The first definition of the word “book” in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is “a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory.” A set. Doesn’t that mean more than one? Maybe e-books are forcing us to redefine what we believe about a book is and how it ought to behave, but there are a few things that are non-negotiable. Doug thinks that the “more than one page” thing is kind of non-negotiable. His child picked out a book from Barnes & Noble’s Nook store that turned out to be more of a leaflet. 

So my 7 year old bought this book: Kids Aquatic Animal Book. It’s a nook book.

It is ONE page. ONE page. My 7 year old cried.

And the reviews? All short and positive, and “5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.” Even though the reviews were not remotely helpful, and they didn’t mention the book was ONE PAGE.

Later reviews did. But when you are just quickly checking, and see a 4 star rating (20 reviews) you think, “ok.”

And it was listed as A BOOK. One page is not a book. One page is a poster.

After talking to three customer service reps, I got my dollar back. I know it is just a dollar. But my daughter took her time to choose the book she wanted, and it was not right.

Or are we and Doug just being hopelessly old-fashioned? Is a glorified poster worth buying as an e-book?

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