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Paper Books vs E-Books: Which One Is Better for Reading?

Article 24 Mar 2023 10300 0

In today's digital age, the debate over paper books vs e-books has become a hot topic among readers. While traditional paper books have been around for centuries, the rise of e-books and e-readers has disrupted the publishing industry and changed the way we read. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of paper books and e-books, their impact on the environment, and how they have impacted reading habits and preferences. We will also help readers make an informed decision about which option is better for their personal reading preferences.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paper Books and E-Books

Paper Books:

• Advantages:
• Physical books provide a tactile and sensory experience that e-books cannot replicate.
• Many readers enjoy the smell and feel of a new or old book, the ability to turn physical pages, and the convenience of using bookmarks.
• Paper books do not require a power source or device to read, making them accessible anywhere.
• Some studies have shown that reading physical books can improve reading comprehension and retention.
• Disadvantages:
• Physical books take up space and can be heavy, making them difficult to carry around.
• They can be expensive to produce, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
• Printing and shipping physical books requires a significant amount of resources, which can impact the environment negatively.
• E-books are lightweight and portable, allowing readers to carry thousands of books in a single device.
• They are generally more affordable than physical books and are easily accessible online.
• E-books are more environmentally friendly as they do not require physical production or transportation.
• They offer features such as adjustable font size, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to highlight and take notes.
• E-books require a power source or device to read, limiting accessibility in areas without electricity or internet access.
• They can cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted from devices.
• Some readers prefer the tactile experience of physical books and find e-books less satisfying.

Environmental Impact of Paper Book Production vs E-Book Production

The production of paper books requires a significant amount of resources, including trees, water, and energy. According to The New York Times, it takes an estimated 12 trees to produce one ton of paper. In addition, the production of paper books requires large amounts of water and energy, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. On the other hand, e-books have a lower carbon footprint as they do not require physical production or transportation. However, the production and disposal of e-readers and other electronic devices also have environmental consequences. Overall, the environmental impact of paper books vs e-books is complex and requires further research and analysis.

Impact of E-Books on the Publishing Industry

The rise of e-books has disrupted the publishing industry, impacting bookstores, publishers, and authors. According to Forbes, e-book sales have declined since 2015, while paperback sales have seen a steady increase. This trend may be due to the convenience and affordability of e-books, which has resulted in a shift in consumer preferences. However, physical bookstores and independent bookshops have also seen a resurgence in recent years, as some readers prefer the tactile and sensory experience of physical books. Also, various AI publishing platforms are offering new opportunities for authors to self-publish e-books and reach a broader audience. This has resulted in a more diverse and competitive publishing landscape.

Reading Experience and Preferences

The reading experience and preferences of readers for paper books vs e-books are subjective and vary depending on personal preferences and reading habits. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of American adults had read a print book in the past year, while only 28% had read an e-book. The same survey found that readers who prefer e-books cited convenience, price, and portability as their main reasons for choosing digital reading materials. Meanwhile, those who prefer paper books cited the tactile experience, the ability to physically display books, and the lack of eye strain or fatigue as their primary reasons for sticking with printed materials.

Another factor that can impact a reader's preference is the type of content they are consuming. For example, readers may prefer e-books for genres such as romance, mystery, and thriller, where they may consume a higher volume of books in a shorter period. On the other hand, readers may prefer physical books for genres such as poetry, art, or photography books, where the visual and tactile experience is a significant part of the reading experience.

Accessibility is another key consideration for many readers. E-books are more accessible for people with visual impairments or reading difficulties, as they offer customizable font sizes and text-to-speech options. E-books also offer the convenience of being able to purchase and download books instantly, without having to leave one's home or visit a physical bookstore. However, physical books have the advantage of being able to be borrowed from libraries or shared among friends, which may be more difficult with digital books due to copyright restrictions and digital rights management (DRM) technology.

Cost is another significant factor for many readers. E-books are generally cheaper than physical books, with some e-books being available for free. However, readers should keep in mind that the cost of an e-reader or tablet must be factored in as well. Physical books may be more expensive, but they can also be resold or passed on to others, which can offset their initial cost.

While the convenience and accessibility of e-books are undeniable, they have also disrupted the publishing industry in significant ways. E-books have enabled self-publishing, which has given many authors the ability to publish their work without the backing of a traditional publishing house. This has led to a proliferation of new and diverse voices in the literary world, but it has also created a crowded and competitive marketplace where it can be difficult for authors to get noticed.

Final Thought

In conclusion, both paper books and e-books have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences, reading habits, and the type of content being consumed. Paper books offer a tactile and visual experience that many readers prefer, while e-books offer convenience, affordability, and accessibility. The impact of e-books on the publishing industry and reading habits is significant and ongoing, and it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the coming years.

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My Book Brief .

Updated on November 3, 2023

eBooks vs. Printed Books: The Ultimate Comparison

eBooks vs. Printed Books: Which is Better?

The debate over eBooks vs. printed books has been raging for years, with passionate arguments on both sides. Some people swear by the convenience and portability of eBooks, while others insist that nothing can replace the tactile experience of reading a physical book. So which is better? The answer, as with most things, is not black and white.

Understanding eBooks and Printed Books Before diving into the pros and cons of each format, it’s important to understand what they are. eBooks are digital versions of books that can be read on electronic devices like tablets, e-readers, and smartphones. Printed books, on the other hand, are physical copies of books that you can hold in your hands and flip through. Both formats have unique characteristics and benefits; their choice ultimately depends on personal preference.

Key Takeaways:

• The debate over eBooks vs. printed books has been ongoing for years.
• eBooks are digital versions of books, while printed books are physical copies.
• The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference.

• 1.1 What are eBooks?
• 1.2 What are Printed Books?
• 2.1 From Print to Digital
• 2.2 Growth of eBooks
• 3.1 Price of eBooks
• 3.2 Price of Printed Books
• 4.1 Access to eBooks
• 4.2 Access to Printed Books
• 5.1 Reading eBooks
• 5.2 Reading Printed Books
• 6.1 Portability of eBooks
• 6.2 Storage of Printed Books
• 7.1 Impact of eBooks
• 7.2 Impact of Printed Books
• 8.1 Features of eBooks
• 8.2 Drawbacks of eBooks
• 8.3 Features of Printed Books
• 8.4 Drawbacks of Printed Books
• 9.1 Popularity of eBooks
• 9.2 Sales of Printed Books
• 10 Role in Education
• 11.1 eBook Publishing
• 11.2 Printed Book Publishing
• 12 Conclusion

Understanding eBooks and Printed Books

What are ebooks.

E-books are digital books that can be read on electronic devices such as e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and computers. EBooks are typically available in digital formats like PDF, EPUB, and MOBI. They can be purchased and downloaded online from various online retailers or borrowed from online libraries.

EBooks offer several advantages over printed books. One of the most significant advantages is portability. EBooks can be stored on a single device, making them easy to carry. They are also lightweight, which makes them ideal for people who travel frequently. Additionally, eBooks can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making them convenient for people who don’t have access to physical libraries.

What are Printed Books?

Printed books, also known as physical books, are traditional books that are printed on paper and bound together. Printed books have been around for centuries and are still widely used today. Printed books are available in various sizes, formats, and bindings, including hardcover, paperback, and spiral-bound.

Printed books offer several advantages over eBooks. One of the most significant advantages is the tactile experience. Printed books have a physical presence that digital books cannot replicate. They have a distinct smell, texture, and weight that many people find appealing. Additionally, printed books do not require any electronic devices to read, making them accessible to people who do not have access to technology.

In summary, eBooks and printed books each have their advantages and disadvantages. EBooks are portable and convenient, while printed books offer a tactile experience that digital books cannot replicate. Ultimately, the choice between eBooks and printed books comes from personal preference.

The Evolution of Reading

From print to digital.

For centuries, books have been printed on paper and bound together to create a physical product that people could hold in their hands. This traditional format has been the primary way people have consumed books for centuries. However, digital reading has become increasingly popular with the advent of technology.

Introducing e-readers such as Kindle and other e-reader devices has revolutionized how people read. E-readers allow readers to download and store thousands of books on a single device, making it easier to carry around many books. They also come with font style and size flexibility, which is especially helpful for those with visual impairments.

Growth of eBooks

E-books have seen tremendous growth in recent years as more and more people have embraced digital reading. According to a study, the global paper books market will encompass around 1.87 billion readers by 2027, while e-reader users are expected to reach 1.2 billion. This suggests that e-books have the potential to complement the publishing industry instead of replacing it.

One of the advantages of e-books is that they tend to be significantly cheaper than print versions. Plus, many public domain books can be downloaded as e-books for free on sites like Project Gutenberg. E-books can be read on computers, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, making them more versatile than print books.

While print books remain popular, the fast-paced modern world has increased the popularity of e-books. As technology evolves, it will be interesting to see how the reading experience evolves.

Comparing Costs

Price of ebooks.

One of the most significant advantages of eBooks is their lower cost than printed books. EBooks do not require printing, shipping, or storage costs, so they are significantly cheaper than their printed counterparts. Many public domain books can be downloaded as eBooks for free on sites like Project Gutenberg. Additionally, eBooks can be stored electronically and in the cloud to protect them from getting lost, stolen, or damaged.

However, it is essential to note that the price of eBooks can vary depending on various factors, including the publisher, author, and platform. Some eBooks may be more expensive than printed versions, particularly for new releases or bestsellers.

Price of Printed Books

On the other hand, printed books tend to be more expensive than eBooks due to the costs associated with printing, shipping, and storage. Additionally, the price of printed books can vary depending on the publisher, author, book format, and retailer. Hardcover books, for example, tend to be more expensive than paperbacks.

Moreover, printed books may not offer the same cost savings as eBooks, especially for avid readers who purchase many books. Buying and storing printed books can add up over time, making eBooks a more cost-effective option in the long run.

In conclusion, while eBooks tend to be cheaper than printed books, the price of eBooks can vary depending on various factors, and some printed books may offer better value than eBooks in certain situations. Ultimately, the decision between eBooks and printed books should be based on personal preferences, reading habits, and budget.

Accessibility and Availability

Access to ebooks.

One of the biggest advantages of eBooks is their accessibility. eBooks can be purchased and downloaded from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling readers to enjoy them from their homes. Additionally, eBooks can be read on various devices, including tablets, smartphones, and e-readers, making them a convenient choice for readers who are always on the go.

Another advantage of eBooks is that they are often cheaper than printed books. Many eBooks are available for free, especially those that are in the public domain. Websites like Project Gutenberg offer a vast collection of free eBooks that can be downloaded and read on any device.

Access to Printed Books

While eBooks are convenient, they are not the only option for readers. Printed books are still widely available and can be found in bookstores, libraries, and even online. While some books may be out of stock, readers can usually find what they want by checking with their local library or ordering the book online.

One advantage of printed books is that they do not require an internet connection to access. This means that readers can take their books wherever they go without worrying about battery life or internet connectivity. Additionally, printed books can be shared with others, making them a great option for book clubs or for readers who enjoy discussing books with friends and family.

In conclusion, both eBooks and printed books have advantages regarding accessibility and availability. While eBooks offer convenience and affordability, printed books offer a tangible reading experience and can be found in various locations. Ultimately, the choice between eBooks and printed books comes down to personal preference and the reader’s needs.

Reading Experience

Reading experience is a crucial aspect when it comes to deciding which one is better, between eBooks and printed books. Both have their pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Reading eBooks

Reading an eBook can be a different experience than reading a printed book. One of the major advantages of eBooks is that they are lightweight and portable. You can carry hundreds or even thousands of books in a single device. This makes it easy to read on the go or while traveling.

