In recent years, printed books have seen a resurgence, and for good reason: According to science, they may be better for your brain and health. These are just some of the reasons why:
1. you absorb more information.
print readers absorb and remember more of the plot than ebook readers, according to a study that was presented in italy in 2014. in an earlier study, print readers also scored higher in other areas, such as empathy, immersion in the book and understanding of the narrative. scientists believe this effect is related to the tactile sensation of holding a book in your hands.
You are reading: Advantages of printed books over ebooks
In other words, seeing and feeling how much progress you’ve made in the story, by virtue of the waxing and waning pages on both sides of the book, can help readers feel like they’re developing the story, literally and figuratively. . Plus, with a print book, it’s easier to go back and confirm information you’re unsure about without losing your place and having to scroll or click on your mobile device or tablet.
2. they also help kids become better readers.
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Another study of young children between the ages of three and five revealed that children had lower story comprehension when their parents read them an e-book instead of a print book. the researchers theorize that this arises because children are distracted by the electronic device and find it more difficult to focus on the story itself. In another study, students who had read a short story on an e-reader were less engaged and had more difficulty remembering the exact order of events.
3. they are more pleasing to the eye.
Because many jobs require you to stare at a computer screen all day, it’s wise to give your eyes a break whenever you can. a survey of 429 college students revealed that almost half had complained of eyestrain after reading digitally. e-books can cause screen fatigue, which can lead to blurred vision, redness, dryness, and irritation. with print books, you don’t have to worry about any of that.
4. you’re less likely to be distracted.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, people who read e-books tend to be more easily distracted, but not just because the internet is at their fingertips. digital readers tend to spend more time searching for keywords than processing what they are reading. And with a printed book, there’s no chance of getting distracted by links or sucked down an internet rabbit hole looking for the collective term for a group of ferrets (they’re called “business”, by the way).
according to one survey, 67% of college students were able to multitask while reading digitally, compared to 41% of print readers. but if your goal is to fully grasp and understand the text in front of you, that’s not necessarily a good thing.
5. they can help you sleep better.
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When you’re winding down at night, reading on a screen or scrolling through a social media app on your phone are bad ideas. Study after study has shown that blue light from your screen can mess with your melatonin levels and circadian cycles, making it harder for you to fall asleep and more groggy when you wake up. however, in general, the engagement and brain activity that comes with reading can help you fall asleep when you’re having trouble. so if you’re hoping for a good night’s rest, stick with the impression.
6. Having a library at home is related to higher academic performance.
Students who have books at home are more likely to get better test scores, according to a study of readers in 42 countries. It doesn’t matter how many books you have, but each additional book helps children do better in school. this is especially true for children from disadvantaged families. researchers believe this is because having books at home encourages children to read for fun and talk to their parents about what they’ve learned, which will only benefit them in the classroom.
7. they amplify the pleasure of reading.
a recent study of college students in the us. USA, Slovakia, Japan and Germany showed that 92% of participants preferred real books that they could hold, touch and flip through whenever they wanted. students cited fewer distractions and less eyestrain as some of the reasons they prefer print materials, but other explanations were related to how books make them feel.
Slovakian students in particular said they enjoy the smell of books. in fact, scientists who have analyzed the chemical composition of ancient books found that the pages contain hints of vanilla (from lignin, a similar-smelling component in paper) as well as herbaceous notes. in this sense, smelling an old book is a bit like the pleasure you get from smelling perfume or flowers. Studies have also shown that books can make us happier, inspire us to travel, and encourage us to make life-changing decisions. So don’t feel guilty the next time you spend a little more than you planned on at the bookstore—science says it’s good for you.
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