Why You Should Buy Books Instead of Using E-books
Books are part of our cultural life that have been around for centuries. Over the years, tastes, literary genres, types of readers, and even paper designs have changed, but this is the first time in history that the debate about whether paper is still necessary has arisen. With the arrival and undeniable permanence of the digital age, electronic books (e-books) have gained popularity. Sure, reading on a Kindle or phone is convenient, but is convenience really worth losing the soul of reading? If you’re someone who loves books, you’ve probably felt this too. That’s why today, we’re talking about why you should buy books instead of sticking to e-books.
Tactile and sensory experience
Reading a paper book offers an irreplaceable tactile experience. Imagine the feel of the spine, the sound of turning the pages, the smell of the paper… It’s something an electronic device can never offer.
Easy annotation and referencing
It’s true that ebooks also allow you to annotate and highlight, but it’s much more cumbersome. When you buy books and read them in print, your mind creates a stronger connection with the words. This is essential for students and critical readers. It allows you to review a specific page easily and without the risk of getting lost in a pile of files.
Less eye strain
Reading on paper significantly reduces eye strain compared to device screens. We’ve all seen, to a greater or lesser extent, damage to our eye health due to technology. And although many e-readers have special screens to minimize the impact, paper is still better in this regard.
And let’s not forget, the electricity situation isn’t always reliable. What happens when your phone dies mid-chapter? A physical book never runs out of battery.
Emotional and nostalgic connection
We’ve already seen that paper has a history of hundreds of years, so it’s only natural that we’ve created a very deep connection with books. We associate them with moments in our lives, and rereading them gives us an unparalleled pleasure. Think of those comics from your childhood, the first book that made an impact on you, the one your best friend lent you, or the one you cried over. Rereading it in an ebook would partially lose that feeling we get just by touching the cover.
Collector’s value
What reader doesn’t love having people come to their home and show them their magnificent storybook collection? We’re proud of them, of all the knowledge they possess, and we love being able to talk to other readers. Can you imagine taking out your e-reader and showing them the books in your collection?
Easy lending
We’ve all borrowed and been lent books. With paperbacks, it’s very easy to encourage our friends or family to read them. In short, we can read a large number of books without having to buy them all. When you buy books, they’re yours forever.
Greater durability
It’s true that at first glance we might think electronic devices are more durable, but I’d say they’re more resistant, not durable. Both can’t withstand water or excessive humidity, both can be damaged if dropped, and perhaps even paper is more sensitive in some ways, but if you take good care of it, it can last for generations. However, we know that devices can become obsolete, stop working, or their batteries can break, and then… we’re left without books! We can lose a huge collection with just one click. That’s the risk we run with technology. In the case of paper, at least we only lose one, and in some cases, it can be restored.
Buying and selling secondhand books
Another alternative to paper is buying cheap secondhand books. The paradox is that they’re sometimes cheaper than digital books, so saving money depends on where, what, and when you buy books.
Final verdict: Buy books, keep the magic alive
Look, e-books have their place. If you’re traveling or need something quick, they’re handy. But if you truly love reading, nothing beats the real thing.
We believe in paperbacks, but a balanced combination of both can be a great choice. You don’t need to absolutely choose one or the other, but rather choose based on the moment and the available options.
So next time you’re about to click “download,” ask yourself—wouldn’t it be better to buy books from the famous market like Urdu Bazar instead? Your future self (and your bookshelf) will thank you.
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