I used to read books while taking a bath some 15 years ago when I used to borrow books in Uni library. Not anymore. I buy mostly only hardback editions (I dislike paperbacks that look awful after I read them 1 time) and I would loath to take a book that costs 13 quid~25$ into a room full of hot steam. I also like to collect books. However, with eInk I realised that I enjoy reading ebooks as much as I used to enjoy reading hardback editions. There are certain situation when a real book is nicer and some situations when e-book reader is more convenient. So, I think they co-exist
As far as I can see there are a few issues.
If I spend 13-15 quid ($24-28)on a hardback, I am not prepared to spend even half of the sum on its electronic duplicate
in addition to what I have already spent on hardback. Prices on ebooks are way, way over the top imho. At the same time there are books that it is very difficult to obtain them in hardback editions (they are out of print and only their paperback equivalent can be found for a reasonable price) and sometimes you are not sure about a certain book, is it good or not, is it worth $25? So, in this situation I would probably opt(in the past) for a cheaper paperback edition, but since a purchase of eInk book reader I have given up on paperback editions entirely. I would rather spend the money for ebook (Non DRM) but again for a reasonable price which is supposed to be less than paperback books, then if I really liked the book I can buy its hardback version, if I didn’t like the book then I can leave it as it is and not to worry that I wasted too much of my money.
Another issue AFAIK is that writers benefit only from 1st print hardback editions, they are being paid peanuts from any other editions. So, all the high prices we get on ebooks is a greediness of publishers who want to profit from someone’s else labor. They want to do nothing and to get rich. They are gotta reconsider their position in today’s world.