Another advantage of eBooks is that they offer interactive features such as highlighting, bookmarking, and dictionary lookup. You can easily highlight a word or a sentence and look up its definition without putting down the book. This can be especially helpful for people with dyslexia or struggling with reading.

However, reading eBooks can also cause eye strain due to the backlit screen. Taking breaks and adjusting the brightness and font size is important to avoid eye strain.

Reading Printed Books

Reading a printed book can be a more immersive experience than reading an eBook. The book’s physicality can make it easier to focus on the content and get lost in the story. The tactile experience of turning the pages and feeling the weight of the book can also be satisfying.

Additionally, printed books do not cause eye strain as eBooks do. The font size is fixed, which can be helpful for people with visual impairments. However, this can also disadvantage those who prefer larger font sizes.

One downside of printed books is that they do not offer interactive features like highlighting or dictionary lookup. This can make it more difficult to keep track of important information or look up unfamiliar words.

Overall, the reading experience can be different between eBooks and printed books. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what works best for each reader.

Portability and Storage

Portability of ebooks.

One of the biggest advantages of eBooks over printed books is their portability. eBooks can be stored as digital files on smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. This makes it easy for readers to carry around an entire library of books without needing physical storage space. Users can access their eBooks from anywhere, as long as they have their device with them and an internet connection. This makes eBooks a great option for people who are always on the go and don’t want to carry around heavy books .

Storage of Printed Books

Printed books, on the other hand, require physical storage space. Hardcover books can take up a lot of space on bookshelves, and carrying them around can be cumbersome. While paperbacks are more portable, they can still take up a lot of space if you have a large collection. Additionally, printed books can be damaged by moisture, pests, and other environmental factors. This means that they require proper storage conditions to ensure their longevity.

Regarding storage, eBooks have a clear advantage over printed books. They don’t require physical storage space, and environmental factors can’t damage them. However, some readers may prefer the tactile experience of holding a physical book. Ultimately, the choice between eBooks and printed books will come from personal preference and individual needs.

Environmental Impact

Impact of ebooks.

Ebooks are often considered to have a lower environmental impact than printed books. According to a study by the Cleantech Group, the carbon footprint of an ebook is about 40-50% lower than that of a printed book. This is because ebooks do not require paper, ink, or transportation, which all contribute to printed books’ carbon footprint.

However, the production and use of electronic devices used to read ebooks, such as e-readers and tablets, also have an environmental impact. These devices require the mining and processing of metals and other materials, as well as the use of electricity. The production of these devices contributes to electronic waste, which can harm the environment if not disposed of properly.

Impact of Printed Books

Printed books also have an environmental impact, particularly in terms of the use of paper and ink. Paper production can lead to deforestation and habitat loss, while ink can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.

However, printed books can also be recycled, which can help reduce their environmental impact. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper recycling can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy.

Both ebooks and printed books have an environmental impact. The choice between the two depends on various factors, including personal preference, convenience, and environmental concerns. When deciding, it is important to consider the entire lifecycle of both options, including production, use, and disposal.

Additional Features and Drawbacks

Features of ebooks.

One of the most significant features of eBooks is their accessibility. eBook displays and font sizes can be adjusted to accommodate those with impaired sight. This enhances readability and accessibility for those with disabilities. eBooks also offer the ability to search for specific text, highlight, and take notes, making it easier to find and remember important information. Additionally, eBooks take up less physical space, making them ideal for those with limited storage space.

Drawbacks of eBooks

One of the most significant drawbacks of eBooks is the potential for glare and eye strain. Some eBook readers may glare in the sunlight, making reading hard in some settings. Additionally, eBooks require a device to read them, which can be a potential distraction. Some people may also find it difficult to concentrate on reading an eBook due to the potential for notifications and advertisements on their devices.

Features of Printed Books

Printed books offer a tactile experience that eBooks cannot replicate. A book’s weight, texture, and smell can enhance the reading experience for some people. Printed books do not require a reading device, which can reduce potential distractions. Printed books are also more shareable than eBooks, as they can be easily passed on to friends and family.

Drawbacks of Printed Books

One of the most significant drawbacks of printed books is their potential to take up a lot of physical space. This can be a problem for those with limited storage space. Printed books can also be damaged or lost, which can be a significant problem for those who value their books. Additionally, printed books cannot be easily searched for specific text, highlighted or annotated, making it harder to find and remember important information.

eBooks and printed books have unique features and drawbacks. The decision between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and individual needs.

Popularity and Sales

Popularity of ebooks.

According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center , the share of American adults who have read an eBook in the previous 12 months has increased from 17% in 2011 to 32% in 2023. The survey also revealed that younger adults (18 to 29-year-olds) are more likely to read eBooks than older adults. However, despite the growth in popularity of eBooks, a survey conducted in 2021 showed that 68% of younger readers (18 to 29-year-olds) in the United States still prefer printed books.

Sales of Printed Books

Despite the growth in popularity of eBooks, printed books continue to dominate the book market. In the United States, for example, 45% of the population bought a printed book last year, compared to only 23% who purchased an eBook. Furthermore, the revenue generated by printed books in the U.S. is still significantly higher than that of eBooks. In January 2023, eBook sales in the U.S. generated $85 million in revenue, while printed books generated $1.1 billion.

Publishers have also reported that printed books continue to outsell eBooks. In 2023, Penguin Random House reported that printed books accounted for 75% of its global revenue, while eBooks accounted for only 25%.

Notes and audiobooks are also popular formats for reading, with audiobooks experiencing significant growth in recent years. However, when comparing eBooks and printed books, printed books remain the more popular and profitable format.

While eBooks have grown in popularity in recent years, printed books dominate the book market in terms of sales and revenue. Younger readers may prefer eBooks, but printed books are still the preferred format for most readers.

Role in Education

Regarding education, the debate between eBooks and printed books is ongoing. Both formats have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on individual preferences and needs.

Studies have shown that students tend to concentrate, learn, or remember better with printed books than with digital texts. This is especially true for longer texts, such as textbooks, where print books are superior to eBooks for reading comprehension. However, eBooks have their advantages as well. They are more portable and can be accessed from anywhere, making them a convenient choice for students who are always on the go.

Textbooks are an essential part of education, and the format in which they are presented can significantly impact the learning experience. Printed textbooks provide a tangible and tactile experience that many students find helpful in retaining information. On the other hand, eBooks offer interactive features that can enhance the learning experience, such as embedded videos, animations, and quizzes.

Classics, or books that have stood the test of time are an important part of any education. Printed versions of these books provide a connection to the past and a sense of tradition. However, eBooks offer several advantages when it comes to classics. They are often more affordable and accessible, making them a great option for students who may not have access to a physical library.

Choosing between eBooks and printed books in education depends on individual preferences and needs. Both formats have advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the individual to decide which is best for them.

Role in the Publishing Industry

Ebook publishing.

eBooks have revolutionized the publishing industry in many ways. They have made it easier for independent authors to publish their work without needing a traditional publishing house. This has led to a rise in self-publishing and the emergence of new authors who may not have been able to break into the industry before. Additionally, eBooks are relatively inexpensive to produce and distribute, which has made it easier for publishers to experiment with new authors and genres.

Amazon has been a major player in the eBook industry with their Kindle platform. They have made it easy for authors to self-publish and distribute their work while providing a platform for traditional publishers to sell their eBooks. The ease of use and accessibility of the Kindle has made it a popular choice for readers, which has further cemented Amazon’s position in the market.

Printed Book Publishing

Printed books have been the traditional format for publishing for centuries and continue to play an important role in the industry. While eBooks have made it easier for independent authors to publish their work, traditional publishers still play a vital role in producing and distributing printed books.

Power in the publishing industry is still largely concentrated in the hands of a few major publishers. These publishers have the resources to invest in marketing and distribution, which can make or break a book’s success. However, the rise of independent publishers and self-publishing has led to a more diverse range of published books, benefiting readers.

Marketing and distribution are key factors in the success of a printed book. Publishers must invest in advertising and promotion to ensure their books reach their target audience. This can be costly, so traditional publishers still hold a significant advantage over independent publishers.

Both eBooks and printed books play important roles in the publishing industry. While eBooks have made it easier for independent authors to publish their work, traditional publishers still have a significant advantage in marketing and distribution. The rise of self-publishing and independent publishers has led to a more diverse range of published books, benefiting readers.

The debate between eBooks and printed books is ongoing, and both formats have pros and cons eBooks are more portable, offer a wider range of customization options, and are often cheaper than printed books. On the other hand, printed books offer a tactile reading experience, are easier on the eyes, and are better for note-taking and cross-referencing.

According to a survey , 45% of people bought a printed book last year, while only 23% bought an eBook. This suggests that many readers still prefer printed books. However, the popularity of eBooks is on the rise, with devices like the Barnes & Noble Nook and Kobo offering readers a wide range of options.

Ultimately, the choice between eBooks and printed books comes from personal preference. Some readers may prefer the convenience of eBooks, while others may enjoy the feel and smell of a physical book. When deciding, it is important to consider factors such as portability, cost, and environmental impact.

Ultimately, whether someone prefers eBooks or printed books, the most important thing is continuing to read and enjoy the written word. See also What Is the Best Time to Read Books? Tips and Insights and The 16 Best Places To Read Books

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The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-Readers

Why a good old-fashioned book is better for your mental health..

Posted February 2, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

• Research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than e-readers.
• Physical books help readers absorb and recall content more effectively.
• Turning pages as we read creates an “index” in the brain, mapping what we read visually to a particular page.
• Research shows that, despite the prevalence of technology, most people still prefer print books to e-readers.

Screens are replacing paper when it comes to nearly every aspect of communication, but is it good for our mental health? Research proves the countless mental health benefits of reading , but still most people are choosing screen-time over picking up a book when it comes to entertainment.

Even in schools, gone are the days of buying those stretchy book covers for your heavy textbooks; digital modalities of learning are taking precedence, lightening backpacks but burdening young minds with the challenge of staying on-task in a sea of digital distractions. Reading short blurbs on social media as we scroll inhibits not only our attention span, making lengthy books more arduous for our dopamine -addicted brains to digest, but often waters down the language, using more informal, conversational-style writing that offers much less exposure to rich, brain-boosting vocabulary and concepts.

Research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than e-readers (Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L., 2023). Though many people find they can read faster on a device, the distractions, like social media scrolling, advertisements, and email notifications, often hinder memory retention. Physical books provide an immersive experience, resulting in readers who absorb and recall the content more effectively.

Holding the weight of a book in your hand, turning the pages, and even highlighting your favorite passages are all experienced in the body. In fact, according to researchers, turning pages as we read creates an “index” in the brain, mapping what we read visually to a particular page, (Rothkopf, Ernst Z.,1971). This is part of what allows the brain to retain the information better when read from a physical book.

From the way you position your body when holding a book, to the way your head and eyes adjust to scan the pages as they turn, there are distinct differences in the way our bodies experience reading a good old-fashioned book. “Print books and the substrate of paper lend an obvious physicality to individual texts, while e-books are not tangible volumes and are differently touched, held, carried and navigated,” wrote Mangen, A., and van der Weel, A. in “The evolution of reading in the age of digitisation: an integrative framework for reading research,” (2016, p. 116–124). “The haptic feedback of a touch screen is different from a paper book, and the implications of such interactions warrant empirical investigations. Studies in experimental psychology and neuroscience show that object manipulation provides spatial information which is crucial for building coherent mental representations of the manipulated object.”

