essay on disadvantages of reading books

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12 Disadvantages Of Reading Every Reader Should Know

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Reading is a pleasurable hobby. Although many people find joy within the pages of books, there are several disadvantages of reading.

We should not ignore the negative effects of reading. Instead, we should educate ourselves so we know when our reading hobby has turned into something unhealthy.

At first, I only thought of 5 disadvantages to reading books. But then, I realize there were more that I wasn’t even aware of until I talked to some fellow readers!

Why stop at 5 disadvantages of reading when there are a ton more cons to reading that we should be aware of?

Here are 12 disadvantages of reading every reader should know!

12 Disadvantages Of Reading Books

1. time consuming.

Reading is a time consuming hobby, especially if you’re not a fast reader.

Reading certain genres takes longer than others because they might not be easy to understand.

Like with every other hobby, there’s an opportunity cost to reading . Reading will take up your free time and therefore you are unable to do other activities.

If you want to simplify your reading goals and keep track of them so they don’t take up too much of your time, get this FREE yearly planner!

Free Printable Yearly Reading Planner!

I wanted to create a freebie for all my readers, so I created this 12-month reading planner!

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2. Expensive Hobby

Reading is an expensive hobby. The prices of books have been skyrocketing. 

Besides, there’s a limited edition/sprayed edge/signed copy version of almost every book in the market.

Other than purchasing books, once you become a fan of a certain fiction series – you’re most likely going to spend money on the merch too – which is definitely not cheap. 

3. Lack Of Sleep

If your reading habit goes out of hand, you might be sacrificing sleep for more reading time.

This is especially true if you have an e-book reader like kindle – reading becomes possible even in the dark!

Continuous lack of sleep will of course impact your health and the ability for you to focus the next day.

4. Escapism

This is also one of the disadvantages of reading fiction books!

Reading is a great way to escape your current life (yes, including your current life problems).

It is okay to read for escapism if it is done moderately. When in excess, it starts to negatively impact your wellbeing because you ignore your next step in life – example, to study for a test or to apply for job opportunities. 

Reading makes you want to ignore the challenges of life.

In some cases, it can go as far as a serious addiction to reading and not taking care of your basic needs and hygiene. 

5. Sedentary Lifestyle

Reading for long periods of time on a regular basis is pretty unhealthy. This is because reading is a sedentary hobby. You are seated in one spot for a long period of time.

This obviously replaces your time for active hobbies or exercise.

Plus, if you’re anything like me – I love having some dessert or a cup of coffee with the book I’m reading. 

In other words, inactivity plus intake of calories can be really bad for your health if you do it all the time.

One way to incorporate reading into a healthy lifestyle – audiobooks . With audiobooks, you can do chores, take a walk or hit the gym while reading!

Libro.fm is great if you want to maximise your audiobook membership! You get two free audiobook credits when you sign up!

6. Not As Environmentally Friendly

Reading physical books is not the best option for the environment because they are made out of paper. 

However, there are always ways to improve this – by reading on an e-book reader like a kindle or listen to an audiobook.

I love my kindle paperwhite 5 very much! It has helped me save money, read a ton of books and also be more environmentally conscious!

7. Takes Mental Effort And Space

One of the negative effects of reading is that it is a hobby that takes mental effort – to concentrate, understand and interpret.

So at times, reading can be a chore. Especially if you pick a book that is mentally challenging or out of your reading comfort zone.

If you’re still in school or college, reading additional books to the textbooks you already have may be exhausting. 

This is definitely one of the disadvantages of reading too much that you’ll have to work your way around.

8. Not A Hobby You Can Multitask 

Unless you read an audiobook, reading is not a hobby that you can do simultaneously with something else. 

This is because you need a certain level of focus and understanding when it comes to reading.

Unlike hobbies that can be done on autopilot (gaming, knitting, cooking, etc), reading needs your full attention so you can get maximum satisfaction.

9. Makes You Less Agreeable 

One of the most debatable disadvantages of books is that they make you less agreeable/likeable.

If you’re reading books, you’re most likely going to be knowledgeable. And when you’re knowledgeable, it is hard to be ignorant to certain issues.

You might find yourselves having different opinions from others – this can make you less agreeable from a social standpoint and can also cause you to be disliked.

However, don’t be discouraged by this – you can find like-minded people who appreciate your point of view on certain issues.

If you’re struggling with making friends, try befriending someone who reads! They might be able to relate to you.

Read More: Buddy Reading: 6 Steps Every Bookstagrammer Needs To Know

10. Takes Up Physical Space

Reading might cause you to buy and collect books.

At times, it is not just one book per title but many different editions of the same book!

You’re not alone though, many readers do this!

However, if you don’t have much space in your room, it’s going to be a problem. 

If your bookshelves are becoming full of books, one suggestion would be to get a book cart – not only is it convenient to store and is mobile, but it is also aesthetic and great for photos!

11. Emotionally Draining

Warning, reading can be emotionally draining. This is especially true if you read a heart-breaking book. 

Sometimes, this can also cause you to have a book hangover and therefore go into a reading slump .

This happened to me when I read The Question of Red by Lakshmi Pamuntjak . I was sad for weeks and could not get over the book. 

Read More: 25 Tips On How To Get Out Of A Reading Slump

12. You Value Yourself Based On How Many Books You Read

This is quite a common problem among readers – we set reading goals and start to track them and then get disappointed if we don’t meet that goals.

Some of us are book influencers and we get disappointed when we don’t see much engagement on our bookstagram , book blog or any other platforms.

Be kind to yourself, here is a reminder that you are not the books you read – you are much more than that.

Read More: Bookstagram Engagement Tips

FAQ on The Disadvantages of Reading

Can reading have negative effects.

Yes, reading can negatively impact your physical and mental well-being. Reading is a sedentary hobby so it’s not going to help you get active in the long-run. Plus, reading can also be emotionally exhausting which may impact your mental well-being.

Wrap Up: Cons of Reading Every Reader Should Know

I hope these disadvantages of reading does not discourage you from reading.

Instead, I hope it empowers you with knowledge so you can take matters into your own hands and make reading less of a disadvantage but more of a positive lifestyle change.

Just like there are some pros and cons to reading, there will always be a list of advantages and disadvantages on any hobby, so remember to not read too much into this post and do what feels best for you!

Hi there, i'm Sonia. The founder and author at Brewing Writer, a blog that features detailed book reviews, bookstagram tips, book blogging tips, thoughtfully curated book lists (which my readers love!) and cozy aesthetic photography that’ll make you crave a cup of coffee and a good book.

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19 Incredible Advantages & 11 Lesser-Known Disadvantages Of Reading Books

Looking for the advantages and disadvantages of reading books?

You are in the right place!

Billionaires and entrepreneurs read a lot of books each year.

Your teachers and parents advise you to read more books.

Even governments dedicate a considerable portion of their budget to the education sector.

The question is:

Should you read more books?

Is reading books even healthy?

I’m an avid reader. And last year alone, I read more than 90 books (still counting). 

So far, I have read more than 300 books on diverse topics and summarized more than 120 out of them .

What I’ve realized is:

This habit of reading has both pros and cons.

And in this article, I’m going to discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of reading books.

In fact, the benefits of reading overpower the cons of reading, so much so that I even published a guide on how to make a reading habit .

But just because I love reading books, I’m not going to hold back and only show you why reading books is the only solution.

I’ll also elaborate on the subtle problems that occur when you read so much.

Alrighty, so without further ado, let’s get started!

Advantages Of Reading Books

If you have ever wondered why reading is important, read all the following advantages carefully.

I’m sure your perspective about reading books will change.

These are the advantages or benefits of reading books:

1. Improve Focus And Concentration

Reading books require attention.

When you read books with consistency, your muscles of concentration grow. That’s how reading books improve your focus and concentration.

Bill Gates reads 50 books per year . And just look at his concentration.

To achieve your goals, you need laser-sharp focus.

The truth is, it’s incredibly hard to focus and concentrate on a goal for months or even years.

So start reading books. Gradually, your focus and concentration power will improve.

2. Improve Vocabulary

To put your ideas into the right words or express yourself exactly the way you want to, you need a large enough vocabulary.

Especially in countries where English isn’t the native language, people face difficulties speaking English.

More often than not, they struggle to find relevant words while framing sentences during a conversation. This happens because they don’t have enough words in their active vocabulary.

Reading books exposes an individual to a bazillion of new words…

Using which one could improve his vocabulary set and thus bring variety to his sentences while expressing himself through speaking or writing.

3. Improve Creativity

Creativity is nothing but a combination of different ideas.

And books are all about ideas.

The best part: books contain ideas that originate from experienced people.

When you develop a habit of reading books, you work on your idea-generation muscle, too.

That means your creative muscle becomes more robust.

There is a reason that all writers are avid readers, and most readers (if not all) start writing eventually.

Also, exposure to different opinions, thoughts, and perspectives allows you to reach multiple conclusions.

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4. Provide Inspiration

Are you feeling down in your life?

Do you feel that your life is being wasted at your job?

Are you procrastinating on important things?

Well, look no further; start reading self-improvement books.

Books are one of the most significant sources of inspiration.

How? You could read the biography of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, etc., and get an idea of their mindset and thought processes.

What’s more?

Books provide you with long-term inspiration, unlike motivational videos you watch on YouTube.

Here are some of my motivational book summaries:

• Be Obsessed Or Be Average [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]
• Talent Is Never Enough [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]

5. Provide Perspective

I remember reading:

• The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]
• Rich Dad Poor Dad [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]  

These books changed my life by changing my perspective on it.

One of the easiest ways to have an epiphany or eye-opener moment is to read a book that has changed the lives of millions of people.

Of course, there are shitty books out there.

But some books are no less than gold.

For example, Napoleon Hill did years of research to write Think and Grow Rich .

Another example:

Tim Ferris interviewed nearly two hundred world-class performers for his podcast and then combined his learnings into a single book, Tools Of Titans .

Books change your paradigm and allow you to see reality from different angles and thus reach your own conclusion.

6. Help You Make Friends

Humans love to build communities. Reading books might make you new friends who share the same interests as you.

You won’t believe how many people love reading books on the planet earth – interests might differ, though.

You could also read How To Win Friends And Influence People or other such books to master communication skills.

7. Fun To Read

What makes books addictive is that they’re fun to read. How wonderful is it to learn great insights from successful people by turning a few pages?

Sometimes they tell you stories that entertain you. While at other times, they teach you lessons.

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Reading is an entirely different experience:

From the outside, it looks like you’re just sitting and reading words and sentences.

But readers know from the inside that they’re having fun, which is no less than the pleasure you get while doing a party.

Reading isn’t boring. It just looks boring.

Okay, I agree. Some books are boring…

But most of the time, they’re fun to read.

Here are some of my best book summaries that you will enjoy reading:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear [ Read Summary | ]
• The Voice Of Knowledge by Miguel Ruiz [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]

8. Help You Improve Your Professional Life

There are many books like So Good They Can’t Ignore You , Atomic Habits , How To Win Friends And Influence People , etc., which can help you build a successful career over time.

Tell me any skill, and I can tell you a book that talks about it!

What makes successful people different is that they know things that an average person doesn’t.

So if you’re looking to improve your professional life, find books that teach you to be successful at your work.

Because books contain researched and valuable information that might help you.

It’s important to understand that not all books would be helpful to you. But does it really matter?

You only need one idea to change your life.

Who knows, you could even start your business someday by reading books like Zero To One or The $100 Startup .

The possibilities are endless.

If you are interested in learning about business, check out the following book summaries:

• The 1-Page Marketing Plan [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]
• The 360 Degree Leader [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]

9. Help You Build Discipline

I couldn’t stress enough how important discipline is in life. And most non-fiction books like Chop Wood Carry Water say the same thing.

According to The Power Of Habit , certain habits spill into other areas of our life.

For instance, your habit of reading books every day might help you go to the gym without fail by avoiding procrastination.

That’s because habits are patterns in our brains. In other words, habits are also our muscles which you could train and use in different aspects of life.

10. Elevate Your Writing Skill

Reading helps a lot in writing.

The idea here is simple:

Both reading and writing is simply an act of interacting with words. The more you read, the more words you consume.

Ultimately, that reflects in your writing.

Check this out to make your writing persuasive : Book Summary: The Adweek Copywriting Handbook

11. Make You Rich

(The word ‘rich’ is subjective here.)

Wealthy and successful people read many books and suggest to others the same.

Books give you knowledge. And one can’t become rich if he doesn’t have knowledge about money.

For instance:

Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Richest Man In Babylon explain how important it is to learn more about wealth-creation and how to make your money work for yourself.

If I hadn’t read those books, I wouldn’t have realized how asset building can help me become affluent over time.

The thing is:

You won’t become rich just by reading finance books. You’ll have to work for it.

People like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates invest in themselves by reading books.

So if you want to become great like them, read quality books and improve your mindset.

Here are some of the best books on personal finance that will help you build wealth and manage it efficiently.

12. Teach You About Personal Growth

There is an entire genre of personal development in books. (If it didn’t, this blog might not even exist.)

You can read various types of books under this genre:

• Personal Finance
• Productivity

Notice the word “teach” here. This means that books will only teach you. To get results, you’ll have to work for it.

13. Improve Productivity

Time is of value. It is the only thing you won’t be able to get back. Once it’s gone – it’s gone.

Many books will teach you how to use your time efficiently.

For example, The One Thing by Gary Keller taught me why I should focus on only one thing at a time and stop multitasking to avoid context switching.

By reading books and applying the lesson in your daily life, you can become more productive.

Also read : How to Be More Productive in Life: Easy Actionable Guide (32 Hacks)

14. Develop Your Personality

When you exude strong character with confidence, your personality shines. By reading books based on psychology, you understand what goes on in people’s minds and why they do what they do.

Also, books build your character by conditioning it with high-quality ideas.

And those beliefs, ultimately, turn into your action.

Intelligent people judge you by your actions, not by what you say. When you take the right action, it shows your personality.

15. Make You Calm And Peaceful

When you become wiser than your peers, you start to save your energy and use it to do meaningful things.

Wisdom allows you to see through bullshit.

Ultimately, you become more calm and peaceful.

Often, people get agitated when they fail to handle their problems in life. Books supply you with enough knowledge to become capable of dealing with any circumstance.

There are numerous books that teach you about Stoicism and other such philosophies.

Books like The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari even show you techniques that monks use to stay calm and focused on their goals.

16. Improve Your Imagination

Fiction books are best suited for that. Every story takes you on an adventure.

The authors like JK Rowling can make you feel the character and make it look as if they are alive and right in front of you.

By reading storybooks, you can improve your imagination.

Imagination gives you the power to create.

If you want to learn how you can leverage the incredible power of imagination, I highly recommend that you check out these book summaries:

• The Power Of Intention [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]
• The Alter Ego Effect [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]

17. Turn You Into An Idea-Machine

Every time you read a book, your brain muscles get a workout.

And with each workout session (book reading session), those muscles become more potent.

Result? Gradually, you start turning into an idea machine.

What does idea-machine mean? It’s simply your brain becoming able to produce many quality ideas in a day.

There is a difference between random thoughts and ideas.

Most people generate random thoughts which are suitable for nothing. But a few people can generate high-quality ideas throughout their day (e.g., entrepreneurs) that move the world.

Want to learn how to generate billion-dollar ideas? Check out the following resources:

• Steal Like An Artist [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]
• Where Good Ideas Come From [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]

18. help you remember and learn better

There is a reason why the world’s most complex topics like religion and spirituality are often discussed in books.

Just think about it:

What’s easier: watching a course or reading a book?

Most people are lazy these days. So, they prefer watching a course over reading a book.

But there is a limitation to consuming videos.

You can’t stay with an idea for long. You will have to match your speed with the video.

Sure, you can turn the playback speed to 2x. But still, you can only spend so much time pondering over an idea.

Books function as a gym for our minds.

When you read, you put in the extra effort. If the idea being read is complex, you can spend as much time as you want until you fully comprehend it.

I have noticed that the ideas read in a book stick longer in my mind.

Or it may be possible that I’m an avid reader, and that’s the reason it happens to me.

Anyway, you are always free to choose whether you want to read a book or watch a video.

We live in the age of videos… So if you want to watch animated summaries of some of the best non-fiction books, consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel .

19. Books allow you to pass on your legacy

Let’s face the truth:

We will all die someday.

( Related : Die With Zero Book Summary )

So, when you write and publish a book, it lives on for years.

Genius people who are no longer with us have passed their wisdom through books to future generations.

And we should be grateful to them, shouldn’t we?

Growth would slow down if we didn’t have access to ancient discoveries.

Books are one of the best ways to document ideas.

Sure, these days, we have the Internet.

But think about the time when we didn’t have such a thing.

We didn’t have this technology to freely share information with the world with the click of just a few buttons.

Even today, if you write a great book and publish it, people will read it in the future.

That’s the fantastic side of being an author. You can pass on your learnings from your experience.

You might say, “But what does all this has to do with reading books. How will it benefit me?”

The answer is:

When you read books, especially books packed with wisdom, you realize the privilege you have if you can read books.

And only after that, you’ll understand what I’m trying to say.

