There are a lot of e-readers out on the market, but I am still not satisfied with the reading experience. I feel like the goal of e-readers now, is to get as many into the hands of people as possible, to get readers used to skimming through page after page in that particular format. Then, we’ll eventually see the format wars. As a friend of mine aptly pointed out, it’s just like what happened back in the days of Beta versus VHS.

The problem for me is not the format of the book, but the device itself. I feel there’s a huge component missing — the cover. Now, word of mouth advertising relies on interfacing with other readers online, but not in person. It’s easy to show someone a physical copy of a book when someone says “Hey, what are you reading?” Doesn’t work like that when you’re out in the wild. In fact, I’m less inclined to strike up that conversation now that the answer requires the person to stop reading and tell me what the book is. Since I spot books by their cover, it’s hard for me to remember names all the time — unless I specifically go out looking for one.

What I want, is an eReader that has a screen on the opposite side to display the book cover you’re reading by default. I picture this as a flexible image where you can add your own “book paper” when you’re not reading something. Imagine what that one image could do. No, I don’t want it to be full of advertising (ew!) but a picture can really add something to help boost a book’s visibility and facilitate conversation, too.

I feel that covers are very important and will become increasingly moreso as time goes on. Yes, this is one cover that is (usually) judged. So why not highlight all the great ones that are out there? Certainly, it would make the digital experience all that sweeter for me.

Mood: I’m a cliche.
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Going to drink my way through a barrel of coffee and then pass out into sweet oblivion.
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: None due to a stupid, clutzy move.
In My Ears: Star Wars
Game Last Played: Star Wars Battlefront
Movie Last Viewed: Drive
Latest Artistic Project: Cross-stitch
Latest Release: “Don’t Ignore Your Dead” included in Don’t Read This Book for the Don’t Rest Your Head RPG