When a friend saw me reading on my Kindle, she quipped, “Oh, I can never read an eBook, I love the feel of paper in my hands too much”. It’s not only this friend of mine, but many others who actually curl their lip and look down on people who show allegiance to eBooks. It is as if that their love for the written words is more sincere than those of the eBook readers. I didn’t say anything then but guess, it’s time to show eBook pride and solidarity. So here are 10 reasons why eBooks are better than print books.
For the uninitiated, eBooks are files that you can read on a digital device – an eReader like Amazon’s Kindle, Rakuten’s Kobo, Barnes & Noble’s Nook or a tablet, smartphone, computer, laptop etc.
1. eBooks save space
Book worms tend to have a good collection of books, which can take up too much space. You can see my books here and note that they are packed like sardines! However, even the largest collection of eBooks won’t take up any physical space in your home. It is much easier to manage even a large digital library on an eReader or a laptop than bookshelves filled with hundreds of books, majority of which you will never read again.
2. eBooks are portable
They are much more portable and lightweight than physical books. When I am traveling, my entire digital library consisting of hundreds of eBooks, can fit in my bag. Also the device which houses these eBooks weighs just a few grams.
3. eBooks are searchable
Unlike printed books, eBooks are easily searchable. Instead of thumbing through the pages trying to find a favorite quote or part of the story, you can just search keywords to find the section of your book you were looking for. This is especially helpful when you’re reading long books that would take a long time to find a specific page. They also allow you to search your entire library with a depth and convenience that cannot be matched by printed books.
4. eBooks offer customizable font size and style
If you’re getting older like me and have love-hate relationships with certain fonts, you can adjust the text to the size you desire or switch fonts completely when you are reading eBooks (except PDFs).
Although you can’t change the font size of a PDF eBook, you still can zoom in on your device. Certainly, it isn’t as convenient, but still it is way better than a printed book where you can’t change the font size at all.
5. eBooks offer instant gratification
You can buy Ebooks from virtually anywhere and the same can be downloaded on your device instantly. So no more going to a bookstore or waiting for the books to be delivered in case you have ordered them online
6. eBooks are always available
They are never out of stock because they are digital files.
7. eBooks have free samples
When you are looking for an eBook, generally the seller provides a sample which contains the table of contents and first few chapters. This allows you to read the initial pages of the book without actually buying it. If you like it, you can purchase it.
8. eBooks are cost effective
This is a huge plus for avid book readers. Though an eBook reader appears to be expensive but it’s a one-time investment. With no manufacturing or shipping costs, eBooks are cheaper than printed books. Also you can read more books, while spending less by reading eBooks. Yes, eReader and eBooks are cost effective in the long run.
Additionally there are thousands of free eBooks from Project Gutenberg, Amazon Kindle or Kobo and also on the internet for download.
9. eBooks are easily updated
The contents on the eBooks are mostly cloud-based, that means that they can be updated any time. Authors and publishers can always add the new information, providing users with the latest digital content. This saves reprinting costs and the time involved in the process as well.
10. eBooks are more environmentally friendly
Although their production requires resources, electronic books are kinder to the environment than print books. Creating an electronic book takes three times fewer raw materials than a print book and uses seven times less water.
Convinced yet? What do you think? Which format of books do you prefer? eBooks or printed books?
30 Responses
Yes ! Hi5 to that. I do miss book reading, thou im not sure anymore whether ill be able to read books.
Again.
Regards,
Kikzbee
And during a lockdown… are easily accessible through online stores 🙂 Good points.
I’m in total agreement. ebooks are a boon. You don’t have to worry about space, or dust accumulating in them, or the fact that the pages might get damaged due to excessive reading. They are also very portable. With the build-in light feature of Kindle, I can read it even if my roommate has turned off the lights! While I do miss the smell of books and the feeling of paper in my heads, I can’t help but agree that ebooks are much better. The pros outweigh the cons.
Also, in a locked down state, ebooks are easier to buy. It’s not like we can venture out to buy an actual book in this state!
I like them because no trees are required to manufacture these e-books.
Yes, I agree with your Shilpa, now, with changing time, e books feel more convenient that print books. it is less expensive and portable and of course, environment friendly too. I had also started reading with this recently and loving the experience.
I’m such a fan of paper books that I have not been able to sway my bent of mind towards ebooks. I love holding a book, smelling it, creating my own bond with the story/author as I read on. I have a Kindle that lies untouched for months. Perhaps I should give it another shot.
I am slowly shifting to the idea of ebooks as I am one of those who love the smell of paper and not to forget crisp pages.