It’s hard to put in words…

But overall, reading books will improve your life.

Disadvantages Of Reading Books

Reading books has its downsides too. (In life, most things come at a price.)

Now, I’ll discuss all the disadvantages of reading books. I’ve personally faced most of them. That means I’m not making them out of thin air.

Anyway, let’s get started.

1. Consume Time

Oh man, I wish I could fix this.

I fail to read more than four books a month, no matter how hard I try. Reason? One needs time to read books.

Well, you can also listen to audiobooks, but that’s a different approach. Let’s stick to the context of this article.

Why does it take so much time to read books?

It’s a no-brainer. Most books have more than 150 pages. Being humans, there is a limit to how fast we can read.

Read too fast, and you might miss important details in the book. Read too slow, and it’ll take forever to finish that book. So most people read at a speed that suits them.

To those who say they can finish a book in an hour, I’ll say, “Seriously? Are you certain that you aren’t missing fine details?”

Still, you can’t deny that books consume a lot of time.

But in the end, reading books isn’t about how fast you can read. It’s about how effectively you read and how much you actually apply in your life.

2. Require Will Power

It isn’t really a downside of reading books. It’s a prerequisite.

Book reading isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some people can’t read more than one page.

For some people, reading is one of the most boring activities in the world.

Yes, reading books could be painful if you’re not used to reading many books.

3. Burn Money Fast

If you look at Amazon, the paperback version of books is usually expensive for most readers, considering I’m an Indian.

Heck, e-books and audiobooks are even more costly.

I won’t say buying books is an utter wastage of your precious money.

The reality is that some books are over-hyped. They have no substance in them, and they waste money if bought.

If you’re buying books for putting a show in front of your friends, I’d suggest that you better not purchase them.

That way, you’ll only end up wasting your money.

You can read and watch the book summaries and reviews of 100 plus books before buying them for free. Just search the book’s name in the search box, and if I’ve written a summary for it, it’ll show up in the results.

4. Eat Up Storage

It barely consumes any space when it comes to storing books on your hard drive.

That’s because those books are usually in EPUB, Pdf, or Mobi format. In other words, a PDF version of a book, in my opinion, will only consume less than 20 MB (maximum).

But when it comes to physical books, as the number of books increases, the burden of organizing and storing them on a shelf also increases.

Some people even love to collect books, while others sell them.

But you can’t hide from the truth that storing physical books and organizing them could be a pain in the behind.

Note :   This is why people prefer the audiobook or the e-book format these days.

5. People Call You A Nerd

This might sound stupid and isn’t a big deal. But yes, it affects too.

When people see that you read far too much, they start calling you a nerd in their minds.

They think:

“What’s the point of reading that much? What a nerd!”

Depending on the type of friends you have, some might go overboard and make you a thing of gossip. Luckily, this doesn’t happen often.

6. Weaken Your Eyesight

A lot of reading might put glasses on your nose.

When we read books, we fix our eyes on the letters close to us.

Doing it for a long time sometimes causes short-sightedness.

When you become short-sighted, you risk losing the ability to see far objects clearly.

7. Cause Infocrastination

Infocrastination is the sum of Information and Procrastination.

Infocrastination = Information + Procrastination

This happens while reading self-help books. Some people find escape through such types of books.

How many people do you think have become rich after reading “Think And Grow Rich”?

How many people do you think start a startup after reading “Zero To One”?

Very few, right?

So what happens with most people? They keep procrastinating.

Because big goals require big actions.

Either way, it’s up to you what you do after buying a book.

8. Make You Unhealthy

Sitting for long hours can cause many diseases.

Often people read books by sitting on a chair. This sedentary lifestyle creates many problems like Diabetes or Obesity.

One solution might be to take breaks every half an hour while reading and take a walk for 2 minutes along with some stretching.

9. Cause Confusion Sometimes Due To Contradicting Opinions

Sometimes two books might have contradicting ideas, which can f*ck with your mind.

For example, The Magic Of Thinking Big says that you should ‘think big.’ On the flip side, Think Small says that you should ‘think small.’

Now, what should you do? Should you ‘think big’ or ‘think small’?

Here is another example:

If you go according to the philosophy of Steve Jobs, you should follow your passion.

But Cal Newport, in his book So Good They Can’t Ignore You , argues that ‘follow your passion’ is the worst advice.

Now, what should you do?

Should you follow your passion or not?

Here is one more:

All the self-help books like Awaken The Giant Within talk about positive self-help.

But on the other hand, Mark Manson talks about negative self-help in his book The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck .

Books are often full of contradicting ideas.

This isn’t an issue for those who barely read a book every year.

But to those like me, who read at least one book every week, this issue could be baffling.

10. Make You A Dopamine Junkie

Sometimes you might have an “Aha” moment while reading a book.

That “Aha” moment is simply the result of a dopamine rush in your head.

People often get addicted to this high.

It’s a rare case.

But I believe it’s possible.

Often people pick a book to find an escape from their dull life filled with problems.

Reading books and always craving an epiphany might make you a dopamine junkie.

11. Some books are part of propaganda

This is the darkest side of reading books that nobody talks about.

I won’t take the name of any book here.

But some books are made for the sole purpose of brainwashing young minds.

There are marketing books whose only goal is to sell you an expensive course in the end.

Also, some religious books ask you to believe in mythical ideas and submit to authority blindly.

There are good ones too…

You don’t have to believe in this, though. This is my personal opinion.

But since I read a lot of books, I have become wise enough to decide which book to read and which to avoid.

Remember that not all books lead you to the truth.

The books that help you improve your life, bring you to reality, and help you deal with the hardships of life are the most practical ones.

And I recommend that you read more of such books.

Don’t buy all the mythical and fantasy ideas that some books share.

Stick to the LOGIC .

Reject all that is not TRUE .

Always do a “background check” of the author or publication before buying any book.

Be skeptical before you accept any idea.

I highly recommend that you check out these book summaries if you are a truth-seeker:

• Freedom From The Known by J Krishnamurti [ Read Summary | View price on Amazon.com ]

List of All the books Mentioned In This Article

I’ve prepared a list of all the great books that I have mentioned throughout this article so that you don’t waste time searching for them.

Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon

From the points discussed above, you can conclude that reading books have pros and cons. Its pros outweigh its cons, though.

If you take care of its cons, nobody can stop you from achieving big goals.

Reading is a superpower. (And “with great power, comes great responsibility.”)

If you want to develop a reading habit, try Blinkist for days absolutely FREE.

What is Blinkist? It’s a non-fiction book summary app with many wonderful insights and author podcasts.

Start Blinkist 7-Days Risk-Free Trial

And if you are someone who would like to listen to audiobooks instead of summaries on Blinkist, try Amazon’s Audible .

Try Audible 30-day Free Trial and Get 2 Free Audiobooks

Try Audiobooks.com 30-day Free Trial and Get 3 Free Audiobooks

I highly recommend both of these.

Now You Tell Me

Did you like this article on the advantages and disadvantages of reading books?

Did I miss any point?

Or do you have any point to add to this?

Do you face infocrastination too?

What struggles do you face while reading a book?

Tell me in the comment section below. And most important – keep reading.

Please don’t hesitate to share this article with others. Thanks in advance!

Want to consume more insightful, power-packed content like this in the future?

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2 thoughts on “19 Incredible Advantages & 11 Lesser-Known Disadvantages Of Reading Books”

Reading is a great habit.There us no better way to know things other than reading. In my considered opinion READER= LEADER. Note: Hard copy reading is better than ‘kindle’ or online reading.Hard copy reading has plethora of benefits !

Indeed Pratap. When we read hard copy, more of our senses are involved, which leads to better interpretation. And yes, undoubtedly, reading is a superpower.

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On the dangers of reading

By Keren Dali

If you think that reading is good for you, think again. I am not talking about learning, literacy development, or other intellectual benefits, I am talking about reading for the soul — reading to feel better, to chase away a bad mood, or to find balance in our lives. I am talking about the reading of fiction in particular. Fiction books can certainly do all of those things for us. They can be a free therapist or a medicine; they can help with heartbreaks and moments of doubt, with loneliness and insecurities. But do they always? In the last few years, there has been a resurgence of publications that demonstrate librarians' growing interest in the notion and practice of bibliotherapy (BT). BT, often interpreted as healing through books, rests on the premise that reading is inherently good, beneficial, and helpful, which is fueled by librarians' own love of reading.

So, why can reading possibly be dangerous?

Tylenol may be great for a headache and Ben-gay for back pain inasmuch as you don't suffer side effects (or get worse, for that matter). The same applies to reading if we look at it as medicine. The trick is that librarians -- many of whom are avid readers and have experienced first-hand how powerfully liberating and healing reading can be — are often so enamored with the potential goodness of reading that they don't see how it can cause harm. Alas, it can, and the dangers of reading — intellectual, psychological, social, and even physiological — are sometimes very real.

Before I dive headfirst into a bleak discussion of the dangers of reading, I'd like to make a disclaimer: I am intentionally blowing things out of proportion. Just this once, I want us to extricate ourselves from an unequivocally positive, rosy outlook on reading so we could see the flaws in the seemingly perfect form and possibly learn something useful for our professional practice, as well.

The Dangers of Reading

The stereotype of an introverted reader, disoriented in the sunlight and public places and wearing heavy-rimmed glasses, is all too familiar to many. However exaggerated (or ridiculous) this stereotype is, reading is indeed associated with eye strain and comes at the expense of exercise and other physical activities. Frequently related are poor diets and digestive problems, an unwelcome weight gain or loss, and generalized exhaustion.

Then come the psychological side effects of reading. One typical symptom is guilt over unfinished (or untouched) house chores or homework, neglected relationships, unmade phone calls, and unresolved issues — all because we've abandoned reality, yet again, to do something we love the most — reading. To compensate, we multitask, sleep less, get up earlier, and go to work tired.

But that's not all. Do you remember how good you felt  until  you read that book about a cheating spouse? Before that, you didn't worry about the faithfulness of yours. You also did not obsess over rare diseases, traffic accidents, bacteria-laced foods bringing on an epidemic, cunning identity theft, or an internet predator lunging at an opportunity to con you out of your life savings. The list goes on. Books deliver ideas vividly, viscerally: readers hear the criminals plot inside their minds, feel the destructive viruses penetrating a human body, and agonize over the betrayal of those whom we love and trust. And this is how reading an enthralling well-written book can result in a nagging worry or fear.

While relating to protagonists' experiences is common, some readers also  over-identify  with fictional characters — and not in a good way. Feeling too much empathy for characters in crisis situations can be detrimental. Some readers go beyond worrying on characters' behalf and visualize themselves in the frequently unfortunate, troubling, or hopeless circumstances. The characters, in fact, become so familiar that some readers begin to think of them as though they were real people. The blurring line between reality and fiction becomes an even more serious problem when a reader prefers fictional existence to reality. This phenomenon is often referred to in literature as books "better than life" (Pennac, 1994). When individuals over-identify with characters, they cultivate unrealistic expectations of people and situations, developing the Mr. Darcy Syndrome (or an equivalent). Living in a world of dreams populated by fictional characters, readers miss out on the enjoyment to be found in real life and real people. Worse still is the situation in which a reader begins emulating negative behaviors and adopting destructive viewpoints encountered in books — be it drugs, violence, chauvinism, or racist attitudes.

You will say that I am stretching things too far and that I can't possibly be serious about the harmful effects of reading — fiction reading, in particular. Of course, none of the above would have any lasting and altering effect on most readers' lives. And yet, there are other readers – vulnerable readers, those who are in a troubled state of mind, plagued by severe personal problems, or affected by dramatic life events. These are the readers who come to the library hoping to find books that will heal them. These readers' perceptions may be altered, and books that would otherwise provide comfort may exacerbate their feelings of sadness, anger, or hopelessness. Adverse reactions to reading matter — fear, obsession, guilt — may be amplified, and readers may become more susceptible to emulating negative behaviors. Reading may serendipitously help these individuals but it may conceivably make them feel worse. And this is something that readers' advisors should be aware of at all times.

Implications for Librarians

Often in the case of vulnerable readers, we deal with some kind of psychopathology or mental health issue, which results from a chronic illness, a recent psychological trauma, or a difficult life transition. The needs of vulnerable readers are somewhat different from those of other readers.  However, while librarians are certainly "qualified to recommend books," they are "not qualified to diagnose the need" (Sturm, 2003, p. 174).  Amen to that. We don't get much training as therapists in library school, do we? Having neither therapeutic background nor experience as diagnosticians, librarians cannot reliably gauge the nature and degree of a problem that a reader may have. 

Consider a reader who approaches you with the request for a book about a breakup. For whatever reason, which may or may not have deep emotional undercurrents, the reader wants to read a story involving the end of a friendship, a love affair, or a marriage. This can easily be a typical readers' advisory (RA) question that librarians will successfully handle. Now consider a variation: "Can you find me a book that'll help me deal with a recent breakup?" Posed as such, this question should raise a red flag for a librarian as it reveals a vulnerable reader. This reader is no longer looking for just another good read; s/he is on the quest to find a cure for heartache between the book covers. A  librarian who receives this request is now outside of the RA comfort zone, slowly but surely drifting into the zone of therapy — BT, in this case. Something they cannot do. Something they are not trained for. Something outside of their purview. Thus, the most professional response to the question above is "Unfortunately, I can't but what I can do is…"

It is important that librarians learn to tell the difference between RA and BT questions but spotting BT requests is not always an easy task. However, sensitivity to and awareness of the possible dangers of reading is the first step to successful differentiation between RA and BT. The second one is understanding the practice and types of BT better and becoming knowledgeable of training options for librarians interested in the proper and ethical practice of BT. 

Bibliography

Pennac, Daniel.  Better than life . Toronto: Coach House Press, 1994;

Sturm, Brian W. "Reader's Advisory and Bibliotherapy: Helping or Healing?"  Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences  41, no. 2 (2003): 171-179.

Dr. Keren Dali is at the Faculty of Information & Media Studies, Western University, Ontario, Canada. Among other things, she is currently working on the online bibliography on bibliotherapy for librarians funded by the ALA Carnegie-Whitney grant.

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Reading on Paper Versus Screens: What’s the Difference?

• Published 28 Jul 2020
• Author Kerry Benson
• Source BrainFacts/SfN

During the coronavirus pandemic, students worldwide shifted from the classroom to remote, online learning. Many swapped hard copy textbooks and worksheets for websites and other digital resources. Digital books have been with us for a decade — but how well are we absorbing it all?

Turns out print is easier to comprehend than digital text.

“[Print reading] is kind of like meditation — focusing our attention on something still,” says Anne Mangen, a literacy professor at the University of Stavanger in Norway. “And it’s a whole different kind of immersion than responding to [digital] stimuli. I think it’s healthy for us as human beings to sit down with something that doesn’t move, ping, or call on our attention.”

Print is visually less demanding than digital text. It provides spatial and tactile cues to help readers process words on a page. Mindset may also be a factor. If people associate screen time with casual web-surfing they may rush through without fully absorbing the text.

Do you think you’re the exception? Most people do. Studies found digital reading breeds overconfidence.

“We read digital [text] more quickly, [so] we think we must understand it better,” explains Lauren Singer Trakhman, who studies reading comprehension at the University of Maryland, College Park. “It’s one of the best parts of our digital world — everything is at our fingertips and we can get the headlines in a second — but it may also be one of the pitfalls. Everything’s so quick and accessible that we may not be truly digesting [what we read] anymore.”

Both scientists agree digital is fine to scan news headings for main ideas, but longer, complicated texts are best read in print, especially to retain the details.

TL;DR: Digital Reading Equals Shallower Processing

In 2016, Singer Trakhman examined undergraduates’ reading comprehension after they read digital and print versions of articles. Format didn’t affect their grasp of the main idea, but students missed details when reading on screens.

Digital reading impairs comprehension, particularly for longer, more complex texts, says Mangen. This may be because of the shallowing hypothesis — constant exposure to fast-paced, digital media trains the brain to process information more rapidly and less thoroughly.

“There’s not much [neuroscientific research] on the reading of actual texts,” Mangen says. However, existing research does offer some clues. In a 2009 study , the marketing research company Millward Brown found the brain processes physical and digital materials differently. Participants viewed advertisements on a screen and on a printed card while undergoing an fMRI scan. Print materials were more likely to activate the medial prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex , both involved in processing emotions. Reading print also generated more activity in the parietal cortex , which processes visual and spatial cues.

Keep Scrolling or Turn the Page?

Scrolling through digital text may impair comprehension by creating spatial challenges. A 2017 study found participants’ reading comprehension suffered when they scrolled through a comic book’s individual panels instead of seeing them all at once. When we read, our brains construct a cognitive map of the text, like recalling that a piece of information appeared near the top, left-hand page of a book. But imagine drawing a map of something with constantly moving landmarks, like a webpage. It’s harder to map words that aren’t in a fixed location, because we lose important “visual placeholders,” says Singer Trakhman.

Scrolling demands more from our working memory, she adds. “In our working memory, we can hold about seven items at a time, so the goal when reading is to take away as many demands as possible. When we have to remember what we just read and we don’t have spatial [cues] to help, that’s taking some of our bandwidth.”

