My Digital Reading Experience

Let's start with the positive aspects of this transition.

E-books proved to be significantly more affordable than their print counterparts. In the past, I often found myself unable to buy newly released bestsellers due to their high prices, forcing me to wait for months or even a year for prices to drop. Now, I could easily purchase the Kindle versions of new releases because they were much more budget-friendly.

As a result, my reading volume increased dramatically. Over the past three years, I managed to read 72 e-books, whereas I would have typically read only 40 to 50 print books in that timeframe.

The Challenges of Digital Reading

Despite my newfound ability to read more, I had to temper my excitement about achieving a record number of e-books read. I soon realized that I was reading more quickly on a screen than I ever did with a physical book. However, speed isn't always synonymous with quality.

Although I wasn't consciously skimming the text, I began skipping paragraphs—something I never did with printed books. My reading pace increased from about 10 to 15 pages a day with a physical book to 25 to 50 pages a day with e-books.

But what was the reason for this increased speed?

Research indicates that reading on screens tends to encourage skimming behaviors. Maryanne Wolf, a neuropsychologist and author of "Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain," discusses this phenomenon. In her article for the Guardian, she notes that Ziming Liu's studies suggest that skimming has become the new norm, where readers often employ F or Z patterns, sampling the first line and then quickly browsing through the text. This approach reduces the time spent on deep reading processes, limiting our ability to grasp complex ideas or empathize with others.

The physical nature of printed books provides a spatial context that screens lack. In a printed book, the words are anchored within the margins, making it easier for the reader's brain to track where they left off. This layout encourages revisiting and consolidating information effectively.

Locating specific quotes is easier in physical books; I can simply open the page and find what I'm looking for without hassle.

I acknowledge that e-books come with features that replicate some aspects of traditional reading, such as highlighting and note-taking. However, I still feel that print books better facilitate a second reading and the tracing of quotes and references.

Closing Thoughts

Reading on screens has been a double-edged sword. While I've read more than ever, this has come at the cost of a less immersive experience. Though I cannot quantify the impact on my comprehension, I have noticed that my reading is not as engaging as it used to be. Thankfully, I continue to take handwritten notes, which help me reflect on what I've read and slow down my pace.

Despite my concerns, I don't plan to abandon e-books. My reflections are not arguments against their use; rather, I aim to approach digital reading more mindfully to mitigate its downsides.

Children, in particular, are susceptible to the pitfalls of screen-based reading, so it's essential for adults to monitor their screen time.

Maryanne Wolf emphasizes the need to develop a "bi-literate" brain that can engage deeply with both digital and print formats.

Awareness is crucial for responsible technology use. Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey.

Section 2.1: The Case for Physical Books

In this section, we will discuss the reasons why some readers still prefer physical books over e-books.

The second video, "Why You Should Read Physical Books," presents compelling arguments for maintaining a relationship with traditional print media, highlighting the unique benefits they offer.