In addition to improving comprehension and providing an immersive, embodied experience, reading physical books offers a uniquely social experience that e-readers miss out on. Whether you’re perusing the shelves at the bookstore, coffee in hand, asking your local librarian for recommendations from their collection, or passing along your copy of a favorite book to a friend, interacting with fellow book lovers is one of the aspects of reading that people most enjoy. Downloading books onto your e-reader bypasses these opportunities for connection.

Perhaps what is most salient is the undeniably strong preference most people have for reading printed books. In one study, 92 percent of students reportedly preferred print books over e-books (Baron, N. S., 2015). There’s something special about holding a book in your hand, admiring the cover art, even appreciating the way your bookmark visually advances with time spent turning the pages.

Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L. (2023). Do New Forms of Reading Pay Off? A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Leisure Digital Reading Habits and Text Comprehension. Review of Educational Research, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231216463

Baron, N. S. (2015). Words onscreen: The fate of reading in a digital world. Oxford University Press.

Mangen, A., and van der Weel, A. (2016) The evolution of reading in the age of digitisation: an integrative framework for reading research. Literacy, 50: 116–124. doi: 10.1111/lit.12086 .

Rothkopf, Ernst Z. (1971) Incidental memory for location of information in text. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior. Volume 10, Issue 6: Pages 608-613. ISSN 0022-5371, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5371(71)80066-X .

Heather Rose Artushin, LISW-CP, is a child and family therapist passionate about the power of reading.

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eBooks vs. Printed Books: Which is Better? [2024]

Whether eBooks are better than printed books has been a long-standing debate.

Though eBooks today have become the mainstay of the publishing industry, they have not completely overtaken print as predicted by analysts.

While there may be several advantages of going digital, some people find reading online daunting. Plus, there have also been some signs of eBook readers switching back to print. 

So which option should you pick? 

Let’s take a look at eBooks vs. printed books and compare the critical factors that make people choose one over the other.

eBooks vs. Printed Traditional Books: A Comparative Analysis

Portability .

One of the primary reasons behind the popularity of eBooks is their portability. Unlike printed books, eBooks are lightweight and easy to carry. You can carry an entire library of thousands of books in a single device.

The books are easy to access too. All you need is a good internet connection, and you can download any book you like within minutes. You can carry them anywhere and even enjoy reading on the go, as long as you keep your device charged.

On the other hand, you can carry only a handful of printed books at one time. However, since printed books require no power, you won’t have to worry about charging them time and again. 

Useful Features

Supporters of print books argue that it’s much easier to work around printed books. You can easily dog-ear pages, highlight passages, or write notes. It is also easier to keep track of pages in physical books since they never change.

Besides, some people feel that the ability to hold books or turn pages with fingers provides a more fulfilling reading experience.

However, with the advancement of technology, many features have been introduced into eBooks to provide users with a wholesome reading experience. You can now add bookmarks, highlights, and notes to digital books as well.  

Plus, many eBooks have an inbuilt dictionary so you can quickly look up difficult words without getting distracted. Not to forget the search feature that enables you to track a single word or phrase from thousands of pages. Such functionalities make eBooks better suited for the fast-paced modern world. 

Availability

Have you ever heard of an eBook going out of stock? No! because they never do. Also, there is no waiting time when you buy eBooks . This is in contrast to printed books, where the timeline from buying books online to getting them delivered and finally being able to read them is often long and tenacious.

With eBooks, on the other hand, you can download and read them as soon as you purchase them. You can also print eTextbooks if you want to keep a hard copy of the same.

Customizability

Printed books have a set layout that cannot be altered. But the same is not the case with eBooks. You can change the font size and line spacing and adjust the format from landscape to portrait or vice versa.

Some eBooks even allow you to change the font style and color instead of sticking to the default format . This flowable quality of eBooks is another reason behind the massive surge in their sale.

Ease of Learning

There are certain situations where eBooks can outperform printed books in ease of learning.

For instance, visually challenged readers or people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties can benefit from the interactive features eBooks provide. They can magnify the font and set the layout that is comfortable for them. 

Ebooks are also easier to integrate with audio. With the new read-aloud features in most eBooks, you can listen to written words and complete a book even while doing other chores.

However, not everyone is tech-savvy. Some people might find the features of eBooks difficult to use and prefer the simplicity that printed books provide. This is usually the case with the older generation. Even with youngsters, the potential distractions of links and advertisements in eBooks may affect their learning.

Ebooks do not support prolonged reading as spending too much time on screen can easily strain your eyes.

So reading a book on a digital device requires you to take frequent breaks. Even with the anti-glare technology, you can still experience visual fatigue after long reading sessions.

The same is never the issue with printed books. If you have good lighting, you can read printed books as long as you like without harming your eyes. 

Impact on the Environment

On the surface, eBooks seem more environment-friendly than printed books. However, the analysis is much more complicated. The environmental impact of printed books vs. eBooks depends greatly on your reading habits. 

eReaders consume more carbon to produce than printed books. So buying an eReader will only make environmental sense if you are an avid reader. Also, they are difficult to recycle. 

If you prefer physical books, you can go for used textbooks or borrow one from a library to reduce your carbon footprint. Besides, you can easily recycle printed books when they reach the end of their life.

You can generally get eBooks a lot cheaper than physical books since no printing cost is associated with them. So if you prefer purchasing books rather than borrowing, you could save a lot of money by going digital.

eReaders can also get access to many free eBooks available online. However, you initially have to invest in a good reading gadget to access all the eBooks. 

Shareability

Sharing books with family and friends is much easier with printed books.

You can physically hand them over once you’re finished reading. Some people even sell used books or donate them to the library. This way, more than one person can benefit from a single purchase.

However, with eBooks purchased online, the usage is generally restricted to only one account. So you may miss the joy of sharing your favorite books with your loved ones.

Both eBooks and printed books have their pros and cons, though eBooks can be more convenient in many respects.

So the ultimate verdict of which option is better depends on the personal preference of each individual. If you’re unsure, why don’t you give eBooks a try and decide if it suits you better?

The best-selling S peech-to-Print eBook from author Louisa Cook Moats would be a great book to start your digital journey.

Contact  our expert team now and get started!   

To know more, write to us at [email protected]

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E-book vs. Paper Book: Advantages and Disadvantages

What are the similarities and differences between physical and e-books? Find out in this essay sample on e-book vs print book advantages and disadvantages! Get some ideas and inspiration for your paper and learn more about e-book and paper book advantages and disadvantages.

E-book vs Print Book: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Introduction

E-book advantages & paper book disadvantages, paper book advantages and disadvantages of e-books, e books vs paper books: essay conclusion.

Ever since e-books became a thing, there have been debates on their and paper books’ advantages and disadvantages. Some people believe that e-books will never replace paper ones. E-books are good, but they are gaining popularity at a very high rate which essentially translates to the death of printed publications. It is because having publications in digital format and available to the entire world at the click of a button means they can easily be freely and maliciously circulated over the internet. As such, the writers and publishers will not profit from their works because readers prefer to contact a hacker and get the free e-book rather than buy the more expensive printed text.

Some advantages of e-books over paper books include the fact that they are easy to read, mainly because of the various available functions such as zooming. The e-books are also easily portable using light devices such as compact disks and flash disks. It contrasts with paper books, which are more bulky, notably bigger volumes. E-books are also much easier to read than paper books because accessing a particular item in the publication is defined by the search function.

Besides, paper books are more advantageous than e-books because they do not cause unnecessary eye strain. By contrast, e-books require the reader to constantly stare into bright screens, sometimes leading to tearing eyes due to the strain.

E-books also require the reader to have a specialized digital and battery/electricity-powered device to access the data. If one cannot access a power source, then he/she cannot read the book. Paper books do not have this constraint as they can be accessed at any time, provided the lighting conditions are favorable for reading. E-books are also prone to destruction by viruses and bugs compared to paper books which can easily be protected from damage.

With the demand for pirated e-books over 54% in the United States, authors are gradually losing out on earnings from their works. If not well taken care of, this problem will eventually lead to the de-motivation of writers and the decline of the publishing industry in general. E-books are primarily software functions that must be hosted on computers or sold as independent products that digital readers can access.

This presentation in forms can easily be transferred from one machine to another, making them more prone to the deeds of hackers and pirates. With the world gradually becoming a global village owing to the spread of internet connections, pirates can easily distribute cheaper versions of e-books by providing cracks to counter the need for access codes.

The security of e-books and their genuine marketing is the primary factor countering the development of this technology. In order to address this issue, the publishers must find a proper team of computer specialists to develop incorruptible ways of safeguarding the sanctity of their products.

It includes the development of difficult-to-crack security codes and one-time-use passwords for accessing e-books. The law-enforcement agencies should also ensure that they constantly monitor online activities in order to arrest criminal activities such as e-book pirating before they become widespread.

In conclusion, even with e-books gaining immense popularity, they face numerous serious challenges that have prevented them from being appreciated as a potential threat to paper books.

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Comparison Essay: E-books vs. Paper Books

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Ebooks pros and cons - Electronic book vs paper book: which is better?

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Have e-readers changed the way you read? We discuss the pros and cons of ebooks. Vote and tell us whether you prefer electronic or traditional paper books.

eBooks vs Paper books

On netivist we love books and we like to discuss them, for instance we are debating the best British crime novelist ,  American writer , and literary fantasy world . Now we turn our attention to the format we prefer to read.

Electronic books (e-books or ebooks) have revolutionized the publishing industry. The success of e-readers such as the Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Amazon Kindle contributed to stimulating the popularity of ebooks. Later, tablets and smart phones have also contributed to this growing trend. eBooks have many advantages over paper books but many people still prefer to read traditional paper books.

However, the origin of the ebook can be traced back to 1930, when Bob Brown, an American writer and businessman, wrote The Redies , a manifesto in which he described:

 "a simple machine which I can carry or move around, attach to any old electric light plug and read hundred-thousand-word novel in 10 minutes if I want to..."

The machine included miniaturized text on a ribbon and a magnifying glass. Its speed was supposed to be controlled by the reader.

In a Spanish teacher, Angela Ruiz Robles, patented the first electronic book reader, called Enciclopedia Mecanica , the idea being to reduce the number of books children had to carry to school. Later, the Italian Jesuit Roberto Busa compiled from 1949 to 1970 an annotated electronic index of Thomas Aquinas' works, which was first stored in a computer and then in a CD-ROM. From the early 1960s Doug Engelbart (Stanford Research Institute) and Andries van Dam (Brown University) develop electronic reading systems which included hyperlinks, indexes and graphics. However, it is Michael S. Hart, who is widely considered as the inventor of the modern ebook His Project Gutenberg launched in 1971, aimed at making ebooks available via the Internet.

Today, the ebook has grown so much that although print books generate more revenues than ebooks, some estimates indicate that in terms of units sold, the ebook may already be ahead of the paper book in the USA. But which of the two formats is superior? Is this just a fad or the ebook will end up completely replacing the paper book?

eBooks pros and cons

eBooks pros:

• Cost effective. Ebooks are cheaper and faster to produce than printed books.
• eBooks are cheaper for users because the cost of producing and distributing additional copies is negligible.
• Thanks to the ebook many new authors can see their works reach the market. Publishing companies were a great barrier many authors never managed to overcome.
• eBooks are environmentally friendly : there is no need to cut down trees.
• Technological advances are making e-readers increasingly cheaper and more comfortable to use. Electronic books allow searches and may help you find parts of the text you are looking for.
• They can be shared with people far away instantly and the owner does doesn't have the risk of losing her copy of the book.
• In a single device you can carry hundreds of books. You can have an entire library with you at all times.
• You save lot of space home.

