Reading books was a hobby in our family from our childhood days. My earliest memory of reading books dates back to the mid-1970s when my mother would buy Children’s World, Champak, Amar Chitra Katha and Indrajaal comics. Later we joined the local library at Manav Seva Sangh at Sion, which had several Enid Blyton, Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew novels.
In the next few years our (Ramu) mama fuelled our passion by introducing us to Alistair Mclean, Agatha Christie, Fredrick Forsyth, Issac Assimov, Jeffrey Archer, R K Narayan, Jules Verne, etc. We added several Indian & foreign authors and different subjects to our repertoire. Over a period of time after reading several authors across genres, hundreds of books, thousands of pages we learnt to identify a good book from the millions available.
These were the days of physical books - a traditional book that is made of printed paper or other materials consisting of text and/or image. We used to buy these books typically from bookstores or borrow them from libraries and friends. Now a days these physical books are often used as decorative items, and are normally passed down through generations as family heirlooms.
We were first introduced to an e book reader when a family friend suggested gifting a Kindle on my son’s birthday in March 2015. Over a period of time, we got used to reading books in iPad and android tablets. My personal favorite is the Samsung tablet which I am presently using.
An e-reader, or electronic reader, is a device designed for reading electronic books (e-books). It is a handheld device that allows users to read digital versions of books, magazines, and other publications. E-readers typically use electronic ink technology to display the text, which is designed to mimic the appearance of ink on paper. E-readers have a battery life that can last several weeks, and they often offer features such as adjustable font sizes, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to store thousands of books in a single device.
Technology has advanced to a point where it has transformed the way we do almost everything, including reading books. Although e-readers have become more popular in recent years, I still prefer physical books.
Physical books provide a unique sensory experience that e-readers cannot replicate. When you hold a book, you can feel its weight, flip through its pages, and smell the paper and ink. These sensations can make you feel more connected to the book, and enhance your reading experience. E-readers, on the other hand, offer a less engaging reading experience that lacks these physical aspects.
Reading a physical book can reduce eye strain because it doesn't emit blue light like e-readers do. Illumination from e-readers can cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns, especially for those who read before bed. So, choosing physical books instead can be a healthier option for one’s eyes and sleep.
Physical books are easier to navigate compared to e-readers. Even though e-readers can hold many books, they can make it difficult to find a specific section or page, or to move back and forth between chapters. With physical books, I find it easy to flip through pages and often use bookmarks or sticky notes to mark the place. This makes it simpler to reference important information or re-read a section that I really enjoy.
Reading a physical book can reduce distractions. E-readers can be distracting because they have notifications and social media, which can interrupt one’s reading. Physical books are different because they offer a more immersive reading experience that's free from these distractions. This has helped me focus better and concentrate more, making it easier to fully engage with the book.
Physical books are a better choice for the environment. E-readers need electricity to work, which can harm the environment by creating carbon emissions. Also, e-readers are made of plastic and other materials that are hard to recycle. Physical books are more environment friendly in the sense that they are made of paper and can be recycled or reused. They also last much longer than e-readers.
Mostly physical books remind me of the past and give a feeling of nostalgia. I find going to the library or bookstore and finding new books by browsing through the shelves an enriching experience. Physical books can bring back these memories, making them a comforting and familiar choice. I do not get this nostalgic feeling when reading in an eReader.
Even though e-readers are more popular and convenient now, physical books will always be important to several readers, like me.
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