questions about books and digital world

I was thinking of the advantages digital dimension could represent for books (putting aside practical aspects). The thing is easier for other forms of work.
Visual arts for instance : the web offers a large window for exhibiting pieces of work
Music : web pages are a way to create a buzz, demonstrate a talent, showing your works to producers in a much easier way and of course downloading of works
Pictures : downloading, creating a new market (dvd to replace vhs...)
and so on.

But what about books. Up to now, i can only think of publicity advantages : a great website is a way for authors to maintain a relationship with their readers for example. But what about the book itself : who will download a book to read it on screen or to print hundred of pages ? I don't know anyone who does that yet. I also remember the first electronic books I saw when I was younger at the Paris Book expo. I never saw theem again.  I also remember quite well French association of authors claiming a separate contract for digital rights would be highly recommended, following the legal obligation in French law concerning movie rights. Who remembers that ?

 I still think that pocket books are the far more inventive creation so far or the literary world.
Am I missing something ?