offers more than what the Kindle can," said Jessica Hamner, senior in biomedical sciences. "You have the option of the Internet, music and apps other than just the e-book."
These iPad incentives do not come cheap, however. The Kindle ranges anywhere in price from $114-$380 while the Nook costs anywhere from $139-$249, in comparison to the iPad which costs anywhere from $499-$829.
In this modern age, it can often be a hard decision to stick with what works or invest in the future. One of the advantages of purchasing an e-book over the more conventional paperback is convenience. Because the books are purchased directly from the Internet, the consumer does not have to make the drive to a bookstore. The e-book may also be described as more environmentally friendly because of the decreasing number of paperback books being printed. Travel is also made simpler with the e-book because now readers have the option of not worrying about carrying a heavy load of books while on vacation.
Among the disadvantages of purchasing an e-book is the price, which is a far greater amount than just one book.
"I like regular, traditional books because it makes it so much easier to look back on what you've read before," said Molly McGowen, sophomore in biomedical sciences.
Paperback books are also said to be better in direct sunlight, which can make the e-book harder to read.
There is also the matter of just simply enjoying the feel of a traditional book, flipping pages, which the e-book cannot offer.
E-books are beginning to outnumber paperback books in production and in consumer consumption.
According to The New York Times, Amazon sold more e-books than hardcover books in July 19, 2010.
The Huffington Post also reports that college campuses, high schools and elementary schools have begun to incorporate the e-book into the curriculum for student benefits.
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