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Originally Posted by Kumabjorn
Well, you're right that e-Readers has not caught on as much in Europe as in NA, but I don't think it primarily relates to some anti-technology sentiment. It is more because of the lack of available reading material. There is probably less than 2,000 e-books available in Swedish, I don't know about French or Flemish, but I would guess that on a per capita basis the numbers would be fairly similar.
I do however believe that Europeans who enjoy reading books in English has caught the tech train as it was about to leave the station. In my own case the deciding factor was immediate delivery and significant savings in S&H.
The 100 or so e-books I've purchased from Amazon the last year would have cost me around $1,000 in S&H, instead they've cost me $200 in Whispersync surcharges. Deduct the $200 I paid for the Kindle (incl S&H) and I'm ahead $600, all of which has been applied towards purchasing books.
Lately new titles in Swedish are starting to appear, they are generally sold at 60 % discount compared to the released hard cover edition. While they are strictly epub, I'm on speaking terms with the good Apprentice, so I have no problem putting them on my Kindle. I consider myself far ahead of the general curve in this country and as an avid reader I benefit from my decision on a daily basis.
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An excellent point concerning availabilty in different languages. Dutch ebooks are few in number but tbh, I really haven't looked that hard. I'm a Yank living in Belgium (moved here with my lady squeeze, who is Flemish) and while there are quite a few online stores that sell English books, they are in general a lot more pricey. I made the same calculations as you. Getting a kindle will save me lots of moolah in the long run.
Quote:
Originally Posted by plib
Maybe. But you have waffles and Belgian chocolate!
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And beer, don't forget the beer!
And Frit! (lovely fries soaked in mayo + salt + grease)