Why people are choosing printed books in 2026

Though e-books have been widely available since the early 2000s, printed book sales show no signs of waning and here are the reasons why.

Simplicity

When Kindle e-readers were first launched in 2007, people raved about how user-friendly, lightweight and functional they were. However, they need charging, and you need internet access to buy and download your next book, meaning they can’t beat the simplicity of a printed book.

Comfort

As a nation we already spend too much time attached to digital devices, so picking up an e-reader at the end of a busy day is often the last thing we want to do. The risk of eye strain is real and back-lighting can trigger migraines in susceptible individuals. These risks simply don’t exist with printed books.

Gift value

A digital download token isn’t really a great present, requiring the recipient to log into an online account to redeem it whereas a beautifully printed and bound book, such as those produced by leading book printers Gloucester like https://wheatleyprinters.co.uk/printing-services/marketing-materials/book-printers/gloucester showcase the giver’s care and understanding of the recipient’s preferences and that they’ve made an effort to find a book that they will love.

Comprehension

It is easy to scan-read a digital book, but for those who enjoy the journey or academics who value the ability to highlight and underline key pieces of information, nothing beats a physical book. People who read paper books retain information better and are better able to recall it at a later date, making paper books the best method of absorbing important information.

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Timothy Pourner

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