Drop Everything And Read discussion

Some years ago I lost my copy of Anthony Trollope’s “The Last Chronicle of Barset” and I went to a bookstore to get a fresh copy. There were none in the shelves, but they eventually found me a copy. It cost about $ 15. A few months later I bought a Kindle and discovered that I could download the eBook version of this book for free.

There are voluntary, non-profit organisations that have uploaded 19th century and some early 20th century books into the internet that can be downloaded free. They are books in the public domain. You can even download free, audio versions of many of these books.

Though many might like to read off physical books, can they afford this luxury when eBooks are available for free? Hence, the demand for physical books that are in the public domain will diminish and it may become economically unfeasible for publishers to print these books.

Hence, the big question: will the classics soon go out of print?

I don't know if they will go out of print but as technology becomes more and more ingrained into our everyday lives, I think it will become harder and harder to find classics in print. I would hope that there will be enough people, like me, who love to physically hold a book that they won't go out of print.

I don't think so. Penguin has an extensive paperback classics series that is low cost. I think they'll always be preserved in some form of hard copy as well as the free ebooks.

Hm, interesting topic. I personally agree with D20 - I don't think they will go out of print. Besides, there are still a lot of classic lovers out in the world, and some who would kill to get hardcovers, too.

I don't think they will. I'm aware some of them are available for free in ebook form but there still seems to be a market for paper/hard backs, with young adults too.

There are book apps that allow you to download the classics.

Sophie wrote: "I don't think they will. I'm aware some of them are available for free in ebook form but there still seems to be a market for paper/hard backs, with young adults too."

Also special editions still come out, like Franklin Mint leather bound boxed sets.

Unfortuntely I think eventually it will get harder and harder as the e book becomes more popular. It won't be overnight but one day we will wake up and wonder what happened. I personally prefer to hold a book in my hand. I have a kobo but haven't used it yet for other then what came on it. It is convenient. But nothing in my opinion can replace the feel and smell of a book. If I have to wait for whatever but can feel my book, even if I don't read it I am not so bored. Make sense? I know my daughter is the same. My daughter is a collector of books, she has surpassed me and has a beautiful collection. One more thing I think one day as books slowly fade e books will cost more. It is the way of things, lol. But this is distant future. My opinion only.

I hope not. Losing a copy of one's favourite classic (Pride and Prejudice) that is dog-earred and has marks on the cover (fond memories through the years) would be heart-breaking. Not being able to replace it as a printed copy and having that book smell would be a double blow.