In a 21st century age of tablets, smartphones, smart cars and digital readers, the world of higher education still insists on using 500-page, printed textbooks for every course, each usually costing a pretty penny. It is time for college textbooks to catch up with the rest of the technology world.

Professor of English William A. Cook has published numerous books and articles on Middle Eastern issues and social justice around the world while remaining a devoted professor at the University of La Verne.

Lately I have been contemplating buying a Kindle, the e-reader created by Amazon. But it has its perks and its disadvantages.