Why Read Physical Books?
January 24, 2022
In our digital age, there are so many ways to get information. Online articles, e-books, and podcasts can all make learning more convenient and accessible. However, in recent years, print books have seen a resurgence, and for good reason. They can be better for your brain and health, and actually make learning easier and more enjoyable. Here are a few reasons why you should open up a physical book, in addition to those digital resources.
You absorb more information
According to a study in 2014, readers of print books absorb and remember more of the plot than readers of ebooks do. In an earlier study, print readers also scored higher in other areas, such as empathy, immersion in the book, and understanding in the narrative. Students remembered more details and showed a more complete understanding of the text after reading their physical printed version.
They amplify the joy of reading
A study of college students around the world found that 92% of participants preferred actual books that they can hold and touch and leaf through whenever they please. Books can make us happier, inspire us to travel, and encourage us to make life-changing decisions.
It’s more time efficient
Contrary to what one might think, reading can also be more time efficient than listening. Most podcasters and audiobook performers speak at about 150-160 words per minute, while the average twelfth grader reads at about 250 words per minute and skilled readers can easily read 300-400 wpm. That means you can likely read a book in half the time it would take you to listen to it.
You’re less likely to get distracted
Perhaps unsurprisingly, people who read ebooks, watch ted talks, and read articles online tend to get sidetracked more easily, but not just because the internet is right at their fingertips. Digital readers tend to spend more time scanning for keywords than actually processing what they’re reading. Even incidental vocabulary learning happens more effectively from reading versus listening. And with a print book, there’s no chance of getting distracted by links or getting sucked down a digital ‘rabbit hole’.
At Franklin Planner, we offer many great books that can teach you how to be a more efficient person, leader, and friend. Some of these include: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Get Better Book, The 1 Book, and so much more. Which book from our collection do you recommend?
i wholehearted agree; i am 78 years old and on my own. i can now enjoy reading anytime with no interruptions . it is so satisfying to have something solid you can hold and turn the pages. gail
Just to clarify…does reading on a Kindle or Nook count as a physical book or are those considered as “e books”?
Kindle and Nook style books are technically ebooks, however for many readers I think they’d tend to fall somewhere in-between in benefits when viewed on their intended devices. In my experience, these devices are typically created to be ‘book-sized’ and held in the hand, [mine] with a leather cover, turning page motion usually required, and are programmed to closely mimic physical print on matte paper. Though I imagine the benefits of physical touch are definitely reduced, they seem to at least have a portion of physical book benefits (with the added bonus of increasing font size and changing contrast at will. … All handy for my aging eyes). I still love reading physical books best, but my Kindle is particularly great for travel, etc. I don’t know if there is any research to back this up. Just my personal experience. 🙂
Both are ebooks. “Real” books have physical pages that you turn by hand.
Those are e-books. e = electronic.
A “real book” has an intrinsic element that’s hard to explain but easy to understand. The feel of the cover especially if it is leather along with the rich aromatic smell imprints on the mind memories that are flashed before us every time we pick up that old friend.
I have never had to stop reading the ink kissed pages because a notice appeared of “low battery”.
Owning many tech reference publications, I have found no viable e-book equivalent to flipping through a book to find what I’m looking for.
Nothing compares to reading a book you hold in your hands; the act of flipping a page quickly to find out what happens next, or lingering on a page to re-read a particularly poignant line or two. Plus, if you own the book (versus borrowed from a library), you can make notes in the margins, underline text, etc. I just don’t enjoy reading on a screen; it doesn’t provide the same experience and I believe you miss something; it’s too easy to scan/skip/miss parts. Call me strange, but with each new book I pick up I first stick my nose right in the middle of it and inhale!