Kindle or paperback? The big question answered...

Although reading is something we all endeavour to, and should make time for, the debate over physical and digital books still remains – have up-to-date e-books finally overtaken the popularity of physical books? In my opinion, physical books can never be replaced but many would argue otherwise.

Nothing compares to the smell of a new book, fresh off the shelf. Who knows why this is the case, but it’s one of the little things we all appreciate in life. Along with the refreshing smell, turning from one page to the next also can’t be replicated by the e-book phenomenon. If anything, the pandemic has encouraged us to appreciate the little things more so than ever before, and these are no exception.

Having said this, should our reading habits move with the times?

Technology defines today’s society and surely we should use it to our advantage to access the latest books? Think about the iPad that’s been sat in your drawer for a considerable amount of time – you’d use it everyday if you were to download the books you’ve been meaning to read onto it. Better still, download them onto the Kindle that you haven’t picked up for years.

Many people aspire to have a library in their future home, and I can’t blame them. Imagine walking into a room with reams of books at your fingertips, ready to pick up at any moment. Although it’s a nice thought, storing every single book you’ve ever read would prove difficult – we all know people primarily want an at-home library because they’re pleasing to the eye and they have no intention of reading the books more than once.

As sustainability becomes more of a defining factor in the way we live our lives, arguably, owning physical copies of books is no longer as idyllic as it once appeared. Why should these resources be used for the book to sit on your shelf for years to come and never be picked up again? E-books pose less of a risk to the environment and even if only some of our books are digital, we should make a conscious effort to make some sort of switch.

It’s inevitable that you’ll always prefer one over the other, but why not endeavour to try out the other side before you make up your mind? You might be pleasantly surprised. Although I stand with lovers of physical books, downloading one might be the start of something new.

Edited by Hannah Youds