Cons of eBooks:

• A disadvantage of ebooks it that it is very easy and cheap to copy them illegally. Therefore copyright problems have greatly increased since the advent of the electronic book.
• There are problems with formats due to Digital Rights Management (DRM) issues. When you buy a book for the Amazon Kindle, the book may not be read on your Nook or Sony reader. You may end up tied to a company once you start building your electronic library.
• Computers, tablets and e-readers do not provide the same sensorial experience as with a traditional book. The text on a screen has a different feeling to your eye. The touch of the paper, and even the smell of the book is lost in the case of the electronic book.
• A more traditional engagement with books can very positive for the education of children. Writing on a book and passing the pages back and forth is good for their development.
• Printed books are beautiful and a book shelf is a very nice complement for any room in a house.
• As ebooks are easy and cheap to produce, many authors do not use now the services of professional editors, which would have otherwise, contributed very positively to the overall quality of the work.
• The introduction of the ebook and the problems of "piracy" have created problems from the publishing industry and caused the loss of many jobs.

Watch these videos on the virtues and limitations of ebooks

Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. Your vote is anonymous. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option.

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Op-Ed: When reading to learn, what works best for students — printed books or digital texts?

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As the pandemic drove a sudden, massive and necessary shift to online education last year, students were forced to access much of their school reading assignments digitally. Turning so heavily to screens for school reading was a temporary fix — and should remain that way.

A wealth of research comparing print and digital reading points to the same conclusion — print matters. For most students, print is the most effective way to learn and to retain that knowledge long-term.

When measuring reading comprehension, researchers typically ask people to read passages and then answer questions or write short essays. Regardless of the age of the students, reliably similar patterns occur.

When the text is longer than about 500 words, readers generally perform better on comprehension tests with print passages. The superiority of print especially shines through when experimenters go beyond questions having superficial answers to those whose responses require inferences , details about the text , or remembering when and where in a story an event took place.

Part of the explanation for discrepancies between print and digital test scores involves the physical properties of paper. We often use the place in the book (at the beginning, halfway through) or location on a page as a memory marker. But equally important is a reader’s mental perspective. People tend to put more effort into reading print than reading digitally.

Op-Ed: Distance learning? Even my students will tell you that’s not the future

Magic happens in a physical classroom, not through online platforms popularized during the coronavirus quarantine.

May 26, 2020

We can learn a lot about the importance of print by asking students themselves. Overwhelmingly, college students report they concentrate, learn or remember best with paper, according to my research and studies conducted by colleagues.

For instance, students say that when reading hard copy, “everything sinks in more” and can be pictured “more vividly.” When reading digitally, they admit they get distracted by things like online social media or YouTube.

However, not all students relish reading in print. Several of the more than 400 I surveyed commented that digital texts seemed shorter than the print versions (when they’re actually the same length) or declared that digital is more entertaining and print can be boring. They said things like digital screens “keep me awake” or “print can tire you out really fast” no matter how interesting the book.

Such attitudes support research that finds when students are allowed to choose how much time to spend reading a passage, many speed more quickly through the digital version — and do worse on the comprehension test.

Reading digitally only started becoming a norm about a decade ago, thanks to advancements in technology and consumer products such as e-readers and tablet computers. Meanwhile, another seismic shift was beginning to happen in education. Academic courses, and then whole degree programs, became available online at universities before such technology-driven offerings percolated down through the lower grades.

As academic e-books made their way onto the market, students and faculty alike saw these more affordable digital versions as a way to combat the high cost of print textbooks . Open educational resources — teaching and learning materials available free (almost always online) — also became another popular option.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Communications Commission unveiled a plan for all K-12 schools to transition from print to digital textbooks by 2017 . The rationale? Improve education, but also cost savings. The big three textbook publishers (Pearson, McGraw-Hill Education, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) were quick to develop digital initiatives for K-12 materials. The pace accelerated in higher education as well, most recently with inclusive-access models , where publishers provide reduced-price digital texts to all course enrollees.

Regrettably, both the textbook industry and school decision-makers rushed to embrace digital reading platforms without assessing potential educational implications. Yet below the radar, teachers and students have often recognized the educational mismatch.

A recent survey by the research group Bay View Analytics found that 43% of college faculty believe students learn better with print materials — the same message students have been sending, when we bother to ask. Yes, cost issues need to be addressed, and yes, digital has a vital place in contemporary education. But so does print.

There’s a pressing need to rethink the balance between print and digital learning tools. When choosing educational materials, educators — and parents — have to consider many factors, including subject matter, cost, and convenience. However, it’s also important to remember that research findings usually tip the scales toward print as a more effective learning tool.

What can parents and educators do? For starters, explore students’ perceptions about which reading medium helps them concentrate and learn more easily. Conduct a short survey and discuss the results with students in class or at home. Make sure everyone who has a stake in students’ education — teachers, librarians, administrators and parents — thinks about the consequences of their choices.

The pandemic drove society to educational triage, not just by pivoting to digital materials but also by reducing curricular rigor . As schools continue to reopen and rethink their educational goals, research about learning should be used to help find the right balance between screens and print in the digital age.

Naomi S. Baron is professor emerita of linguistics at American University and author of “How We Read Now: Strategic Choices for Print, Screen, and Audio.”

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Home » Blog » Print 101 » EBooks vs. Printed Books: Which Are Better?

EBooks vs. Printed Books: Which Are Better?

In the case of eBooks vs. printed books, have you ever wondered which is better? The answer may surprise you.

Some people might think that whether books or eBooks are superior is an open and shut case. But then again, the fact that you are reading this indicates that there are two sides to this debate.

As a printing company, we have a special fondness for a physical book, but at the same time, we strive to innovate and embrace change, so this requires us to look carefully at the arguments both ways.

First off, in measuring books against eBooks, it is important to define which factors we are comparing. The arguments over the superiority of books or eBooks consist of several categories:

• Convenience and Ease of Use

Retention of Information/Learning

Impact on the environment.

There are good arguments on both sides for all categories listed above. Without getting too academic, here is a short list of pros and cons for eBooks vs. printed books.

eBooks versus Print Books: Discover the Better Option

Ease of Use

eBooks can be used in most places, so long as you can keep the reading devices charged. The ‘e’ in e books stands for electronic, so most eReaders can even be used to read in the dark. It is also convenient to download an eBook since you can have it in seconds as long as there is Wi-Fi or a good cellular signal.

Most eBooks will hold your place, so whenever you open your device, you can automatically see where you stopped reading. eBooks can also contain thousands of books at all times, allowing you to carry an entire library with you. It’s a neat solution for the avid reader.

Hardcover and paperback books require no power to operate, so you can read them in any environment with light. You don’t need power to “recharge” a book. You can also easily write, highlight passages, or dog-ear pages in a book, although some book lovers may frown upon doing so.

Many users report having more eye strain reading digital editions than physical books. In addition, it is much easier to work with multiple books and sources (for example, to write a research paper) when dealing with physical books. Is it also usually easier to keep track of specific pages or passages in physical books since the pages never change in print versions.

There are some specialized situations where eBooks outperform physical books. Some of this depends on the personal preference of individual readers. In addition, some readers with physical limitations, such as poor eyesight or dyslexia, may find electronic text easier since they can magnify the font and enjoy some of the interactive features of eBooks.

Many studies confirm that reading comprehension is better with physical books than with eBooks. Although young people may read more quickly on an eReader, the speed and potential distractions of links, scrolling, and advertisements usually mean people remember and retain what they are reading better in physical books. Many readers also enjoy the touch and feel of holding and turning the pages of a book. This is a sensation that the electronic publishing industry hasn’t been able to recreate.

Taking it at face value, you would think that eBooks win when it comes to the environment. However, evaluating the environmental impact of books and eBooks is complicated. For one, it depends on how many books you read on an eReader.

eReaders take a lot more carbon to produce than books, so studies indicate you need to read between twenty-two and one hundred books on an eReader to be more environmentally conscious than simply reading hard copy books. In addition, you need to consider that eReaders need to be recycled properly, have to recharge regularly, and contain some toxic metals requiring proper disposal.

When you buy a print book, you can get it new or used, and used books are certainly more environmentally conscious than new. Borrowing books from a library is even more environmentally friendly. In addition, when you are done with a book, you can sell it or gift it to the next reader… a feat which is nigh impossible with an e book. Lastly, if a book reaches the end of its life or falls into disrepair, you can recycle the book.

Additionally, many printing companies who produce books follow “green” printing practices that prevent harmful chemicals or excessive amounts of waste from entering the environment. It’s simpler to recycle and reuse printed books since they don’t contain the chemicals and hard metals of an e reader.

Typically, eBooks are priced lower than new paper books. This reflects the fact that there are no printing costs associated with creating eBooks.

According to the World Economic Forum , printed book sales were “up 4% to $2.4 billion” during 2020. It’s clear why many prefer print books, after all, physical books can be borrowed, gifted, or sold. You can also borrow books easily from the library.

Physical books can be borrowed, gifted, or sold. You can also borrow books easily from the library. Also, in the case of a book that has special value to a reader or is an antique, it can be retained for a lifetime without worrying about eReader compatibility or eBook formatting. Lastly, books have some decorative value as they are placed on bookshelves for later use.

Can You Print An EBook?

Have you written and self-published an eBook, and then you realized that you’d like to have physical copies of your book? Do you want to sell copies or distribute them to friends, family, or business associates? If so, you’re probably wondering, “Can you print an eBook?”

If you’re an eBook author who wants to print physical copies of your eBook project, keep in mind that the process is more complicated than simply pressing the “print” button on your computer. Digital books typically consist of dynamic computer files which allow the reader to change print size, zoom in on images, leave virtual bookmarks, highlight passages, and otherwise interact with their book. Files used to print books, on the other hand, are typically static files such as PDF files created using Adobe InDesign .

When considering eBook printing, think about the following challenges.

The eBook printing process is not as simple as saving your eBook as a PDF file and then printing it, as you must keep considerations such as bleed in mind. Bleed, which consists of an image running off the edge of a page, is a key aspect of printing products such as books.

After all of the pages in a book are printed, they are then cut down to a uniform size, and the bleed is the extra space at the edges of the page that is cut off. Adding bleed in print files is vital, as it ensures that the pages in the printed book will contain correctly-sized margins and that all pages will be the exact same dimensions.

Typesetting

Typesetting is also a serious consideration when trying to print eBook files. The code for some characters in eBook files does not easily transfer to static file types, fonts might not be compatible, and file conversions can alter how the text is arranged on the page.

As a result, you might need to spend hours or days manually typesetting the entire book, finding custom characters, and ensuring that every line is exactly as you intend it. If you’ve ever had to typeset — or re-typeset — a book, you know that this process is a headache!

Legal Considerations

Many eBooks are protected intellectual property. As such, be sure that you have the proper permission to print an eBook, whether you are the author or not. Many publishing houses control the copyright to their books, so contact them with any questions before printing an eBook.

If you are self-publishing your own book, this task might be easier. Before printing an eBook, consult with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about copyright law and digital rights management and can help you navigate the process.

The Print Authority Can Print Your eBook for You

If you’re feeling discouraged, we have good news: The Print Authority can print your eBook for you and take care of all of the potential pitfalls we’ve described! Our expert team has experience converting eBook files to stable PDFs that contain the correct bleed and which can be easily printed. We convert eBooks into professionally-printed paper books with a variety of bindings , letting you sit back, relax, and enjoy your beautiful finished paper book.

Why are Physical Books Better than eBooks?

Here is a brief summary of the pros and cons of ebooks vs printed books. As you can see, printed books really come ahead compared to digital formats in some key areas. Though, e readers definitely have their place and can clearly be very useful.

