In this era of eBooks—and the growing popularity of audiobooks—is the death of printed books imminent?

One of my favorite sci-fi series is the reboot of Battlestar Galactica. Admiral Adama’s stateroom is full of real books. In one touching scene, Adama reads to Laura Roslin while she’s ill. He’s not holding an iPad or a Kindle. It’s a real book (with its corners oddly trimmed like all rectangular objects in the Battlestar Galactica storyworld…)

Now, I’m not against eBooks…or audiobooks…or books scrawled on napkins.

And I’m certainly against book burnings in any form—even if they’re dusty Jedi texts…

But here are 10 reasons why paper books won’t go away:

1) Reading a physical book is more immersive

Researchers have shown that reading a physical book is a more immersive experience. When reading on a screen—especially with distractions from pesky notifications or a Pavlovian need to check our social media feeds—we tend to skim or to forget what we read. And, when reading fiction, we’re more prone to be pulled out of the story.

A printed book doesn’t have chimes or lights or a vibrate feature (unless the book is shaking in your hands because the story is just that good! 😨)

2) Memory is better with a physical book

Other research has shown that turning physical pages (rather than scrolling or tapping) helps our memory to “index” where information is in a book. We can better remember where that passage was—say, about one-third through the story. And our brain takes a stronger “photograph” of where the information was on the page.

While this advantage is more helpful for non-fiction facts than a fictional story, our brain does engage more strongly with physical pages.

3) Holding a physical book connects us to it

The tactile nature of holding a book—the heft, the gloss of the cover, the texture of the paper—is fundamentally different than holding a screen. This is especially true when we use that screen for many other functions besides reading. A physical book has but one purpose: to offer us a reading experience. That makes for a more intimate connection.

4) A physical book is always yours…or yours to repurpose

Once you own a book, it’s yours forever. Of course, you can also share it or sell it or donate it. You don’t need to abide by an eBook library’s Terms of Service.

5) Privacy

Whatever you highlight in a physical book is for your eyes only. For many eBooks (depending on your device settings), any highlights you make are shared with the cloud. Do you really want everyone knowing that you loved the part about the samurai space cat? 🐱‍🚀 (Okay, that’s cool…so maybe you do…)

6) No running out of power

Need I say more? Nothing like having your Kindle shut off during the story’s climax… 😠

7) Better night reading

While most eReaders have a helpful night mode, you don’t need to worry as much about blue-light filtering when you’re reading a printed book. Just find your favorite book light and enjoy the ride!

8) A physical book is a good reminder

When we have a printed book sitting our nightstand, the odds are better that we’ll finish it. It can also be a reminder of the themes in the book, helping us to reflect upon it during the day. (Full disclosure: I tend to have a small stack of books on my nightstand 📚…but that stack reminds me to finally finish one book before adding another!😏)

9) Bookmarks

Do you have a cool-looking bookmark or two that make you smile? Maybe one with an inspirational verse or saying? Well, a printed book is a perfect place to showcase that bookmark. Good luck shoving one into a Kindle… 🔖

And my #10 reason…which may be the best one:

10) Books can be beautiful works of art

I’m not just talking about filling a bookshelf. I’m referring to beautiful special editions, with gilded covers, sprayed edges, the works.

Nobody goes to a museum to see an iPad. But those illustrated manuscripts medieval monks labored on for years? Now, that’s something to behold…in any century!

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What are your thoughts? Why do you think printed books are here to stay? Or do you predict they’ll disappear in the future?

Feel free to comment below!