"Paper books or ebooks—which is better?"
This is an eternal question that every avid reader has pondered at least once. The conclusion: it's not about which is superior, but about using each according to your purpose.
In this article, we'll thoroughly compare paper books and ebooks from 6 perspectives, with a particular focus on reading records and reading notes.
Comparison Summary
| Category | Paper Books | Ebooks |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Retention | ◎ Slightly better | ○ Depends on approach |
| Ease of Quotation | △ Manual typing required | △ DRM restrictions |
| Searchability | × Manual search | ◎ Full-text search |
| Portability | △ Heavy & bulky | ◎ Thousands of books in one device |
| Cost | △ Full price to used | ○ Frequent sales |
| Sense of Ownership | ◎ Physical ownership | △ License only |
Let's examine each category in detail.
1. Memory Retention: Paper Has a Slight Edge, But the Gap Is Small
Winner: Paper Books (by a narrow margin)
Research suggests paper is slightly better, but taking reading notes virtually eliminates the difference.
Multiple studies have shown that paper books tend to be better for memory retention.
Research Findings
A 2013 study from the University of Stavanger in Norway found that participants who read on paper were better able to reconstruct the chronological order of a story than those who read on e-readers. This is thought to be because "spatial cues" (remembering where something was in the book) serve as memory aids.
Why Paper Books Aid Memory
- Spatial memory: Location information like "that was in the second half, upper part of the right page" becomes a memory cue
- Tactile feedback: The sensation of turning pages and the texture of paper reinforce memory
- Physical sense of progress: The changing thickness and weight of the book gives you a tangible sense of how far you've read
Tips for Better Memory Retention with Ebooks
- Take reading notes: Active output can compensate for the medium's differences
- Use the highlight feature: Mark important passages and review them later
- Summarize each chapter: Build a habit of organizing content at natural breaks
Conclusion: Paper books have a slight advantage, but for those who take reading notes, the difference is negligible. What matters most is "reading actively" regardless of the medium.
2. Ease of Quotation: Both Have Pros and Cons
Winner: Tie
Paper offers freedom but requires manual typing. Ebooks allow copying but have DRM restrictions.
Paper Books
- Advantage: No restrictions on quoting
- Disadvantage: Must type manually to include in reading notes
Since paper books physically exist, there are no restrictions on quoting. However, recording quotes in your reading notes requires manual typing. Voice-to-text can reduce the burden, but it still takes effort.
Ebooks
- Advantage: Text can sometimes be copied
- Disadvantage: Often restricted by DRM (copy protection)
Ebooks like Kindle often have DRM that limits the number of copies you can make. The highlight feature is convenient, but export may be restricted. In the end, including quotes in reading notes often requires manual typing anyway.
Choose DRM-Free Ebooks
Some publishers like O'Reilly (technical books), certain Kindle titles, and indie publications offer DRM-free options that allow free copying and quoting. When purchasing for learning purposes, it's worth checking the DRM status.
Conclusion: Both often end up requiring manual typing. However, manual typing can be a positive thing—it encourages you to "summarize in your own words," which actually helps with memory retention.
3. Searchability: Ebooks Win Decisively
Winner: Ebooks
Full-text search is ebooks' greatest strength. "Where was that passage?" becomes instantly answerable.
Paper Book Searchability
- Must manually search using table of contents and index
- Requires marking with sticky notes or highlighters
- Flip through pages relying on "I think it was around here" memory
Ebook Searchability
- Full-text search: Search the entire text by keyword
- Highlight list: View all marked passages at a glance
Especially for reference books and technical books that you'll frequently refer back to, ebook searchability offers an overwhelming advantage.
*Note: Full-text search doesn't work on ebooks that are simply scanned images of paper pages (such as scanned PDFs). Check if the ebook contains actual text data before purchasing.
Improving Paper Book Searchability
- Record "page numbers" in your reading notes
- Use sticky notes to mark important sections
- Use a reading record tool to save quotes with page numbers
4. Portability: Ebooks Win Decisively
Winner: Ebooks
Carry thousands of books on a single smartphone. Perfect for travel and commuting.
Paper Books
- Each book weighs about 200-500g
- Takes up space in your bag
- Carrying multiple books isn't practical
Ebooks
- A single smartphone or tablet can hold thousands of books
- Read while traveling without worrying about weight
- Easy to read multiple books in parallel
For those who often read while out—on trains or during trips—ebooks are overwhelmingly convenient.
5. Cost: Ebooks Have a Slight Edge
Winner: Ebooks (conditionally)
Ebooks are cheaper when you take advantage of sales. But considering the used book market, paper holds its own.
| Category | Paper Books | Ebooks |
|---|---|---|
| List Price | $15-25 | $10-20 (slightly cheaper) |
| Sales | △ Rare | ◎ Frequent 50% off sales |
| Used Market | ◎ Buy cheap used copies | × No resale |
| Resale | ○ Sell at used bookstores/online | × Cannot resell |
| Unlimited Reading | △ Library | ◎ Kindle Unlimited, etc. |
Ebooks have frequent sales and are often cheaper than print at list price. On the other hand, paper books offer the ability to buy cheap used copies and sell them after reading.
Tips for Higher Resale Value
Keep your paper books in pristine condition by avoiding writing or dog-earing pages. Record important passages in your reading notes instead of marking up the book. Books in excellent condition sell for higher prices in the used market, effectively reducing your overall cost.
6. Sense of Ownership: Paper Books Win Decisively
Winner: Paper Books
Spines lined up on a shelf, the feel of holding a book in your hands. The joy of ownership is unique to paper.
Paper Book Ownership
- Physical possession: Satisfaction of having books on your shelf
- Lending and borrowing: You can hand a friend a book saying "this is great!"
- Permanence: No worry about services shutting down
- Interior value: Books create atmosphere in a room
Ebook Ownership
- License purchase: Strictly speaking, you're buying "viewing rights"
- Service discontinuation risk: If the platform shuts down, you might lose access
- No lending: Can't share with others (with some exceptions)
You Don't Actually "Own" Ebooks?
Reading the terms of service for most ebooks reveals that "ownership of content does not transfer." This means even after purchase, you've only obtained "the right to read", and access could be revoked at the provider's discretion. That said, major platforms (Kindle, Kobo, etc.) are unlikely to suddenly discontinue service.
Conclusion: Using Both Is the Best Answer
Which is better—paper books or ebooks—depends on how you'll use them.
When Paper Books Are Better
- Books you want to keep and re-read (favorites, beloved books)
- Books for deep, careful reading (literature, philosophy, specialized texts)
- Books with many illustrations/photos (art books, photo books, reference guides)
- Picture books to read with children
- Books you want to give as gifts
When Ebooks Are Better
- Books to read while out/commuting
- Practical/technical books you'll search later
- Entertainment novels you'll only read once
- Books you want to preview before deciding to buy in print
- When you want to save storage space
You don't have to commit to being a "paper person" or "ebook person." Choosing based on the type of book and reading situation is the smartest reading style.
Summary
Key Takeaways
- Memory retention: Paper has a slight edge, but taking notes minimizes the difference
- Quotation: Both often require manual typing in the end
- Searchability: Ebook full-text search is overwhelmingly convenient
- Portability: Ebooks let you carry thousands of books
- Cost: Sales favor ebooks; used market favors paper
- Sense of ownership: Paper books offer the security of physical ownership
Find the reading style that works best for you and enjoy more of your reading journey.
One Place for All Your Reading Records—Paper or Ebook
With Reading Forest, you can manage reading records for both paper books and ebooks in one place.
Ready to consolidate your scattered reading notes?