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Books - Perfect Bound, Self-publishing Posted by Ann O'Brien on 08/28/2024

Who’s reading print books? Would it surprise you to learn that print books outsell e-books? Although most writers immediately think of online publishing sites when they consider self-publishing, the reality is that most readers prefer print books. Consider these fun facts:

• Print books outsell e-books four to one.
• Gen Z readers (people born between 1997 and 2012) prefer print books to digital.
• In 2023, 30% of book buyers bought print books, and 20% bought digital editions.

What accounts for the ongoing popularity of print books? Many people have an emotional attachment to printed materials. Also, they know that there are many benefits to reading print books.

Reading Print Books Reason 1. They’re Taking a Digital Detox

Although it seems like everything from making doctor’s appointments to paying bills is done online, many people feel that technology has taken over their lives. People today are keenly aware of the negative effects of too much time online, including increased levels of depression, social anxiety, and loneliness. People have become fed up with feeling like they’re constantly tethered to a machine, whether it’s at work, at home, or during their leisure time.

In response to this growing awareness, many people long for a “digital detox,” in other words, cutting off their reliance on technology. They want to reduce the time they spend looking at blue screens and want their family members to take part in old-fashioned fun like board games, puzzles, and playing outside. They also want to encourage reading print books. Books are portable, and they don’t need batteries or electricity to work.

Reading Print Books Reason 2. Books Are More “Green”

For book buyers who value “green” buying and environmentally conscious choices, print books look like the obvious choice. Books are made from sustainably grown trees, and the process of printing books is less than the damage caused by creating—and disposing of—electronic book readers.

If you buy a book you don’t like, you’re more likely to give it to a friend or donate it than throw it away. If your e-reader stops working, you don’t have a choice but to throw it away and upgrade to a new one.

Print books can last decades. Also, books are easy to recycle. Books are top sellers at thrift stores, and secondhand book stores enjoy steady sales both in brick-and-mortar stores and online. Books borrowed from the library allow many readers to enjoy the work without having to print new ones.

Reading Print Books Reason 3. Print Books Improve Focus and Concentration

There’s no doubt that reading print books is better for your brain than digital reading. Print forces the brain to focus and improves recall. Numerous studies have found that people recall what they read in print better than they do from screen-based reading.

Part of that is the physical nature of the book. When you read, you physically see how far you’ve come in the book and how far you have to go. It helps you build a sense of narrative. An e-reader, by contrast, doesn’t deliver the same experience—and that includes e-book readers that tell you where you are in the book.

That physical connection helps your brain focus, concentrate, and recall the material you’re reading. This is especially important if you’re trying to learn complex material. If you must learn for a class, you are better off reading print textbooks and other printed materials.

Reading Print Books Reason 4. Print Books Help You Escape

If reading is your favorite escape, you should dive into an enjoyable read the old-fashioned way. That’s because reading onscreen encourages skimming and skipping. That’s why most online writing is written to appeal to skimmers. It uses frequent headlines, bullet points, and summaries that help a reader “get to the point” quickly.

That’s useful for online articles, which people primarily read to get quick information, but it defeats the purpose of reading for pleasure. When you read for the fun of it, you want to be absorbed and carried away. You want to feel like you’re in the imaginary place the author creates, meeting the characters, and experiencing what they are going through. It’s a deeply immersive experience, and reading a printed book is the only way to get it.

Reading Print Books Reason 5. People Feel Emotional Attachments to Books

When people declutter and downsize, they often say they are fine getting rid of everything except their books. People develop attachments to books they’ve loved. These may be books they turn to for comfort when they want a break, or they may be books connected to certain life stages. They may own books that are rare, out of print, or otherwise hard to replace.

People enjoy print books. They like the way they feel in the hand. They get tactile and emotional satisfaction from turning the pages and the smell of the ink. They may underline favorite passages or mark the books with their personal observations and notes. These are not just books to them. They are lifelong companions, and it’s hard to let go.

Reading Print Books Reason 6. Print Books Are a Good Value

While the cost of print books has gone up—like everything else—they still are an excellent value. You can buy a brand new print book for an average price of $25 for hardcover and $15 for a softcover.

Buying a print book is an investment for many people. They know that reading is a hobby that repays the first cost many times over. If you have a favorite book or writer, you want to read it whenever you like. Books get used over and over, and that makes the cost per use very low. A print cookbook will be used repeatedly, kept on the shelf, and used as a reference, often for years. A favorite fictional novel will be shared among friends and family members.

Secondhand bookstores and thrift stores make book buying even more affordable. You can often get books for less than the price of a candy bar at these stores.

Reading Print Books Reason 7. They’re Using Audiobooks

Audiobooks are more popular than e-books, and they’ve become a trendy way to read.

We know reading books improves recall and concentration better than reading onscreen. How do audiobooks compare? There is limited research about the effects of listening rather than reading, but some studies find that recall is better from reading print books than it is from listening to so-called books on tape.

If you want to retain information or learn work-related skills, you are better off reading. If you read for enjoyment, however, audiobooks can be as immersive and enjoyable as reading print books.

Reading Print Books Reason 8. Print Books Are Better for Your Eyes

We all know that constantly staring at a computer can be hard on your eyes. Eye strain is common among people who work with computers and students who study from online materials only. Save your eyes by reading print books, which don’t cause the blurred vision, redness, dryness, or irritation you get from onscreen reading.

Reading Print Books Reason 9. They Help You Sleep

Staring at a bluescreen can disrupt your sleep. Although many people fall asleep watching a digital device, it’s not a safe way to get the rest you need. Reading is a better way to ease yourself into slumber, and reading print books doesn’t interfere with sleep patterns. Falling asleep with a book across your lap is better for you than falling asleep to a screen.

Get Your Book in Print

Printed books are good for you, and they’re good for business. If you’re a first-time writer who wants to sell more books, consider printing it in addition to publishing it online. If you have any questions about the printing process, talk to the experts at Dazzle Printing.