Digital Media
E-book vs. Paperback
Table of Contents
A few years ago, when E-books’ popularity was just gaining momentum, it was said that it would be a huge setback for the print industry.
Well, that turned out to be a false alarm, and today we see e-books and print books, paperbacks and hardcover, flourish side by side. The reason is quite clear- each has its own attractions, its own pros, and cons. While some readers prefer one over the other, mostly it’s a switch between the two depending on time and place.
So here we are with points in favor of and against each of these mediums based on a certain criterion –
SPACE REQUIRED
Paperbacks are hard to carry around while e-books- you can download thousands of them on your device and carry around anywhere. You can read e-books anytime you are free too, since they are literally at the tip of your fingers, as opposed to paperbacks, which are not possible to take everywhere with you.
PRICE
This is a tricky one. From the publishing point of view, e-books are only a little bit cheaper than paperbacks. When it comes to spending, e-books are definitely cheaper and many of the classics are available for free. There is a point about e-book readers being expensive, but to be fair most of us read through our smartphones.
READING EASE
E-books are easier to keep tabs on because of automatic bookmarks. But, in my opinion, they can’t really compare to paperbacks on this one. Books are good to touch and they don’t harm eyes as much as the screen radiation from our devices. And there is just something about reading a physical book that E-books can’t copy. Our more passionate readers may understand that sentiment better than me.
PRIVACY
With Paperbacks, what you are reading is there for everyone to see. E-books, though, you can read without worrying about curious or inquisitive gazes. You can read anything on the screen without worrying much about the person sitting in front of you, judging your book choices.
PERSONAL TASTE
But at the end of it all, it comes down to your personal preference. Whether you like the ease of access E-books provide or the feeling of holding a real book in your hands, it’s your choice eventually.
And as I said at the beginning, it depends more on the time and place. Why else would these completely different modes of reading exist and thrive in harmony?