Cyberbooks by Ben Bova

Folks, this is why you stop in random used bookstores whenever you get the chance – Cyberbooks by Ben Bova… for $2!! What a find! I had no idea this book even existed. I absolutely love the cover of this mass paperback that came out in 1990.

A quick internet search shows that the hardback came out in 1989 and I have to say that I think the image of the Cyberbook electronic book reader on the paperback beats out the Alex Owens inspired characters on the front of the hardcover (the 1980’s really were rad). Though you better believe I am now on the lookout for that hardcover edition!

I have not read this yet, but we have a long weekend here in the U.S. in just a couple of days so this just jumped to the top of my TBR pile. Best I can tell the story revolves around an electronic e-reading device that causes such an upheaval that people start getting murdered over it. Over what? I’m not sure. But it looks like in this futuristic setting filled with robots and supercomputers, an electronic reading device that can deliver books for free or at low costs is just too much for society to handle and murderous pandemonium takes over. I have read so many hot takes on eBooks vs. print books, but nothing close to MURDER! Ha!

I love this excerpt printed on the first page:

I really can’t wait to read this and see what has held up, what was a miss, and if Ben Bova penned any prophetic passages way back in 1989. I can’t believe this was on a random discount cart in a bookstore. But then how many folks would really appreciate this for the artifact that it is.