- What are e-books and audiobooks?
E-books are different from the books we know, which are paper-based. We can download this application as a PDF, and we can also read it on cell phones, tablets, computers, and any other electronic devices (Rosenzweig, 2021). Traditionally, paper books are valued for their physical presence, providing a tactile experience that many readers enjoy. However, e-books eliminate the need for physical storage space, making it possible to carry entire libraries within a single device. We need to consider when we want to read just right now if we choose to go to the library or order online when we want to buy the book on paper. However, e-books can help overcome this disadvantage. If we use e-books, we can read whenever we want, whether we have a cellphone or tablet, etc. Also, we don’t need to wait for the book we order online. Furthermore, e-books often come with adjustable font sizes and background settings, enhancing readability for a wider audience (Smith, 2020). Therefore, e-books can be a replacement that can supplement a few disadvantages of paper books (Turvey, 2019). Audiobooks are comfortable supplements that allow us to listen to the story of a book through a file recorded in the book even if we don’t follow the type with our eyes and don’t need to read aloud ourselves. Audiobooks can recite the whole story of a book, and they can give a summary of what they did. We can use audiobooks on most electronic devices (Harris, 2023).
- The growth of e-books and audiobooks
Bob Brown, who had two careers, started the ebook. He was a teacher and an inventor in America in the 1930s. However, e-books failed to be popular after being invented. The moment when e-books gained attention began in the 1990s, a period that saw rapid advancements in digital technology. With the rise of digital tools such as computers and the internet, e-books gradually started capturing people’s interest. The first publisher dedicated exclusively to e-books was Rocket eBook, and later, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing significantly boosted the e-book industry’s popularity. Additionally, the affordability and convenience of e-books have driven their appeal, especially as they can be instantly accessed and downloaded. In the future, publishing services may experience further transformation as digital formats continue to shape consumer preferences. The rapid pace of digital technology means traditional print publishers face ongoing challenges to keep up. Therefore, people who are living in the digital era feel that digital technology is more comfortable, and many people prefer e-books to use things when they read books. Moreover, e-books offer a variety of advertising methods not available to traditional print books, allowing publishers to reach consumers more effectively (BWC Team, 2023). The digital era has arrived, and the company’s sales figures are decreasing; on the contrary, the sales figures of audiobooks are increasing. In 2011, the sales figure was 7,200; in 2016, it was 51,000. This figure shows us a tremendous amount sold. Danjit holds the position of vice president of content production at Penguin Random House Audio. He said the audiobook market gained more attention as a video of Dale, a voice actor who has read over 200 of J.K. Rowling’s many Harry Potter series spread digitally. Many celebrities are expressing interest in becoming voice actors for audiobooks; currently, it is common for professional voice actors to hold prominent roles in audiobook production (Thoet, 2017).
- Advantages and disadvantages of e-books
E-books offer significant advantages that make them an appealing alternative to traditional paper books. Not only are they more environmentally friendly by reducing the need for paper and ink, but they are also incredibly convenient, allowing readers to access books anytime and anywhere. However, e-books also come with downsides, including eye strain from prolonged screen use and the requirement of digital devices, which can exclude some readers.
Advantages of e-books
- Environmentally friendly
E-books can save the environment more than paper per book. In the process of making a paper book, we need a lot of ink, paper, and other resources, all of which have environmental impacts. Additionally, producing paper books contributes to deforestation and energy consumption, leading to increased carbon emissions. Because of these advantages of e-books, they can be a good option for addressing environmental concerns and for people who care deeply about sustainability.
- Convenience
Even if we do not have to carry the book, we can download the book that we want to read; we can read whenever and wherever. Furthermore, e-books allow us to access thousands of titles instantly, even when traveling or commuting. These features are amazing advantages for readers with busy lifestyles or those frequently on the go. These advantages help people who really like to read books anywhere. For example, when you don’t bring your book from home, you don’t need to feel blue; you can read a book on your cell phone. Also, you don’t need to go to the library or bookstore, which saves both time and effort (BWC Team, 2023).
Disadvantages of e-books
- Eye exhaustion due to screen brightness
Using a digital screen for a long time causes terrible exhaustion to our eyes. Over time, the constant exposure to blue light from screens can lead to digital eye strain, resulting in discomfort and fatigue. Additionally, this prolonged screen time may cause symptoms like dryness, blurred vision, and headaches. By watching the screen for a long time, your eyes get worse, you can be stung with pain, and another signal can appear, which is unsuitable for your health. Consequently, eye health experts recommend regular breaks and adjustments to screen settings to minimize these effects, though this doesn’t fully resolve the issue.
- The need for a device
Many people live on the earth and most own electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, etc., but some people cannot access these technologies. This lack of access can be due to economic limitations, a lack of infrastructure, or other social factors that prevent them from enjoying e-books. So, they don’t have a way to read e-books. Moreover, relying on digital devices can create a divide, leading those without access to feel left out or isolated. So these electronic devices can give depression to the minority who are the same as them, making it a potential barrier to equal access to digital reading material (Leonhardt, 2017).
- Advantages and disadvantages of the paper book
While digital reading options have grown in popularity, paper books continue to offer unique benefits for many readers. For those who are less comfortable with technology, physical books provide a straightforward, accessible option that requires no technical setup. Additionally, they offer an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world, creating a tangible and calming reading experience, though they do come with challenges related to portability and preservation.
