The Old ‘Books Are Better Than E-books’ Debate
The reasons they’re better, and the reasons they’re not
Readers have long been divided over the argument: Books are better than e-readers. The two camps sling rationales over the fence at each other, fiercely defending their opinion as the correct one. So, what are the arguments for both, and should you swing a particular way?
As a disclaimer, I’m sure you will see which way I lean, as I’m strongly biased to a particular camp, but I can see the validity in the arguments for both.
Art
Have you ever found yourself, either at home, someone’s house, or a library, running your fingers along the spines of books on a bookshelf, admiring the tangible, physical nature of the books, reading the authors and titles, perhaps pulling one off the shelf and reading the synopsis, or the first few lines?
Physical books are, in some people’s opinions, visual art, not just written art. A bookshelf, whether it be made of timber, metal, or stone, filled with books of altering sizes and colours, can be admired, both from up close and from afar. When have you seen someone browsing their Kindle library and letting out an ‘ahhhhh’ of admiration at the monochrome e-ink presented to them?