In addition, the LED screens’ constant flickering glow creates more work for our eyes, causing visual and mental fatigue.

However, e-readers, like Kindles, don’t require scrolling and reduce eyestrain with e-ink technology. Those are likely superior to other digital-text formats, Mangen says. But they lack an important aspect of the reading experience: turning the page.

In one of Mangen’s studies , participants read a story either on a Kindle or in print and then underwent comprehension tests. The texts were identical, but Kindle readers pressed a button to progress through the book, while print readers turned pages. Print readers were more likely to accurately recall the story’s chronological order. Mangen says this may be because print provides sensorimotor cues that enhance cognitive processing. When holding a book, we receive reminders of how many pages we’ve read and how many remain. We can flip pages to reread text as needed. Some research suggests we process information more effectively when we recruit multiple senses, and multiple brain areas, during task learning — seeing the words, feeling the weight of the pages, and even smelling the paper.

What Happens Next?

Instead of getting better at digital reading, we may be getting worse. A study examining reading comprehension research between 2000 and 2017 indicates it’s harder to comprehend digital text. The researchers found print’s advantages are greater now than in 2000. In other words, this digital-reading problem isn’t going away.

“This [finding may] have to do with the shallowing hypothesis,” Mangen says. “The habits that we acquire when we read on screens are spilling over, and we’re trying to cope by reading faster and more superficially.”

Mangen and Singer Trakhman agree we shouldn’t ditch digital reading; instead we should consider the situation when choosing our reading medium.

“I’ll never say that everyone should be reading print all the time,” says Singer Trakhman. “People are always shocked to hear that I have a Kindle, and I love my Kindle. But I only use it when I’m reading for pleasure.”

To retain on-screen text information, Singer Trakham and Mangen suggest slowing down and handwriting main takeaways. (Typing works, but handwriting is likely a superior memory tool.) 

When you need a break from the digital world, don’t underestimate the power of paper and ink. Consider turning off your electronic devices, getting a book, and curling up to turn the page.

About the Author

Kerry Benson

Kerry Benson is a writer and neuroscience enthusiast who received a neuroscience degree from Connecticut College in 2016 and a master’s in science writing from Johns Hopkins University in 2018.

CONTENT PROVIDED BY

BrainFacts/SfN

Discussion Questions

1) What are the advantages of print reading over digital?

2) What areas of the brain respond when we read print text?

3) Why do researchers think it’s getting harder to comprehend digital text?

Delgado, P., Vargas, C., Ackerman, R., & Salmerón, L. (2018). Don’t throw away your printed books: A meta-analysis on the effects of reading media on reading comprehension. Educational Research Review, 25 , 23–38. doi: 10.1016/j.edurev.2018.09.003

Garland, K. J., & Noyes, J. M. (2004). CRT monitors: Do they interfere with learning? Behaviour & Information Technology, 23 (1), 43–52. doi: 10.1080/01449290310001638504

Hou, J., Rashid, J., & Lee, K. M. (2017). Cognitive map or medium materiality? Reading on paper and screen. Computers in Human Behavior, 67 , 84–94. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.10.014

Lauterman, T., & Ackerman, R. (2014). Overcoming screen inferiority in learning and calibration. Computers in Human Behavior, 35 , 455–463. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.02.046

Mangen, A., Olivier, G., & Velay, J.-L. (2019). Comparing Comprehension of a Long Text Read in Print Book and on Kindle: Where in the Text and When in the Story? Frontiers in Psychology, 10 , 38. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00038

Mangen, A., Walgermo, B. R., & Brønnick, K. (2013). Reading linear texts on paper versus computer screen: Effects on reading comprehension. International Journal of Educational Research, 58 , 61–68. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2012.12.002

Mayer, K. M., Yildiz, I. B., Macedonia, M., & von Kriegstein, K. (2015). Visual and Motor Cortices Differentially Support the Translation of Foreign Language Words. Current Biology, 25 (4), 530–535. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.11.068

Millward Brown Case Study—Using Neuroscience to Understand. (2009). Retrieved from https://www.millwardbrown.com/docs/default-source/insight-documents/case-studies/MillwardBrown_CaseStudy_Neuroscience.pdf

Singer Trakhman, L., & Alexander, P. (2016). Reading Across Mediums: Effects of Reading Digital and Print Texts on Comprehension and Calibration. The Journal of Experimental Education . doi: 10.1080/00220973.2016.1143794

Smoker, T. J., Murphy, C. E., & Rockwell, A. K. (2009). Comparing Memory for Handwriting versus Typing. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 53 (22), 1744–1747. doi: 10.1177/154193120905302218

Yan, Z., Hu, L., Chen, H., & Lu, F. (2008). Computer Vision Syndrome: A widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among computer users. Including the Special Issue: Internet Empowerment, 24 (5), 2026–2042. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2007.09.004

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Watch CBS News

Books vs. e-books: The science behind the best way to read

By Amy Kraft

December 14, 2015 / 6:00 AM EST / CBS News

While browsing the bookstore to buy a gift for that special someone (or yourself), you may be faced with a tough decision: e-books or the old-fashioned kind? Each one has its pros and cons, and choosing the best option depends on a number of factors.

Some of the practical advantages of going digital are obvious: A portable little e-reader can carry an entire library wherever you go, which is great for travelers or those who always want a choice of reading material.

On the other hand, research has been stacking up to show that reading on paper has a number of benefits, too. Plus, there's the nostalgia factor .

"First and foremost, consider the person and their lifelong preferences," Dr. Matthew H. Schneps, director of the Laboratory for Visual Learning, a collaboration between the University of Massachusetts Boston and MIT, told CBS News in an email. "Some people absolutely love the look, smell, and feel of the classical book held in the hand, and such people may not want to give up the sensory experience of reading from a paper book. If the recipient of your gift is someone who is adventurous when it comes to gadgets, but otherwise doesn't read much using traditional books, giving the gift of an e-reader can be a life-changing experience for them."

Here's a look at some of the science to consider before you spring for a Kindle, a Nook or a stack of new hardcovers.

Young, reluctant readers prefer e-readers

A 2014 study published in the journal Library & Information Science Research found that out of 143 10th grade students, most preferred e-readers . Boys and those who did not care much for reading also shared a strong preference for e-readers.

"An e-reader has more in common with the electronic devices that young people use all the time, like smartphones or iPads, than a paper book, when it comes to turning of pages, the possibilities of adjusting font size, etc.," lead author of the study, Åse Kristine Tveit, told CBS News in an email.

Reading on paper may boost retention

Several small studies suggest that reading on paper instead of an electronic screen is better for memory retention and focus. The Guardian reported on an experiment from Norway where people were given a short story to read either on a Kindle or in a paperback book; when they were quizzed later, those who read the paperback were more likely to remember plot points in the right order.

"When you read on paper you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right," the lead researcher, Anne Mangen, of Norway's Stavanger University, told the Guardian. "You have the tactile sense of progress ... Perhaps this somehow aids the reader, providing more fixity and solidity to the reader's sense of unfolding and progress of the text, and hence the story."

Paper suits readers with sleep problems and eye strain

High levels of screen luminance from an electronic device can contribute to visual fatigue, a condition marked by tired, itching, burning eyes.

There are also potential considerations for those reading e-books on light-emitting e-readers at night (although a number of e-readers do not use light-emitting screens), Dr. Margaret K. Merga, a reading and education specialist in Australia, told CBS News in an email. "Artificial light exposure from light-emitting e-readers may interfere with users' ability to sleep , ultimately leading to adverse impacts on health."

A 2014 study published in the journal PNAS found that reading an e-book before bedtime decreased the production of melatonin, a hormone that preps the body for sleep. E-books also impaired alertness the following day.

E-books help the visually impaired

Individuals with poor eyesight or reading disorders like dyslexia can benefit more from e-books because they provide a range of options for changing the text size and spacing of lines. A 2013 study in the journal PLOS One observed reading comprehension and speed in 103 high school students with dyslexia. The study found that people with dyslexia read more effectively, and with greater ease, when using the e-reader compared with reading on paper.

Schneps, who was the lead author on the paper, said, "What made the difference was the ability of the device to display lines of text that were extremely short (about two or three words per line), as well as its ability to space out the text. When these people read using the modified formatting, their reading instantly improved."

His team has a website where people can preview the effects of some of these features before making a purchase. Try out the interactive tips at readeasy.labvislearn.org .

A fondness for books

Many book-lovers still prefer the traditional option and value the tactile sensation of a bound paper book. "Paper books are, as a rule, very well designed, they look and smell good, and they carry with them a more human touch," Tveit said.

In Merga's experience with students in Australia, avid readers also tend to prefer reading on paper. While conducting the West Australian Study in Adolescent Book Reading (WASABR), Merga and colleagues found that students preferred reading paper books. "One student described this attitude as a preference to 'own something (rather) than just use it,'" Merga said.

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30 Advantages and Disadvantages of Reading Books

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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.

Table of Contents

Reading books has many benefits and disadvantages. 

Some people find the experience rewarding, while others find it inconvenient.

Here are 30 of the more common advantages and disadvantages of reading books.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reading Books

1. improved focus and concentration.

Reading has many advantages, but improved focus and concentration may be one of the most important. 

When you read, you are forced to focus on the words in front of you. This helps improve your focus and concentration in other areas of your life. 

In addition, reading can help improve your memory. By reading regularly, you train your brain to remember information more easily. 

2. Books can boost self-confidence and self-esteem levels.

 A study by the University of Reading, UK, found that reading is good for your brain. It can help you to think more clearly and make better decisions.

The researchers say that reading may also help improve your self-confidence, self-esteem and mood.

3. Reading can help you to relax.

Reading is a form of escapism and, as such, it can be an excellent way to relieve stress in your life. It can also help you to focus your mind on other things that are important in your life.

4. Reading can help you to improve your memory.

 A study by the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, found that readers tend to remember more details than non-readers.

5. Increased creativity

Reading has many advantages for both children and adults. One advantage is that it increases creativity. When people read, they often imagine the characters and scenes in the book. 

This helps them come up with their ideas and be more creative. Additionally, reading can help people learn new words and improve their vocabulary. 

6. Enhanced problem-solving skills

Reading can help you develop enhanced problem-solving skills. Reading can improve your ability to understand complex problems and think of multiple solutions. 

By reading, you can also improve your ability to see different sides of a problem and identify the potential consequences of different actions. 

Additionally, reading can help you develop better critical thinking skills, which can help you evaluate information more skeptical and make better decisions. 

Read also: How To Make Friends As A Transfer Student – 10 Ways

7. Better communication and negotiation skills 

Reading helps you understand people and their motives better. It enhances your communication and negotiation skills. 

When you read extensively, you learn new words and expressions which in turn help you express yourself better. 

You also develop the ability to think analytically and critically. 

This is because books are packed with information and ideas that require readers to dissect them to get the most out of them. 

8. Greater empathy and understanding of others

Reading has many advantages, chief among them is the greater empathy and understanding of others it can bring about.

 Reading literature gives readers a greater understanding of the characters in the story. 

This is because literature allows for a more in-depth exploration of human emotions and motivations than other forms of media. 

Readers can see things from the characters’ points of view, which can help them to understand why people do the things they do. 

This increased understanding can then lead to increased empathy for others, both in real life and in fiction. 

9. Developing a personal reading habit

One of the advantages of reading is that it develops a personal reading habit.

 A personal reading habit means that you read books, articles, or any other material regularly. 

This habit can benefit you in several ways. For example, reading can help you improve your vocabulary and writing skills. 

It can also help you learn about new subjects and keep up with current events. 

Additionally, reading can improve your concentration and memory. Lastly, reading is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. 

Read Also: What Is Comprehension? How To Write A Comprehension

10. Reading Help You To Socialize More

 There are other advantages to reading that aren’t as commonly known. 

For example, reading can help you socialize more effectively. Here are  reasons why reading can help you socialize more:

• Reading introduces you to new people.
• Reading allows you to meet people from all over the world.
• Reading gives you something to talk about with others.
• Reading makes you more interesting to others.
• Reading strengthens your relationships with others.
• Reading makes you more tolerant of others’ opinions and beliefs.
• Reading allows you to see the world from a different perspective. 

11. Improves Kid’s Brain Development

Reading can help children learn to read early on in life, which improves their reading skills and academic performance down the road. 

12. Increase Access To Other Options 

Reading also exposes people to new ideas and viewpoints, which helps them develop a more well-rounded worldview. 

13. Build Self-Control in Other Areas of Your Life 

The link between discipline in one aspect of our lives and discipline in other areas has been demonstrated by many eminent thinkers.

If this were the case, reading could assist you in developing better self-control in other spheres of your life.

You might start to see improved discipline in other aspects of your life as you develop good reading habits.

14. Improve Your Writing

Writing tests your capacity to organize your ideas clearly and translate them into language that others can understand.

You can learn new writing techniques and approaches by reading other people’s writing.

Read Also: How To Write A Good Essay

15. Books Provide Insight

It is common knowledge that ideas can appear in the most unexpected locations.

One such absurd place is between the covers of a book.

There are many books on a wide range of themes, and these books could provide you with far more inspiration than you could ever need or anticipate. 

The appropriate books can provide you with priceless motivation for any circumstance.

16. Assist You in Advancing Your Career

By seeking out publications that can advance your knowledge and talents in a certain sector, you can find success in any endeavour.

There are books available on practically any topic or aspect of life. 

Finding these books and taking the time to study and apply what you learn from them could help you create the career you want.

17. Show You How to Make Money

It is, in my opinion, one of the most talked-about subjects online right now. It makes sense that there are so many books on the subject and authors who have honed their craft.

But you can’t minimize the ability of books to make people rich. 

This is due to the large number of wealthy people who have acknowledged that reading was a key factor in their rise to success. 

They also advocate for others some of the books that profoundly altered their lives.

18. Inform you of ways to increase your output

Books can teach you how to be more productive. There are several books on productivity, time management, and other subjects that may improve your overall productivity.

Reading books of this nature has a lot of benefits and teach you how to develop into a more successful person.

19. You can leave your legacy through books.

Some outstanding people have made it a point to stock their libraries with books.

This library typically houses some of the books they’ve read that have changed their lives or taught them new facts.

The majority of the books in their collection typically include bookmarks, highlighted portions, etc. pointing to important passages that influenced their lives.

With this strategy, they can leave a lasting impression on their kids and impart a very precious resource.

20. Study About History

You can learn about the past of people, places, and events by reading books. It transports you through history’s winding lanes like a roller coaster. 

It’s a really lovely experience.

You can learn important facts about a person’s life, their location, and other significant historical events while you read.

21. Makes you more likely to live a longer life

According to a study, it demonstrates the benefits of reading on human survival.

This 12-year-long study involved about 3000  participants who were asked to provide details on their reading habits and trends.

The study’s findings indicated that one of the advantages of reading is that it may prolong life.

22. May Improve Your Sleep

Want to get a better night’s sleep? Peruse a book. Reading a book before bedtime, according to the Mayo Clinic, may improve your quality of sleep.

Try including reading in your bedtime routine, and keep an eye out for any changes that may come about.

Disadvantages of Reading

Reading has many benefits, but there are also some disadvantages to reading

23. It Can Be Expensive 

Books are not cheap, and you may have to buy a new one if you want to keep up with the latest trend

24. It Can Be Mentally Taxing 

Reading can be very mentally taxing, and it can be hard to focus on a book for a long period. Sometimes too much screen time on an ebook can affect your eyes. 

25. It Can Be Physically Taxing 

Carrying around heavy books can be very physically taxing, especially when you have to walk long distances. 

26 . It Can Be Isolating 

 Reading can often be an isolating activity because you are typically by yourself when you read. It can also affect your social life to an extent.

27. It Can Be Boring 

The most obvious disadvantage of reading is that it’s usually very boring, especially if you are a non-fiction reader

28. It Can be Time-consuming 

It takes time to read a book, and even more, time to read a long book. And sometimes it can get very addictive that you might go on for long hours.

29. It Can be Difficult 

Reading can be very difficult, especially if you are a fiction reader.

30. It Can Feel Wasteful 

 If you are reading a book that is not entirely necessary, then it can feel wasteful, even though it’s probably helping someone else

Conclusion 

Books have many advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, they can provide entertainment, educate, and introduce people to new cultures. 

They can also be a way to escape reality for a while. 

However, books can also be dense and difficult to read, and they can take a long time to finish. 

Readers should take these factors into account before deciding whether to read one.

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The pros and cons of reading vs. listening to books, what's your reading style.

R eading books and listening to audiobooks are two popular ways to enjoy literature, but there are pros and cons to each. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between reading books and listening to audiobooks, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. We'll also discuss the impact of other gadgets, such as e-readers, on the way we consume literature.

By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of the different ways to enjoy books and their respective benefits and drawbacks.

The Benefits of Reading Books

In today's digital age, technology has revolutionized the way we consume information and entertainment. One of the ways this is evident is through the rise of audiobooks and gadgets that make reading more accessible and convenient.

