8 reasons I still love traditional paper books over ebooks

I look forward to Sunday afternoons after brunch or late evenings during the week before going to sleep, because one of the ways I unwind is by leisurely reading books — paper books.

Yes, I really do prefer paper books over ebooks in general, and my time reading books is also my time for “digital detox” away from the convenience yet ubiquitous presence of nonstop Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and email updates. 

Recently, I bought three new books by talented writers of different generations and genres — the fictional memoir There Not There: The Filipino in Exile by Columbia University and University of the Philippines alumnus Nelson Navarro, which was launched on Aug. 13 at the Writers Bar of Raffles Hotel Makati; the young adult novella The Year We Became Invincible by Pomona College student and tennis athlete Mae Coyiuto, which was launched on Aug. 8 at National Book Store in Glorietta 1, Makati City; and Panaderia: Philippine Bread, Biscuit and Bakery Traditions by Amy A. Uy and Jenny B. Orillos. 

Mae Coyiuto is not only creative, she is also quite diligent — this is her fifth book and she’s only 20! The 179-page book is easy to read and interesting even for people of different generations. Her previous works were three children’s books and a collection of young adult short stories.

For the prolific journalist and biographer Nelson Navarro, this 164-page fictional memoir is his 14th book and a refreshing, interesting and well-written contribution to the body of works chronicling the Filipino American experience, especially of those political exiles like him during the 1970s martial law era.

Here are reasons I still love printed books instead of ebooks:

1. No low-batt problems. No doubt about it, I love my smartphones and tablets, which are so convenient it’s like holding a computer in the palm of my hand, but the downside of our modern convenience is the perennial challenge to recharge our gadgets with either a power bank or a portable charger. What is funny is that sometimes, I need to keep recharging my power bank unit due to the many apps open in my mobile phones like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, etc. Reading books via Kindle or Nook is cool, but I just love reading an old-fashioned book on paper without need to constantly recharge it, especially on long travels by plane or car!

2. The best sleeping pill. I have no need to take a sleeping pill because one of the best ways to lull myself to sleep is to leisurely read a book, newspaper or magazine. In contrast, reading a book or newspaper online late at night has the opposite effect on me, making me more alert due to the light or brightness emitted by the gadget and lessening restful deep sleep. A study by Harvard University discovered that reading ebooks before bedtime lessened our body’s production of the important sleep hormone called “melatonin.” No wonder we take much longer to go asleep and often tired the next day! Read the old-fashioned way to enjoy a good sleep

3. Books as works of art.  I think one of the best reasons to still love and buy books on paper is the sheer physical beauty of books, the colors, the paper, the fonts, especially the artistically designed book of Mae Coyiuto with its distinctive graphics and the texture of the book cover. The beautiful cover design is by Tania Arpa, good book design by Joshene Bersales and Ysa Garcia. The latest book of Nelson Navarro had Indios Bravos do its elegant yet austere-looking cover and book design. Book publishers should continue to come out with books as artworks, to continue their relevance and popularity.

4. Ideal interior design feature. I’m in the real estate business of buying, building and renovating houses for sale, and I highly recommend homebuyers and interior design folks to not forget that one of the most beautiful sights in a home is a bookshelf or library of books. The bookshelf doesn’t have to be big — even just a few books on the wall would do aesthetic wonders to any house, townhouse or condo. When I restored the 76-year-old Kamuning Bakery after buying the property, I added an antique narra wood cabinet and filled it with diverse books.

5. Paper books are better for improved memory. I’ve come across scientific studies in Israel and Taiwan saying that reading books on paper is better for memory or retention of information than reading online. A 2014 study revealed that readers using Kindles were less able to remember a novel’s plot and events compared to those reading paperback books. Researchers weren’t certain why, maybe it’s due to physiological advantages of physically and visually progressing a paper book?

6. Books or newspapers for digital detox and to de-stress. There are now high-end resorts and boutique hotels worldwide that offer travellers and vacationers the chance for digital detox or de-stressing our eyes and bodies from gadgets or computers. We all need this once in a while. What better way to occasionally enjoy this than by reading a book for two hours on a Sunday afternoon or at night before going to sleep?

7. Books as wonderful gifts. One of the best gifts for people of all ages and varied interests is a book. I always believe there’s an ideal book for each particular person. How better to give a book than by having it autographed by the author or with your own handwritten note.

8. Support bookstores and libraries. Every book launch is a reaffirmation of civilization. In a harried world that tends to focus a lot on the material rather than the spiritual, let us support the continued existence of delightful libraries and bookstores by buying and reading books on paper.

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