Results from a new survey regarding reading habits are out and consumer preference still lies with physical books.
Last fall, market research firm Ipsos conducted a survey on behalf of printer-maker Canon U.S.A. to gauge consumers' interest in using printed products versus digitial products. Of the roughly 2,000 U.S. adult respondents, most preferred the tactile experience of reading a printed book.
Sixty-five percent of respondents, according to Canon, prefer physical books over e-books and audiobooks; 29% prefer e-books, while 18% prefer audiobooks. E-books, notably, have not performed well for publishers that report revenue data to the Association of American Publishers, seeing decreases continually aside from a few aberrations in 2018. On the other hand, audiobook revenues have been rising rapidly for years (though their revenues remain well below that of e-books and physical books).
While e-books are often cheaper or priced similarly to their paperback and hardcover siblings, research has indicated time and time again that readers prefer, or at least have more frequently engaged with, printed books. Research into why readers have this preference is less prolific.
cyaos on May 30th, 2019 at 21:09 UTC »
I was late to the e-book train - I resisted them fiercely. I stopped reading for about 6 years due to the stress of parenthood. I got back into reading after failed attempts only by trying e-books and that is the primary way that I read now. If I really love the book I buy it in physical format.
There is something to be said for reading in a very dark room while lying on bed - it is something that you can't do with a physical book. It is also nice to have so many books available without lugging them around.
I can't do audiobooks and am so jealous of those that can. I lack the attention span and focus required, along with having issues with retention.
prevori on May 30th, 2019 at 18:46 UTC »
I like the tactile feel of a physical book. I also like the (relative) permanence of it in that when I buy the book, I own the book. I'm disturbed by those articles where e-books are licensing the books to the reader and that license can be retracted and the book deleted from the reader's e-book reader with no recourse from the reader.
aRushinTroll on May 30th, 2019 at 18:44 UTC »
To me it's more different tools for different jobs. The Kindle is great for having a big selection in tiny package for travel and harder to find in print, or public domain books. Paperbacks are great for the back porch or the beach, and hardcovers are nice for lounging at home reading. Audio books are nice to have for the gym, and a lifesavers during a long commute. If I had to choose, I'd probably go with print, but it's nice to have all 3 options.