• Portable and convenient, can be read in the dark
• Store thousands of books, automatically hold place
• Require power and charging, can cause eye strain
• Less effective for multi-source referencing
• Adjustable text size, interactive features
• Useful for readers with physical limitations
• Lower reading comprehension, digital distractions
• Reduce paper use, no physical waste
• High carbon footprint in production, requires proper recycling
• No true ownership, high initial eReader cost
• No power needed, easier on the eyes
• Ideal for note-taking, consistent page navigation
• Bulky and require physical storage space, but serve as decorative items
• Higher retention and comprehension, engaging tactile experience
• No digital distractions, limited to text and images
• Can be bought used or borrowed, easier to recycle
• Eco-friendly printing practices available
• Can be borrowed, gifted, resold, kept indefinitely

There are obvious pros and cons for both eBooks vs. books, and both media are in high demand. Interestingly, recent articles point out that sales of both books and eBooks are increasing .

Additionally, there are more new ways of printing and distributing books than ever before. Self-publishing is extremely common, and there are more niche publications than ever.

If you need help with designing or printing a book, please don’t hesitate to contact us at The Print Authority . We have decades of experience and will be glad to help!

7 reasons why ebooks are better than printed books, and where to download new titles to read right now

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• I love reading ebooks because I can download them in a matter of minutes, they're more portable than physical books, and I don't have to go to the store to buy them or wait for them to be delivered.
• Ebooks are also often available on sale for as little as $1 to $4 , and I can even access many of them for free through my local library and other avenues .
• I didn't always love ebooks — I used to think that they were terrible, in fact, but when I started reviewing e-readers as a tech reporter about six years ago, I discovered that I actually love ebooks.
• Now, I almost exclusively read ebooks on the Amazon Kindle Oasis (8GB) and all the other e-readers I review and test.
• If you're curious to learn more about all the e-readers I've tested, check out our guide to the best e-readers , my guide on how to use a Kindle , and my review of the Kindle Paperwhite .

I have always been a book worm. When I was eight, I even won an award for "being an avid, spontaneous reader" (my reward was a book — a beautifully illustrated version of " The Secret Garden " by Frances Hodgson Burnett).

Growing up, my room was full of shelves upon shelves of paperbacks and hardcovers. I kept a journal to remember all the books I had read. I scorned people who bent the corners of pages instead of using a bookmark, I couldn't imagine marking up a book with a pen or highlighter, I hated when book spines cracked or covers bent.

When ebooks came on the scene, I thought they were ridiculous. Why would I want to read on a digital device when I could hold a lovely physical book, when I could smell the pages and have the satisfaction of turning real pages? I was, in short, a book fanatic.

I tell you all this because I'm never not surprised that I am now an ebook evangelist.

It all started when I (accidentally) became a tech reporter and I started to review e-readers. At first, I disliked having to test them and eagerly awaited going back to my paperbacks, but then I started traveling a lot for work and something clicked: Ebooks are good!

Ebooks vs. books: Why are ebooks better?

• They are much more portable than physical books, so you can carry dozens if not hundreds or thousands of them around with you on a device that weighs less than half a pound.
• You can download them in a matter of minutes so you don't have to wait for them to be delivered if you ordered them online.
• You don't have to go to the store to buy them.
• They are never out of stock because they are digital files.
• You can get many ebooks for free from Project Gutenberg , Amazon , and your local library .
• Ebooks often go on sale, so you can get bestsellers for $1 to $5. You can follow BookBub for deal alerts.
• They come with fun features like sharing highlighted quotations on social media, looking up words in the dictionary as you read, digital bookmarks, and much more.

Convinced yet? You should be! Now that I've got you, here's some more information on where to buy ebooks, where to get free ebooks, and which e-readers are the best ones.

Where to buy ebooks

You can read ebooks with or without an e-reader — all you need is a smartphone or tablet. Here is a list of places where you can buy ebooks:

• Amazon is the obvious choice. The Kindle Store has millions of ebooks, including bestsellers, exclusives, and classics. 
• Kobo is the other main alternative to Amazon's Kindle Store. It also has millions of ebooks, including all the best sellers you could want.
• Barnes & Noble's Nook Store has a large selection of ebooks, too. You can read them in the Nook app for iOS or Android.
• Apple's Books Store  is another great option for anyone who wants to read on their iPad or iPhone and doesn't think they'll ever get an e-reader.
• The Google Play Book Store is great for Android users who aren't interested in buying an e-reader, either.

You can also check out ebook subscription apps like Scribd and Kindle Unlimited , both of which I've tried personally and love. Essentially, for a flat rate of about $12 a month, you can read as many ebooks as you want. Scribd also offers magazines and audiobooks.

Where to download free ebooks

It's easy to find free ebooks from a variety of sources. My favorite avenue is the Libby app from Overdrive, which gives me access to all the ebooks I can borrow from my local library. Although I sometimes have to wait for a title to be available, it's a wonderful resource.

When it comes to classics, you can get many of them free from Amazon or Project Gutenberg. I've used both often.

• Amazon offers thousands of classic ebooks (like "Pride and Prejudice") for free.
• For Prime subscribers, Amazon's Prime Reading Library is another great resource for free ebooks.
• You can also borrow ebooks from the Kindle Lending Library if you own a Kindle e-reader.
• Project Gutenberg has around 57,000 free ebooks, including classics like "Pride and Prejudice," "The Odyssey," "Moby Dick," and more.
• Overdrive and its app Libby ( iOS and Android ) give you access to free ebooks that you can borrow from your local library.

Guillermo Garzon/Business Insider

What is the best e-reader .

I have strong opinions about e-readers . I personally think the Amazon Kindle Oasis (8GB) is worth its high cost of $280. However, I fully acknowledge that's not a reasonable price for most people (I just read too much and can't live without page-turning buttons). Most people will be more than happy with the mid-range Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) or the basic Amazon Kindle .

If you prefer to have an e-reader from a company that's not Amazon, Kobo's e-readers are excellent. I like the budget-friendly Kobo Clara HD , the waterproof Kobo Libra H2O , and the large-screened Kobo Forma .

Now go forth and read ebooks!

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Paper books vs. ebooks: which is better, can the convenience of ebooks compare with the nostalgia of real books.

Ever since the invention of the e-reader, book-lovers everywhere have been debating which is better—the eBook or the traditional paper book. Can the prices of paper books compete with the low prices of eBooks? Does the convenience of eBooks compare with the feeling of a real book in your hands?

As an avid reader, I personally love both. There are lots of good reasons to prefer either one, but in the end, they both have their pros and cons.

1. eBooks are more convenient.

If you're like me, the hardest part about packing , for any occasion, is choosing what books to bring. Your suitcase can only hold so many, and what if you finish those before your vacation is over? Or what if you get bored with them and wish you'd brought something else?

The best part about eBooks, by far, is that you never have to worry about these kinds of problems. With an e-reader, you can carry around thousands of books with you everywhere you go, all on a device that weighs less than a pound.

2. But you can't put eBooks on a shelf.

As a reader, my bookshelf is my pride and joy. One of the most satisfying things about finishing a book is being able to close the cover, slide it back into its place on the shelf, and admire it from time to time. With eBooks, you just don't get that satisfaction.

3. eBooks are easier on those with poor eyesight or reading disabilities.

However, eBooks have the advantage when it comes to ease of reading. With all the different font settings and voice options, eBooks make it easier for people who might otherwise have a hard time reading. For example, the ability to choose how many words to display on a line or how much space there is between lines allows those with dyslexia to read more effectively .

Also, since a lifetime of reading can really take a toll on one's eyesight, eBooks can make a nice alternative to the dreaded reading glasses. With eBooks, you can read faster and more effectively, and you can finally stop squinting at the pages.

4. When you read a paper book, you comprehend more.

Though eBooks may be easier and faster to read, studies show paper books are better for comprehension. According to a study by James Madison University that uses eye-tracking software, readers are more likely to skim eBooks than paper books, which leads to less understanding of the content. Depending on the depth of understanding you want out of reading, paper books appear to have the advantage here.

Along the same lines, paper books have proven to be better for emotional connectedness, as well. One of the best parts of reading is feeling like you're a part of the story, like you know the characters and are actually in the made-up world you're reading about. Paper books let you do this while eBooks fall short.

5. You can read eBooks in the dark.

Most readers know the struggle of trying to read at night. Whether you chose the propped-up flashlight route or opted to risk falling asleep with the lights on, you've experienced the annoyances of reading after dark. With eBooks, however, you don't have to compromise your comfort to keep reading.

6. Paper books don’t mess up your sleep cycle.

However, this ease comes at a cost. Studies show the light emitted from some eBooks causes problems when trying to fall asleep . The lit screens of e-readers can cause people to take longer to fall asleep or, in some cases, insomnia.

Paper books don't cause these problems. So, if you're a person who struggles to fall asleep or suffers with insomnia, paper books have the advantage.

When it comes down to it, both eBooks and paper books have their advantages. Paper books will never come close to the convenience offered by eBooks, but eBooks fall short in terms of nostalgia factors and health benefits.

So, as for the original question, "Which is better— the eBook or the traditional paper book?" I don't think there's a right answer. Some readers might prefer the eBook because it lets them read whatever they want whenever they want. Others might prefer paper books because they can hold them in their hands and collect them on their shelves. Neither is wrong or less of a reader because of preference.

As for me, I say, why not both?

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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Print Books vs Ebooks: A Long Battle for Existence

Abstract: One of the most significant human achievements has been the invention of books. When things are tough, we turn to books for comfort. As the pages turn, books open a secret gateway to a previously unknown universe. They give us solace when the going gets hard and work as an escape from reality. Thanks to technological advancements, paper books are no longer the only format available to readers worldwide. E-books have taken the world by a storm since their inception and continue to enthral readers with various advantages. But the ebook vs. printed book issue is far from finished, and it's just getting more difficult as time goes on. It might be difficult to choose one over the other, and the battle between digital and traditional books appears to be far from over. But which is better, e-books or printed books? Will future readers flip pages or swipe?

Keywords: Digitisation, Readers, Libraries, Technology, Publishers, Bookworms.

E-books provide readers with a wider range of options than they would get in a bookstore. Books can be downloaded anywhere, anytime without going to the bookstore. They are made available in the native language of the reader anywhere in the world. Instead of the hassle of carrying multiple books, one e-reader can carry dozens of titles.

Though the question pops up that are we still reading as attentively and thoroughly as we did before the rise of digital texts and technologies? Why does text read on a screen differ from text read on paper in our brains? The truth of such concerns is questionable. Therefore, should we be concerned about dividing our attention between pixels and ink? According to laboratory research, surveys, and consumer reviews, many people miss certain tactile aspects of reading on paper that current screens and e-readers don't fully replicate. More crucially, they don't allow people to easily navigate extensive texts. Reading comprehension may be hindered as a result of difficulty locating information on a map. In addition to draining our mental resources while reading, screens may also make it more difficult to recall what we've read after we've finished. Another part of the research examines people's views on various forms of media. If they're not aware of it, many individuals approach computers and tablets with a mindset that is less conducive to learning than the mindset they bring to paper. Paper and ink may still be superior when it comes to reading long passages of plain text. There are more ways to read than text.

According to the 2019 annual report of the Association of American Publishers, publishers of books in all media generated over $26 billion in revenue in the U.S. in 2018, with print accounting for $22.6 billion and e-books for $2.04 billion. According to Meryl Halls, managing director of the U.K. Booksellers' Association, despite the fact that digital media has disrupted businesses such as news publishing and the music industry, consumers still enjoy owning real books. There is nothing like the scent, feel, and feeling of sitting down — with no electronic devices in sight. Those who love to read also like to flaunt what they've read. They enjoy keeping track of the books they've read. Print publishing still has a lot going for it – books never run out of batteries. Besides, they can be passed along to friends when done reading.

