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Another study did find, however, that digital reading improved students’ capacity to read faster.
This is more accentuated when reading e-books, which can be useful, but it’s different from reading something at a deeper level, connecting emotionally, and using critical analysis.
E-book readers like the possibility of being able to switch to another task at any giving time. E.g. Googling a word, checking social media, etc.
E-books are, in most cases, cheaper than printed books. You do need a more expensive device to read them, but you probably have it already (e.g. phone).
Many people like to read in bed. But staring at a screen before calling it a night can interfere with your sleep.
A book is still a great present and, of course, you can write a personal note on it.
Plus, you can get it signed by the author! You won’t show up to a book signing and ask for the author to type their name on your e-reader, right?
The beauty of e-books is that you don’t have to worry about other people knowing what you’re reading.
Books might be superior with regards to visual-spatial memory. We tend to remember certain parts of text and be able to find it physically in the book.
You find books in museums and old libraries. Some are indeed historical artifacts with an historical weight that e-books don’t have.
There is a physical sensation when holding a book in our hands–how it feels, the weight, turning a page, etc. This can never be recreated through an e-reader, for instance.
This is particularly true if you’re reading on your smartphone or laptop, where you can get easily distracted with notifications.
You will literally need power in your device to be able read an e-book. You will never run out of battery with a physical book.
Most burglars and thieves probably won’t see the benefit of stealing your books. An e-book reader or other gadget, on the other hand, is more vulnerable to theft.
You know, the page that doesn't turn, the device that crashes, the formatting problem, software updates, among many others. In a physical book, these things won't occur.
A bookshelf is a timeless piece of decor. Plus, you can place books on shelves, stack them on the floor, etc. Needless to say, you can’t decorate your living room with e-books.
Though you can easily share a copy of an e-book with a friend and keep reading yours. No paper wasted.
You can buy, sell, and donate books. There are second-hand bookshops, for instance. Or just swap them with friends and family.
This is where the e-book excels. If you like to read during your commute to work, or at other places where it wouldn’t be convenient to carry a physical book, a digital alternative is the way to go.
If you’ve ever used a tablet, smartphone, or a computer to read a book, you know how it can strain your eyes. E-readers are far superior, but this is not applicable to physical books.
E-books don’t rely on paper and consequently all the industry of manufacturing paper and printing. It’s safe to say that e-books are more eco-friendly.
Do you usually like to underline parts of a book, for future reference, or even make notes on the margins? This can be done in both digital copies and paper books.
Books are real, tangible objects. As opposed to e-books, which are essentially a digital file.
You can physically visualize your progress while reading a book. You will get closer to the end at each turn of the page. E-books won’t give you the same experience.
This is particularly true for e-books with interactive elements. A study found that these were more distracting for children, compromising the learning process.
Books are old, very old, so there is some information that you can only find in them.
Who doesn’t love the smell of a new book? You won't get that with an e-book.
E-books are definitely easier to carry, but try reading one while sunbathing on the beach with the sun glaring on the screen. Paper will probably work best.
See also: Read up on the world's rarest and most valuable books
To cut costs, some authors are no longer publishing books in paper format. Some publications are only available on digital format.
E-books have been around for quite some time now, but it wasn't until the introduction of the Kindle e-reader in 2007 that it really exploded in popularity. Since then e-readers have come a long way, with faster speeds, color screens, and lighter devices.
But no matter how much e-books improve, there will always be people who prefer old-school paper books. Browse through the following gallery to discover how they differ so that you can draw your own conclusions.
Are physical books better than e-books?
Paper or digital books: which one do you prefer?
LIFESTYLE Reading
E-books have been around for quite some time now, but it wasn't until the introduction of the Kindle e-reader in 2007 that it really exploded in popularity. Since then e-readers have come a long way, with faster speeds, color screens, and lighter devices.
But no matter how much e-books improve, there will always be people who prefer old-school paper books. Browse through the following gallery to discover how they differ so that you can draw your own conclusions.