The Internet has been considered a miracle for society's progression. Digitizing one's conventional social network created an international community where ideas, news and even friends can circulate through wireless routers.

The Web even provides access to information and most of our joys in life. For instance, access to books is not limited by the distance of our local library or retailer. Electronic versions of texts, known as e-books, are available through the Internet and handheld devices known as e-readers.

E-readers were part of a dusty past until Amazon launched the Kindle in 2009. The e-reader's new look sparked appeal for many consumers, particularly students. Instead of hauling multiple books at a time, students are able to relieve the burden on their shoulders by simply carrying an e-reader. As e-readers begin to fill the homes of both the young and old, some people have wondered whether bookstores can survive in this new digital age. It has been a little over a year since the e-reader made its debut to American consumers since then and 6 million of the devices have been sold. This has had a significant effect on popular book store chains-Borders' total revenue in book sales decreased over 17 percent after the launch of the e-reader.

Regardless of how enticing the Kindle appears, I view e-readers as an alternative to books, not a permanent replacement. Simply put, books elicit a sentimental value to humans that interconnected wires can not.

There are some who feel the need to have a paperback in their daily travels. Many are nostalgic for the act of flipping through the pages of a book from back when they were a child. We can collectively remember enjoying the simple pleasures of a book, which, unlike our electronics, do not require a charger or a cable plug in order to be used.

E-readers pose other threats to print books specifically for college students. Aside from storing textbooks in a compact space, the e-reader could potentially save students from spending more money than they would for physical books. In most locations, the e-book has been cheaper to buy than the physical textbook. Many universities, including Brandeis, provide students with the option of buying eTextbooks as part of Barnes & Noble's NOOKstudy software.