Priyanka Sharma

    consultpriyanka1@gmail.com

    THOUGH it’s probably good news for our forests and environment, still the thought of a slowly dying print media saddens me. I am a book lover, book collector and prefer nicely printed books on fine paper if possible with hard covers, to e-books, e-magazines and e-newspapers.

    When I see fewer and fewer people traveling with their favorite novel or the latest edition of their favorite magazine, instead looking at their smartphones and tablets, I see the end of an era. I see the death of a tradition. I see something essential becoming a luxury.

    Over the last 10 years, newspapers have seen their circulation drop by 17 percent and ads plunge by 50 percent. Magazine sales are lower than ever, and they also have seen a steep drop in ad pages. Perhaps a welcome change for readers, but not for the publications.

    The popularization of e-books has been the reason for the closure of many bookstores and libraries. Book cafes and book shops have become a risky business given the dropping number of visitors and small number of buyers.

    There is a drop in newspaper and magazine staffing and altogether the situation look glum.

    But I haven’t lost hope. Yes, e-book readers are versatile, easy to use, easy to carry, and can store thousands of books, but there are plenty they can’t do.

    E-book readers cannot render art in its true form, they cannot be brought to a beach without worrying about sun or water damage, nor can they be used to build a library. Reading an e-book does not give you the sense of accomplishment that a printed book does.

    An e-book reader can replace some parts of the book experience, but not all of them.

    A true book lover may still have a kindle in their arsenal but given the choice they will always choose a printed book over an e-book. The pleasure that a printed book brings to its reader with its musky scent, aging paper and every leaf turned becomes a part of the reader’s story. An e-book can’t reproduce such a personal experience.

    Yes, digitalization is the thing of the modern era. E-books help us save paper, protect our forests and contribute to environmental protection. E-books are quite useful for students with limited money and a lack of storage space, or travelers who do not have a permanent residence and are always on the move.

    But there are some things that should be protected against brutal modernization just like historical buildings, paintings, murals and sculptures. Books are an important part of history. From the oldest scroll in Alexandria to modern paperbacks, they illustrate the development of a civilization.

    A book is a best friend and no electronic device can replace it. So next time you pass a magazine stand or a book store, don’t just scan the QR code or note the ISBN to buy the e-book later, buy the printed copy. Trust me, it’s better.

    (The author is an aspiring writer with a passion for travel and photography.)