The rise of e-books: Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of digital reading

The reading culture has undergone drastic changes in recent years. With the constant progress of technology, the reading characteristics of books have also changed. The trend is increasingly towards digital reading, which is reflected in the increase of e-books and reading devices.

Advantages of digital reading

• Digital books are space-saving and easily accessible. One can store hundreds of books on a reading device and carry them around.
• Reading devices often have features such as backlighting, zooming capabilities, and bookmarks that enhance reading comfort.
• E-books are often cheaper than the printed version.
• There is a variety of e-books, which are often available in other languages, making it easier to access literature from different countries.

Disadvantages of digital reading

• Some people prefer the feel and smell of real books and miss the physical experience of reading an e-book.
• Reading devices require a fully charged battery and can potentially be disruptive if one receives notifications while reading.
• Not all books are available as e-books, which can be a challenge for some readers.
• There is no solution yet that focuses on the communal use of e-books.

Although there are obvious advantages to digital reading, one must also be aware of the challenges. In the end, each reader decides for themselves which reading experience they prefer the most.