John

On the bus travelling to and from work I rarely see anyone reading from a Kindle or Sony Book Reader – books are much more durable & survive well when stuffed in a bag as you get off the bus.

I’m generally more concerned about today’s Bibles – most are cheaply made and it shows. The average Christian bookstore offering will never last long enough to achieve “old friend” status. The back has fallen off after a couple of years. I guess that’s why so many of us appreciate the work done by publishers like Allans in providing quality Bibles which will last many years.

Michael S. Swoveland

I considered buying the Barnes & Noble “Nook” e-reader for a brief time, thinking that this new way of reading was worthy of my attention. After I looked at the “Nook” I decided it might not be for me. I have been a reader all my life and I have grown to love the look and feel of paper and ink. I don’t need to re-charge a book and I don’t have to worry about dropping a book and breaking it. I don’t need to be within range of a WiFi hotspot or 3G network to use a book.

I believe there may be space in the world for e-readers, but I very much doubt they will ever replace the age old art of ink on paper and wouldn’t want to live in a world where they had.

Stephanie

In my opinion, e-readers will be used for specific purposes, there will be a niche market. I am an avid reader and own hundreds of books that I doubt I will ever get rid of and I have considered an e-reader, not to replace my books, but to function alongside them. If I am going to study somewhere outside of my home it would be much easier to carry one electronic device as opposed to my entire collection of commentaries. That being said, if I am at home I will always choose to study from actual books. I am a tactile person and like the feel of a traditional book (and the smell), I like that my notes are stored neatly in the margins in a way in which I can easily follow them, I like being able to jump from book to book with ease and using tabs to hold my place in a book I have set down. As far as the Bible on e-reader, I can see a use for that as well. Again, an e-reader would be easier to lug around than large study Bible. Even still, I would much rather thumb through a bound Bible (especially one bound by Allan) than click back and forth from page to page on an electronic device. I can’t imagine that the bound Bible will be threatened by the presence of e-readers.

John Oulton

Now Nicholas, don’t you get the jitters about whether the “demand” for your gorgeous books will ever wane. The Allan’s bibles are so gorgeous that they simply create a constant/ongoing desire for those who are in the know. It’s interesting to note that we’ve had computers and other ever changing electronic wizardry with us now for several years but my guess is that you will always have backorders. The longprimer for example, was first printed way before any electronic apparatus, and yet you are challenged to have sufficient stock on hand. The electronic gizmos have certainly been a help especially if you want to do an electronic search to find a word or portion of scripture when it comes to mind. But an Allan’s bible has been and in my view, always will be, a book treasured for many years. Physically the smell of the leather is intoxicating in itself and the Allan’s bibles are simply a pleasure to read and hold. Since the bible is not like a novel that is read once and put down, a “hard” copy is a must. In this regard, time, a precious commodity, must be spent to get the benefit of what is written. Having a hard copy is therefore the most beneficial way to read and study. The Allan’s bibles are “wanted” and honestly, I can’t forsee any electronic medium now or ever in the future being a threat to Allan’s. And that my friend, is as candid as I can make it! Keep up the good work!