Has the e-book defeated the paper book?

Have you given up paper books? Or do you know for sure that you will never do this? The intonation with which you need to pronounce the title of the article will depend on this: interrogative or affirmative. Because we have become witnesses or participants in real book wars. And proponents of each type make compelling arguments. Let's try to understand the complex relationship between paper and electronic books. Or rather, in our attitude towards them.

The triumph of e-books

A few years ago, reading a reader was sometimes perceived as an opportunity to join the trend, to declare one’s superiority and advancement. Today everything has changed. The electronic “reader” has become commonplace, which can be seen not only in the hands of young people. On the contrary, grandparents, mothers and fathers of young people quickly master the device and use it confidently.

Benefits of an e-book

• Page volumes do not translate into weight. Upload your favorite works or new items to your “reader”, the weight of the device will remain unchanged.

IMPORTANT! An e-book is the most convenient reading option when traveling or traveling. It takes up little space in luggage, replacing not one, but dozens of ordinary volumes.

• Ease of use is an important fact for people with vision problems.After all, in the reader you can increase the font to the most convenient one.
• Affordability and benefit also matter. The cost of electronic options is much lower, which means it is more profitable for the buyer.
• The opportunity to read a work that is not available in the bookstore.

Disadvantages of readers

Let's leave aside the loss of charm that lovers of “paper” talk about. Let's try to objectively evaluate the disadvantages of electronic devices.

• A quality reader will require expenses. And poor quality does not guarantee long-term use.

IMPORTANT! If your device fails, all the works you have downloaded will disappear. If you want to re-read the text, pay for downloading again.

• It is necessary to monitor the charging of the device. Otherwise, at the most stressful moment it may go out.
• Children find electronic text boring. It does not contain those “pictures” that children’s literature is famous for. And for kids they are needed: clarity of thinking requires visual images.

Are paper books becoming a thing of the past?

It is believed that paper books are more than 1600 years old. Much has survived this invention of mankind, experiencing various innovations and technologies. And during this time, the number of fans of “paper” has constantly increased. The 21st century was no exception. The book business is lucrative these days.

REFERENCE! In 2018, the Russian book market had a turnover of more than 75 billion rubles.

Therefore, there is no need to talk about the decline of the era of paper texts. They remain popular today

Advantages of paper books

• Scientists from around the world have independently come to the conclusion that paper texts are perceived by the brain more readily and better, while we treat information on an electronic device superficially.
• Traditional publications give a person unique emotional experiences and sensations. And genuine feelings in the modern world are becoming very rare.
• Children's books of the 21st century have become a real miracle! The child not only leafs through it, but also becomes an active reader. It is no coincidence that publishers offer interactive versions of famous works.
• Don’t forget about the usual statement that “a book is the best gift!” You won’t hear that about a link as a gift.

Disadvantages of traditional books

• The main drawback that many reading enthusiasts point out is the volume of books. Cabinets and shelves, bookcases and racks - books can fill and overwhelm any space. You have to control yourself, refusing to purchase another new product!
• A large number of volumes requires constant attention: book dust accumulates very quickly and often leads to allergies.
• The cost of today's publications is “biting”!
• A paper page is more difficult to enlarge, and a thick and heavy one is difficult to hold in your hands for a long time. Many older people experience such problems.

Paper or electronic: war or truce?

As we can see, today there is no clear superiority of any type of book. Each reader forms his own individual attitude, which depends not only on habit, but also on the situation.

Today we live in a world in which both types of texts have an equal right to exist.

Have you already decided whether it’s paper or electronic?