Editorial: No need for bookmarks

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006 | 7:28 a.m.

Five years ago experts predicted that downloadable electronic books would dominate readership and that bibliophiles would push the market for so-called e-books to a $25 billion industry by the year 2008.

But that just hasn't happened, a recent story by The New York Times shows. In fact, many companies - including book giant Barnes & Noble - closed the cover on the whole e-book genre when the dot-com bubble burst in 2003. Still, the Times reports, Sony officials are hanging onto the idea that e-books are destined for popularity.

This fall the company is introducing a product called Sony Reader. The 5-by-7-inch portable screen, bound in a leather cover, gives the appearance of ink on a gray paper page. Readers can flip pages with the ease of a keystroke, and the photos can be displayed digitally.

They are thin, lightweight and can allow people to carry several books at once. That could be a boon for weight-weary travelers on long flights and business trips. There are a great many uses for these sleek new technological toys, and there is little doubt that thousands of adults who "have everything" will receive these as holiday gifts.

But it is hard to believe that these shiny book look-alikes will be able to fully replicate the feel of a timeworn binding or the aroma of ink on paper. There is something about curling up in front of the fire or on the couch with an old novel or sharing a picture book with your child at bedtime that electronics just can't replace.