There was a bit of a hullabaloo this past week in the e-book world.  Apple apparently penned some deals with book publishers, and then one book publisher and Amazon have had a spat. *shrug*  None of that is anything I really want to be bothered with.  Instead I simply want to love e-books.  I really do.

To bad I have some problems; price and DRM.

Let’s take DRM first.  When I buy a paper book, I own it. I can loan it to my friends and family, donate it, or even sell it. When I buy a e-book from Amazon its more like an extended rent; I can’t loan it out, donate it, or sell it.   If I can do any of those things please tell me how.

Second we have price.  I am a cheapskate, and I am always looking for deals on books. I frequent used bookstores, borrow from friends, check out from the library, and yes buy new (though I don’t buy hardbacks).  So when I go online and see E-books selling from the same cost as a new paperback or more, I am bit at a loss.

Logic tells me the cost of manufacturing and delivery should be less than paperback and I , the consumer, should see that reflected in the cost of the book.   On top of that the restrictions placed on my usage of the product should also be reflected in a lower cost.  Yet in most cases they are not.

I could deal with the DRM, if the costs to me was lower.  And I could deal with paying full paperback price for an e-book if when I did I got an actually file I could transfer, loan, or sell.   Alas since neither of those are the case, and publishers are trying to find ways to raise prices on e-books, I don’t see myself getting rid of my bookshelves anytime soon.