Electronic books, or eBooks, are computer files that contain the text of a book. These files may be downloaded and read on a personal computer, PDA device, or on an eBook reader like the Amazon Kindle or Sony PRS-500.All About eBooks: What is an eBook?

According to reports in June of 2009, Google plans to begin selling eBooks directly to the public before the end of the year. Such a move would make the web's most popular search engine a competitor with Amazon, eBooks.com, iTunes and other eBook retailers.InformationWeek: Google To Sell E-Books (June 1, 2009)

Applications are also available for reading ebooks on cell phones. Android enabled cell phones can use Aldiko. The Kindle Mobile is used on the iPhone.

• Amazon Kindle
• Apple iPad
• Sony Reader PRS-500
• Hanlin V9
• FLEPia
• Cool-ER Reader
• Barnes & Noble Nook E-Reader

According to a forecast by Electronics, CA Publications, "The total market size for e-paper displays in 2010 is $131 million rising to $7.45 billion in 2020. This is the value of the display front plane only - it is not the value of the device the display is sold in. Growth is predominately from demand of e-readers but other applications such as signage and posters will become a substantial market." Electronics CA Publications [1]

• Kindle Boards http://www.kindleboards.com

• MobileRead http://www.mobileread.com/

• LibraryThing http://www.is.librarything.com/

• GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/

• shelfari http://www.shelfari.com/

• Read Easy http://www.readeasily.com/