E-books and paper books

While both e-books and traditional books have their pros and cons, there are multiple factors that decide which one should be chosen over the other, either because of necessity or pure indulgence. Firstly, the most principal factors are the portability and the accessibility of our preferable item. On one hand, the e-book is an easy to carry tool that can contain hundreds of books. On the other hand, traditional books are heavy, and they take up a great amount of space in our bags, resulting that a person cannot carry only one or two books in the same time. Secondly, when our reading preferences are considered, one must not forget to discuss about the feeling of both objects. In this criterion the book wins with a landslide: from the feeling of turning the smooth paper pages to the smell of a library when a book is opened. The paper book’s superior experience over the cold and rigid sensation of digital screens, where turning pages is done by a button, and the pleasant smell is non-existent, cannot be debated. Lastly, there is the price of the devices that must be taken into consideration. E-books come in distinct categories, but usually it requires a small investment of money to get one. Afterwards, e-books can be purchased for cheaper prices then their traditional format. Paper books are usually more expensive than their digital counterparts because they are printed, and this process costs a lot. However, it would be unfair not to mention the possibilities of renting books from libraries for a very minimal money investment. As a conclusion, one can see that both kinds of books have their advantages and disadvantages. It comes down to whether the customer wants a device that’s easy to access and portable, or traditional and authentic.

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Written by Bence Hrustinszki and Dorottya Kocsis.