Confessions of an Old-School Book Lover

My preference for physical books isn’t just about nostalgia or being set in my ways.

There’s actually research backing up what many of us have suspected:

Studies have shown that people don’t retain information as well from eBooks as they do from physical books.

We need that tactile experience — the physical book in our hands — to truly absorb and remember what we’ve read.

(I really hope schools haven’t completely written off actual books in favor of digital everything!)

You know what? I think I just figured out another major reason why eBooks aren’t my thing, and it has nothing to do with being old-fashioned.

I spend HOURS every day in front of a computer or on my phone.

I’m writing my novels, editing them, crafting emails and blog posts, creating short stories, designing book covers, and developing marketing materials.

Add in my work as a professional ghostwriter, editor, and proofreader, and I’m practically living on blue screens.

So the last thing I want to do during my precious downtime is pick up another glowing rectangle! When I finally get to relax with a book, I want to get as far away from screens as possible.

Here’s where it gets interesting, though.

Even though I prefer physical books for pleasure reading, I do read eBooks for work-related content — research, writing guides, marketing strategies, that sort of thing.

(Which, now that I think about it, probably isn’t the smartest approach given what I just said about retention rates from digital reading. Maybe that’s why I’m having such an awful time remembering how to work Amazon Ads!)

It’s kind of like being an interior designer, which I am.

My personal tastes run toward the elegant and refined — I’m drawn to English, French, and Italian design styles that have stood the test of time.

However, I can design anything for my clients, even if I have to gag my way through drafting a modern Zen interior that goes against every aesthetic instinct I have.

The same principle applies to eBooks.

Though I prefer physical books both as a reader and as an authoress (and definitely as a designer — hardcovers really class up a bookshelf while adding texture and visual interest to a room), I can and do write and publish eBooks for readers who prefer the modern approach to consuming stories.

I have to admit, I think eBooks take away some of the fun and magic of the reading experience.

There’s something special about going to a bookstore, browsing the shelves, maybe attending a book signing, and walking away with an autographed copy clutched in your hands.

Can you get your eBook signed? I mean, maybe there’s a way I haven’t heard of, but it doesn’t seem quite the same as having an author personalize an actual book that you can display on your shelf forever.

Physical books engage all your senses in ways that eBooks simply can’t match.

There’s the visual satisfaction of seeing your progress through a story. The tactile pleasure of paper texture. That distinctive book smell that every bibliophile recognizes instantly. The gentle sound of pages turning that creates its own reading soundtrack.

These aren’t just nostalgic preferences — they’re part of what makes reading a full-body, immersive experience rather than just an intellectual exercise.

Now, before you think I’m completely anti-technology, let me be clear:

I absolutely see the value in eBooks, and I respect readers who prefer them.

E-books offer convenience that physical books simply can’t match.

You can carry an entire library in your pocket. You can adjust font sizes for better readability. You can look up unfamiliar words instantly. You can purchase and start reading a new book within minutes, any time of day or night.

E-Books also serve readers who might have difficulty with physical books — those with vision issues who need larger fonts, people with mobility challenges who benefit from lighter reading devices, or readers who live in areas where physical bookstores and libraries aren’t easily accessible.

For these readers, eBooks aren’t just convenient; they’re essential for maintaining their reading lives.

There’s also the environmental angle.

E-books don’t require paper, printing, or physical shipping. For environmentally conscious readers, digital books represent a way to feed their reading habit without contributing to issues they believe occur from physical books.

I may love the feel and smell of paper, but I get that others believe that eBooks are the more eco-friendly option.

As an authoress, my job isn’t to dictate how people should read my stories — it’s to make sure my stories are available however readers want to consume them.

That’s why both of my published books, Unconditional Love and The Adventure in the Magical World, are available in eBook formats.

I never want to overlook fellow readers just because they prefer a different delivery method for their literary adventures.

At the end of the day, whether someone reads my romance on a Kindle or my kids’ book on an iPad, what matters is that they’re experiencing the story.

The format is just the vehicle — the destination is what counts.

If a reader falls in love with my characters through an eBook, gets swept away by my plot via their tablet, or recommends my story to friends after reading it on their phone, then the mission is accomplished regardless of the medium.

So on this Read an E-book Day, I want to celebrate digital reading even though it’s not my personal preference. I want to honor the readers who’ve embraced this technology and the authors who’ve adapted to serve them.

Just because I prefer the weight of a hardcover in my hands doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with enjoying stories on a screen.

Just because I love the ritual of turning physical pages doesn’t mean digital page-flipping is inferior.

We’re all readers. We all love stories. We’re all part of the same literary community, whether we’re team paper or team pixels.

Looking ahead, I suspect we’ll see even more innovation in digital reading.

Maybe future e-readers will better simulate the tactile experience of physical books. Maybe new technologies will bridge the gap between digital convenience and sensory satisfaction.

Until then, I’ll keep publishing in multiple formats to serve readers however they prefer to consume their stories.

Whether you’re team physical books or team eBooks, here’s my challenge for Read an E-book Day:

Try something outside your normal format comfort zone.

If you’re an eBook devotee, maybe pick up a physical book and rediscover the sensory pleasures I’ve been raving about.

If you’re old-school like me, maybe download a digital book and experience the convenience that millions of readers love.

Because here’s what we all share, regardless of our format preferences:

We love stories.

We love getting lost in other worlds. We love meeting characters who feel real and experiencing adventures that take us beyond our everyday lives.

That love of story transcends format. Whether it’s delivered via paper or pixels, bound in covers or stored in clouds, a great book is a great book.