Books vs Screens: Why We Still Love Paperbacks
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In a world overflowing with notifications, screens, and endless scrolling, there's something beautifully grounding about the feel of a paperback in your hands. The weight of a well-worn novel. The scent of old paper. The gentle sound of pages turning. Even with eBooks, audiobooks, tablets, and smartphones offering stories at a tap, paperbacks continue to hold a sacred space in our lives. But why?
At Best of Used Books, we see this love every day—in the stories people choose, in the joy of finding a forgotten favorite, in the quiet smile that comes from holding a book that’s lived in someone else’s hands. And while screens have their place, paperbacks still win hearts. Here’s why.
1. The Tactile Experience Matters
There’s something deeply human about touch. When we hold a paperback, we engage with it physically. The texture of the cover, the slight roughness of the page edges, the way the book bends just enough in your hands—all of it creates a sensory memory. Reading becomes more than just consuming words. It becomes an experience.
Screens, in contrast, are cold and flat. Whether it’s a Kindle or a phone, the interaction feels distant. No matter how high the resolution, scrolling through an eBook doesn’t carry the same charm as turning a page you’ve dog-eared hours ago.
2. No Notifications, No Distractions
One of the biggest challenges with digital reading is distraction. Just when you're getting into the story, a notification buzzes in. A message pops up. An ad flashes. Suddenly, you’re out of the world the author built and back into the noise of everyday life.
Paperbacks demand and reward presence. When you're with a book, you’re just with the book. There’s no battery to drain, no alerts to check, no apps to switch between. It’s just you and the story.
3. A Break from Screens Is Good for You
Many of us already spend hours staring at screens—work laptops, school assignments, entertainment, social media. By the end of the day, your eyes are tired, your neck stiff, and your brain scattered. Reading on yet another screen doesn’t help.
Paperbacks offer relief. They give our eyes a break from backlit glare and our minds a moment to slow down. Studies have shown that reading printed text improves comprehension and retention compared to screens. The act of holding a book and following words on a page helps our brain stay focused and absorb more.
4. Books Feel More Personal
Every paperback tells two stories—the one written inside and the one it carries from its past owners. The smudge on a corner. The note scribbled on the inside cover. The crease that suggests it was someone's favorite chapter.
When you buy used books, especially, you’re continuing that story. It becomes your companion on the train, by the bed, during a lazy Sunday. And over time, it becomes a piece of your own memory.
Screens are uniform. A story on a phone or tablet looks exactly the same no matter who reads it. But a book becomes yours in the way it looks, wears, and lives.
5. They Don’t Rely on Tech
Books don’t need charging. They won’t crash or update in the middle of a chapter. There’s a simplicity to them that feels reliable in an age of constant upgrades. You can toss a paperback into your bag, spill a little tea on it, and it’ll still work just fine.
For parents especially, paperbacks are a gift. No blue light, no addictive swiping—just honest storytelling. At Best of Used Books, we see many parents choosing second-hand books for their children to help them build a screen-free reading habit.
6. You Can Share and Gift Them Freely
Have you ever passed someone a book and said, “You have to read this”? That exchange creates a connection. Paperbacks are meant to be shared. Left on benches. Swapped between friends. Gifted with scribbled notes. They’re made to travel.
Sharing a digital file just doesn’t feel the same. It’s transactional, not personal.
Used books, in particular, come with stories that stretch across homes, cities, sometimes even generations. Gifting someone a book that has already touched other lives makes the gesture even more meaningful.
7. They Look Beautiful on Shelves
Let’s be honest—bookshelves are cozy. Whether it's a messy stack by the bed or a color-coded collection in the living room, physical books add warmth to a space. They say something about who you are, what you love, what you’ve lived through.
No bookshelf wallpaper or digital library screen can match the feeling of a shelf lined with stories you’ve known and loved.
At Best of Used Books, we often hear people say, “I missed the look of books in my house.” It’s not just decor. It’s comfort.
8. They Make Reading Feel Intentional
It’s easy to skim on a screen. Harder to slow down and really read. Paperbacks ask you to pause, stay, and take your time. They’re not about speed—they’re about connection.
You read differently when you’re holding a book. You reflect more. You stay longer with the characters. You finish a chapter and close the book with a quiet sense of satisfaction—something screens rarely offer.
So, Why Do Paperbacks Still Matter?
Because they feel human.
Because they make reading more than just words on a screen.
Because they remind us that not everything has to be fast, clickable, or digital.
In a time where everything moves at lightning speed, paperbacks invite us to slow down. To hold something real. To feel the weight of a story. To carry it with us.
That’s why we love them. That’s why they’re not going anywhere. And that’s why, at Best of Used Books, we’re proud to keep giving them second lives.
Your next favorite book is waiting. And it’s probably just a page turn away.
Explore our handpicked pre-loved books and start your next story today.