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Of Print Books and E-Books

Of Print Books and
E-Books

Last year I finally took the plunge and got myself a Kindle. Being an avid reader and having grown up with paper books I had put off getting myself an e-book for years. I loved the smell of print and the feel of paper beneath my fingers. I love libraries, bookstores, and anything print related. I derive pleasure from browsing through books and visiting unique bookstores around the world.

Being such a fan of paper books, why did I finally succumb to the e-book? Last year, I decided to get one because I found myself traveling regularly for work and I wanted to travel light. My biggest trigger was perhaps my recent discovery that my eyes started to need the larger fonts and getting the larger font version at the bookstore was sometimes a hassle. With an e-book you could adjust the size to your heart’s content. Attempting to live more with less, e-books also meant that we didn’t need to buy bookshelves.

Being such a fan of paper books, why did I finally succumb to the e-book? Last year, I decided to get one because I found myself traveling regularly for work and I wanted to travel light. My biggest trigger was perhaps my recent discovery that my eyes started to need the larger fonts and getting the larger font version at the bookstore was sometimes a hassle. With an e-book you could adjust the size to your heart’s content. Attempting to live more with less, e-books also meant that we didn’t need to buy bookshelves.

The question then is, do I prefer e-books to paper books? No matter how much I love e-books I have to admit that print books hold a special place in my heart. There is something about them that makes my heart do a little dance. Here are some reasons why I think print books remain so special compared to e-books.

1. Print books offer sensory appeal
Being able to curl up on the couch with a book in your hands, flipping through the pages with a faint smell of paper and ink is indescribably satisfying. If you’re somewhere cold, imagine curling up with one by the fireplace. Reading a print book becomes an experience that e-books simply cannot replace.

2. Print books make meaningful gifts
Receiving a print book as a gift is more impressive and meaningful than receiving an e-book as a gift. Some of my most cherished gifts are the books given to me by my family for the experience of reading those books remains forever with me. Seeing them on the bookshelves also bring back memories and smiles to my face.

3. Print books can be easily shared
Sharing a print book is much easier than sharing e-books. Whenever I read a good book, I want to share the book with friends and spread the joy. I cannot do this with an e-book and this is something I miss doing.

These qualities I believe are what make print books unique. Many years ago when tablets and e-books first appeared, people worried that the print business would not survive. Now, I think it is safe to say that no matter how convenient technology is, there is still nothing like the old charms of holding a traditional print book in your hands.

It’s not surprising that consumer reports and publishing associations in both the US and UK have been reporting that since 2016 sales of print books have been rising and surpassing sales of e-books. A WSJ article a few months ago also mentioned how US sales of print books rose five percent while those of e-books plunged by 17 percent in 2016. Many believe this trend will continue and I agree. People and the younger generation are going back to basics and having digital detoxes.

Does this mean I will abandon my e-book? Not anytime soon for its functionality allows me to read while on the go. It’s light and convenient. Print books, however, remain my preferred choice and for all my reading. I suppose for now I’d just keep the best of both worlds and keep on buying bookshelves.

Swisa Ariyapruchya was born in Switzerland and spent her childhood growing up in Belgium, Poland, Thailand and the USA. She is multilingual and speaks four languages. Apart from her work as a central banker, she began her lifestyle blog Having “Me” Time in 2010 and has since continued to write in her spare time. She is also Co-founder of Booster Education Co., Ltd. and Booster Analytics Co., Ltd.