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.
Also, if you run out of things to read on your e-reader, you don't have to go all the way to the bookstore to buy more. With just a few taps on the screen, you've got a brand new book waiting for you. This is especially useful when you start a new series and absolutely cannot wait to go all the way to the bookstore to start the next book. And hey, while you're at it, why not buy the whole series?
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.
Paper books have an advantage in my mind because they're tangible objects you can hold in your hands. You can mark them up, dog-ear the pages, and make them your own so that you can go back every now and then and remember what they made you think. Although annotating is possible on eBooks, it's harder to navigate and the annotations don't show up on the actual pages of the book. So, if you're someone who loves to mark up your books or admire them on your shelf, paper books definitely have the win here.
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.
In a 2012 study, the same story was read by two groups, one on an e-reader and the other in print. Compared to the group that read the story on paper, the group that read the eBook felt the story was not as immersive, and they felt less connected to the story.
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.
Most e-readers have adjustable backlights that don't strain your eyes and allow for easy reading at night. So, you can say goodbye to those annoying light circles the flashlight makes on the pages and waking up in the middle of the night because you left the lights on. With eBooks, you can read at any time of day with ease.
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?