 While traditionalists may argue that nothing can compare to the experience of flipping through the pages of a physical book, there are several benefits to be gained from listening to audiobooks and utilizing gadgets.

T here's something special about the experience of reading a book that can't be replicated by any other medium. Not only is reading an incredibly satisfying pastime, it also has numerous benefits that can improve our lives in many ways.

One of the greatest benefits of reading books is that it's a powerful tool for lifelong learning. When we read, we're constantly absorbing new information, whether it's about history, science, or personal growth. Reading allows us to explore new worlds, gain new perspectives, and broaden our understanding of the world around us. Plus, with so many books available on just about every topic imaginable, there's always something new to learn.

But that's not all: reading books has also been linked to improved cognitive health. Studies have shown that regular reading can help stave off cognitive decline and even improve brain function over time. This is because reading requires us to engage our minds, make connections between ideas, and exercise our memory and attention. By regularly challenging ourselves with complex texts, we can help keep our brains sharp and our minds active well into old age.

Reading books can also be a great way to relax and de-stress . Whether you're curled up on the couch with a good novel or reading a self-help book to improve your mental wellbeing, reading can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of everyday life. Plus, by immersing ourselves in a story or idea, we can experience a sense of escapism and get lost in our own thoughts for a little while.

Overall, there are countless benefits to reading books that can enhance our lives in many ways. Whether you're looking to learn something new, improve your cognitive health, or simply escape into a good story, reading is a wonderful way to do it. So why not pick up a book today and see where it takes you?

The Benefits of Listening to Audiobooks and Using Gadgets

In today's digital age, technology has revolutionized the way we consume information and entertainment. One of the ways this is evident is through the rise of audiobooks and gadgets that make reading more accessible and convenient. 

While traditionalists may argue that nothing can compare to the experience of flipping through the pages of a physical book, there are several benefits to be gained from listening to audiobooks and utilizing gadgets.

F irstly, listening to audiobooks allows for multitasking and the ability to consume literature while engaging in other activities. Whether you're commuting to work, exercising at the gym, or doing household chores, audiobooks enable you to make the most of your time. You can turn mundane tasks into opportunities for learning and personal growth. This accessibility leads to lifelong learning, as it enables individuals to continually expand their knowledge and stay engaged with literature even when they are pressed for time.

Moreover, audiobooks and gadgets cater to individuals with different learning styles. Some people are auditory learners, meaning they absorb information better through listening. By offering an audio option, audiobooks and gadgets provide a valuable tool for these individuals to enhance their comprehension and retention of the material. Additionally, gadgets like e-readers or tablets offer features like adjustable font size and color schemes that cater to individuals with visual impairments or conditions like dyslexia, making reading more accessible to a wider audience.

In terms of cognitive health , listening to audiobooks and utilizing gadgets can help to exercise and stimulate the brain. The act of listening to audiobooks requires focus and concentration, which can help improve cognitive skills such as attention span and memory. Similarly, utilizing gadgets often involves navigating through menus and settings, which can enhance problem-solving and digital literacy skills. Engaging with technology in this way promotes mental agility and can even help combat cognitive decline associated with aging.

The Drawbacks of Reading Books

While reading books has its benefits, it also comes with a few drawbacks that should be considered. One of the main drawbacks of reading books is that it requires a certain level of physical comfort. 

Sitting or lying down for extended periods of time can cause discomfort or even pain, especially for individuals with back or neck issues. Additionally, reading books can strain the eyes, leading to eye fatigue or even headaches.

A nother drawback of reading books is that it requires a certain level of focus and concentration. Some individuals may find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time or may easily get distracted by external factors such as noise or interruptions. This can hinder the reading experience and make it harder to fully engage with the material.

Reading books also requires the ability to decode and comprehend written language. For individuals who struggle with reading or have learning disabilities, this can be a significant barrier to accessing information and enjoying books. It may require additional support or accommodations to fully benefit from reading.

Additionally, reading books can be a solitary activity, limiting the opportunity for discussion and collaboration. While reading can be a deeply personal and introspective experience, it may also lack the social interaction and exchange of ideas that can come from discussing books with others. This can limit the potential for lifelong learning and personal growth that can come from engaging with different perspectives and interpretations.

Despite these drawbacks, it's important to note that reading books can still be a valuable and enjoyable activity for many people. It offers a unique and immersive experience that allows individuals to dive into different worlds and perspectives. However, it's worth considering the drawbacks and exploring alternative methods such as audiobooks or gadgets that can offer different benefits and cater to individual preferences and needs.

The Drawbacks of Listening to Audiobooks and Using Gadgets

While listening to audiobooks and using gadgets may have their benefits, they also come with their fair share of drawbacks.

One of the main drawbacks of listening to audiobooks is the potential for distractions. Unlike reading a physical book, listening to an audiobook requires a certain level of concentration to fully grasp the content. However, it can be easy to become distracted by outside noise or thoughts, leading to missed sections or a lack of understanding. 

 A dditionally, audiobooks are often listened to while performing other tasks, such as driving or exercising, which can further contribute to distractions and a decreased focus on the material.

Another drawback of relying solely on audiobooks is the lack of personal interpretation. When reading a book, individuals have the opportunity to envision the characters, settings, and events in their own unique way. This personal interpretation can enhance the reading experience and create a deeper connection to the material. With audiobooks, however, the interpretation is provided by the narrator, leaving little room for individual imagination. This can limit the immersive experience that reading a physical book can provide.

Using gadgets, such as e-readers or tablets, for reading also has its drawbacks. One major drawback is the potential for eye strain and discomfort. Reading from a screen for extended periods of time can lead to symptoms such as dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. The blue light emitted by electronic devices can also disrupt sleep patterns, making it more difficult to fall asleep after using gadgets before bed. Additionally, gadgets often require a power source or battery, meaning that reading can be interrupted if the device runs out of charge.

Lastly, the use of gadgets can be a source of distraction. With the constant notifications and temptations of social media or other apps, it can be difficult to stay focused on reading. The multitasking nature of gadgets can also lead to a fragmented reading experience, where attention is divided between the book and various digital distractions. This can hinder comprehension and enjoyment of the material.

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Essay 10: Ebooks – Advantages and Disadvantages

With the rise of Ebooks comes the decline of paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

Sample response 1.

Over the past decade, technology has revolutionized almost every walk of life. One such innovation has been Ebooks which are increasingly becoming popular and replacing paper-based books. Many considered it a positive development because of the convenience they offer and environment-friendliness; however, there are others who deem the trend negative because of harmful effects on health and difficulty in maintaining focus for the reader.

The foremost benefit of electronic books is that they are extremely easy to handle and carry. For instance, one can store hundreds of books on his tablet or smartphone, and travel while reading comfortably without facing the hassle of lifting heavy books. In addition to that, these books are contributing to efforts to tackle climate change. Papers that are used in conventional books are made from wood, and have over the years, led to massive deforestation. With digital books becoming popular, a significant drop of 23% in deforestation has been noted over the past decade, as indicated by a report published in Daily Times.

However, there are drawbacks to this trend of using digital copies over paper ones. One major demerit is that such books affect readers’ visual health adversely. That is to say, if a reader is exposed to a screen for an extended duration, he may develop eyesight issues because of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, it is also a fact that reading a book on a smart gadget, for instance, a smartphone comes with numerous distractions from social media and other applications. On the contrary, paper-based books are neither associated with eyesight issues, nor any distractions.

To conclude, there are a few disadvantages of e-books like distractions from social media applications and harmful effects on eyesight; but them being pro-environment and easy to carry, they are attracting more people every passing day.

Sample Response 2

In recent years, Ebooks have gained immense popularity, and this has led to a decline in the demand for paper books. While some individuals perceive this as a positive development, others view it as negative. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the trend toward e-books.

On the one hand, Ebooks offer several benefits over traditional paper books. Firstly, they are more convenient and portable. With e-books, one can carry an entire library with them on a single device, whereas with paper books, it is not possible to carry more than a few books at a time. Secondly, e-books are often cheaper than paper books, making them more accessible to a wider range of readers. Additionally, e-books are more environmentally friendly, as they do not require paper or ink and do not contribute to deforestation or pollution.

On the other hand, the decline of paper books has some disadvantages. Firstly, many people still prefer the tactile experience of reading a physical book, as they enjoy the smell and feel of the pages. Secondly, some people argue that e-books do not offer the same level of engagement as paper books, as the lack of physical presence can make it difficult for readers to connect with the story. Finally, the shift towards e-books could lead to the closure of traditional bookstores and libraries, which are important cultural institutions in many communities.

In conclusion, the rise of Ebooks has both advantages and disadvantages. While e-books offer greater convenience, affordability, and environmental benefits, they may lack the same level of engagement and cultural significance as paper books. It is up to individuals to decide which format they prefer and to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each. Ultimately, the shift towards e-books is a reflection of the changing nature of reading habits and technological advancements in the digital age.

Sample Response 3

In recent years, the popularity of Ebooks has grown exponentially, leading to a decline in the use of paper books. While some individuals view this trend as a positive step forward, others are more skeptical. In this essay, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

On the one hand, Ebooks offer several advantages over traditional paper books. First and foremost, e-books are more convenient to carry around. With a tablet or e-reader, individuals can have access to an entire library of books in one compact device. This portability allows individuals to read books on the go, without having to carry around heavy paper books. Additionally, e-books are often more affordable than paper books, which is a significant advantage for those on a tight budget. Finally, e-books are more environmentally friendly than paper books, as they require no physical paper or ink.

On the other hand, there are also several disadvantages to the rise of e-books. Perhaps the most significant disadvantage is the impact that e-books can have on physical bookstores. As more and more individuals switch to Ebooks, physical bookstores may struggle to stay afloat. Additionally, e-books require a significant initial investment, as individuals need to purchase an e-reader or tablet. While the cost of e-books may be lower in the long run, this initial investment can be a barrier for some individuals. Finally, some individuals argue that reading an e-book simply does not compare to the experience of reading a physical book. They argue that the tactile experience of holding a book and turning its pages is an integral part of the reading experience that cannot be replicated with an e-reader.

In conclusion, while Ebooks offer several advantages, such as convenience, affordability, and environmental sustainability, there are also several disadvantages to their rise in popularity. These include their potential impact on physical bookstores, the initial investment required to purchase an e-reader or tablet, and the loss of the tactile experience that comes with reading a physical book. Ultimately, whether one views this trend as positive or negative depends on their personal preferences and priorities.

Sample Response 4

The advent of e-books has brought about a marked decline in the usage of traditional paper books. While some individuals perceive this trend as a step in the right direction, others remain apprehensive. In this essay, I will explicate the pros and cons of this development.

On one hand, e-books are advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly, e-books are far more convenient than paper books, as they allow for the storage of thousands of books in one small device. This not only reduces the physical burden of carrying a bulky book but also makes reading on the go more feasible. Moreover, e-books are generally more cost-effective than paper books, which can be especially beneficial for students who require a large number of books. Furthermore, e-books are environmentally friendly, as they reduce the need for paper, which in turn reduces deforestation and pollution.

On the other hand, the rise of e-books has a few significant drawbacks. One of the main concerns is the impact on traditional bookstores, which may be forced to shut down due to the increasing popularity of e-books. This would not only result in job losses but would also have a detrimental effect on communities, as bookstores often serve as cultural hubs. Additionally, e-books require an initial investment in an e-reader or tablet, which can be a barrier for individuals who are unable to afford such a device. Furthermore, some individuals argue that the experience of reading a paper book, with its tactile sensation, cannot be replicated by an e-reader or tablet.

In conclusion, while Ebooks provide numerous benefits, including convenience, affordability, and eco-friendliness, there are also a few significant drawbacks to this trend, such as the potential impact on traditional bookstores, the initial investment required to purchase an e-reader, and the loss of the tactile sensation of a physical book. Ultimately, the decision of whether to embrace e-books or continue with paper books rests with each individual, based on their priorities and preferences.

Did you like these sample responses? Read more here:

• Spoken communication is always more powerful than written communication. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that children should learn how to grow food and cook with it in their lessons. What is your opinion about that?
• Some people believe that teenagers should concentrate on all school subjects. But others believe that teenagers should focus on the subject that they are good at or that they find the most interesting. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

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Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Have you ever wondered if ebooks are better than physical books? Perhaps, you have a preference, or you might as well enjoy both.

No matter what you think about them, ebooks make for 30% of all book sales, and that’s just accounting for legally purchased ebooks (e.g. eReader or Amazon Kindle). Not to mention free downloads and PDF copies that can be found online!

The popularity of ebooks often makes people wonder if they could be a better alternative to paperbacks overall. Whenever a discussion about ebooks versus paperback comes up, users have different opinions, tastes, and preferences.

Have you ever wondered what the pros and cons of ebooks are?

Despite ebook-reading growing in popularity, there are still those who find conventional reading much more convenient.

Yet, despite that, ebooks are becoming more popular. Although the majority of readers still prefer traditional to digital books, most non-fiction, and a good portion of fiction, self-publishers think of ebooks first when making their publishing decisions.

Yet, many still think that an ebook can't replace a paperback. If you’re just now deciding whether to publish an ebook , paperback, or both first think about these couple of important considerations:

eReader Versus Book Readers: What Reading Style is Better?

Reading is a part of our daily lives. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperback books reading, book searching is a major part of each book lover's life. For many avid readers, each book is a world and a life within itself.

Starting a new story means taking on a new adventure that will consume readers’ inner, emotional world throughout the time they read a book. It is a sweet escape from daily hurdles, a place where one can go and forget about work, chores, finance, and all other things that feel too much to handle.

The dilemma of what type of book to read can't really be solved within a single article. However, we can help you search for the right example book to read to improve your life.

Pros and Cons of Books: Are Physical Books Better Than Ebooks for Reading?

Most readers still prefer traditional books. Reading remains an integral part of one’s daily life whether you’re a student, a teacher, a professional within your field, or a homemaker. Yet, the type of books that people read, genres, and the amount of reading that they do varies from person to person.

In that sense, you might easily read several books within a month without even knowing. For example, you might download a PDF "How-To" manual, which is essentially a book, to learn something new for self-improvement purposes, or learn how to use a new household appliance, gain a new skill, etc.

In doing so, you might prefer paper over electronic reading or vice versa depending on multiple factors, like the convenience of reading, time and place for reading, the type of content, and others.

For example, if you’re reading a book on how to make projects with your 3D printer, you’ll likely use a digital copy since it enables you to practice what you’ve learned in the software while reading.

But, if you’re reading a book on knitting, you might go for a paper copy since it makes it easier to follow patterns. Or you can still choose an ebook for its narration capabilities, having instructions read to you can help on beginner projects.

Pros and Cons of Paper Books

Pros and Cons of eReaders vs Books mostly revolve around the convenience of reading, storage, costs, and accessibility.

Biggest advantages of traditional books include:

Borrow a Printed Book to Friends

To borrow an ebook from someone, you’d technically have to give them access to your Amazon or eReader account. On the other hand, you can borrow a paperback simply and without much hustle.

Print Books Are Easier for Readers Who Are Not Tech Savvy

Not everyone wishes to cling on their electronic devices for daily reading, and that’s fine! Many find it hard to adjust to reading from devices, so they prefer traditional books.

Disconnect With Paper Books 

The importance of disconnecting is so big for physical and mental health that the right to disconnect is now entering employment contracts. Reading a paper book, for many, is a mindful ritual of shutting down electronic devices and escaping the internet.

Paper Book Lasts Longer

Such Books don’t go away with your device. You can’t lose access to your paper book if you lose your password, and you don’t need internet access or electricity to power your device.

Numbered Pages Make for Easier Reading

Most ebooks are read on Kindle, where there are no page numbers. It’s hard to tell how far you’ve come with the book, and for many who haven’t yet mastered eReading software, it’s challenging to go back to parts you wish to read again.

This can’t happen with a paperback where you can easily mark one or more pages, underline text, label favorite quotes, etc.

Paper Books Mean Less Putting Strain on Eyes

Both types of books pose unique challenges when it comes to straining your eyes. Paper books are thought of as less strain by many people who struggle with having to constantly zoom in and zoom out on devices.

Collect Books for Future Generations

You can’t really build a family library with ebooks, can you? Many people keep meaningful books as family fortunes in a way, and they wish to do so for their legacies as well.

Disadvantages of Using Books

There are still numerous disadvantages to common book reading that make digital reading a better alternative:

Real Books Last for Life? Not Always

Paper books require careful care and maintenance. No matter how valuable a book is, it can still get destroyed by fire, humidity, dust, debris, and pests. Not possible with a digital copy!

Traditional Books Are Bulkier Than ebooks

Traditional books require more storage space and the right environment. Books need enough space to “breathe,” a very balanced level of humidity and warmth so that they last long. With that, they need not only more storage space but can also present a bulky burden to store in an average home where there’s no room for a separate home library.

Traditional Books Have Typical Book Sized Font: Size Matters!

While some dislike having to zoom in and out to increase or decrease fonts, others depend on that possibility for reading. Paper books have fixed, printed font sizes that can’t be changed.

Too big reading fonts can be awkward to read, while overly small ones strain the eye of a reader.

