We’re always talking about the upcoming physical media boom and why we should stock up on our favorite Blu-Rays and 4K discs before the movies disappear from streaming services. The topic of printed books rarely comes up in the conversation despite being the original physical medium that’s been around the longest.
All the disadvantages of a digital-only world apply to books. When you buy an e-book, you’re paying for a digital license rather than ownership, and it can be removed from the platform at any time. Platforms, like Amazon’s Kindle have stopped users from downloading their purchased e-books and lock you into their ecosystem. There’s also the chance that your favorite classic titles can be retroactively edited with new language and lose their old-school appeal. With these factors in mind, here are six reasons why printed books are the best physical media you can buy.
They last forever
No format issues to worry about
Music and video media inevitably become obsolete and end up in a junk box or getting thrown out. I spent a fortune on old music and video cassettes back in the day, and now I don’t own a single one. The same goes for my CDs and DVDs, which I never play and keep for nostalgic reasons.
On the other hand, my book collection has steadily grown over the years, and I’m still reading the same copies I’ve had since I was a kid. I don’t need to worry about fidelity or formats and know they’ll be just as readable for the rest of my life.
No need for players
They just work
Needing a compatible player goes hand in hand with changing formats. This wasn’t a big deal when every car came with a cassette or CD player and optical drives were standard on computers. Game consoles were among the last bastions of physical discs, and they’re now phasing them out.
These days, I have to go out of my way and spend money to buy a physical media player, which won’t last forever. This issue doesn’t exist with physical books. They’re pretty much the only media type I can enjoy indefinitely without spending extra cash or requiring machines.
Easier to share
Have fun trading with friends
The move to digital has stifled our ability to share and killed part of the fun that came with physical media. We all remember swapping game or movie discs with friends, then spending the weekend trying to complete them before handing them back. Yes, we can do that with modern discs, but it isn’t the same because not everyone has a compatible player.
Physical books are easy to swap and share with family and friends, and you can even sell titles you won’t read again at second-hand shops. I regularly swap books with people in my area, and it opens new worlds for me because I end up reading titles in genres I wouldn’t usually buy.
Better long-term value
A lifetime investment
The above points culminate in all-around better value. Physical books are one of the few lifetime investments you can buy that don’t require servicing or updates. They’ll last forever if taken care of, and you’ll be able to pass them down to your children or grandchildren.
Many of my books were passed down by my parents and have become priceless in sentimental value. Some of the vintage classics, like a 1951 edition of George Orwell’s 1984, are now valued by collectors and worth more than their original price. Even new books I don’t like have some value, and I often sell or trade them for ones I prefer.
Less screen time
A calming effect devices can’t match
I can’t deny the practicality of e-books and having countless titles at my fingertips. However, the drawback is that I must spend more time looking at screens to enjoy them. I understand this might not be an issue for some people. It is for me because more screen time is the last thing I need after typing articles all day.
I feel reading a physical book provides a calming effect that an e-book just can’t replicate. There’s something therapeutic about turning real pages, and I’m more relaxed and focused than I ever am with another soulless blue-screen device.
Owning feels better
Your collection tells a story about you
Like with movies and games, owning a printed book collection just feels better than having more files stored on a device. It’s something to be proud of and creates talking points and friendship. When people see my bookcase, they immediately have an idea about me and our shared tastes.
We end up talking about things we’re passionate about and create bonds e-books are incapable of building. It works both ways, and I love checking out other people’s collections to see if there’s something new I might like.
Getting limited or special editions adds to the appeal of a physical book collection and elevates them to pieces of art. This goes further with signed copies, which create a personal connection with the author which e-books can’t match.
