In a press release out today, Amazon announced that Kindle edition ebooks are now out-selling all other book formats on Amazon.com. For every 100 printed books sold on Amazon, they’re selling 105 ebooks.
In July 2010, ebooks began outselling hardcover books on Amazon. Soon after, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos predicted that ebooks would outsell all books on Amazon by the end of 2011–but that prediction came true much sooner than expected. Amazon also said the company has sold 3 times more ebooks thus far in 2011, compared to the same time last year. Yowza!
As a Kindle owner myself, I can understand the spike in sales. I’m able to read more books faster with my Kindle. Because it’s so convenient, I find myself toting it around everywhere. I also buy ebooks more often because it’s so darn easy! If I come across a title I know I want to read, I go ahead and make the purchase–even if I know I won’t get to it for awhile. It’s the digital equivalent of the stack of books on the nightstand, but these are much easier to acquire and collect! I bet I have more than two dozen unread titles loaded up an ready to go.
This is a fascinating time to be in the publishing world. While many publishers are resisting the digital progression, though I embrace what’s happening. Print books aren’t going away completely, we’re just shifting how we buy them. And quite frankly, ebook sales can lead to print book sales. If I love a book I read on my Kindle, I’m often inclined to purchase its print edition to keep on my shelves at home.
Hi Stephanie,
I’m excited too about the Kindle. I’ve been fortunate that a publisher I work for sent me my very own Kindle and I can’t put it down. I carry it everywhere and love the convenience it gives me while doing other things. Not only that but lots of times the Kindle version is cheaper than the print book.
Yes, we are in an exciting time and I’m really excited because I was asked to be the English editor for a new spiritually-oriented magazine by Turkish authors and “The Wise” just launched its first issue. Where else could you get 80 pages of high quality content for a miniscule price that keeps you entertained for hours. I love my Kindle and I love my publisher, Hasan “Sonsuz” Celiktas! Here’s the link for our new magazine on Kindle! http://tinyurl.com/3d67gwp
You’ve mentioned some good reasons for this historic developement in publishing. I’m allergic to dust and I’m out of book shelf space. Those are two more reasons I love my Kindle!
Hi Carol, Good reasons, indeed!
I love Kindle books too, but the written word on the page still holds a romantic pull for me. I have fond memories of taking my kids to the library when they were small and sitting on the floor in the kids’ section with books all around us, of reading bedtime stories and browsing through old book stores. The Kindle will never totally replace “real books” for me.
Hi Wendy, I know what you mean! I’m a former bookstore owner and a mom so books are still incredibly important in my life. But I will say that my Kindle makes it really easy to tote as many books around as I want. Thanks for you note!