Can't Share Paper Books With Friends Without Fear of Losing

While you do need workarounds to share a digital book, you’re still not at risk of losing your own copy. You can easily borrow a book, but as many of us know, the incidences of having someone lose, damage, or accidentally destroy your book are plenty. If it’s the only copy you have, and the title can’t be found easily, you’re at a major loss.

Can't Sell Unused Copies Easily

Book clutter is a hard burden to bear and even harder to let go of for any book lover. The notion of throwing away books is rarely an option, and finding places to donate is challenging since the amount of books being passed on is humongous.

No matter how much you like books, when the time comes to let go of the extra copies, you suddenly realize that you can neither sell nor donate as easily as you thought. In an effort to find loving homes for extra books, many people make dozens, if not hundreds of online ads that ask for no more than a couple of dollars for a book. 

Even then, selling is tough due to the low demand for used books.

Not as Reader-Friendly as ebooks depending on your needs

Paper books are bulky to take with you, especially when you need to carry them in your bag or purse. You need to make sure that they don’t get stained or wet on-the-go, which is something you needn’t worry about with books stored on your device.

Pros and Cons of Reading e Books

Despite the growing popularity and benefits of digital book reading, ebooks aren’t without flaws. Let’s briefly reflect on some aspects of eBooks that are worth considering in self-publishing.

Mobi Format Versus Traditional Book Print Counterparts

Formatting is a bigger concern with eBooks than it is for print books. Traditional books are a bit easier when it comes to settling for file, text, and page formats.

Ebook requirements change for platform to platform, and wonky formatting doesn’t go well with e-reading folks who expect impeccable delivery on their devices. Printed books are significantly less demanding to design.

Pros for E Book Readers: World at Your Palm

Accessing as many books and topics as you want is made much easier with eBooks. In pursuit of a particular book, you need to find a store that sells it. Unless the book you wish to read is commonly sold, you’ll have to make an effort to find it.

E Book Readers Typically Found to Like Low Light Screens

Most things people dislike about ebooks revolve around the discomfort of using screens. Screen light is known to negatively affect physical and mental health, so many people opt for low light screens.

Health Disadvantages of Reading Digital Books

Eye strain and eyesight problems.

Eye strain is common for all types of reading books. With ebooks, the aches are mainly caused by small screen sizes with intense lights that strain the eye, often causing headaches and problems with sleep.

Trouble Reading Books and Having an Enjoyable Reading Experience

Many a reader just can't immerse themselves in a digital book the same way they can with paperback formats. This makes a reading experience a bit different than common reading that literature lovers prefer.

Pros of eBooks Shortlist: What Makes E Books Unlike Paper Books

Technology isn't always the ultimate solution. If you're weighing between the two most popular forms of reading, you'll use this short list that might shed more light on unique challenges of publishing eBooks:

E Books Let Your Read More Books and Discover the World

You Can Post Online About E Books You Read

Save Pages When Reading Books

Ebook Format Lets You Have Story Shaped to Your Needs When Reading Books

Less Space to Store eBooks, Resource Saving

New Book Readers Search and Find Books More Easily

Environmental Impact With Less Printed Books

Disadvantages of Ebook Formats Shortlist

Most people enjoy reading books, yet struggle with e books

Reading books is keeping its traditional form for most people for convenience

Single book session lasts long with e Books

LCD Screen From One Device for e Book Readers strains eyes

Power Source Needed for e Book

Electronics With Artificial Light With eBooks makes reading more difficult with vision problems and disabilities

eReader Devices Needed to Read e books

Can't Sell Unused eBooks

Health Problems as a result of screen overuse

Final Shortlist: Pros and Cons of Reading Books Digitally

Electronic books versus printed books give a different outlook on a story you read:

Search eBooks

Read ebooks from anywhere

Multi-Media Elements

Learn New Words

Promote eBooks in an Article

Books Better Fit Your Life For Less Money

But, eBooks also:

Burn Money Fast

Can't find relevant search results when reading books, reading books can be more difficult, need ebooks written let the urban writers do it.

Ebooks may not beat traditional books for daily reading, but they're still a core marketing tool for every publisher. Your reader may not read an Ebook exclusively, but you will be behind the competition with traditional publishing alone.

Plus, publishing your own ebook gives you the advantage of self-publishing. Traditional book publishing entails pitching to publishers, where the competition is high while the selection is scarce.

Order your ebook bundle now, and The Urban Writers will craft most compelling stories and non-fiction narratives for your audience to enjoy! Whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, we have you covered!

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Paper Books vs E-Books: Which One Is Better for Reading?

Article 24 Mar 2023 6654 0

In today's digital age, the debate over paper books vs e-books has become a hot topic among readers. While traditional paper books have been around for centuries, the rise of e-books and e-readers has disrupted the publishing industry and changed the way we read. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of paper books and e-books, their impact on the environment, and how they have impacted reading habits and preferences. We will also help readers make an informed decision about which option is better for their personal reading preferences.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paper Books and E-Books

Paper Books:

• Advantages:
• Physical books provide a tactile and sensory experience that e-books cannot replicate.
• Many readers enjoy the smell and feel of a new or old book, the ability to turn physical pages, and the convenience of using bookmarks.
• Paper books do not require a power source or device to read, making them accessible anywhere.
• Some studies have shown that reading physical books can improve reading comprehension and retention.
• Disadvantages:
• Physical books take up space and can be heavy, making them difficult to carry around.
• They can be expensive to produce, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
• Printing and shipping physical books requires a significant amount of resources, which can impact the environment negatively.
• E-books are lightweight and portable, allowing readers to carry thousands of books in a single device.
• They are generally more affordable than physical books and are easily accessible online.
• E-books are more environmentally friendly as they do not require physical production or transportation.
• They offer features such as adjustable font size, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to highlight and take notes.
• E-books require a power source or device to read, limiting accessibility in areas without electricity or internet access.
• They can cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted from devices.
• Some readers prefer the tactile experience of physical books and find e-books less satisfying.

Environmental Impact of Paper Book Production vs E-Book Production

The production of paper books requires a significant amount of resources, including trees, water, and energy. According to The New York Times, it takes an estimated 12 trees to produce one ton of paper. In addition, the production of paper books requires large amounts of water and energy, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. On the other hand, e-books have a lower carbon footprint as they do not require physical production or transportation. However, the production and disposal of e-readers and other electronic devices also have environmental consequences. Overall, the environmental impact of paper books vs e-books is complex and requires further research and analysis.

Impact of E-Books on the Publishing Industry

The rise of e-books has disrupted the publishing industry, impacting bookstores, publishers, and authors. According to Forbes, e-book sales have declined since 2015, while paperback sales have seen a steady increase. This trend may be due to the convenience and affordability of e-books, which has resulted in a shift in consumer preferences. However, physical bookstores and independent bookshops have also seen a resurgence in recent years, as some readers prefer the tactile and sensory experience of physical books.

Reading Experience and Preferences

The reading experience and preferences of readers for paper books vs e-books are subjective and vary depending on personal preferences and reading habits. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of American adults had read a print book in the past year, while only 28% had read an e-book. The same survey found that readers who prefer e-books cited convenience, price, and portability as their main reasons for choosing digital reading materials. Meanwhile, those who prefer paper books cited the tactile experience, the ability to physically display books, and the lack of eye strain or fatigue as their primary reasons for sticking with printed materials.

Another factor that can impact a reader's preference is the type of content they are consuming. For example, readers may prefer e-books for genres such as romance, mystery, and thriller, where they may consume a higher volume of books in a shorter period. On the other hand, readers may prefer physical books for genres such as poetry, art, or photography books, where the visual and tactile experience is a significant part of the reading experience.

Accessibility is another key consideration for many readers. E-books are more accessible for people with visual impairments or reading difficulties, as they offer customizable font sizes and text-to-speech options. E-books also offer the convenience of being able to purchase and download books instantly, without having to leave one's home or visit a physical bookstore. However, physical books have the advantage of being able to be borrowed from libraries or shared among friends, which may be more difficult with digital books due to copyright restrictions and digital rights management (DRM) technology.

Cost is another significant factor for many readers. E-books are generally cheaper than physical books, with some e-books being available for free. However, readers should keep in mind that the cost of an e-reader or tablet must be factored in as well. Physical books may be more expensive, but they can also be resold or passed on to others, which can offset their initial cost.

While the convenience and accessibility of e-books are undeniable, they have also disrupted the publishing industry in significant ways. E-books have enabled self-publishing, which has given many authors the ability to publish their work without the backing of a traditional publishing house. This has led to a proliferation of new and diverse voices in the literary world, but it has also created a crowded and competitive marketplace where it can be difficult for authors to get noticed.

Final Thought

In conclusion, both paper books and e-books have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences, reading habits, and the type of content being consumed. Paper books offer a tactile and visual experience that many readers prefer, while e-books offer convenience, affordability, and accessibility. The impact of e-books on the publishing industry and reading habits is significant and ongoing, and it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the coming years.

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Advantages and disadvantages of reading via e-book

When you’re being held down by the pandemic, you’d be surprised at how many things you can discover both online and when you look around the four corners of your room.

For bookworms and avid readers, we seem to have all the time in the world to go through our ‘to-be-read’ (TBR) pile aside from the readings required for online classes. A good fiction and a cup of coffee is perhaps one of the best ways to explore different worlds while simply sitting down and letting the mind do away with imagination. 

However, for readers who could devour a novel within days as well as those who do not have enough hardbound reading materials at home, electronic books (e-books) became a fortunate addition to a technological world where everything can be done with a press of a button. There are a lot of e-book applications which allows users to download various titles to read in the comfort of their smartphones or tablets. The Kindle models by Amazon is one such example of a gadget specifically catering to online reading. 

Still, there are advantages and disadvantages which goes with using ebooks. Here are some of its ups and downs:

Advantages of e-books

#1. Most books are readily available

This is easily the first and foremost advantage of using an e-book as your online library: name a book, and it’s most likely available for download. 

There are specific websites for downloading the e-book format for novels you are looking for, and most of the time the ebook reader you are using will contain a feature which directs their users to some kind of search area to locate if that title is available for download. Although, there are also plenty of titles that would require users to purchase the e-book version to proceed with the download, there are samples of these books being offered for free so that readers are certain they are worthy purchasing. 

Of course, books which require monetary value supports the author and is a fair trade. Otherwise, books are abundant, most especially for those who want to start on classic literature. Who knows? The book that you’ve been searching for in your local bookstore may just be lying here. 

#2. There is a wide array of genre to explore

When it comes to literature, you must be open to different genres to find out your preferences, but as well as to become open towards different writing styles. 

E-books may not have one specific title you are looking for, but it will surely lead you to a suggestion list of titles with similar genre or plot. More often than not, titles found online are books we’ve never heard of, but contains an interesting and/or curious story that one may pride in saying, ‘I’ve read it in an e-book!’

If you’re a bold and adventurous reader, then the ebook is not lacking with different titles to take you to different places. 

#3. You’re literally holding a portable reading device

There are those who prefer bringing a hardbound book with them, but there are those who would prefer to keep all their (online) books on one device. 

Whether you are using a smartphone with an e-book reader or a gadget which focuses particularly on ebooks, it’s wonderful to know that technology is making such a huge contribution to allow people an easy access to reading materials wherever they go. Once you’ve downloaded an e-book, you can use it even when you’re offline. 

It comes in handy most especially when you will go on a vacation and you don’t want to travel with a heavy, bulky book with you. Then again, it’s a preference. Some would prefer to bring hardbound, but as well as have some titles in their e-book reader just to switch from time to time. 

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Disadvantages of e-books

#1. It might affect your visual health

Not that reading from actual books (for hours and with bad lighting, most especially) wouldn’t contribute to poor eyesight, but staring at the screen may cause not only a trouble for the eyes, but as well as prone to headaches. 

Again, just like watching television or playing video games, exercise a limit and precautions when using e-books. Your e-book reader may have adjustable settings on how the texts may appear—larger or smaller—as well as font options where it wouldn’t irritate readers’ eyes. There may even be an option, depending on your e-book reader, where you can choose the color of the pages (black or white) depending on which background you prefer to read. 

The takeaway on the disadvantage here is the limited screen time. Do not force yourself to continue reading if your eyes and/or head is already aching. This goes even for those who prefer reading hardbound copies. One cannot enjoy a good story without eyes to see and a head with which to take in the plot. 

#2. It is prone to disruptions and possible cybercrimes 

You’re in the middle of an exhilarating scene in your journey, but suddenly that ‘low battery’ warning pops up. Now, you’ve got to fumble for your charger just to keep your device going, but is the momentum for the scene still there? 

Another case is the fact our gadgets are fragile. Sure, you can protect it with casings and tempered glass, but what of system damage? Again, even e-books require readers to be careful when browsing through titles, or when giving information in exchange for a download. These days we can never be too sure if even something as humble and simplistic as the e-book technology are filled with cyber criminals waiting for a user to download a specific e-book to gain access to their device. 

Always exercise safety even when you think you’re just ‘here to read’. Be careful when downloading titles from suspicious websites, especially to those who seem to be producing e-book titles illegally. 

#3. It’s not just the real thing

Here’s the dispute when it comes to e-books: it’s not the real thing! By that, we mean it’s not the usual hardbound or paperback novel where you can smell the aroma of paper, place a bookmark in between pages, nor smile with pride at your mini-library at home. 

Despite the e-book becoming a popular means of reading—not just as a past time, but even for research or educational purposes—there are just some of us who feel uncomfortable with reading the ‘traditional way’; that is, through concrete books. Of course, nothing can replace printed copies, but we have to admit that e-books does have their advantages. 

May it be reading via e-book or through hardbound, all the stories you discover means a lot to its writer and takes you to excursions even in the comfort of your home. 

Be aware of e-book piracy

Having learned some advantages and disadvantages of e-books, you may consider downloading the free readers on your application. However, please be aware of piracy. 

Simply put, these are people who are claiming to ‘sell’ e-book titles for certain amounts, or those who freely share illegal copies of e-books—some which are not yet publicly released by the author nor have been licensed to be published online. While it’s enjoyable to be able to find thousands of free titles available for download, one must be aware that even e-books need to be treated with respect and awareness. 

Think of it as a movie being aired today in our cinemas only for you to overhear someone saying, ‘I’ll just download/torrent the movie on my computer and watch it from there’. Not only are we refusing to give the producers—for e-book’s case, writers—their due, but we are also spreading illegal trade and encouraging websites or sellers to continue with their ‘business’. 

Just like any online activity we discover during the duration of this pandemic; e-books are also a perfect past time to spend whether alone or with the family. It’s all about finding the right story that will fit your mood for the day, or perhaps trying out an e-book title that strikes your curiosity. 

E-books may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s not bad to try what it has to offer. Who knows? It may stir your passion into reading again. Remember, though, with technology involved there are always precautions that everyone should be mindful. 

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I would prefer reading a book in a traditional way rather than reading it on my kindle.

I prefer reading books in a traditional way, because there is more of an emotional connection when reading a book. I can imagine the story being read and grasped with more detail and clarity.

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How to find a good essay writer is like looking for a needle in the haystack. Of course, the essay writer you hire will be able to produce some amazing pieces of writing, but who knows what other creative talents they may have? And if you don’t like what you see, you’re stuck with writing something yourself or having the essay ghostwriter produce something else that you’ll have to live with. But when you find someone that’s willing to give you their full attention and produce a high quality product, you may find that you’ve made a great choice.

The Pros and Cons of eBooks

ebooks have changed the way information is created, disseminated, and viewed. But what are the drawbacks?

As technology develops nothing remains untouched, and paper is no exception. The eBook is now well established, its downloadable files including everything typically found in the printed formats, including numbered pages, tables of contents, pictures, graphics and layout just like any other book. If you own any of the best tablets , you have a wealth of eBooks at your fingertips.

The advantages of eBook downloads are many, but there are disadvantages as well. Below are a few pros and cons to consider if you're still on the fence about jumping into the eBook revolution. And if you'd rather have books read to you, rather than read at all, we have a guide to the best audiobook services too.

The Advantages

• One of the biggest advantages of ebooks is the fact that they require no trees to create them. This is obviously an eco-friendly option that both reduces cost and lowers environmental impact.
• Information can be obtained without leaving your desk! Need to do some last-minute research on a particular topic? Simply find a great ebook store, search for your keywords or phrases, purchase the book and you’re set!
• Unlike paper books and materials, digital books only require one device to carry around with you. This means you can carry a library of various book genres for every mood.
• eBooks can lower the cost of enjoying your favorite titles. With no shipping and handling costs, eBooks typically have prices that are 50-60% lower than their print counterparts.
• eBooks are more flexible than paper books. For those who have trouble reading the typical book-sized font, ebook readers can enlarge the font size to make reading more pleasurable and easier on the eyes.
• eBooks can contain multi-media elements not available with traditional books. Audio and video can be embedded to make reading a fully immersive experience.
• Ever wonder where that great passage in your favorite book went to? With ebooks you can mark passages, save pages and search text before, during or after you read.

With all these advantages it is difficult to imagine what the disadvantages are, but there are some that have many folks concerned. If you're already sold, we've listed the cheapest prices for the Amazon Kindle below.