I also like that with a kindle you can underline paragraphs are retrieve them immediately at a later date. As a kid with 100s of books, if you wanted to find that paragraph again you needed to have the book in hand, know the page number etc
I love the convenience of an ebook and its lightness. Try reading a 800+ page book in a sleeping position which is my my favourite position to read. So, yes to ebooks. Of course, books are not going anywhere soon. I love them too.
Valid points. I never thought I would say this, but now that I’ve started reading on Kindle device (my brother gifted me. I would have never bought it myself), I feel pretty comfortable. In fact, I prefer Kindle copies. They’re cost effective, yes, and you get them instantly. 🙂
Although I agree with all your points, I still prefer paperback. But lately, I’ve switched to ebooks because of the reasons you just pointed out. They’re so easily available! It’d cost too much to buy all of those books in hard copy.
Just ask me how much I love ebooks. They’re my survivors. I studied a lot with ebooks and enotes, and now, I read a lot. But I can’t read Kobo books. As an ebook lover, I could relate with every bit of it. Thanks for sharing. It’s great post.
It took me a while to take to the ebook but now I just love them. My library goes everywhere with me. Yay for ebooks.
Ebooks not only have free samples but complete books are available for free. They are also good from the perspective of annotation.
This is my 2nd reading on E Books as prompt today. Seriously I am slowly starting to the like the perception of E Book readers. Till date, I am one of those who curls up the lip- when i hear about E Book. i think its time for me- of change for good.
I can totally relate Shilpa as I am an e-book person too dear it undoubtedly is a lot more convenient like you iterated. Since we are saving paper I feel it is one right step to protect our environment too.
I agree with all the merits you have accorded to ebooks, especially being eco-friendly. But I just love the feel of a real book!
Shilpa, I just finished watching a ABC News Australia ‘Four Corners’ episode on Amazon and what they are doing with data they collect on our purchases and browsing history. It is a bit worrying. I’m glad you mentioned a number of platforms for ebooks (or e-books, as they are to some), for I have an iPad and can access a number of ebook apps that way, sharing the market a bit – like shopping in different bookshops to share the love.
A girl after my own heart :). I too prefer ebooks for most of the reasons you have listed.
Totally agree to every pointof yours SHilpa. There was a time when I was dead sure I would seldom get on to the e books bandwagon. BUt today I read most of my books on kindle. And find it most comfortable as well.
What a coincidence! I have blogged on the same topic for E.
Maybe you would like to have a look.
https://bpradeepnair.blogspot.com/2020/04/e-for-e-books-my-favourite-things-to.html
I do not have much experience is reading e books. I have read a few which are made by bloggers, like short stories or some inspiration. Since I do not carry a laptop all the time, its not easy to read it. currently I am reading one at home since lock down. whenever I get time. I agree with you regarding space and cost effective. Thanks for sharing shilpa.
This is the best argument for ebooks. I loved the saving space part because I really have stopped buying books simply because I have no space to keep books. Besides they are also major dust collectors.
https://mumbaionahigh.com/2020/04/dealing-with-employees.html
Now that the reading glasses would be my companion soon, courtesy 40s, I think customizable size and style are something that are the most attractive features of the eBooks for me.
Being a hardcore fan of the print form, it’s going to be a leap of faith to switch over to eBooks for me. But I never say never!
Valid points.
But, I still love the good old paper books. There’s something about the smell, the touch…everything! 🙂 Love to curl up with a book!
Stay safe. Stay home.
It is a blessing especially during lockdown. You cannot buy physical books right now. There are free eBooks available everywhere. Did you try the Anybooks app? It’s fantastic. I have read so many books on that app! In fact, I am using that more than my Kindle now because I get most of the books I search for.
I’m a great fan of ebook since I get transferred a lot and these are so handy and don’t add up on the luggage. I still have 3 boxes full of novels and my books to carry everywhere. thank god for ebooks now I just carry my tab.
Ah, I just love books, however, you have provided some very valid points on why eBooks are better. I love that they are kinder to the environment and that they are searchable. – very handy, especially now that we are all in lockdown. It is so much easier to locate your favourite read online, now that trips to the library have been ruled out.
I understand the various benefits of e-books, and myself gonna go for one (hopefully) but can’t get my head around reading digital copies.
Ebooks are also easily accessible–especially hard to get hard copies. I am completely in favor of ebooks even though I have a massive library of physical books. So convenient to carry around–who would have imagined that we could one day carry unlimited books around with us without adding to the weight? Great invention indeed!