For the first time ever, the organisers of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), being held in Las Vegas, have set aside a dedicated area for e-book readers. Not without some justification – there are a minimum of two dozen different manufacturers showing off e-book readers at the show.

The increased level of awareness, both from electronics manufacturers and the public is perfectly understandable. After all, 2009 was a bumper year for e-book readers. All the signs are that 2010 will be even better.

Of course, much of the credit for the huge buzz surrounding e-book readers in 2009 should be given to Amazon’s Kindle reader. The Kindle 2.0 launch in February, swiftly backed up by the launch of the larger DX version in June, created a large amount of good press for e-book readers in general and for the Kindle in particular.

The Kindle rapidly became the top selling product on Amazon and, during the festive season of 2009, the Kindle became the most gifted item on Amazon. Sales of Kindle books made up 35% of all book sales (where a Kindle edition existed). On Christmas day 2009, for the first time ever, Amazon sold more Kindle books than traditional books.

The market for both e-book readers and e-books had been firmly established and now looks likely to enter a period of exponential growth.Currently, Amazon has a 60% share of the American market and Sony has 35%. Obviously there are many of other manufacturers who want a share of this new market. On the face of it, they will have a challenging time considering Amazon’s dominance – but the market is new and developing rapidly. Rapid expansion looks probable in the short term and the right product at the right time could rewrite the rules in an instant.

Electronics manufacturers are not the only businesses interested in the growth and development of the e-book reader market. Independent manufacturers who make a variety of accessories – reading lights (e-book readers are not back-lit),chargers, covers, screen protectors etc. – also stand to benefit from a market that, as little as a year ago, simply did not exist. At the moment, Kindle accessories are, understandably, the most common, but as other readers begin to make inroads in the market these will, no doubt, also be catered for.

2010 will be a big year for both e-book readers and e-books. Next year’s Consumer Electronics shows will certainly incorporate a separate e-book reader section – but it may be somewhat increased in size compared with 2010.