The other huge plus about eBooks is... you can actually create and publish your own. Even if you don't become a famous author, you can at least share eBooks among your friends, family, and any social media followers you may have. Check out our guide to the best eBook creators if you want to know more.

The Disadvantages

• Piracy is the number one concern for both publishers and authors. While traditional books can be copied with machines, the time and cost of doing so typically keeps this type of piracy at bay. With ebooks, however, 'sharing' books that have not been purchased with others is as easy as posting a file online or, in some cases, copying and pasting the text from one document to another.
• Many people still prefer being able to hold a traditional book in their hands. For those of us who enjoy reading a book in bed before signing off for the night, a cold hard digital device just won’t be the same.
• While one advantage of ebook devices is their ability to enlarge fonts for easier reading, the fact is you are still reading off an LCD screen. Some readers have matte e-ink screens, but others give off a glare that can not only make reading inconvenient if the lighting isn’t just right, but may actually cause eye strain and make it more difficult to focus while reading.
• With the wide variety of formats and ereader devices on the market, choosing which device is the right one for all situations can be nearly impossible. Though compatible formats have been introduced that should allow most readers to view purchases, many of these still lack proper formatting. Without proper page layouts and spacing reading becomes more of a tedious chore than an enjoyable pastime. With traditional books one simply buys and reads!
• When is the last time you had to plug your paper book into the wall outlet? How disappointing would it be to find yourself right in the middle of a steamy romance scene while traveling only to have the batteries in your reading device die, with no way to charge them?
• Currently, ebooks have an unreliable life span. Paper books last for decades provided they are well cared for. And besides, what good is a bookshelf if you cannot enjoy the look and smell of all your time-worn books, lovingly thumbed, crimped and read cover to cover, over and over again?

While some may find the transition from paper books to ebooks an impossibility, many have already embraced the technology as the status quo. Young people especially are finding eBook options as appealing and convenient. For those who find the advantages of ebooks more appealing than the 'old way' of reading there are several ebook stores reviewed on this site, such as Amazon Kindle Store and more, that can help users find the best bargains and options.

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Ian has been a journalist for 20 years. He's written for magazines and websites on subjects such as video games, technology, PC hardware, popular (and unpopular) science, gardening and astronomy. In his spare time he has a pet tortoise and grows his own vegetables. He also has a passion for cameras and photography, and has written for TTR on these subjects.

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Advantages of Reading Books IELTS Essay: How to Write?

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Updated on 13 April, 2023

Mrinal Mandal

Study abroad expert.

Have you come across the topic-  Advantages of reading books for the IELTS essay? This is not a difficult topic, provided you have a clear blueprint on what to write. Structure your essay logically, beginning with an introduction to reading and your perception of the same. Then mention the advantages of reading books before concluding with a crisp and succinct conclusion. This is how you should write your IELTS essay. Here are a couple of samples to help you practice the same.

Table of Contents

Sample essay 1:.

• Sample Essay 2:

Explore More Resources Related to IELTS Essays:

Advantages of reading books ielts essay: samples for reference .

Reading is one of the greatest pleasures of life. It not only refreshes the mind but enriches one’s social consciousness. As Garrison Keillor aptly said, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.” There are numerous benefits of reading books for individuals of almost all ages and life stages. Parents should inculcate the reading habit in their children from an early age. This helps in enhancing their powers of communication and confidence as a result. 

Books provide an outlet for gathering knowledge and insights on the world, history, society, and various topics. They are indispensable for broadening one’s horizons and getting exposure to various characters, events, circumstances, philosophies, and more. This automatically enhances social skills while opening the mind to newer creative and imaginative possibilities. Most importantly, a regular reading habit enhances vocabulary and grammatical skills along with overall mastery over any language. It helps in developing suitable writing, analytical, and reading skills at the same time. 

Reading is also a stress-buster, an escape from the humdrum of daily life. It enables supreme mental relaxation for most individuals. Reading books is the biggest foundation for becoming an erudite, knowledgeable, informed, creative, empathetic, and open-minded individual. At the same time, readers get exposure to varied cultural tastes and literary works. They get an opportunity to understand and appreciate the finest literary works of their age. To conclude, books are the biggest gifts of life; nowhere else can you find recreation and mental development taking place simultaneously. 

Tentative Band Score: 6

Word Count: 249

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Sample Essay 2: 

Vera Nazarian stated, “Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world, a door opens to allow in more light.” Indeed, reading books is a practice and habit that is laden with advantages. This is one addiction that is strongly encouraged at all ages and in every possible scenario. Reading books is the window to the world for most people, especially from an early age. Books are the gateway towards imbibing vital knowledge and insights on life, along with building up one’s literary appreciation skills. 

Books also open up our vistas to diverse subjects, aspects, and events of life. They serve to enrich our intellect in multifarious and unfathomable ways. Reading books is also helpful for sharpening our reading, writing, and language skills. You can expect to build a strong vocabulary and word bank while enhancing your creativity and imagination. As they say, the more we read, the more we attune ourselves to being open to newer possibilities, experiences, and circumstances. In a way, reading books is one of the pillars of a liberal, tolerant, open-minded and knowledgeable society that learns how to ask questions and gather knowledge while respecting divergent beliefs simultaneously. 

Books are food for the soul; just as rest relaxes and refreshes our bodies, books perform the same role for our minds. They keep us sharp, mentally agile, and curious at all ages. This has a direct impact on the quality of life and wellbeing. To conclude, it can be said that reading books comes with a truckload of benefits for every individual. 

Tentative IELTS Score: 5.5

Word Count: 257

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Top 10 Advantages & Disadvantages of Reading Books

• By Omkar Mirajgave
• On April 13, 2022

The life of a bookworm is highly boring. (At least, for someone who doesn’t read books at all)

Yes, that is correct.

And anyone who denies this either don’t know much about reading books, is in denial mode like most people, or does not want to scare you away from the books.

I AM NOT ONE OF THEM. I am here to give you some straight damn facts and tell you what are the common disadvantages of reading books (obviously for people who don’t like reading), and advantages of reading books (for people who want to read books).

So, let’s dive in.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reading Books (Quick Summary)

Top 10 advantages of books, 1. books improve your creativity and imagination.

Reading fiction helps improve your creativity and imagination by bringing you into a different world. When you read a book, you create a picture in your mind. You start living the character, imagine yourself in their shoes, and experience their emotions.

2. Books expand your world

You will learn about diverse topics, ideas, and perspectives as you read more books. Your point of view about culture, society, money, life, etc will change. You will start thinking differently.

3. Books reduce stress

Books are not only the best friends but also the best healers. While reading a book, you will forget your worries, anxiety, and tension. You will live in a different world for some time, eventually reducing stress.

4. Improves sleep

Reading books before night can also help you fall asleep. Just make sure you don’t lose yourself in the story. LoL!😊😊

5. Makes you a more empathetic person

An individual who reads fiction books a lot becomes more sympathetic as he reads (in fact, lives) a lot of characters and stories. When you read a story in a fiction book, you become that person; you start feeling his pain, sorrow, his emotions. This builds empathy in you for all kinds of people in society.

6. Reading helps you live longer

A study found that adults who read 30 mins a day live more than those who don’t read. Reading to your brain is what exercise to your body is! It makes the neuronal connections in your brain much more robust, which eventually helps you live longer.

7. Reading increases your attention span

When you read for 30 mins, you focus for those 30 mins. If you habitually read for 30 mins each day, you are making your brain practice for 30 mins of focus each day.

8. Increase your vocabulary

When you read hundreds of books, your vocabulary will increase as a byproduct. You don’t have to make any effort to boost your vocabulary. Read as many books as possible.

9. Books can help you become rich

Reading books like rich dad poor dad , or the psychology of money can help you develop financial discipline. After reading these books, you will make better financial decisions which will help you become wealthy over time. You can notice a similar trend: most affluent people read at least 3 hours daily.

10. Books can change your life

Whether you read fiction, non-fiction, or any genre of books, it will lead you to a healthy, happy, and prosperous life.

Top 10 Disadvantages of Books

1. need money to buy good books.

To read books, the only thing you need is MONEY. And man, money is hard to come by these days.

In this materialistic world, when money gives you freedom, the ability to pursue your dreams, and security.

If you want to read good books, you will undoubtedly require a good amount of money to purchase them, which is altogether a difficult task.

2. Reading Too Many Books Without Taking Action Is a Waste of Time

Yes, simply reading books will not make you a better person. Tell me why you like to read books in the first place because books can add a lot of value to your life. They can provide you with a way of escape and may even teach you some valuable life lessons.

But if you don’t apply the learnings from those books or start looking at your own life to see what you can change and how you should change, what’s the point of reading them all?

3. Physical Books Are Hard to Carry

I add this to my list because I live in a one-room apartment, and with my experience, I can say that physical books are not very space-efficient.

Consider this: a typical book is 200-400 pages long. Right!! And keeping a significant amount of such books in a single-room apartment is difficult.

You can’t change the thickness of a page. Can you?

But, on the bright side, I am happy that technology has taken care of it, thanks to thinner, lighter, and more advanced tablets. Now you can store your books and access them all at any time and from any location.

4. Less Time for Being Cool

Imagine you are catching up with your friends one weekend, and out of nowhere, someone brings up a famous movie about a superhero.

He talks about the plot, action scenes, and fights, and suddenly all of your friends are joining him on the journey of this movie.

And because of reading books and not watching movies, you are sitting beside them just wondering what are they talking about.

See, this is the problem of being a book lover. Books give you less time for being cool.

5. Your Friends Will Treat You Less

Yes, this is also true.

Tell me, how many times you’ve told your friends when they asked you about coffee that you’d like to go out for coffee, but you have this book you need to finish?

And your friends were expecting you at the coffee shop, but you didn’t show up.

For a friendship to be healthy, there must be a balance, and man, you are losing that balance somewhere because of your reading habit.

6. Reading Takes Time & Effort

Reading is not a easy task. You have to put time and effort into the habit of reading to actually get some benefit out of it. And who wants to do the hard stuff these days?

Who wants to stay away from watching those awesome webseries/cricket matches and spend time with books that doesn’t give instant gratification at all.

7. Most Books Repeat the Same Stuff

Raise your hand if you believe that some books repeat the same nonsense repeatedly.

It’s like déjà vu.

For those unfamiliar with the term, déjà vu is the sensation of having previously experienced happening for the first time.

And, to be honest, I’m sick of these books as well, which is why I included this point on this list.

8. Disadvantages of Reading Fiction Books

On the disadvantage level, fiction books exist in a completely different universe; some of the disadvantages of reading fiction books are:

• Fiction causes your mind to sag
• Stories can make you unhappy with reality
• Novels arouse the reader’s emotions

9. Disadvantages of Reading Ebooks or Reading Online

Reading ebooks or reading books online has its own set of disadvantages, like:

• The sensation of reading a physical book with a pencil in one hand and a blank page in the other is unique from the online reading experience.
• Ebook files are at risk of becoming corrupted, deleted, pirated or lost at any time.
• It is common for the quality of work in online reading material to suffer.
• They are said to impair eye abilities.
• Online reading is vulnerable to internet and electricity outages.

10. Disadvantages of Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks has its significant benefits over reading. But audiobooks, too, have some limitations. Here are few cons of audiobooks –

• You’ll miss the drawings and images.
• You may obtain the incorrect tone for the writers’ voice.
• A lack of imagination, as you will not take a break to think about anything while reading continuously.
• Last but not least, you will miss the smell of old or new book papers!

I would say the benefits of books overweight the cons of reading books. The disadvantages mentioned in this post are for people who don’t want to invest time to become a better version of themself.

So, I’d like to advise you read as many books as possible because what happens if you don’t read books is that you will not change and if you will not change you will not grow!

Omkar Mirajgave

Omkar Mirajgave is the founder of BestBookSummaries.com. He is an avid book reader. After reading 100+ book summaries and 80+ books, he realized book summaries can help him choose better books. He writes about interesting book summaries, reading tips, the best books to read, and everything related to books!

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Essay on Advantages of Reading Books

Students are often asked to write an essay on Advantages of Reading Books in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Advantages of Reading Books

Introduction.

Reading books is a great habit with many benefits. It helps in improving knowledge, enhancing imagination, and building vocabulary.

Knowledge Enhancement

Books are a rich source of information. Reading books on various subjects imparts information and increases understanding of various topics.

Imagination Boost

Reading fiction can transport you to different worlds, enhancing your imagination and creativity.

Vocabulary Building

Regular reading exposes you to new words, helping in improving your vocabulary and language skills.

In conclusion, reading books is a rewarding activity that can enrich our lives in many ways.

250 Words Essay on Advantages of Reading Books

Reading books is a timeless activity that holds numerous benefits. In a world where digital distractions abound, books provide an enriching escape that nourishes the mind and soul.

Cognitive Development

Reading books regularly can significantly enhance cognitive abilities. It fosters concentration, improves vocabulary, and stimulates critical thinking. By presenting diverse perspectives and complex narratives, books challenge readers to analyze and interpret information, thereby honing their reasoning skills.

Emotional Intelligence

Books are a window to the human experience. They expose readers to a variety of emotions, situations, and personalities, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence. By identifying with characters and their struggles, readers can better understand and navigate their own emotions.

Knowledge Acquisition

Books are a treasure trove of knowledge. They offer insights into a plethora of subjects, from science and history to philosophy and arts. This knowledge not only enhances one’s understanding of the world but also encourages informed discussions and debates.

Stress Reduction

Reading is a form of escapism that can significantly reduce stress. Immersing oneself in a compelling narrative can distract from daily pressures, providing relaxation and mental tranquility.

In conclusion, reading books is a rewarding activity with numerous benefits. It fosters cognitive development, enhances emotional intelligence, facilitates knowledge acquisition, and reduces stress. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, let us not forget the timeless value of a good book.

500 Words Essay on Advantages of Reading Books

Reading books is a timeless activity that has been a part of human culture for centuries. Despite the advent of technology and digital media, the significance of reading books remains undiminished. This essay aims to shed light on the numerous advantages that reading books offers, particularly for college students.

Enhancement of Cognitive Abilities

Reading is much more than just a leisure activity. It is a cognitive exercise that strengthens the brain’s functions. Reading complex narratives and academic texts requires concentration, comprehension, and memory, all of which enhance cognitive abilities. According to a study by the American Academy of Neurology, engaging the brain in activities like reading can slow cognitive decline by 32%.

Boosting Emotional Intelligence

Books provide a window into the lives, experiences, and emotions of different characters. As readers navigate through these narratives, they develop empathy and understanding for diverse perspectives. This process enhances emotional intelligence, which is crucial for interpersonal relationships and effective communication.

Knowledge Acquisition and Skill Development

Books are a treasure trove of knowledge. They provide insights into various fields, cultures, philosophies, and historical events. Reading a wide range of books exposes students to different ideas and viewpoints, broadening their understanding of the world. Moreover, books can help students develop specific skills. For example, reading literature can improve writing skills, while reading scientific texts can enhance analytical thinking.

Stress Reduction and Mental Health

Immersing oneself in a good book can be a great stress reliever. It provides an escape from reality, allowing readers to explore different worlds and experiences. According to a study by the University of Sussex, reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Furthermore, reading has been linked to improved mental health, with regular readers showing lower levels of depressive symptoms.

Improving Focus and Discipline

In an era of information overload and constant distractions, reading books can help improve focus and discipline. Unlike skimming through online articles or social media feeds, reading a book requires sustained attention. This practice can enhance the ability to concentrate on other tasks as well, increasing productivity and efficiency.

In conclusion, reading books offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence to facilitating knowledge acquisition and skill development. It also contributes to stress reduction and improved mental health, while fostering focus and discipline. While digital media and technology have their place in learning, the value of reading books should not be underestimated. For college students, reading can be a powerful tool for personal and academic growth.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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• Importance Of Reading Essay

Importance of Reading Essay

500+ words essay on reading.

Reading is a key to learning. It’s a skill that everyone should develop in their life. The ability to read enables us to discover new facts and opens the door to a new world of ideas, stories and opportunities. We can gather ample information and use it in the right direction to perform various tasks in our life. The habit of reading also increases our knowledge and makes us more intellectual and sensible. With the help of this essay on the Importance of Reading, we will help you know the benefits of reading and its various advantages in our life. Students must go through this essay in detail, as it will help them to create their own essay based on this topic.

Importance of Reading

Reading is one of the best hobbies that one can have. It’s fun to read different types of books. By reading the books, we get to know the people of different areas around the world, different cultures, traditions and much more. There is so much to explore by reading different books. They are the abundance of knowledge and are best friends of human beings. We get to know about every field and area by reading books related to it. There are various types of books available in the market, such as science and technology books, fictitious books, cultural books, historical events and wars related books etc. Also, there are many magazines and novels which people can read anytime and anywhere while travelling to utilise their time effectively.

Benefits of Reading for Students

Reading plays an important role in academics and has an impactful influence on learning. Researchers have highlighted the value of developing reading skills and the benefits of reading to children at an early age. Children who cannot read well at the end of primary school are less likely to succeed in secondary school and, in adulthood, are likely to earn less than their peers. Therefore, the focus is given to encouraging students to develop reading habits.

