An e-book is a file, usually adobe acrobat, that you would download onto your computer, laptop, or PDA and then read at your convenience. Some e-books will allow you to print out a paper copy that you can carry around with you just like you would a regular book, and most e-books will allow you to read them for an indefinite amount of time.

There are several advantages of purchasing an e-book rather than regular books, the main one being cost. An e-book, because you are not getting a paper copy, is traditionally much less expensive than a traditional book. The publisher does not have to pay for the cost of printing or binding the book, and passes that savings on to you.

E-books also don’t take up space within your home, and build up to collect dust lying on shelves unread.

A disadvantage of e-books is that in many cases the books are only accessable from the first place that you download them to. So, if you were to change computers, or want to share the book with a friend, a new copy of the book would have to be purchased, because the book can only be accessed from the original computer.

For books that you are only going to want to read once, or for a book that you can easily carry with you to work, or on an airplane without taking up extra space in your briefcase, e-books can be great ideas. Next time you are looking to make a new book purchase shop around and consider giving an e-book a try.