Publishers and authors feared that cheaper e-books would eat away at their print revenues, and retailers were struggling to stay open. In reality, the end of print books never came, at least not on time. Since e-books were predicted to overtake print books by 2015, digital sales have actually decreased sharply . Digital book subscription businesses like Netflix and Pandora have failed to convert bookworms into digital binge readers, and as a result, several have folded. A tablet and Smartphone use has led to a decline in sales of specialised e-reading devices. Young readers who are digital natives, on the other hand, prefer to read on paper, according to several studies.

There's nothing like a printed book; the weight, the woody scent, the feel, the look. ― E.A. Bucchianeri

As per the Adverts & Media Outlook , ebook usage continues to lag far behind that of printed books around the world. For example, in the United States, where ebooks are still quite prevalent, 23 percent of the population is reported to have purchased an ebook last year, versus 44 percent who bought a printed book. All formats will stand the test of time when it comes to the future of books; e-books will not be the death knell for printed books but rather a complementing product.

JD Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye author, who died in 2010 at the age of 91, detested the idea of his books being interpreted in any medium beyond the page and often turned down requests to adapt his writing for the stage and the big screen. The estate of J.D. Salinger has declared that the author's infamously limited body of work would be made available as ebooks for the first time after years of the author's estate refusing to allow publishers to digitise his writings. In February 2019, Matt Salinger, son of JD Salinger, revealed that decades of unpublished writing by his father will be released over the next 10 years, predicting that it will take five to seven years to finish assembling.

Stephen Fry, an actor, in 2009 tweeted , “One technology doesn’t replace another, it complements. Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.”

The metaphor can be applied to ebooks and printed books as well. It's just a matter of time before print media succumbs to a similar fate to the internet-enabled mobile phones and laptops that are already threatening to overtake the market. The old-fashioned sheet and adhesive books, despite all of this, continue to exert their impact in society. In the same way that digital notes cannot replace handwritten pencil and paper ones, looking at words on a screen is just not the same as reading them on paper. Nothing will ever replace the thrill of holding a book made entirely of hand-lettered ink on pulp-pressed paper.

References:

1.      American Scientific, “The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus Screens”, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/ (accessed on June 20, 2022). 

2.      CNBC, “Physical books still outsell e-books — and here’s why”, https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/19/physical-books-still-outsell-e-books-and-heres-why.html (accessed on June 20, 2022).

3.      The New York Times, “The Plot Twist: E-Book Sales Slip, and Print Is Far From Dead”, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/business/media/the-plot-twist-e-book-sales-slip-and-print-is-far-from-dead.html (accessed on 28 June, 2022).

4.      Statista, “E-Books Still No Match for Printed Books”,  https://www.statista.com/chart/24709/e-book-and-printed-book-penetration/ (accessed on July 5, 2022).

5.      The Gaurdian, “Matt Salinger: ‘My father was writing for 50 years without publishing. That’s a lot of material”, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/feb/01/matt-salinger-jd-the-catcher-in-the-rye (accessed on July 5, 2022).

6.      Twitter, “Stephen Fry”, https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1312682218?lang=en (accessed on August 2, 2022).

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Print books vs. e-books: Which is better for what

Our recent e-reading report has received a lot of attention over the past week , and one section in particular that seemed to spark conversation was our “print vs. e-books” showdown :

We asked people who read both print books and e-books in the past year which format they thought was better for a variety of situations. We found that people prefer e-books when they need a book quickly, when they want a wide selection, or when they want to read “on-the-go” while commuting or traveling. Print, meanwhile, is the preferred format for “social reading,” such as sharing books with others or reading with a child.

And when it comes to the time-honored tradition of reading in bed? The verdict was split: 45% say e-books are best here, while 43% prefer print.

Here are more links to interesting discussions we’ve noticed around the web:

• E-book revolution: We’re reading more than ever [The Christian Science Monitor’s Chapter & Verse blog]
• Rise in E-Book Readership Is Good News for Reading Over All, Report Says [Wired Campus, The Chronicle of Higher Education]
• E-books spur reading among Americans, survey shows [CNN.com]
• Per the Latest Pew Study, the Most Social Way to Read Is Still in Print [The Atlantic]

What do you think? If you’re a “dual-format reader,” when does print win out over e-books (and vice versa?) How have e-books changed your reading habits—if at all? Hop over to our Facebook page and let us know!

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Watch CBS News

Books vs. e-books: The science behind the best way to read

By Amy Kraft

December 14, 2015 / 6:00 AM EST / CBS News

While browsing the bookstore to buy a gift for that special someone (or yourself), you may be faced with a tough decision: e-books or the old-fashioned kind? Each one has its pros and cons, and choosing the best option depends on a number of factors.

Some of the practical advantages of going digital are obvious: A portable little e-reader can carry an entire library wherever you go, which is great for travelers or those who always want a choice of reading material.

On the other hand, research has been stacking up to show that reading on paper has a number of benefits, too. Plus, there's the nostalgia factor .

"First and foremost, consider the person and their lifelong preferences," Dr. Matthew H. Schneps, director of the Laboratory for Visual Learning, a collaboration between the University of Massachusetts Boston and MIT, told CBS News in an email. "Some people absolutely love the look, smell, and feel of the classical book held in the hand, and such people may not want to give up the sensory experience of reading from a paper book. If the recipient of your gift is someone who is adventurous when it comes to gadgets, but otherwise doesn't read much using traditional books, giving the gift of an e-reader can be a life-changing experience for them."

Here's a look at some of the science to consider before you spring for a Kindle, a Nook or a stack of new hardcovers.

Young, reluctant readers prefer e-readers

A 2014 study published in the journal Library & Information Science Research found that out of 143 10th grade students, most preferred e-readers . Boys and those who did not care much for reading also shared a strong preference for e-readers.

"An e-reader has more in common with the electronic devices that young people use all the time, like smartphones or iPads, than a paper book, when it comes to turning of pages, the possibilities of adjusting font size, etc.," lead author of the study, Åse Kristine Tveit, told CBS News in an email.

Reading on paper may boost retention

Several small studies suggest that reading on paper instead of an electronic screen is better for memory retention and focus. The Guardian reported on an experiment from Norway where people were given a short story to read either on a Kindle or in a paperback book; when they were quizzed later, those who read the paperback were more likely to remember plot points in the right order.

"When you read on paper you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right," the lead researcher, Anne Mangen, of Norway's Stavanger University, told the Guardian. "You have the tactile sense of progress ... Perhaps this somehow aids the reader, providing more fixity and solidity to the reader's sense of unfolding and progress of the text, and hence the story."

Paper suits readers with sleep problems and eye strain

High levels of screen luminance from an electronic device can contribute to visual fatigue, a condition marked by tired, itching, burning eyes.

There are also potential considerations for those reading e-books on light-emitting e-readers at night (although a number of e-readers do not use light-emitting screens), Dr. Margaret K. Merga, a reading and education specialist in Australia, told CBS News in an email. "Artificial light exposure from light-emitting e-readers may interfere with users' ability to sleep , ultimately leading to adverse impacts on health."

A 2014 study published in the journal PNAS found that reading an e-book before bedtime decreased the production of melatonin, a hormone that preps the body for sleep. E-books also impaired alertness the following day.

E-books help the visually impaired

Individuals with poor eyesight or reading disorders like dyslexia can benefit more from e-books because they provide a range of options for changing the text size and spacing of lines. A 2013 study in the journal PLOS One observed reading comprehension and speed in 103 high school students with dyslexia. The study found that people with dyslexia read more effectively, and with greater ease, when using the e-reader compared with reading on paper.

Schneps, who was the lead author on the paper, said, "What made the difference was the ability of the device to display lines of text that were extremely short (about two or three words per line), as well as its ability to space out the text. When these people read using the modified formatting, their reading instantly improved."

His team has a website where people can preview the effects of some of these features before making a purchase. Try out the interactive tips at readeasy.labvislearn.org .

A fondness for books

Many book-lovers still prefer the traditional option and value the tactile sensation of a bound paper book. "Paper books are, as a rule, very well designed, they look and smell good, and they carry with them a more human touch," Tveit said.

In Merga's experience with students in Australia, avid readers also tend to prefer reading on paper. While conducting the West Australian Study in Adolescent Book Reading (WASABR), Merga and colleagues found that students preferred reading paper books. "One student described this attitude as a preference to 'own something (rather) than just use it,'" Merga said.

More from CBS News

Ebooks vs. Printed Books: Which Are Better?

Given that ebooks have exploded over the last decade, making up 18% of all books sold (as of the first half of 2021), it’s natural to wonder whether they should be the preferred method of reading. Are print books slowly on their way out?

The answer to this question is no. Both ebooks and print books have their pros and cons, which is why both are still around and probably will be for the indefinite future.

In this article, we’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of each book format so you can make a more informed decision about which to buy. Let’s get started!

Pros of Ebooks

Ebooks provide the following advantages:

Portability . You can carry thousands of ebooks on one slim electronic device, allowing you to have a vast library on you at all times.

Protection . Ebooks can be stored electronically and even in the cloud to protect them from getting lost, stolen, or damaged.

Low cost . Because ebooks have zero printing costs, they tend to be significantly cheaper than print versions. Plus, many public domain books can be downloaded as ebooks for free on sites like Project Gutenberg .

Versatility . Ebooks can be read on computers, smartphones, tablets, and ebook readers. This makes them highly versatile, allowing you to read them in the way you see fit.

Ease of acquisition . Ebooks can be bought and downloaded in an instant from platforms like Amazon. Because they are digital, they also never go out of stock, so you’ll never have to wait for an ebook to arrive.

Accessibility . Ebook displays and font sizes can be adjusted to accommodate those with impaired sight. This enhances readability and accessibility for those with disabilities.

Cons of Ebooks

That said, ebooks also come with some drawbacks:

Glare and eye strain . Some ebook readers may glare in the sunlight, making it hard to read in some settings. Similarly, artificial screen light can strain the eyes after long periods (though this issue is eliminated by some e-ink displays). Plus, you may not want to read on a screen if you already look at one all day for work.

Intangibility . Unlike physical books, ebooks can’t be shared, lent, or sold. They are usually restricted to a single user account or device.

Battery limit . If reading on a device, you may need to keep the device properly charged to access your ebook(s). 

Advertising . Some ebook readers show ads for other books. Though these can serve as helpful book recommendations, they may be annoying and worsen the reading experience.

Device cost . Though ebooks themselves tend to be cheaper than print books, the upfront cost of an ebook reader (e.g. a Kindle) can be expensive.

Pros of Print Books

Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of ebooks, let’s go over print books, starting with the benefits:

Physicality . One of the primary benefits of print books is their physical nature. They’re tangible. You can touch and feel them in a way that you can’t with ebooks. This also makes them easier to share and give away.

Note-taking . Print books make it easier to earmark pages, take notes, and make highlights.

Cross-referencing . Switching back and forth between two pages is much easier with a physical book. You can bookmark multiple pages at once for quick cross-referencing.

Recycling . Since they are made of paper, print books can easily be recycled instead of thrown away.

Cons of Print Books

Lastly, let’s take a look at the cons of print books:

Space . Physical books take up more space than ebooks. In some cases, they may clutter your house and take up valuable real estate.