Reading is an indispensable skill. It is fundamentally interrelated to the process of education and to students achieving educational success. Reading helps students to learn how to use language to make sense of words. It improves their vocabulary, information-processing skills and comprehension. Discussions generated by reading in the classroom can be used to encourage students to construct meanings and connect ideas and experiences across texts. They can use their knowledge to clear their doubts and understand the topic in a better way. The development of good reading habits and skills improves students’ ability to write.

In today’s world of the modern age and digital era, people can easily access resources online for reading. The online books and availability of ebooks in the form of pdf have made reading much easier. So, everyone should build this habit of reading and devote at least 30 minutes daily. If someone is a beginner, then they can start reading the books based on the area of their interest. By doing so, they will gradually build up a habit of reading and start enjoying it.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Importance of Reading Essay

What is the importance of reading.

1. Improves general knowledge 2. Expands attention span/vocabulary 3. Helps in focusing better 4. Enhances language proficiency

What is the power of reading?

1. Develop inference 2. Improves comprehension skills 3. Cohesive learning 4. Broadens knowledge of various topics

How can reading change a student’s life?

1. Empathy towards others 2. Acquisition of qualities like kindness, courtesy

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NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to Hanif Abdurraqib about the new book There's Always This Year . It's a mix of memoir, essays, and poems, looking at the role basketball played in Abdurraqib's life.

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

The new book "There's Always This Year" opens with an invitation. Here's a quote - "if you please imagine with me, you are putting your hand into my open palm, and I am resting one free hand atop yours. And I am saying to you that I would like to commiserate here and now about our enemies. We know our enemies by how foolishly they trample upon what we know as affection, how quickly they find another language for what they cannot translate as love." And what follows from that is a lyrical book about basketball but also about geography, luck, fate and many other things, too. It's also about how the career arc of basketball great LeBron James is woven through the life of the book's author, Hanif Abdurraqib, who joins us now. Welcome back to the show.

HANIF ABDURRAQIB: Thank you for having me again, Scott. It's really wonderful to be here.

DETROW: You know, I love this book so much, but I'm not entirely sure how to describe it. It's part memoir, part meditation, part poetry collection, part essay collection. How do you think about this book?

ABDURRAQIB: You know, it's funny. I've been running into that too early on in the process and now - still, when I'm asked to kind of give an elevator pitch. And I think really, if I'm being honest, that feels like an achievement to me because so much of...

DETROW: Yeah.

ABDURRAQIB: ...My intent with the book was working against a singular aboutness (ph) or positioning the book as something that could be operating against neat description because I think I was trying to tie together multiple ideas, sure, through the single - singular and single lens of basketball. But I kind of wanted to make basketball almost a - just a canvas atop which I was laying a lot of other concerns, be it mortality or place or fatherhood and sonhood (ph) in my case. I think mostly it's a book about mortality. It's a book about the passage of time and attempting to be honest with myself about the realities of time's passing.

DETROW: Yeah, it seems to me like it could also be a book about geography, about being shaped by the place you grew up in and that moment where you choose to stay or leave, or maybe leave and come back. And I was hoping you could read a passage that that deals directly with that for us.

ABDURRAQIB: Of course. Yeah. This is from the third quarter or the third act of the of the book.

(Reading) It bears mentioning that I come from a place people leave. Yes, when LeBron left, the reactions made enough sense to me, I suppose. But there was a part of me that felt entirely unsurprised. People leave this place. There are Midwestern states that are far less discernible on a blank map, sure. Even with an understanding of direction, I am known to mess up the order of the Dakotas. I've been known to point at a great many square-like landscapes while weakly mumbling Nebraska. And so I get it. We don't have it too bad. People at least claim to know that Ohio is shaped like a heart - a jagged heart, a heart with sharp edges, a heart as a weapon. That's why so many people make their way elsewhere.

DETROW: What does Ohio, and specifically, what does Columbus mean to you and who you are?

ABDURRAQIB: I think at this stage in my life, it's the one constant that keeps me tethered to a version of myself that is most recognizable. You know, you don't choose place. Place is something that happens to you. Place is maybe the second choice that is made for you after the choice of who your parents are. But if you have the means and ability, there are those of us who at some point in our lives get to choose a place back. And I think choosing that place back doesn't happen once. I mean, it happens several times. It's like any other relationship. You are choosing to love a place or a person as they are, and then checking in with if you are capable of continuing to love that place or person as they evolve, sometimes as they evolve without you or sometimes as you evolve without them. And so it's a real - a math problem that is always unfolding, someone asking the question of - what have I left behind in my growth, or what has left me behind in a growth that I don't recognize?

So, you know, Columbus doesn't look the way - just from an architectural standpoint - does not look the way it looked when I was young. It doesn't even look the way it looked when I moved back in 2017. And I have to kind of keep asking myself what I can live with. Now that, for me, often means that I turn more inward to the people. And I began to think of the people I love as their own architecture, a much more reliable and much more sturdy architecture than the architecture that is constantly under the siege of gentrification. And that has been grounding for me. It's been grounding for me to say, OK, I can't trust that this building will stay. I can't trust that this basketball court will stay. I can't trust that this mural or any of it will stay. But what I do know is that for now, in a corner of the city or in many corners of the city, there are people who know me in a very specific way, and we have a language that is only ours. And through that language, we render each other as full cities unto ourselves.

DETROW: Yeah. Can you tell me how you thought about basketball more broadly, and LeBron James specifically, weaving in and out of these big questions you're asking? - because in the first - I guess the second and third quarter, really, of the book - and I should say, you organize the book like a basketball game in quarters. You know, you're being really - you're writing these evocative, sad scenes of how, like you said, your life was not unfolding the way you wanted it in a variety of ways. And it's almost like LeBron James is kind of floating through as a specter on the TV screen in the background, keeping you company in a moment where it seems to me like you really needed company. Like, how did you think about your relationship with basketball and the broader moments and the broader thoughts in those moments?

ABDURRAQIB: Oh, man, that's not only such a good question, but that's actually - that's such a good image of LeBron James on the TV in the background because it was that. In a way, it was that in a very plainly material, realistic, literal sense because when I was, say, unhoused - right? - I...

ABDURRAQIB: ...Would kind of - you know, sometimes at night you kind of just wander. You find a place, and you walk through downtown. And I remember very clearly walking through downtown Columbus and just hearing the Cavs games blaring out of open doors to bars or restaurants and things like that, and not having - you know, I couldn't go in there because I had no money to buy anything, and I would eventually get thrown out of those places.

So, you know, I think playing and watching basketball - you know, even though this book is not, like, a heavy, in-depth basketball biography or a basketball memoir, I did spend a lot of time watching old - gosh, so much of the research for this book was me watching clips from the early - mid-2000s of...

ABDURRAQIB: ...LeBron James playing basketball because my headspace while living through that was entirely different. It's like you said, like LeBron was on a screen in the background of a life that was unsatisfying to me. So they were almost, like, being watched through static. And now when I watch them, the static clears, and they're a little bit more pleasureful (ph). And that was really joyful.

DETROW: LeBron James, of course, left the Cavs for a while. He took his talents to South Beach, went to the Miami Heat. You write - and I was a little surprised - that you have a really special place in your heart for, as you call them, the LeBronless (ph) years and the way that you...

ABDURRAQIB: Oh, yeah.

DETROW: ...Interacted with the team. What do you think that says? And why do you think you felt that way and feel that way about the LeBronless Cavs?

ABDURRAQIB: I - you know, I'm trying to think of a softer word than awful. But you know what? They were awful.

DETROW: (Laughter).

ABDURRAQIB: I mean they were (laughter) - but that did not stop them from playing this kind of strange level of hard, at times, because I think it hit a point, particularly in the late season, where it was clear they were giving in and tanking. But some of those guys were, like, old professionals. There's, like, an older Baron Davis on that team. You know, some of these guys, like, did not want to be embarrassed. And...

ABDURRAQIB: ...That, to me, was miraculous to watch where - because they're still professionals. They're still NBA players. And to know that these guys were playing on a team that just could not win games - they just didn't have the talent - but they individually did not want to - at least did not want to give up the appearance that they weren't fighting, there's something beautiful and romantic about that to me.

DETROW: It makes a lot of sense why you end the book around 2016 when the Cavs triumph and bring the championship to Cleveland. But when it comes to the passage of time - and I'll say I'm the exact same age as you, and we're both about the same age as LeBron. When it comes to the passage of time, how do you present-day feel about LeBron James watching the graying LeBron James who's paying so much attention to his lower back? - because I don't have anywhere near the intense relationship with him that you do. But, I mean, I remember reading that Sports Illustrated when it came out. I remember watching him in high school on ESPN, and I feel like going on this - my entire adult life journey with him. And I feel like weirdly protective of LeBron James now, right? Like, you be careful with him.

ABDURRAQIB: Yeah.

DETROW: And I'm wondering how you think about him today and what that leads your brain to, given this long, long, long relationship you have with him.

ABDURRAQIB: I find myself mostly anxious now about LeBron James, even though he is still - I think he's still playing at a high level. I mean, I - you know, I think that's not a controversial statement. But I - while he is still playing at a high level, I do - I'm like everyone else. So I'm kind of aware that it does seem like parts of him - or at least he's paying a bit more attention to the aches that just come with aging, right?

ABDURRAQIB: I have great empathy and sympathy for an athlete who's dedicated their life to a sport, who is maybe even aware that their skills are not what they once were, but still are playing because that's just what they've done. And they are...

ABDURRAQIB: ...In some cases, maybe still in pursuit of one more ring or one more legacy-building exploit that they can attach to their career before moving on to whatever is next. And so I don't know. And I don't think LeBron is at risk of a sharp and brutal decline, but I do worry a bit about him playing past his prime, only because I've never seen him be anything but miraculous on the court. And to witness that, I think, would be devastating in some ways.

And selfishly, I think it would signal some things to me personally about the limits of my own miracle making, not as a basketball player, of course, but as - you know, because a big conceit of the book is LeBron and I are similar in age, and we have - you know, around the same age and all this. And I think a deep flaw is that I've perhaps attached a part of his kind of miraculous playing beyond what people thought to my own idea about what miracle is as you age.

And so, you know, to be witness to a decline, a sharp decline would be fascinating and strange and a bit disorienting. But I hope it doesn't get there. You know, I hope - I would like to see him get one more ring. I don't know when it's going to come or how it's going to come, but I would like to see him get one more. I really would. My dream, selfishly, is that it happens again in Cleveland. He'll come back here and team up with, you know, some good young players and get one more ring for Cleveland because I think Cavs fans, you know, deserve that to the degree that anyone deserves anything in sports. That would be a great storybook ending.

DETROW: The last thing I want to ask about are these vignettes and poems that dot the book in praise of legendary Ohio aviators. Can you tell me what you were trying to do there? And then I'd love to end with you reading a few of them for me.

ABDURRAQIB: Yeah. I'm so glad you asked about that. I haven't gotten to talk about that as much, and that - those were the first things I wrote for the book. I wrote 30 of them...

DETROW: Really?

ABDURRAQIB: ...I think. And of course, they all didn't make it. But that was kind of an exercise, like a brain exercise. And I was trying to play with this idea of starting out with folks who were literally aviators. So it begins with John Glenn and Lonnie Carmen, and then working further and further away from aviation in a literal sense, much like the book is working further and further away from, say, basketball in this concrete sense - because ascension in my mind isn't just moving upward, it is expansion, too. It is, I think, any directional movement away from where your position is. And so I got to be kind of flexible with ideas of ascent and growth and moving upward.

DETROW: And the last aviator you did this for was you. And I'm hoping you can read what you wrote about yourself to end this.

ABDURRAQIB: Oh, gosh. OK, yeah. This is Hanif Abdurraqib, Columbus, Ohio, 1983 to present. (Reading) Never dies in his dreams. In his dreams, he is infinite, has wings, feathers that block the sun. And yet in the real living world, the kid has seen every apocalypse before it arrives, has been the architect of a few bad ones. Still wants to be alive most days. Been resurrected so many damn times, no one is surprised by the magic trick anymore.

DETROW: That's Hanif Abdurraqib, author of the new book "There's Always This Year: On Basketball And Ascension." Thank you so much.

ABDURRAQIB: Thank you, Scott. I really appreciate it.

(SOUNDBITE OF FLEETWOOD MAC SONG, "ALBATROSS")

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Opinion Christine Blasey Ford is no hero, if justice is the measure

An earlier version of this column misspelled the name of Mollie Hemingway. This version has been corrected.

Christine Blasey Ford is promoting her new memoir to acclaim from certain quarters, including a glowing review by the New York Times. Meanwhile, the man she accused of being a witness to her alleged sexual assault by now-Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh more than 40 years ago can’t get his own book reviewed or even mentioned by mainstream newspapers.

You know me. I can’t resist flipping over a cow patty to see what’s underneath.

Ford, you’ll recall, is the California psychologist with two front doors in her house who, in testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2018, accused Kavanaugh of assaulting her at a high-school-era party while another boy, Mark Judge, allegedly stood by. Judge, who kept his distance and silence during Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings — in part, he has said , to avoid further harassment by Democratic interlocutors — released his own version of those events and the aftermath in “ The Devil’s Triangle: Mark Judge vs the New American Stasi ” (2022).

As with Kavanaugh, Ford’s accusation against Judge was embraced by most of the news media despite an absence of evidence or corroborating testimony. No one who was supposed to have been at the party where Ford was allegedly assaulted remembered it, or her. Ford herself was unable to nail down the year the party took place (but settled on 1982 after several stabs) or where it was held, how she got there, how she got home or any other details, except that she herself had consumed just one beer, according to her testimony. Her claims against Kavanaugh ultimately were unsubstantiated.

Even so, the awards and accolades for Ford keep coming. During a recent appearance on “The View,” she was nearly sanctified for her “bravery.” Not one of the “View” chin-wags seemed to have done any research. They merely checked the box next to “female” and continued to hold in contempt the male who became a Supreme Court justice. Whoopi Goldberg summed it up: “To face those people the way they were looking and dealing with you, that is bravery under a whole different kind of fire.”

A fair-minded person would also wonder what it was like to be in Kavanaugh’s seat.

And what about Judge? “Roadkill” is the way constitutional lawyer Jonathan Turley described Judge’s invisible role in this tale. Of course, Judge and Kavanaugh were and are distinct people whose adult lives could not be more different. Kavanaugh was the kind of boy who kept a detailed calendar of his busy activities and who had a stellar career as a federal judge.

Judge, who chronicled his heavy-drinking school days in his 1997 book, “ Wasted: Tales of a Gen X Drunk ,” was a teenage alcoholic who had to claw his way to sobriety and suffered accordingly. He told Martha MacCallum during a recent Fox News interview that the effects of being essentially locked in a stockade for public ridicule and condemnation included “suicidal ideation” and “economic issues.”

Under interrogation by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Kavanaugh was forced to review his youthful beer consumption, which he admitted was gustatory. He wasn’t alone; Ford was a drinker, too, according to friends and outlined in the deeply researched book “ Justice on Trial ” by Mollie Hemingway and Carrie Severino.

In my own research for a book that never came to fruition, I also learned that Ford was a party girl, which means she and I would have been friends. Her real “best friend” at the time, Leland Keyser, was known as her designated driver in those days, according to several of her friends cited in yet another book, “ The Education of Brett Kavanaugh ” by New York Times writers Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly.

A straight-A student and athlete who became a professional golfer, Keyser had her driver’s license at the time of the alleged assault.

Keyser, who felt pressured by Ford’s supporters to confirm Ford’s story, testified to the FBI that she had no recollection of any such party and didn’t know Kavanaugh.

When intimidation didn’t work, Ford and her friends implied that Keyser’s testimony couldn’t be trusted because she had “significant health challenges,” as Ford put it during her testimony. It didn’t take long for the meaning here to become public. Keyser had at one point become addicted to painkillers prescribed for golf-related back and neck injuries. She has suffered years of surgeries and pain that continues today, thanks to her commitment to recovery. No meds. She also has had to cope with the psychological effects of her persecution by the anti-Kavanaugh brigade. At least one person from Team Ford tried to persuade her to adjust her story. She refused.

Meanwhile, after five years of silence, Judge has emerged from his bunker with both barrels blazing. One can stand only so much smearing. He was, after all, accused in the public arena of variously urging Kavanaugh on or trying to stop him, all the while laughing, according to Ford. Like Kavanaugh, Judge was presumed guilty — a tragic by-product of the “believe the woman” orthodoxy that emerged during the #MeToo movement — and justly wants to have his say.

It takes guts to try to breach the #MeToo iron curtain, as Judge is attempting to do. It takes no courage at all to enrich yourself at other people’s expense, as Ford has done. Even if she believes her own story or suffered some traumatic event at some time, in the absence of evidence or corroboration, a measure of doubt is called for. This doesn’t necessarily mean she lied, as Hemingway and Severino have noted.

