The digital book is too expensive

The e-book often seems more expensive to readers, perhaps because of its medium and the price of new releases. Indeed, for a book that has just been released, it is not uncommon for the price of the e-book to exceed €10, which seems expensive for a dematerialized product. Fortunately, when it comes out in paperback, the price often drops significantly.

Self-published books are often sold for less than €5, which allows you to make great discoveries without breaking the bank. Finally, online, you should know that there are also completely free books. The great classics of French literature, which are part of the public domain, are offered freely and free of charge. Thanks to the digital book, transport costs are also saved, a significant advantage for lovers of literature in a foreign language, for example.

Digital books are killing the paper book industry

The digital book only complements the paper book, it does not replace it. The figures prove it: according to an Ipsos study carried out for the National Book Center in 2019, the reading of digital books is not evolving to the detriment of paper reading. Only 1 % of French people read exclusively digital books. In 2019, the French read an average of 17 books in paper format, compared to 4 books in digital format.  

Most e-book readers are actually heavy readers, reading equally in both formats, and who have increased their book purchases since the arrival of the e-book. The ideal formula for many of them? Keeping paper books in their library for reading at home, and opting for the digital format when traveling or commuting.

Furthermore, during the lockdown imposed at the beginning of 2020, sales of digital books exploded in France, due to the closure of bookstores. The dematerialized version is thus establishing itself as a solid alternative in the event of an inability to obtain physical books.

From the authors ' point of view, the digital book has three major advantages:

• Thanks to the web, publishing houses and their limited selection of edited manuscripts are no longer an obstacle. Authors can self-publish and publish their books in digital format, which greatly increases their chances of becoming known to the general public.
• On the Internet, the distribution, promotion, and dissemination of the work is wider and at a lower cost.
• The writer can update his book easily and at any time, which is more difficult once the book is printed in paper format.

The digital book erases the pleasure of reading the paper

Of course, the digital book does not have a smell, texture, or even an experience like the paper book. It cannot be leafed through in the same way either. However, it allows for a different reading experience.

The digital book is the first interactive. The reader can take notes, highlight passages, add bookmarks without the risk of losing them, click on a word to get its definition immediately, or benefit from its translation in one click. Images, small animations, or links to videos are also offered in some electronic books. This type of reading can therefore be enriched.

Furthermore, we must not forget to mention two of the main advantages of the digital book  : its lightness and its availability. No need to make room at home to integrate a large library, or even to weigh down your suitcase during a trip with paper books  : the e-reader allows you to have many works without being cluttered. Finally, the digital book allows you to satisfy the desires of big readers, even the most impulsive, because it is available everywhere and at any time, in one click.

The digital book consumes too much energy

The reading media for e-books works via a battery that needs to be recharged, of course, but these are designed to be very efficient and energy efficient. Some e-readers can last up to a month without recharging. The latter is also quick and easy to do: just plug in your e-reader at night, and that's it!

E-books are bad for your eyes and sleep

Although the digital book can be read on several types of devices (tablets, smartphones, computers), the e-reader remains the preferred method, because the reading comfort is optimal. The technology has indeed been studied to avoid eye fatigue and sleep disorders. The screen is generally matte and it is possible to adjust its brightness as well as the size of the characters. In addition, the e-reader has the major advantage of not needing a light source to read - practical when you do not want to disturb your neighbor who wants to sleep.