Limited portability . Carrying around a book or two isn’t an issue for most people. But if you have many books to transport, this can quickly become tiresome and impractical.

Limited availability . Though not the norm, print books do go out of stock on occasion. This may require you to wait weeks or even months to get a book you want. In some cases, they may go out of print entirely and you’ll need to hunt down a used copy.

Environmental impact .Printing new books takes a toll on the environment due to carbon emissions (though so can the production of ebook readers and other electronic devices).

Higher cost . Print books tend to be more expensive due to the cost of book printing and other costs associated with traditional publishing.

The Final Verdict

At the end of the day, ebooks and print books can be the right choice, depending on your situation. Carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine the best book format for you.

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eBooks vs Printed Books: Which are better?

• Updated on  
• May 4, 2023

Opening up hundreds of worlds as the pages flip, books are a secret door to an undiscovered place. Do the pages flip or are swiped? With the advent of technology, printed books are both the only format available to readers worldwide. ebooks have taken the world by storm since their inception and continue to enthrall readers with various advantages. Picking one over the other can be a nerve-wracking dilemma and the conflict of ebooks vs printed books seems nowhere near ending. This blog is an attempt to pitch one against the other and see the advantages and disadvantages of each. If you are one of those million readers facing the problem, join the club and read this blog to make a satisfactory pick. 

This Blog Includes:

Ebooks vs printed books: at a glance, what is an ebook, what is a printed book , portability, connectivity, availability , layout , price , storage , shareability , relatable reads.

You can’t miss reading these best LGBTQ books !

When a book is made available in digital form, it is referred to as an eBook. The phrase “available” refers to a book that is offered, saved, distributed, and read in digital mode. It consists of text, images, tables, and other elements that may be viewed on a flat panel or touch-screen device, such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, mobile device, or eBook reader. In more technical terms, an eBook is a non-editable book with a reflowable layout that can be read on any electronic device with a configurable viewing display. They are easily accessible by just downloading them from the internet.

Printed books are books in their physical form, consisting of pages or sheets of paper glued together inside the cover. A printed book, in other words, is a lengthy published literary creation. A printed book is laid out in a precise manner known as a “book’s layout.” The basic layout includes a front cover, a rear cover, and body copy or content pages.

Portability is an important feature of anything in the present world. With an increase in movement with the advancement of technology, it is necessary that people are able to carry books about it too. Printed books are rigid and therefore their portability is less. Ebook readers are lightweight and can be conveniently carried anywhere. Only a few printed books can be carried in one go while ebooks can be carried in gigantic numbers in hundreds and thousands. This makes ebooks a miraculous creation.

Ebook readers have a large number of features that have been introduced with the advancement of technology that can’t be found in traditional printed books. From features involving bookmarking, highlighting, and note-making to an inbuilt dictionary, ebooks have it all. With printed books, these features aren’t available making ebooks more tech-savvy and better suited for the fast-paced modern world.

Being a creation of the world of technology, ebooks require connectivity at all times for readers to access ebooks. However, for printed books, connectivity is not a prerequisite making it possible for readers to read in areas with less or no connectivity. A trusty book is never likely to disappoint. Printed books are reliable and can be reached out at any time, anywhere without any potential connectivity inhibitions. 

Ebooks can be hard on the eyes when constantly used. Printed books are a savior because they cause no eye strain and are therefore recommendable for avid readers. Even with ‘low light’ and ‘anti-glare’ technology, ebooks can create pressure on the eyes and makes it hard to read in the sunlight. That is never an issue with a good old printed book. Open the page of a printed book and you are good to jump right into the story, anytime, in any light.

Have you ever ordered a book and waited for it with bated breath? The wait is never-ending, isn’t it? With ebooks, this concern can be overcome because ebooks give access to all the books in a digital version at a moment’s notice. Ebooks can never go out of stock and there is no waiting time. Great, right? With printed books, from ordering or buying to finally being able to read the book involves a long and tenacious process that can often seem exasperating. Printed books may be purchased both online and offline. You may also purchase books online from different e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Flipkart, and others. The ebooks, on the other hand, maybe simply downloaded from the internet or purchased from Amazon (Kindle version of any book).

The rear cover of a printed book has two purposes: it protects the book and attracts readers. The cover may be either hardback or softcover (paperback). An eBook, on the other hand, has a front cover that is shown on online purchasing sites or e-commerce sites to attract visitors. Aside from that, printed books have a set layout that cannot be altered after printing, but eBooks have a reflowable layout. The capacity of the text to wrap the words according to the device, user preferences, and application is referred to as flowability. As a result, the eBook allows the reader to enjoy the books according to their requirements and tastes.

An eBook is less expensive than a printed book; nevertheless, the initial cost of an eReader is more than that of a print book. In order to become an e-reader, you are required to invest in good e-reading gadgets like laptops, phones, PC, Kindles, Nooks, Rocket eBooks, etc. So the initial investment of having an ebook is more than getting a conventional or traditionally printed book. Research also found that the e-reader is more expensive, implying that it has a premium price that the user must endure. Furthermore, it has some type of yearly fee.

In our debate of ebooks vs printed books, our next comparison point is related to storage. As we know that printed books are the physical form of books, it is apparent that they require a specific location for storage. In contrast, eBooks are kept in the device or program itself, thus physical storage of the books is not necessary.

What’s better when you share and recommend your favorite books to your friends, cousins, family, etc. Hence, the next point of our debate on ebooks vs printed books is on the shareability of these books. A printed book is simple to exchange with friends, acquaintances, and family. It can also be resold after it has been used. In the event of a purchased eBook, only one account may be used to access the books, limiting its shared usage, because sharing requires you to provide your login details with that individual.

Now that you have evaluated all the possible differences between ebooks and printed books, here is a bonus list of Best Business Books of all Times for you!

• What Is An Ebook and How Does It Work?
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eBooks are significantly less expensive than printed books since they do not require paper printing, attractive covers, packing, shipping, or other expenses. You may receive up to ten eBooks for the price of one paper book! Furthermore, unlike printed books made of paper, eBooks cannot be readily damaged or injured, which means they last longer.

A digital or electronic book that has been formatted into a file that can be read on an e-reader device or app is known as an ebook. The most significant distinction is that print books have static layouts that do not alter once printed, but ebooks have dynamic layouts.

eBooks, on the other hand, are unquestionably more portable than print textbooks, particularly hardbound textbooks. eReaders, such as the Kindle, are far lighter than even a single textbook, making them easier to transport home and back to class. To utilize eBooks, you don’t even need a specific eReader device.

They take up a lot of room on the shelf. They’re heavier than ebooks. In improper conditions, they gather dust and might grow mold. The font cannot be changed to accommodate different reading circumstances. You cannot use auto-scroll. In poor lighting, it is impossible to read.

E-books are far less expensive to manufacture, distribute, and sell than traditional books. There is no paper, printing, transportation, or retail space. So they should cost a lot less to acquire, but the offer isn’t always as fantastic as it should be.

These are some ways to compare ebooks vs printed books but both have their importance in their own ways. Do stories in books inspire you to write your own masterpiece? Are you longing to unleash your thoughts through the power of a pen? Some of the renowned universities across the world offer esteemed degrees in creative writing. Experts at Leverage Edu will help you in applying for these universities and in reviewing your applications. Register today for a free counseling session and get ready for the time of your life!

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Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Have you ever wondered if ebooks are better than physical books? Perhaps, you have a preference, or you might as well enjoy both.

No matter what you think about them, ebooks make for 30% of all book sales, and that’s just accounting for legally purchased ebooks (e.g. eReader or Amazon Kindle). Not to mention free downloads and PDF copies that can be found online!

The popularity of ebooks often makes people wonder if they could be a better alternative to paperbacks overall. Whenever a discussion about ebooks versus paperback comes up, users have different opinions, tastes, and preferences.

Have you ever wondered what the pros and cons of ebooks are?

Despite ebook-reading growing in popularity, there are still those who find conventional reading much more convenient.

Yet, despite that, ebooks are becoming more popular. Although the majority of readers still prefer traditional to digital books, most non-fiction, and a good portion of fiction, self-publishers think of ebooks first when making their publishing decisions.

Yet, many still think that an ebook can't replace a paperback. If you’re just now deciding whether to publish an ebook , paperback, or both first think about these couple of important considerations:

eReader Versus Book Readers: What Reading Style is Better?

Reading is a part of our daily lives. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperback books reading, book searching is a major part of each book lover's life. For many avid readers, each book is a world and a life within itself.

Starting a new story means taking on a new adventure that will consume readers’ inner, emotional world throughout the time they read a book. It is a sweet escape from daily hurdles, a place where one can go and forget about work, chores, finance, and all other things that feel too much to handle.

The dilemma of what type of book to read can't really be solved within a single article. However, we can help you search for the right example book to read to improve your life.

Pros and Cons of Books: Are Physical Books Better Than Ebooks for Reading?

Most readers still prefer traditional books. Reading remains an integral part of one’s daily life whether you’re a student, a teacher, a professional within your field, or a homemaker. Yet, the type of books that people read, genres, and the amount of reading that they do varies from person to person.

In that sense, you might easily read several books within a month without even knowing. For example, you might download a PDF "How-To" manual, which is essentially a book, to learn something new for self-improvement purposes, or learn how to use a new household appliance, gain a new skill, etc.

In doing so, you might prefer paper over electronic reading or vice versa depending on multiple factors, like the convenience of reading, time and place for reading, the type of content, and others.

For example, if you’re reading a book on how to make projects with your 3D printer, you’ll likely use a digital copy since it enables you to practice what you’ve learned in the software while reading.

But, if you’re reading a book on knitting, you might go for a paper copy since it makes it easier to follow patterns. Or you can still choose an ebook for its narration capabilities, having instructions read to you can help on beginner projects.

Pros and Cons of Paper Books

Pros and Cons of eReaders vs Books mostly revolve around the convenience of reading, storage, costs, and accessibility.

Biggest advantages of traditional books include:

Borrow a Printed Book to Friends

To borrow an ebook from someone, you’d technically have to give them access to your Amazon or eReader account. On the other hand, you can borrow a paperback simply and without much hustle.

Print Books Are Easier for Readers Who Are Not Tech Savvy

Not everyone wishes to cling on their electronic devices for daily reading, and that’s fine! Many find it hard to adjust to reading from devices, so they prefer traditional books.

Disconnect With Paper Books 

The importance of disconnecting is so big for physical and mental health that the right to disconnect is now entering employment contracts. Reading a paper book, for many, is a mindful ritual of shutting down electronic devices and escaping the internet.

Paper Book Lasts Longer

Such Books don’t go away with your device. You can’t lose access to your paper book if you lose your password, and you don’t need internet access or electricity to power your device.

Numbered Pages Make for Easier Reading

Most ebooks are read on Kindle, where there are no page numbers. It’s hard to tell how far you’ve come with the book, and for many who haven’t yet mastered eReading software, it’s challenging to go back to parts you wish to read again.

This can’t happen with a paperback where you can easily mark one or more pages, underline text, label favorite quotes, etc.

Paper Books Mean Less Putting Strain on Eyes

Both types of books pose unique challenges when it comes to straining your eyes. Paper books are thought of as less strain by many people who struggle with having to constantly zoom in and zoom out on devices.

Collect Books for Future Generations

You can’t really build a family library with ebooks, can you? Many people keep meaningful books as family fortunes in a way, and they wish to do so for their legacies as well.

Disadvantages of Using Books

There are still numerous disadvantages to common book reading that make digital reading a better alternative:

Real Books Last for Life? Not Always

Paper books require careful care and maintenance. No matter how valuable a book is, it can still get destroyed by fire, humidity, dust, debris, and pests. Not possible with a digital copy!

