As we progress into a digital-first world, there is an ongoing debate about whether e-books or physical books are better. With the arrival of a new generation of electronic book readers, notably the Amazon Kindle, many people have started to wonder if the days of the printed word might be numbered. While physical books remain a dominant format in the book market, we cannot ignore the fact that a lot of readers are switching to Kindle or other forms of e-readers. Ultimately there are benefits to both formats and it is down to the personal preference of the reader. In this blog, we will dive deeper into the different benefits of both physical books and e-readers. Therefore, leaving it down to you to decide which format you prefer.

Benefits of e-readers

You can read more with a Kindle

Arguably, you can read more books using an e-reader or Kindle. This is due to having thousands of titles ready at your fingertips. Within seconds, you can download the book you want, wherever you are. If you are relaxing on the sofa, on holiday, or traveling on the train, you can easily get your new read in a few clicks. You don’t need to wait to go to the bookstore to buy the book or make a trip to the library. Overall, it makes reading a lot more accessible which inevitably leads to people reading a lot more.

You have more space with an e-book

We have all faced the issue of having too many books on our bookshelf. Causing us to decide between getting rid of some of our books or buying an extra bookshelf. Having a Kindle means that all the books you buy are stored in one small device, giving you lots more space and allowing you to keep all the books you want. Also, a Kindle takes up a lot less space in your bag when you are on the go or holiday, rather than taking multiple books.

Ease of use before sleeping

Contrary to belief, kindles make bedtime reading a lot easier. For starters, you don’t need to have a light on to read your book in bed; which can help if your other half is asleep before you. It also emits less blue light than cell phones or tablets, so a Kindle is better to use than those devices. People have also argued that it is a lot more comfortable to read with a Kindle than a physical book.

Kindles can be a lot cheaper

Overall, e-books are cheaper than physical books when newly released due to the lack of printing. On top of that, there are always last-minute deals where you can buy popular book titles for as little as 99p. There are also services like Kindle Unlimited where you pay a subscription to download as many books as you want. However, there is the argument that you can buy physical books from charity shops which can bring the cost down as well. 

Benefits of reading physical books

It can be better to read a physical book.

Some people are adamant that having and reading from a physical book is much better than an e-reader, which is all down to personal preference. However, there has also been some research to suggest that we process information from a physical book better than an e-reader. This is because we are much more likely to skim read from a screen than from a physical book.

Physical books are easy to exchange.

It is a lot easier to exchange your favourite book with friends and family if you have a physical copy rather than if you have a Kindle. This in turn also makes reading a lot cheaper if you are rotating books amongst other people.

Paperbacks are better for imagery

If you are looking to purchase a book for its imagery, say if it’s a children’s book or an educational book, then it is much better to buy a physical copy of the book. With a physical book, you can see the imagery in a lot more detail. The majority of e-readers tend to be black and white or small screens, which can affect the image quality of a book.

Paperbacks can become a collector's item

Over the years, there have been many books that have become collector's items or a significant collection to have on your bookshelf. How many of us have had the Lord of the Rings series or Jane Austen collections featured on our shelves? Plenty of books have pretty impressive book covers too which can make them quite the showstopper. Ultimately, buying a physical book is never going to quite die out, especially with timeless classics still being published.

Is it better to read a Kindle or a book?

This all poses the question: is it better to read a Kindle or a physical book? Well, the answer is down to you, as it is completely up to you and your preferences! Some people are advocates for e-readers, some can not go without a physical copy, and others enjoy having a bit of both. Weigh up the pros and cons of a Kindle and a physical book, then decide which one is right for you.

At Austin Macauley Publishers, we publish e-books and physical books for our authors. Click here to discover our latest new releases in e-book, paperback, or hardback.

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