i think the way ebook readers have polarised book lovers into the love and hate camps is really similar to the effect of mp3s and digital mixing on the DJ community.
'you can never beat the feel of vinyl', 'records are more tactile', 'i love seeing/flicking through the records on my shelves', 'records sound better'
vs
'i can take 5,000 albums to a gig on mp3', 'you can find music on the net for free'
DJs were generally very wary of digital mixing at first, but a few years into the debate and ipods are ubiquitous and digital mixing (if you count CDs) is now the norm - although vinyl DJs are still around too, of course.
if publishing follows the same pattern, we can expect to see many more ebooks and ebook readers over the next few years. the good news for taditionalist, is that in music, vinyl sales are actually on the increase at the moment, so it looks like it's not an either or choice.
given the major labels' experience of digital music, i would be amazed if publishers aren't *very* wary about digital. the big music guns got the internet wrong for along time (some still are getting it wrong) and the industry's numbers are in freefall, despite there being more music production and consumption than ever.
personally - i've had a play with the sony and would love one for holidays and the commute. 8 paperbacks in the suitcase vs one sony ebook reader is no brainer!