4 reasons you should stick with paper books

fuad lawal

April 23, 2015 11:04 PM

April 23 is celebrated by bibliophiles all over the world as the World Book Day

Paper books outsold e-books in 2014

Yearly, April 23 readers of all forms of leaves come together to celebrate a common, simple love; the written word. World Book Day is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Although it is now in its 18th year, it's just as important as ever.

In honor of World Book Day and to celebrate reading, here are four reasons you should ditch the e-readers and iPads and pick up a paper book today.

1. It's helping bring back what some said was a dead form. There was a boom not too many years ago in the number of e-books being purchased and read. But sales for e-readers have made a significant drop in recent years. In 2014, sales for print books outpaced sales for e-books. Buying and reading more physical books is just another way one can help print publication trend again.

2. Reading print books assists building comprehension skills. A 2014 study found, Kindle users retained less of what they read than expected. Reading books is much better for developing up the skills one needs to understand and process better. In short: Print is good for your brain.

3. Those who read books are more empathetic. Reading, in general, is good for your heart, as it turns out. A 2013 study out of Emory University had good news for fiction readers. Fiction readers are more able to place themselves into other people's shoes, the study showed, which makes them better communicators and better at developing good friendships.

4. There's plenty you can read on the fly. In case you need suggestions of what to read, you're still covered. Plenty of authors have produces short-form writing perfect for your commute, your lunch hour or as a final activity before bed. So if you want to be smarter, more empathetic and an ally in the fight to keep print on top, you'll have plenty of quick options today and every day.

fuad lawal