Book vs. Nook–Pros and Cons of the Digital Age

I have always been and will stubbornly remain an ardent lover of books. To me there is nothing quite like holding a weighty novel in your hands, feeling the texture of the pages as you turn them, nostrils filling with a whiff of that distinctive smell of paper and ink, and pulse quickening in anticipation as you delve into the exquisitely beguiling world of literature.

There is a beautiful artistry to creating printed books, and one that I desperately hope will not be forgotten or lost. Though, I am fully aware of all the wonderful advantages of technological advances, I cannot help but have what seems to be becoming a nostalgic longing for an age when people carried leather satchels laden down with books from their local library.

I recently came across an article from The Telegraph describing a study by The National Literacy Trust, a U.K. charity that campaigns to improve children’s literacy rates in the United Kingdom. The study sheds light on the impact that e-readers are having on children’s literacy. The study strikingly “found those who read only electronic books daily are significantly less likely to be strong readers than those who read daily in print, and are much less likely to enjoy reading.” There is perhaps a certain detachment to the content they are reading on their computer, tablet, or e-reader screens that might not occur were they reading a printed book, magazine, or newspaper. I believe that there is something to be said for actually holding a physical book in your hands. As a reader, reading in print makes me feel much more connected to the content that I am reading and much more pulled into the story, whether it be the plot of a narrative or the details of a news story.

However, there is much praise due to the positive impact that computers and e-readers have had on the number of children and young people now reading books and newspapers. In the Information Age of today, when content is being voraciously written and consumed in the digital sphere, tablets and e-readers act as an excellent platform to reach the target audiences of children and young adults.

Though I personally prefer the “antiquated” notion of picking up a book, I am open to and excited about the opportunities that will come from the digital evolution of publishing. My hopes for the future of publishing is that there can be a harmonious balance between printed books and their digital counterparts. I realize that to be a part of this industry I must embrace the digital world and all the advantages that come with it, but it is my earnest desire that printed books remain a very rich and vibrant part of our present and future and never fade into glorious vestiges of the past.

See the full article details on the The Telegraph.