There are so many reasons to read a book, but one of the best is to “switch off” from modern life and enjoy a few peaceful moments of old-world technology. A printed book never runs out of power or needs a Wi-Fi connection and is unlikely to break if you drop it. Can an e-book ever offer such quiet and simple pleasure?
As The National reported, "screen fatigue" is believed to be the key reason why sales of consumer e-books in Britain plunged 17 per cent last year. Meanwhile, sales of physical books increased by 8 per cent in the same period. In this part of the world, more than 300,000 people visited the 27th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which concluded last Tuesday, reflecting the enduring popularity of physical books. It was also obvious that the local publishing industry is flourishing as never before.
E-books certainly have their place – who wants to pack several paperbacks in your suitcase when you fly off on holiday? – but books are winning back audience share and rightly so.
RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
