I’ve Converted To eBooks! (Kinda) | Pros & Cons

If someone made me choose between eBooks vs. physical books just a year ago, I’d say physical books for sure! Fortunately enough, a lot has changed since then. 

I’ve always been someone that enjoys physical things – I use physical planners/calendars, to-do lists, journals, and you guessed it, physical books.

I enjoy physical things because I think it’s easier to focus and absorb. The pen to paper feeling gives me more control and just feels more authentic to me. I’ve slowly been transitioning to doing things online to save paper and for convenience sake but paper still holds a special place in my heart.

What changed my opinion?

Before the pandemic, 99% of the books I read were physical books. But then libraries closed down and I wasn’t able to borrow physical books anymore. At first it didn’t even dawn on me that I could borrow eBooks – I just thought I’d have to wait.

After a short while, I didn’t want to wait anymore and decided to borrow one of the books I’ve been high anticipating as an eBook. So the first full book I ever read as an eBook was Kingdom of back by Marie Lu and it wasn’t a bad experience at all – I ended up loving the book and not minding the electronic format at all!

Am I completely converted?

Yes and no. After my wonderful eBook experience, I started mass borrowing books as eBooks (I still do this to this day)! My eyes have been opened – throughout this past year I’ve read more eBooks than physical books which is something I never would’ve imagined.

When it comes to buying books, I still prefer to buy physical copies because I can actually feel/have a copy of it and want to keep filling up my bookshelves. However there are cons to having physical books as well (but that’s for another day).

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Let’s take a look at the pros & cons of reading eBooks! What format do you prefer reading?

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Pros

• Able to carry multiple books with you 

This is great for those of you that read multiple books at once. Instead of stuffing all your books into a backpack and risk damaging them, you can just carry your e-Reader.

• Shows valuable information 

Seeing how much percentage I’ve already read and how much is left in the book can be motivating for readers. eBooks also tell you how many pages left of a chapter which helps readers gage how much there is left to read. 

• Easy to hold/flip pages 

If you’re a multitasker like me and reads while doing other things like eating, brushing teeth, or cooking, you’ll appreciate not having to hold a physical open. It’s also easier to flip pages when your hands are tied.

• Good for those without shelf space

Book lovers will probably never stop buying books (it’ll never end to be honest haha) so you might eventually run out of shelf space if you only read physical books.

• Lower price

Buying books is an expensive hobby and the price adds up. eBooks are usually less expensive than physical books.

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Cons

• Can’t tab pages easily/harder to annotate

I tab/annotate all the physical books I own but don’t do this with eBooks because I find it harder to keep track of visually. You’re not able to look at a book and quickly see all your tabs and markings – you’ll need to open up the eBook first and then sort through your bookmarks.

• Less physical ‘connection’ to books since you’re just seeing the same screen for different books

Even though each book is technically really different, each book doesn’t look or feel unique because the pages, font (usually), and screen you’re reading from are all the same.

• Needs to be charged

If your device isn’t charged then you won’t be reading! Sometimes it’s nice to get off all screens entirely and relax with a book. It’s harder to do this with eBooks cause obviously you’re reading from an electronic screen.

• Can’t be displayed on a shelf

If you’re someone with lots of shelf space and wants to proudly display your books then you’ll be upset cause you won’t be able to do that with all your eBooks.

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After looking at the pros and cons for eBooks, what do you think? Are you Team eBooks or Team physical books?