If you’ve been an avid reader for years, then you’ve been enjoying paper books way before e-Books became a thing. And if you were one of those people who intentionally built a library of the books they treasure, you likely have sentimental value attached to your books. But are paper books the ultimate read? Do they maybe have disadvantages you can confidently admit?
In case you’re currently pursuing tertiary education, you likely interact with digital books more than you do paper books. This is because they’re more accessible and you can read them on the go. What’s more, they’re not as delicate as paper books and they don’t require special care. As long as you successfully download a PDF, you can have a copy on your mobile device or computer until you decide to delete it.
Another advantage of digital content is that students today have online resources they can use to streamline their learning experience. For instance, if you’re struggling with an essay assignment, you can hire a professional writer from one of the best websites to buy college papers available online to help you get the job done.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of reading and owning paper books.
Top 4 Advantages of Reading a Paper Book
Following are the 4 best reasons why you should prefer reading a paper book.
1. You Can Give, Resell, or Borrow Paper Books
The first obvious advantage of owning paper books is that you can lend them to a friend, resell them or borrow one from a friend. Since they are independent entities, they’re tangible assets that can change hands, allowing you to make transactions or exchanges whenever you please.
As a reader, you could benefit from selling copies of books you’re done with. You get to purchase when you need it, enjoy the reading experience and then sell it to someone who is willing to pay a discount price for a used copy.
And if you have a friend who would love to read the book you’re currently reading, you can give it to them once you’re done with it. When you’re giving a book, ensure you specify if you want it returned so that a friend doesn’t stay with a book that has sentimental value.
Another instance is, you might want to read the book your friend owns without having to buy a new copy. This makes financial sense because whether you buy or borrow, you get to read the same words.
2. You Can Revel in the Smell of Old Books
Paper books have such a nostalgic smell to them and you can tell how old a book is just by smelling it. Another indicator of a book’s age is the paper’s color because paper books tend to brown as they age.
Reading a book that has a smell to it is so refreshing and it adds to your reading experience. In fact, this increases information retention because every time you get a whiff of that smell, you can re-experience how it felt to read a certain book.
3. You Can Admire Individual Copies
Authors invest in the publication of physical books because they’re to be experienced as much as they’re meant for reading. You’ll especially enjoy the work that goes into the cover as this is what introduces you to a book even before you flip its pages. And the best part is every book is different, so every time you pick up the next book on your shelf, you get a brand-new experience.
4. You Can Collect them Like Art
Paper books are actually collectibles that you don’t have to sell or give away once you’re done with them. You can curate a library of your all-time favorite paper books that you can refer to over the years. And as a parent, you’ll have an easy time nurturing the love for reading in your kids when you have a comprehensive library they can explore.
The best part about collecting books is that you ensure the memories of your favorite authors live on even after they pass on. This is the best way to honor an author you respected.
Potential Drawbacks of Paper Books
Reasons why some people avoid paper books.
1. They Get Old
The undeniable reality about paper books is that they get old. No matter how well you care for them, the pages are bound to get tarnished over time. So if you love your books to have crisp white pages, there will come a time when you’ll be disappointed by their aging.
2. You Can Lose Your Favorite Copies
Have you ever given a friend a copy you love and they never gave it back? Or maybe you were on the train and you forgot to take your book with you as you alighted. Unfortunately, there are many ways in which you can lose your paper books.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know more about paper books, you can decide if you want to invest in them or read e-Books.
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