Advantages of paper books
- Good for people who don’t handle electronic devices well
People who don’t handle electronic devices can feel comfortable with paper books that have been used for a long time. Unlike e-books, paper books require no technical knowledge, making them accessible to those who may struggle with technology. Additionally, physical books do not rely on batteries or connectivity, ensuring a consistent reading experience. Therefore, paper books provide a reliable option for those who prefer to avoid electronic devices or find them difficult to navigate.
- A means to escape from electronic devices and the digital world
With the arrival of the digital era, people say living without digital technology in daily life is nearly impossible. Paper books offer a refreshing alternative, allowing readers to disconnect and enjoy a screen-free activity. Also, people who are overexposed to digital devices may find relief in the calming, tangible experience of reading a physical book. Therefore, reading a paper book provides a valuable way to escape, even briefly, from the overwhelming digital world.
Disadvantages of paper books
- Difficulty in Maintenance and Preservation
Paper books can be ruined easily because of dust, moisture, pests, and other environmental factors. For instance, without proper storage, books may become discolored, damaged, or infested with mold over time. So, people have to manage paper books diligently to ensure they last. As a result, maintaining a collection of physical books can require effort, space, and sometimes additional resources.
- Poor portability
Reading paper books is uncomfortable, especially when trying to read on the go. Since paper books add weight and bulk, it’s often challenging to carry more than one or two, particularly during travel. Also, if our bag space is already full, it is difficult to make room for a paper book, and it can easily become bent or damaged. So, the disadvantage of paper books is that they lack the convenience of digital alternatives, limiting where and when they can be enjoyed (The Urban Writers, 2022).
- Will paper books be gone in the digital era?
With the popularity of digital books sharply increasing, many people say paper books will gradually disappear from our daily lives. However, is it 100 percent true? One of the prevailing trends today is nostalgia for ‘classic’ items. As many people, particularly from younger generations, embrace retro culture, they enjoy buying or imitating vintage items such as typewriters and record players. This desire to reconnect with the past is not limited to just technology but extends to printed materials as well. For instance, in 2019, 64% of the individuals purchasing paper books in England were under 44 years old. These facts demonstrate that, despite the digital era’s rise, there remains a strong appreciation for traditional items. In fact, it reveals that people actually yearn for original, tangible experiences, not just the convenience of digital formats. This is one reason why libraries and bookstores continue to thrive, as they serve as important cultural and social hubs. Moreover, the tactile nature of printed books offers a sensory experience that digital books simply cannot replicate. According to a survey by Stora Enso, 65% of participants expressed a preference for paper books. Additionally, a study by Pew Research Center found that 32% of students read only paper books, 33% read both paper and e-books, and only 9% exclusively read e-books (Elwood, 2023). This indicates that while digital books are gaining ground, paper books remain an integral part of modern society.
- The future of paper books
The result of researcher research about paper books and e-books is that when people read paper books rather than e-books, they can understand the story of a book easily.
E-book has a lot of advantages; therefore, the possibility of demand for e-books can be increased. Also, paper would not disappear and will exist in our world. There will never be a shortage of people who will have books on their bookshelves, who will go to bookstores when they have time, and who will still be drawn to the allure of a paper book that they can touch, smell, and hold in their hands (Naing, 2020). That’s why I don’t think e-books will ever replace paper books in the future. With digitalization playing such a large role in our society, many people may not have the opportunity to engage in activities that don’t require an electronic device. However, we spend so much time on our devices that there may be times when we’re exhausted of them, and they take a toll on our eyes, our health, and our bodies. For those reasons, many people who use digital devices would rather read paper books than electronic ones. As evidence of this, we can see that the global book market is valued at 151 billion in 2022 (Goodwin, 2022). Until 2021, e-books were very popular with people. One of the many reasons for their popularity was the low cost of e-books compared to paper books. However, at some point, when the price of e-books became comparable to the price of regular paper books, people gradually moved away from them. However, this doesn’t mean that the popularity of e-books has completely waned. E-books allow you to underline your favorite passages without the need for a pen, to use a highlighter as a pencil for your electronic device, and to check off the page you have been reading with a bookmark even if you don’t have a book marker. In addition, ebooks can contribute to the improvement of the environment because they don’t use paper. That’s why e-books are likely to develop further in the future and accumulate popularity with many people who want to use these advantages. (Ajam, 2023)
- Conclusion
All reading has a positive effect on the human brain. However, books made of paper have an even more significant impact, as they can help increase comprehension six times more than e-books can, and e-books can slow down a person’s ability to comprehend text (BBC Newsround, 2023). Researchers also found that students who read paper books outperformed those who didn’t read paper books by 3.5 years, and those who read e-books outperformed those who didn’t read e-books by one year. Moreover, paper books reduce the amount of distraction, and the absence of blue light in paper books reduces eye strain, so we can see that paper books keep us focused and allow us to stay focused for more extended periods (Thompson, 2024).
With these things said, we can say that both e-books and audiobooks offer unique advantages that cater to the evolving needs of readers in the digital age. E-books provide an accessible, environmentally friendly alternative to paper books, allowing readers to carry entire libraries with them, adjust font sizes, and avoid the need for physical storage. Similarly, audiobooks enable multitasking, letting users absorb stories while engaging in other activities. However, while digital formats enhance convenience and accessibility, they also present challenges, such as eye strain from screen exposure and the requirement of electronic devices. As digital formats and traditional books continue to coexist, readers now have the freedom to choose formats that suit their lifestyles, preferences, and values, ensuring that both paper books and digital options will remain relevant in the future.
9. Reference
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