The Ready Writer

Hello, again, Reader.

Here’s a hot topic for debate – do you prefer e-books or physical books?

Now, although we respect all forms or writing and reading on this blog, I thought it would be a good idea to address five differences between e-books and physical books. Join me below for the debate!

1. Cost of Publication

As we know (and have discussed in previous posts), producing and publishing e-books is much cheaper than physical books. E-books are, generally speaking, less expensive than physical books because they cut out the middle man that is the printing process. E-books will also not vary in price like paperback v. hardcover books do, either. Additionally, writers would not have to spend money on storage to house the printed books.

2.  Lighting

For those of you who wear glasses/contacts (like me), you know the struggle of reading in the dark. Trust me – it’s a frustrating half hour when you want to read before you fall asleep but can’t see the words on the page. With e-books being read on devices such as iPhones, Kindle, Nook tablets, etc., there isn’t a need for straining your eyesight. The lighting on your tablet of choice will ensure is both easily accessible and adjustable. You’ll never have to strain your eyes again.

3.  Instant Gratification

One of my favorite things about e-books is that when you purchase and download the book you want, it appears in your library almost instantaneously. The same cannot be said for physical books, which sometimes take days to weeks to ship if you are ordering it beforehand (another difference – no shipping for e-books).

For new releases, although you can reserve new books in the bookstore, you are dependent on its hours, meaning, you might not be able to get your book immediately. With e-books, your pre-ordered book appears in your library for download the midnight of the day of release.

On the other hand, you can most definitely find happiness browsing shelves at your local library or bookstore – especially on rainy days.

4. Retaining What You Read

A lot of people have found that when you read an e-book or digital web page, they tend to scan rather than absorb what they are reading. Sometimes, I find that this is true. When you are told to read with a physical book, you are not scrolling; and so, you are carefully reading each and every word and understanding more because you do so.

Additionally, studies have shown that when students use physical textbooks rather than digital copies, they retain more information. However, plenty of professors have suggested the e-book version of many textbooks because it is cheaper for students to purchase them.

5. Shareable Notes

My final point regarding e-books v. physical books is that, with e-books, you are allowed to see what other people have highlighted, highlight your own favorite words or lines, and add comments to them. This feature has allowed me to look at certain lines in books either for the first time or in a different light.

Although you can add lines and notes to physical copies of books, as well, space is limited, and your book quickly becomes sloppy from the plethora of notes written down.

Share Your Thoughts!

So, this concludes today’s debate. Did you feel this post pointed you in one direction over another? What do you feel the biggest or most important difference between e-books and physical books is?

Some other sources for differences among e-books and physical books can be found below.

•  “Books vs. E-books: Pros and Cons”
• “5 Reasons Why Physical Books Might Be Better Than E-books.”
• “10 Reasons Why E-books are Better Than Print”
• “Books vs. E-books: The Science Behind the Better Way to Read.”

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