The choice between reading an e-book and a physical book can feel a bit dramatic sometimes. While e-books offer convenience due to the ability to store them in your house and travel with them, physical books provide more sensory experiences that e-books can’t. This makes every reading session a tough decision between the two.
The first hurdle to decide on is convenience. E-books are small and can fit multiple books in one device, which makes reading a series a lot easier while on the road. I’m also able to change things around to better fit my preference like the font size and the color, and I’m able to annotate the story easier by searching for certain quotes and highlighting the parts I liked. With that being said, it’s perhaps better to carry around one small tablet of different books rather than a variety of physical ones that vary in weight and thickness, depending on your situation.
However, physical books offer something e-books can’t replicate: the feeling of the pages, the smell of the paper and the ability to turn each page as you go. You’re able to appreciate certain aspects of the book better as well like the cover’s design and whether or not it’s paperback or hardcover. Personally, I also love that it’s an object I’m able to display on my bookshelf at home (despite also owning an ebook and having an entirely too large TBR list).
Honestly, I feel guilty no matter what decision I make. When I choose the e-book, I feel like I’m missing out on the experiences of a real book while also betraying my shelves of books in my room. (Don’t even get me started on that list. It’s secretly judging me day by day.) Yet, when I choose the physical book, I sometimes have to worry about how I’m going to be able to take it with me. Each choice comes with pros and cons, and the internal debate can feel ridiculous from time to time.
Both formats are important and valuable in their own ways. E-books offer convenience and adaptability whereas physical books offer permanence and sensory satisfaction. I don’t need to choose one exclusively and neither do you. Alternating between them allows for people to enjoy them both, depending on circumstances and mood.
Ultimately, the struggle of deciding between e-books and physical books just goes to show how reading is a personal experience. The choice we make reflects our priorities at the time and how connected we might be to the book. It’s not just about reading. It’s about how I want to experience stories. Nevertheless, in the end, whether digital or physical, the joy comes from the story itself.
