In past decades, bookstores were a popular place to visit or shop. They were a place to sit back, open up a fresh new book and enjoy a steaming cup of coffee. However, technology has changed drastically, and books in recent years have gone from the original paper form that had been used for centuries to a new digital format. Now, in the palm of one’s hand lies a whole bookstore waiting to be explored.

Though many bookstores may suffer economically through the shift from paper books to electronic books (“eBooks” or “e-readers”), this change is beneficial. It adds convenience and adapts books to the new era of technology.

Amazon.com, an online retail giant, has revolutionized the way that people buy books by having over one million books for sale on their tablets: the Kindle, and more recently, the Kindle Fire. Amazon has also priced their Kindles at an affordable rate that actually results in a loss of income for the company. The original Kindle sells for $79, the Kindle Touch for $99 and the new Kindle Fire for $199.

For one, the tablet has many other functions besides reading: Users can play games, listen to music and even video chat while reading a book on a tablet. Buying paper books has become less common. In fact, Amazon sells more eBooks than paper books, despite the fact that the two products sell for about the same price.

It is also better for the sales of books because it allows for easy accessibility whereas bookstores have limited supplies and books can be concealed by the numerous shelves and sections of the store. The tablets also give recommendations for books based on the user’s previous purchases.

This technology could improve the way students read books as well. This year, Mitty and Saint Francis High School have both supplied their students with iPads, and this addition allows for their students to easily access books and other materials necessary for the classroom environment. This application of electronic readers into high schools could allow students to open notes, books and other materials in class, and potentially could change the way that school is taught in a method that is convenient for teachers and students.

There is no way for traditional bookstores to remain ionly n brick and mortar stores, but they can adapt. Barnes & Nobles, for instance, has recently created a tablet of its own, the “Nook.” This tablet contains millions of books to choose from and also has gaming and social features included.
These tablet devices are favorable for booksellers, authors and consumers. The devices are straightforward and easy for readers, and in turn readers buy more books and make the businesses thrive. High school students have also benefited by this technology and could potentially have all necessary materials for class in a single handheld device.

The showrooms of books in bookstores will soon be lost and translated into digital format. As the years go by, there will be no more feel and smell of a bound paper book, no more coffee shops full of people reading and captivating themselves in a book and no more experience of finding and buying a book at a bookstore.

Instead, there will be text on a page with the glare of an LED screen—a sad fact for those who love wandering through aisles at their favorite bookstores, but a necessary adaptation to the 21st century.