Books are Back!

 “Dia del Idioma” was celebrated in The Columbus School, where students expressed their feeling towards reading in colorful posters with significant phrases. Students all around campus acknowledged their reading experiences and encouraged others in the importance of books. 

When it comes to reading, there are multiple ways to approach books. There are several different genres, authors and plots in which people take a preference. However, a debate has rised in the past years where readers decide to read ebooks or physical books. The debate might be ending with the last statistics disovered.

According to the Association of American Publishers (AAP), during 2017 ebook sales fell about $877 million, while hardcover and paperback sales grew about 1.7 billion.

With the rise of the ebook and kindle reading in 2007, many book lovers feared that the era of the physical book was going to find its end and update itself with the new and “improved” technological add on.  

The ebook, being an accessible and cheaper option, brought the attention of many. For several years after it incorporation in the market, it overpassed the sales in physical books and became a trend. However, opposing what many thought, the sales have decreased.

Readers maintained their strong view on physical books and conserved the traditional feeling  on paperback books. The connection of the reader is much greater and allows a better understanding of the book.

“I think the experience is more personal. When you are traveling with a book it is more special and there is a better connection between the reader and the book” Tomas Quintero, 11th grade student, said.

The fact that physical books sales increased while ebooks lowered is hard to believe, as seen throughout history, the updated version of a previous aspect that involved technology always remained on top, leaving the old one behind.  Even though ebooks offer wide benefits like its price and accessibility, it still can`t overcome the natural feel of a paperback book.

“I didn`t think this would happen because ebooks are much cheaper(ebooks sales decreasing), but ebooks can never approach and give the connection readers get in a physical book.”Juan Jose Escobar, 11th grade student, said.

Columbus School students still show a significant preference on physical books, regarding the importance in the historical aspect of reading and the way it affects the reading experience. The trend that was imposed by ebooks in the last decade didn`t affect the students keeping them with their old traditions.

“Technology is great and has benefited many things, however books are a tradition and I prefer feeling the pages” Escobar,said.

Physical books do provide a much wider and better experience since the reader can actually feel the paper and become immersed in the book without any factor of distraction such as technology, being a major one in today`s life.

It is clear the “old habits die hard”, and one as massive as reading can not be easily changed. Ebooks are still a viable option and commonly used source and method for reading, however we “old fashioned” readers will preserve books as the way to go when reading. Most students in TCS still show their preference in physical books and tried changing without having much success, recurring to paperback again.

“Reading gives life, more life”