The Pros and Cons of E-Books

With the advent of technology, e-books are the latest trend to emerge. Many are drawn towards the idea of being able to access multiple electronic books on any device, be it your tablet, laptop, or phone. However, despite the advantages this platform has to offer, there are some drawbacks when compared to traditional, physical books.

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When looking at the benefits of e-books, the most alluring ones are convenience and accessibility. You have access to thousands of novels, poems, cookbooks etc. simply with the click of a button. Compared to traditional books, you sometimes are unable to find what you are looking for at the store, or someone has borrowed it at the local library. However the digital library is boundless, with any topic or book available. This makes reading extremely convenient. It is also portable which makes your life much easier – you don’t have to worry about carrying books wherever you go, or storing them, since there is no storage limit at all. You could switch from one book to the other within mere seconds, without worrying about where you will keep the previous one, or it possibly getting damaged. Another advantage is saving money – even if you buy a new device such as a tablet for reading e-books, this is cheaper in the long run. Reading 100 books online is not as expensive as buying these books individually.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages that need to be considered. Not everyone is tech-savvy, instead preferring the comfort and aesthetic of traditional paperbacks. They may be unable to absorb information which is on a screen, and will be unable to store and cherish meaningful books if they are all accessed online only. Besides being limited in immersing oneself in the reading experience, there are health risks to account for too. Excessive screen time can strain the eyes, causing headaches and sleep problems, which are not the case for traditional books.