I missed my train yesterday. I hate trains. Particularly the lack of them that go to my house. So rather than wait for ages for the next one, I got on the next train to Kingston thinking I could bus it home from there and I’m jolly glad I did! For on that hallowed 18.31 to Strawberry Hill I spotted something, something special. An actual Sony Reader in the hands of someone who didn’t look like they worked in publishing. I got so excited that I did something that no English people ever do- I spoke to her!

And I was right, she didn’t work in publishing! So right there on the train I managed to do some consumer insight. I didn’t get her name- lets call her Sue, and here’s the gist of our conversation. Her Reader was purchased in John Lewis just before Christmas because she wanted to be able to take lots of books with her on holiday. She is disappointed by the search facility on Waterstone’s website and slightly favours WHSmith as they seem to have the books sooner. Sue feels that there needs to be much more front list out, particularly anything in the Times Top 10 and is confused by the pricing policy, the massive discounting by retailers on the physical book means the ebook is often more expensive. The instructions with the reader on installing the library were rubbish and almost lead to her taking the Reader back- (Sony, are you listening?). However, she loves the size and convenience of the Reader and is hoping the Amazon Kindle will launch sometime this year. Sue is currently reading a Martina Cole novel as there only seems to be thrillers available, but would like the Booker list to be available in eBook format.

Sue is a gadget freak and believes firmly that if people don’t embrace the first generation of eBook readers there will be no expansion of eBook ranges as it will not seem to be profitable and eBooks will die before they begin, which would be a shame. Sue is woman after my own heart. I’m also interested that Sue is a woman, and a well dressed, stylish mature one, which directly contradicts the assumption that most early adopters of technology are blokes in their 30s. Then comes my favourite sentence, “and the others have them too”. Others? Why yes. In leafy Teddington there exists a bookclub of 8 ladies all of whom are probably as charming as Sue herself. And they all have Readers!

Ladies of Teddington, I salute you.

Penny - Random House e-books manager