When the concept of online reading was new, e-books attracted only a select audience who had very specific interests mainly dealing in technical knowledge. Gradually, as the concept of e-reading caught on, many e-book formats evolved. Some had the backing of major software companies whereas others like the adobe`s PDF format were encouraged by independent people.

The initial market of e-books lacked a common standard and this led to many e-book publishers marketing these books in the public domain. New authors who were struggling to find a readership base went online to get more exposure. This also led to illegal and unauthorized availability of books on the internet. But, with e-books having gained tremendous popularity, a consensus is emerging and exclusive hardware for e-books are being developed.

Some of the most used formats for e-book reading include readers like Adobe, Microsoft, Rocket e-book, Mobipocket, PDF and TK3. If your computer does not have the required software installed for e-book reading, the software will have to be downloaded and installed prior to reading any e-books.

Most of the software can be downloaded for free. The PDF is most popular because it has features like book marking, being able to save or highlight specific text and also take notes. The advantage is that unlike traditional books this does not require sheaves of paper or pen and can be done in a single electronic file.

For the die-hard paper fan, it is even possible to print the e-book on paper and carry them with him. Not many of course want the inconvenience of lugging around heavy books anymore and in any case, there are only so many books which one can carry. For this reason people prefer e-books because you can carry innumerable pages of text and drawings on a single e-book.

An e-book is read for many reasons. Some read it for sheer enjoyment while others use it as a tool for research. E-books can also be downloaded to catch up on your favorite author. For avid readers, e-books provide the opportunity to read the latest book without having to step out of the house to buy it. All he needs to do is go online. No more scrounging around in musty bookshops trying to lay your hand on that out-of-print book or queuing up in interminable lines for the latest bestseller.

An amazing array of e-books is available online in e-book stores where you can find books on all genres. From the typical bestsellers to the classics, from the latest technical books to the most obscure books- you can find them all in e-book stores.

The pricing of an e-book is also less than what you would pay for a traditional printed book. This is because it costs less to publish an e-book than a printed one. Also, there are many authors who cannot afford a publishing house. For them, self-publishing online is affordable and ensures wider exposure. They may also sometimes offer free initial reading to boost sales.

Storing a growing library is also a matter of concern for those avid readers who lack the necessary space in their homes. E-books take care of this problem.

An e-book is the solution for people who like to read but cannot make the time to buy books or do not have the required space to store books.