This potential new e-reader might get me to throw away my Kindle

If you happen to’re all for supporting native bookstores when buying e-books as an alternative of enormous firms like Amazon, Bookshop.org could be growing an e-reader system that accomplishes simply that.

For years, Bookshop.org has been the go-to place to purchase books on-line whereas nonetheless supporting native bookstores. The location lets you choose a close-by bookstore, and while you make a purchase order, it will get a share of the income. Earlier this 12 months, Bookshop.org expanded its assist for native bookstores by launching an e-book store and its own mobile app within the US. This implies now you can purchase e-books whereas nonetheless supporting your native bookstore.

Nonetheless, one draw back of utilizing Bookshop.org’s e-book retailer is that you just’re restricted to studying e-books on its cellular app, relatively than on an e-reader system like a Kindle. In an interview with USA Today earlier this 12 months, Bookshop.org‘s founder and CEO, Andy Hunter, defined that is “as a consequence of Amazon’s proprietary digital rights administration software program (DRM) and publishers’ DRM necessities.”

However it appears that evidently Bookshop.org may quickly have an answer to this problem: creating its personal e-reader system. Good E Reader just lately noticed a touchdown web page on Bookshop.org’s web site for an “E-book reader,” suggesting that the group could quickly introduce its personal.

Bookshop.org’s e-book gross sales are on the rise

Its CEO has stated previously an e-reader is feasible

Since BookShop.org launched its e-book retailer earlier this 12 months, the corporate has already offered over $1 million value of e-books. Its CEO, Andy Hunter, says the corporate now initiatives $3 million in complete e-book gross sales by the tip of the 12 months (through Publisher Weekly).

With its e-book enterprise mannequin increasing quickly, it could make sense for Bookshop.org to think about launching its personal e-reader, so readers can take pleasure in their books not solely on the app but in addition on an E Ink system much like a Kindle or a Kobo. In line with Android Authority, Hunter has floated the thought of Bookshop.org making an e-reader earlier than, and that it is potential it may very well be launched through a crowdfunding marketing campaign.

Since Bookshop.org’s inception, the corporate has raised over $40 million for native bookstores. When somebody buys a bodily e book or an e-book from Bookshop.org, many of the income go to the impartial bookstore they’ve chosen to assist.

“Bookshop.org places this mission and the general public good above monetary pursuits, giving over 80 % of our revenue margin to impartial bookstores,” the group explains on its web site.

If Bookshop.org introduces its personal e-reader, it might change into a powerful competitor to Amazon’s Kindle lineup. I like the thought of an e-reader that lets me purchase e-books whereas supporting my native bookstore, relatively than relying solely on Amazon. I take pleasure in visiting and making purchases at my native bookstore, however I additionally respect the comfort of e-books. An e-reader that lets me learn digitally whereas supporting my native store can be incredible and looks like one of the best of each worlds. Though the present replace is only a web page on Bookshop.org‘s web site that claims “E-book reader” with no additional particulars, it is laborious to not get enthusiastic about what this system might do and what it might imply for the way forward for native bookstores within the digital age.

Bookshop.org’s CEO stated on Threads earlier this 12 months that Kobo integration is on the “Bookshop.org e book roadmap,” so whether or not it launches its personal e-reader or not, hopefully, someday within the close to future, you can learn any Bookshop.org e-books on a Kobo system.