Traditional Books Are Bulkier Than ebooks

Traditional books require more storage space and the right environment. Books need enough space to “breathe,” a very balanced level of humidity and warmth so that they last long. With that, they need not only more storage space but can also present a bulky burden to store in an average home where there’s no room for a separate home library.

Traditional Books Have Typical Book Sized Font: Size Matters!

While some dislike having to zoom in and out to increase or decrease fonts, others depend on that possibility for reading. Paper books have fixed, printed font sizes that can’t be changed.

Too big reading fonts can be awkward to read, while overly small ones strain the eye of a reader.

Can't Share Paper Books With Friends Without Fear of Losing

While you do need workarounds to share a digital book, you’re still not at risk of losing your own copy. You can easily borrow a book, but as many of us know, the incidences of having someone lose, damage, or accidentally destroy your book are plenty. If it’s the only copy you have, and the title can’t be found easily, you’re at a major loss.

Can't Sell Unused Copies Easily

Book clutter is a hard burden to bear and even harder to let go of for any book lover. The notion of throwing away books is rarely an option, and finding places to donate is challenging since the amount of books being passed on is humongous.

No matter how much you like books, when the time comes to let go of the extra copies, you suddenly realize that you can neither sell nor donate as easily as you thought. In an effort to find loving homes for extra books, many people make dozens, if not hundreds of online ads that ask for no more than a couple of dollars for a book. 

Even then, selling is tough due to the low demand for used books.

Not as Reader-Friendly as ebooks depending on your needs

Paper books are bulky to take with you, especially when you need to carry them in your bag or purse. You need to make sure that they don’t get stained or wet on-the-go, which is something you needn’t worry about with books stored on your device.

Pros and Cons of Reading e Books

Despite the growing popularity and benefits of digital book reading, ebooks aren’t without flaws. Let’s briefly reflect on some aspects of eBooks that are worth considering in self-publishing.

Mobi Format Versus Traditional Book Print Counterparts

Formatting is a bigger concern with eBooks than it is for print books. Traditional books are a bit easier when it comes to settling for file, text, and page formats.

Ebook requirements change for platform to platform, and wonky formatting doesn’t go well with e-reading folks who expect impeccable delivery on their devices. Printed books are significantly less demanding to design.

Pros for E Book Readers: World at Your Palm

Accessing as many books and topics as you want is made much easier with eBooks. In pursuit of a particular book, you need to find a store that sells it. Unless the book you wish to read is commonly sold, you’ll have to make an effort to find it.

E Book Readers Typically Found to Like Low Light Screens

Most things people dislike about ebooks revolve around the discomfort of using screens. Screen light is known to negatively affect physical and mental health, so many people opt for low light screens.

Health Disadvantages of Reading Digital Books

Eye strain and eyesight problems.

Eye strain is common for all types of reading books. With ebooks, the aches are mainly caused by small screen sizes with intense lights that strain the eye, often causing headaches and problems with sleep.

Trouble Reading Books and Having an Enjoyable Reading Experience

Many a reader just can't immerse themselves in a digital book the same way they can with paperback formats. This makes a reading experience a bit different than common reading that literature lovers prefer.

Pros of eBooks Shortlist: What Makes E Books Unlike Paper Books

Technology isn't always the ultimate solution. If you're weighing between the two most popular forms of reading, you'll use this short list that might shed more light on unique challenges of publishing eBooks:

E Books Let Your Read More Books and Discover the World

You Can Post Online About E Books You Read

Save Pages When Reading Books

Ebook Format Lets You Have Story Shaped to Your Needs When Reading Books

Less Space to Store eBooks, Resource Saving

New Book Readers Search and Find Books More Easily

Environmental Impact With Less Printed Books

Disadvantages of Ebook Formats Shortlist

Most people enjoy reading books, yet struggle with e books

Reading books is keeping its traditional form for most people for convenience

Single book session lasts long with e Books

LCD Screen From One Device for e Book Readers strains eyes

Power Source Needed for e Book

Electronics With Artificial Light With eBooks makes reading more difficult with vision problems and disabilities

eReader Devices Needed to Read e books

Can't Sell Unused eBooks

Health Problems as a result of screen overuse

Final Shortlist: Pros and Cons of Reading Books Digitally

Electronic books versus printed books give a different outlook on a story you read:

Search eBooks

Read ebooks from anywhere

Multi-Media Elements

Learn New Words

Promote eBooks in an Article

Books Better Fit Your Life For Less Money

But, eBooks also:

Burn Money Fast

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Ebooks may not beat traditional books for daily reading, but they're still a core marketing tool for every publisher. Your reader may not read an Ebook exclusively, but you will be behind the competition with traditional publishing alone.

Plus, publishing your own ebook gives you the advantage of self-publishing. Traditional book publishing entails pitching to publishers, where the competition is high while the selection is scarce.

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Genre Gold: Why Romance, Crime, and Mystery Dominate Bestseller Lists

The Art of Voice: Writing Techniques for Captivating Audiobook Dialogue and Monologue

Readers First: Crafting a Multi-Format Experience for Your Audience

World Humanitarian Day: Embracing the Power of Compassion

Empowering the Voices of Tomorrow

How Self-Publishing Opens Doors for Diversity in Literature

Beyond Print: The Digital Wave—Ebooks and Audiobooks Explored

Tackling Conflict Creation & Resolution in Romance Novels

Audiobook Narrator Selection: Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Voice for Your Book

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Essay 10: Ebooks – Advantages and Disadvantages

With the rise of Ebooks comes the decline of paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

Sample response 1.

Over the past decade, technology has revolutionized almost every walk of life. One such innovation has been Ebooks which are increasingly becoming popular and replacing paper-based books. Many considered it a positive development because of the convenience they offer and environment-friendliness; however, there are others who deem the trend negative because of harmful effects on health and difficulty in maintaining focus for the reader.

The foremost benefit of electronic books is that they are extremely easy to handle and carry. For instance, one can store hundreds of books on his tablet or smartphone, and travel while reading comfortably without facing the hassle of lifting heavy books. In addition to that, these books are contributing to efforts to tackle climate change. Papers that are used in conventional books are made from wood, and have over the years, led to massive deforestation. With digital books becoming popular, a significant drop of 23% in deforestation has been noted over the past decade, as indicated by a report published in Daily Times.

However, there are drawbacks to this trend of using digital copies over paper ones. One major demerit is that such books affect readers’ visual health adversely. That is to say, if a reader is exposed to a screen for an extended duration, he may develop eyesight issues because of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, it is also a fact that reading a book on a smart gadget, for instance, a smartphone comes with numerous distractions from social media and other applications. On the contrary, paper-based books are neither associated with eyesight issues, nor any distractions.

To conclude, there are a few disadvantages of e-books like distractions from social media applications and harmful effects on eyesight; but them being pro-environment and easy to carry, they are attracting more people every passing day.

Sample Response 2

In recent years, Ebooks have gained immense popularity, and this has led to a decline in the demand for paper books. While some individuals perceive this as a positive development, others view it as negative. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the trend toward e-books.

On the one hand, Ebooks offer several benefits over traditional paper books. Firstly, they are more convenient and portable. With e-books, one can carry an entire library with them on a single device, whereas with paper books, it is not possible to carry more than a few books at a time. Secondly, e-books are often cheaper than paper books, making them more accessible to a wider range of readers. Additionally, e-books are more environmentally friendly, as they do not require paper or ink and do not contribute to deforestation or pollution.

On the other hand, the decline of paper books has some disadvantages. Firstly, many people still prefer the tactile experience of reading a physical book, as they enjoy the smell and feel of the pages. Secondly, some people argue that e-books do not offer the same level of engagement as paper books, as the lack of physical presence can make it difficult for readers to connect with the story. Finally, the shift towards e-books could lead to the closure of traditional bookstores and libraries, which are important cultural institutions in many communities.

In conclusion, the rise of Ebooks has both advantages and disadvantages. While e-books offer greater convenience, affordability, and environmental benefits, they may lack the same level of engagement and cultural significance as paper books. It is up to individuals to decide which format they prefer and to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each. Ultimately, the shift towards e-books is a reflection of the changing nature of reading habits and technological advancements in the digital age.

Sample Response 3

In recent years, the popularity of Ebooks has grown exponentially, leading to a decline in the use of paper books. While some individuals view this trend as a positive step forward, others are more skeptical. In this essay, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

On the one hand, Ebooks offer several advantages over traditional paper books. First and foremost, e-books are more convenient to carry around. With a tablet or e-reader, individuals can have access to an entire library of books in one compact device. This portability allows individuals to read books on the go, without having to carry around heavy paper books. Additionally, e-books are often more affordable than paper books, which is a significant advantage for those on a tight budget. Finally, e-books are more environmentally friendly than paper books, as they require no physical paper or ink.

On the other hand, there are also several disadvantages to the rise of e-books. Perhaps the most significant disadvantage is the impact that e-books can have on physical bookstores. As more and more individuals switch to Ebooks, physical bookstores may struggle to stay afloat. Additionally, e-books require a significant initial investment, as individuals need to purchase an e-reader or tablet. While the cost of e-books may be lower in the long run, this initial investment can be a barrier for some individuals. Finally, some individuals argue that reading an e-book simply does not compare to the experience of reading a physical book. They argue that the tactile experience of holding a book and turning its pages is an integral part of the reading experience that cannot be replicated with an e-reader.

In conclusion, while Ebooks offer several advantages, such as convenience, affordability, and environmental sustainability, there are also several disadvantages to their rise in popularity. These include their potential impact on physical bookstores, the initial investment required to purchase an e-reader or tablet, and the loss of the tactile experience that comes with reading a physical book. Ultimately, whether one views this trend as positive or negative depends on their personal preferences and priorities.

Sample Response 4

The advent of e-books has brought about a marked decline in the usage of traditional paper books. While some individuals perceive this trend as a step in the right direction, others remain apprehensive. In this essay, I will explicate the pros and cons of this development.

On one hand, e-books are advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly, e-books are far more convenient than paper books, as they allow for the storage of thousands of books in one small device. This not only reduces the physical burden of carrying a bulky book but also makes reading on the go more feasible. Moreover, e-books are generally more cost-effective than paper books, which can be especially beneficial for students who require a large number of books. Furthermore, e-books are environmentally friendly, as they reduce the need for paper, which in turn reduces deforestation and pollution.

On the other hand, the rise of e-books has a few significant drawbacks. One of the main concerns is the impact on traditional bookstores, which may be forced to shut down due to the increasing popularity of e-books. This would not only result in job losses but would also have a detrimental effect on communities, as bookstores often serve as cultural hubs. Additionally, e-books require an initial investment in an e-reader or tablet, which can be a barrier for individuals who are unable to afford such a device. Furthermore, some individuals argue that the experience of reading a paper book, with its tactile sensation, cannot be replicated by an e-reader or tablet.

In conclusion, while Ebooks provide numerous benefits, including convenience, affordability, and eco-friendliness, there are also a few significant drawbacks to this trend, such as the potential impact on traditional bookstores, the initial investment required to purchase an e-reader, and the loss of the tactile sensation of a physical book. Ultimately, the decision of whether to embrace e-books or continue with paper books rests with each individual, based on their priorities and preferences.

Did you like these sample responses? Read more here:

• Spoken communication is always more powerful than written communication. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that children should learn how to grow food and cook with it in their lessons. What is your opinion about that?
• Some people believe that teenagers should concentrate on all school subjects. But others believe that teenagers should focus on the subject that they are good at or that they find the most interesting. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

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