“There's nothing like a printed book; the weight, the woody scent, the feel, the look.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri

Books have been a part of our lives for longer than we can remember. Since the invention of ink and paper, millions of books have been written. Many of which are available to us, while some splendid literary pieces of writing have been lost over time. 

Paperbacks have been in demand for a long, long time. They feel good, they smell good, the book cover makes you feel nostalgic, and you can boast about the collection of your books sitting on the bookshelf. But as the world progresses, technology plays an enormous role in our everyday lives. Nowadays, it's more common to send an email than a handwritten letter or call someone rather than speak to them face-to-face. 

Our world is digital now. Everything is readily available to us. Yes, even books, for that matter. It probably explains why it's taking us so long to get used to the idea of electronic reading devices. But with the arrival of a new generation of electronic book readers, notably the Amazon Kindle, many people started to wonder if the days of the printed word just might be numbered.

This conveniently leads to the great dispute among readers: which is better, Kindle or Paperback? Here are my top 6 reasons for each.

Kindle:

1. Kindle can hold thousand of books at one time.

Amazon's Kindle book reader can hold thousands of books at one time, in one place; it weighs less and is smaller than a regular paperback. Consider this, let us assume you went on a long holiday and finished your book early. You weren't enjoying the book you were reading, or you wanted to read a thriller, a Young Adult book or historical fiction whilst on your travels? With a kindle, this is easily made possible. Not to mention, it’s lightweight in comparison to regular paperbacks. With a paperback, you would be taking up precious space in your hand or carry-on luggage.

2. Easily Accessible.

Books are easily accessible! Within minutes or even seconds, you can download the book you want with minimal hassle. Whether you're relaxing on the sofa, in the bath, or travelling on the train. Also, if someone recommends you a book title, you can download it right away. You don’t need to wait to go to the book store to buy the book or wait for it to get delivered. You can easily access the book with just a few clicks.

The fact that you can easily access your favourite fictional hero with just a button makes Kindle the perfect choice for people on the go. You can store tons of books on it. This makes it simple for you to read any book which you want to read at any time. 

3. You can browse unlimited titles on Kindle.

It allows you to navigate a curated list of thousands of authors and genres, making the journey feel endless. You can explore so many authors and genres lying on your bed. Unlike a traditional bookstore, you would not have to roam around the place searching for your favourite title. You could even get your book listed on Kindle by becoming an author.

4. Easy on the eye.

As someone who relies on my glasses when reading, it’s extremely useful that the fonts on a Kindle can be adjusted and enlarged - not to mention the anti-glare screen! This eases the strain on your eyes, making it more comfortable than ever to read from the screen. 

5. Less distractions and affordability

Longer books in e-reader format are less intimidating. It means readers don’t get so distracted by seeing how much more they have left to read before reaching the end. You can even get a book on Kindle cheaper than you would from a bookstore. There are so many titles on sale that you could buy. Many of the books are about ten times cheaper than a brand-new paperback. This makes reading from the screen much more economical at times.

6. Kindles are more environment-friendly.

Kindles can be seen to have a better impact on the environment than the production of paperbacks. Yes, electricity is its primary power source, but the battery life is good. This means it will not have to be charged as much. Perhaps most importantly, it avoids chopping down trees to produce paperbacks.

Paperback:

1. Paperbacks give a premium feel.

The publisher and/or author gives each title its own design, look, and feel. This makes it more appealing than if the title was to be viewed on a screen. Austin Macauley Publishers are known for creating visually stunning book covers that create a lasting impact on the readers. 

2. Paperbacks have greater longevity than Kindle.

Do you think your e-book reader would last another 10 years in the competition with the latest tech of that time? Seems unlikely. On the other hand, books can last for decades without losing their premium feel and getting outdated. Some people think using a Kindle is like reading from an ATM. After spending a long, hectic day at work, how relaxing would it be to curl up in bed and stare at another screen? 

3. A book can become a personal item to its reader.

I’m sure we all own a book that has a memory attached to it, or which means something to you. One of my personal favourites from college is ‘In Cold Blood’ by Truman Capote. The pages are covered in coffee stains, there are notes in the margins, and it is very worn down. But it reminds me of a time when I felt proud of what I accomplished during my studies. Readers are more likely to retain information and recall events by reading from a paperback. Paperbacks are physical reminders of your intellectual journeys. A Kindle is just a Kindle.

4. Paperbacks can be relatively cheap.

You can get them second-hand, online, in shops or by searching charity shops. Alternatively, you can borrow books from friends and family or even go to a public library. They are great for sharing!

5. Books can be great conversation starters.

I personally like the feel of holding a paperback, it’s a great conversation starter! The person sitting next to me on the bus might ask what my book is about or may have already read the book. You can discuss loads of plot details and character developments with the person. Books can help you socialize with other people.

6. Books are less likely to get stolen.

It’s less likely someone will steal my book than they would my Kindle. If you leave a book in your car, you can be pretty sure it will be there when you return. That is probably not true of your Kindle or any electronic device on which you read. Also, if you drop your book in the sink, you can dry it out. Worse off, you can replace it for less money than a Kindle!

While it's true that Kindles are a great investment for an avid reader, I personally prefer a traditional paperback. Holding a physical book in my hands feels more welcoming and nostalgic than staring at an electronic device. 

What do you prefer? Kindle or paperbacks?

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