E-books and Reading Experience
Vassela Howell
Abstract
The digital revolution gave us quick, convenient and instantly accessible information. The e-book is seen by many as natural successor of the paper book. Ever-improving technology aims to make e-readers better and better, so that the reading experience gets closer and closer to that of reading a paper book. But can it ever be the same? This article looks at ways in which the e-book affects how we read and how we process and memorise what we have read. It also discusses how e-books changes our understanding of what a book is, and how tracking readers' behaviour while using digital reading devices may affect book content.
Vassela Howell
Abstract
The digital revolution gave us quick, convenient and instantly accessible information. The e-book is seen by many as natural successor of the paper book. Ever-improving technology aims to make e-readers better and better, so that the reading experience gets closer and closer to that of reading a paper book. But can it ever be the same? This article looks at ways in which the e-book affects how we read and how we process and memorise what we have read. It also discusses how e-books changes our understanding of what a book is, and how tracking readers' behaviour while using digital reading devices may affect book content.