Both Judge and Keyser, it seems, deserve the applause Ford is receiving for perpetuating a questionable history that has damaged so many people, not to mention the judicial system she says she has sought to protect. We know the truth is otherwise, thanks to a video capture of Ford’s lawyer, Debra Katz, saying that her client wanted to block Kavanaugh because of fears he would vote to reverse Roe v. Wade . Ford’s fears might have been justified, but her tactics — which have netted her $1 million in donations plus overnights at Oprah’s — were not.

Nothing good grows under a cow patty, but Ford sure did step in one.

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Donald Trump and Megan Mullally performing the Green Acres theme song at the Emmy Awards, Los Angeles, September 2005

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In the Warsaw Ghetto in October 1941 Mary Berg, then a teenager, wrote in her diary about the improbable persistence of laughter in that hellish place:

Every day at the Art Café on Leszno Street one can hear songs and satires on the police, the ambulance service, the rickshaws, and even the Gestapo, in a veiled fashion. The typhus epidemic itself is the subject of jokes. It is laughter through tears, but it is laughter. This is our only weapon in the ghetto—our people laugh at death and at the Nazi decrees. Humor is the only thing the Nazis cannot understand.

Berg here movingly expresses a common and comforting idea. Laughter is one of the few weapons that the weak have against the strong. Gallows humor is the one thing that cannot be taken away from those who are about to be hanged, the final death-defying assertion of human dignity and freedom. And the hangmen don’t get the jokes. Fascists don’t understand humor.

There is great consolation in these thoughts. Yet is it really true that fascists don’t get humor? Racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, xenophobic, antidisabled, and antiqueer jokes have always been used to dehumanize those who are being victimized. The ghetto humor that Berg recorded was a way of keeping self-pity at bay. But as Sigmund Freud pointed out, jokes can also be a way of shutting down pity itself by identifying those who are being laughed at as the ones not worthy of it: “A saving in pity is one of the most frequent sources of humorous pleasure.” Humor, as in Berg’s description, may be a way of telling us not to feel sorry for ourselves. But it is more often a way of telling us not to feel sorry for others. It creates an economy of compassion, limiting it to those who are laughing and excluding those who are being laughed at. It makes the polarization of humanity fun.

Around the time that Berg was writing her diary, Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer were pointing to the relationship between Nazi rallies and this kind of comedy. The rally, they suggested, was an arena in which a release that was otherwise forbidden was officially permitted:

The anti-Semites gather to celebrate the moment when authority lifts the ban; that moment alone makes them a collective, constituting the community of kindred spirits. Their ranting is organized laughter. The more dreadful the accusations and threats, the greater the fury, the more withering is the scorn. Rage, mockery, and poisoned imitation are fundamentally the same thing.

Donald Trump is not a Nazi, and his followers are (mostly) not fascists. But it is not hard to see how this description resonates with his campaign appearances. Trump is America’s biggest comedian. His badinage is hardly Wildean, but his put-downs, honed to the sharpness of stilettos, are many people’s idea of fun. For them, he makes anger, fear, and resentment entertaining.

For anyone who questions how much talent and charisma this requires, there is a simple answer: Ron DeSantis. Why did DeSantis’s attempt to appeal to Republican voters as a straitlaced version of Trump fall so flat? Because Trumpism without the cruel laughter is nothing. It needs its creator’s fusion of rage, mockery, and poisoned imitation, whether of a reporter with a disability or (in a dumb show that Trump has been playing out in his speeches in recent months) of Joe Biden apparently unable to find his way off a stage. It demands the withering scorn for Sleepy Joe and Crooked Hillary, Crazy Liz and Ron DeSanctimonious, Cryin’ Chuck and Phoney Fani. It requires the lifting of taboos to create a community of kindred spirits. It depends on Trump’s ability to be pitiless in his ridicule of the targets of his contempt while allowing his audience to feel deeply sorry for itself. (If tragedy, as Aristotle claimed, involves terror and pity, Trump’s tragicomedy deals in terror and self-pity.)

Hard as it is to understand, especially for those of us who are too terrified to be amused, Trump’s ranting is organized laughter. To understand his continuing hold over his fans, we have to ask: Why is he funny?

This is not the 1930s or the 1940s, and we should not expect this toxic laughter to be organized quite as it was then. Trump functions in a culture supersaturated with knowingness and irony. In twentieth-century European fascism, the relationship between words and actions was clear: the end point of mockery was annihilation. Now, the joke is “only a joke.” Populist politics exploits the doubleness of comedy—the way that “only a joke” can so easily become “no joke”—to create a relationship of active connivance between the leader and his followers in which everything is permissible because nothing is serious.

This shift has happened in Europe, too. Think of Boris Johnson’s clown act, his deliberately ruffled hair, rumpled clothes, and ludicrous language. Or think of Giorgia Meloni, the first Italian prime minister from the far right since Benito Mussolini, posting on election day in September 2022 a TikTok video of herself holding two large melons ( meloni in Italian) in front of her breasts: fascism as adolescent snigger. It is impossible to think of previous far-right leaders engaging in such public self-mockery. Only in our time is it possible for a politician to create a sense of cultlike authority by using the collusiveness of comedy, the idea that the leader and his followers are united by being in on the joke.

Trump may be a narcissist, but he has a long history of this kind of self-caricature. When he did the Top Ten List on the David Letterman show in 2009, he seemed entirely comfortable delivering with a knowing smirk the top ten “financial tips” written for him, including “When nobody’s watching I go into a 7/11 and stick my head under a soda nozzle”; “Save money by styling your own hair” (pointing to his own improbable coiffure); “Sell North Dakota to the Chinese”; “If all else fails, steal someone’s identity”; and “The fastest way to get rich: marry and divorce me.” This performance, moreover, was the occasion for Trump’s entry into the world of social media. His first ever tweet was: “Be sure to tune in and watch Donald Trump on Late Night with David Letterman as he presents the Top Ten List tonight!”

At the 2005 Emmy Awards, Trump dressed in blue overalls and a straw hat and, brandishing a pitchfork, sang the theme song from the 1960s TV comedy Green Acres . Trump is a terrible singer and a worse actor, but he seemed completely unembarrassed on stage. He understood the joke: that Oliver, the fictional character he was impersonating, is a wealthy Manhattanite who moves to rustic Hooterville to run a farm, following his dream of the simple life—an alternative self that was amusing because it was, for Trump, unimaginable. But he may have sensed that there was also a deep cultural resonance. The Apprentice was “reality TV ,” a form in which the actual and the fictional are completely fused.

Green Acres , scenes from which played on a screen behind Trump as he was singing, pioneered this kind of metatelevision. Its debut episode set it up as a supposed documentary presented by a well-known former newscaster. Its characters regularly broke the fourth wall. When Oliver launched into rhapsodic speeches about American rural values, a fife rendition of “Yankee Doodle” would play on the soundtrack, and the other characters would move around in puzzlement trying to figure out where the musician was. Eva Gabor, playing Oliver’s pampered wife, admits on the show that her only real talent is doing impressions of Zsa Zsa Gabor, the actor’s more famous real-life sister.

The critic Armond White wrote in 1985 that “ Green Acres ’ surreal rationale is to capture the moment American gothic turns American comic.” Trump playing Oliver in 2005 may be the moment American comedy turned gothic again. Whoever had the idea of connecting Trump back to Green Acres clearly understood that “Donald Trump” had by then also become a metatelevision character, a real-life failed businessman who impersonated an ultrasuccessful mogul on The Apprentice . And Trump went along with the conceit because he instinctively understood that self-parody was not a threat to his image—it was his image. This connection to Green Acres was reestablished by Trump himself as president of the United States. In December 2018, as he was about to sign the Farm Bill into law, Trump tweeted, “Farm Bill signing in 15 minutes! #Emmys #TBT,” with a clip of himself in the Green Acres spoof. Hooterville and the White House were as one.

What is new in the development of antidemocratic politics is that Trump brings all this comic doubleness—the confusion of the real and the performative, of character and caricature—to bear on the authoritarian persona of the caudillo, the duce, the strongman savior. The prototype dictators of the far right may have looked absurd to their critics (“Hitler,” wrote Adorno and Horkheimer, “can gesticulate like a clown, Mussolini risk false notes like a provincial tenor”), but within the community of their followers and the shadow community of their intended victims, their histrionics had to be taken entirely seriously. Trump, on the other hand, retains all his self-aware absurdity even while creating a political persona of immense consequence.

This comic-authoritarian politics has some advantages over the older dictatorial style. It allows a threat to democracy to appear as at worst a tasteless prank: in the 2016 presidential campaign even liberal outlets like The New York Times took Hillary Clinton’s e-mails far more seriously than Trump’s open stirring of hatred against Mexicans and Muslims. Funny-autocratic functions better in a society like that of the US, where the boundaries of acceptable insult are still shifting and mainstream hate-mongering still has to be light on its feet. It allows racial insults and brazen lies to be issued, as it were, in inverted commas. If you don’t see those invisible quotation marks, you are not smart enough—or you are too deeply infected by the woke mind virus—to be in on the joke. You are not part of the laughing community. The importance of not being earnest is that it defines the boundaries of the tribe. The earnest are the enemy.

The extreme right in America was very quick to understand the potency of “only a joke” in the Internet age. In a 2001 study of three hate speech websites sympathetic to the Ku Klux Klan, Michael Billig noted that each of them described itself on its home page as a humorous exercise. The largest, called “N…..jokes KKK ” (the ellipsis is mine) carried the disclaimers: “You agree by entering this site, that this type of joke is legal where you live, and you agree that you recognize this site is meant as a joke not to be taken seriously”; “And you agree that this site is a comedy site, not a real racist site”; “We ARE NOT real life racists.”

What does “real life” even mean when Klansmen are not really racist? The power of this “humorous” mode of discourse lies at least partly in the way it blurs the distinctions between the real and the symbolic, and between words and actions. Consider the example of some of the men tried for their alleged parts in a 2020 plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic governor of Michigan. One of them, Barry Croft, insisted at his trial in 2022 that he was joking most of the time when he posted on Facebook questions like “Which governor is going to end up being dragged off and hung for treason first?” Another, Brandon Caserta, was acquitted in 2022 in part because he successfully pleaded that violent statements he made on Facebook and in secretly recorded meetings of the group were not serious. These included claims that the Second Amendment sanctions the killing of “agents of the government when they become tyrannical.” “I may kill dozens of agents but eventually die in the process,” Caserta wrote on Facebook in May 2020. He later posted that he would beat government agents so hard they would “beg til they couldn’t beg any more because their mouth is so full of blood.”

At Croft’s trial, his defense attorney put it to an FBI witness that a meme Croft posted showing thirty bullets as “30 votes that count” was “A little tongue-in-cheek? A little bit funny?” On the second season of Jon Ronson’s superb podcast series for the BBC , Things Fell Apart , Caserta acknowledges that, on the secret recordings, he is heard to urge his fellow militia members that any lawyers advocating for the Covid vaccine be decapitated in their own homes, speaks of “wanting Zionist banker blood,” and advocates blowing up buildings where the vaccine is manufactured. He nonetheless insists to Ronson:

This isn’t something I’m dead serious about. This is nothing I ever planned. It’s funny, dude! It’s funny! It’s fun to blow stuff up. It’s fun to shoot guns. It’s fun to say ridiculous offensive shit. And if it offends you, so what? I don’t care about your feelings and how you feel about words. Sorry!

The twist of logic here is striking: Caserta equates blowing stuff up and shooting people with saying ridiculous offensive shit. Violent words and violent actions are all covered by the same disclaimer—one that Trump’s apologists use to blur the relationship between his words and his followers’ actions in the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. In the Trumpian twilight zone where democracy is dying but not yet dead, the connection between words (“fight like hell”) and deeds (the armed invasion of the Capitol) must be both strong and weak, sufficiently “no joke” to be understood by the faithful yet sufficiently “only a joke” to be deniable to the infidels. The comic mode is what creates the plausible deniability that in turn allows what used to be mainstream Republicans (and some Democrats) to remain in denial about what Trumpism really means.

For those who love Trump, there is something carnivalesque in all of this. In his discussion of “mediaeval laughter” in Rabelais and His World , Mikhail Bakhtin wrote that “one might say that it builds its own world versus the official world, its own church versus the official church, its own state versus the official state.” Bakhtin suggested that the

festive liberation of laughter…was a temporary suspension of the entire official system with all its prohibitions and hierarchic barriers. For a short time life came out of its usual, legalized and consecrated furrows and entered the sphere of utopian freedom.

Trump and many of his followers have made this quite literal. They create their own America, their own republic, their own notions of legality, their own church of the leader’s cult, their own state versus what they see as the official state. In this way, extreme polarization becomes a sphere of utopian freedom.

This is the capacious zone in which Trump’s comedy operates, an arena that admits everyone who gets the joke, from those who fantasize about killing tyrants, decapitating lawyers, and torturing government agents to those who just like to blow off steam by listening to their hero saying stuff that riles the woke enemy. It is crucial that in Trump’s delivery there is no shift from mockery to seriousness, no line between entertainment and violence. His singsong tone is generous and flexible, serving equally well for vaudeville and vituperation. In his streams of consciousness, they flow together as complementary currents.

In the recent speeches in which he has upped the ante on openly fascist rhetoric by characterizing his opponents as “vermin” and accusing immigrants of “poisoning the blood of our country,” it is notable that his cadence is soft, almost lilting. There is no warning to his audience that these comments are of a different order. They are not even applause lines. By underplaying them, Trump leaves open the fundamental question: Is his mimicking of Hitler’s imagery just another impersonation, all of a piece with the way he does Biden and Haley in funny voices or even with the way he sings the theme song from Green Acres ?

Even when Trump actually goes the whole way and acknowledges that his rhetoric is indeed Hitlerian, as he did in a speech in Iowa after the alarmed reaction of liberals to his previous “poisoning the blood” speech, it is in a passage that jumbles together murderous intent, complaint about the media, and comic acting: “They are destroying the blood of our country. That’s what they’re doing…. They don’t like it when I said that. And I never read Mein Kampf .” But he makes the “Kampf” funny, puckering his lips and elongating the “pf” so it sounds like a rude noise. He continues: “They said ‘Oh, Hitler said that.’” Then he adds his defense: “in a much different way.” It is the stand-up comedian’s credo: it’s not the jokes, it’s the way you tell ’em. And this is, indeed, true—the difference is in the way he tells it, in a voice whose ambiguous pitch has been perfected over many years of performance.

The knowingness is all. In the speech in Conway, South Carolina, on February 10, in which he openly encouraged Russia to attack “delinquent” members of NATO , this startling statement, with potential world-historical consequences, was preceded by Trump’s metatheatrical riff on the idea of “fun.” What was fun, he told his followers, was the reaction he could provoke just by saying “Barack Hussein Obama”:

Every time I say it, anytime I want to have a little fun…even though the country is going to hell, we have to have a little bit of fun…. Remember Rush Limbaugh, he’d go “Barack Hooosaynn Obama”—I wonder what he was getting at.

He then segued into another commentary on his own well-honed send-up of Joe Biden: “I do the imitation where Biden can’t find his way off the stage…. So I do the imitation—is this fun?—I say this guy can’t put two sentences together…and then I go ‘Watch!’” (He said the word with a comic pout.) “I’ll imitate him. I go like this: ‘Haw!’” Trump hunches his shoulders and extends his arm, in a parody of Biden’s gestures. In this burlesque, Trump is not just mimicking his opponent; he is explicitly reenacting his own previous mocking impersonation, complete with commentary. He is simultaneously speaking, acting, and speaking about his acting.

It is within this “fun” frame that Trump proceeded to insinuate that there is something awry with Nikki Haley’s marriage: “Where’s her husband? Oh he’s away…. What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband! Where is he? He’s gone. He knew, he knew.” He and presumably many members of the audience were aware that Michael Haley is currently serving in Djibouti with the South Carolina National Guard. But as part of the show, with the funny voices and the exaggerated gestures, that lurid hint at some mysteriously unmentionable scandal (“He knew, he knew”) is somehow amusing. And then so is Trump’s story about telling an unnamed head of a “big” NATO country that the US would not defend it from invasion and—the punch line—that he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want.” Here Trump is acting in both senses, both ostentatiously performing and exerting a real influence on global politics—but which is which? How can we tell the dancer from the dance?

This shuffling in a typical Trump speech of different levels of seriousness—personal grudges beside grave geopolitics, savage venom mixed with knockabout farce, possible truths rubbing up against outrageous lies—creates a force field of incongruities. Between the looming solidity of Trump’s body and the airy, distracted quality of his words, in which weightless notions fly off before they are fully expressed, he seems at once immovable and in manic flux.

Incongruity has long been seen as one of the conditions of comedy. Francis Hutcheson in Reflections Upon Laughter (1725) noted that it is “this contrast or opposition of ideas of dignity and meanness which is the occasion of laughter.” The supposedly dignified idea of “greatness” is vital to Trump’s presence and rhetoric. But it is inextricably intertwined with the mean, the inconsequential, even the infantile. He is at one moment the grandiose man of destiny and the next a naughty child—an incongruity that can be contained only within an organized laughter in which the juxtaposition of incompatibilities is the essence of fun. This is why Trump’s lapses into pure gibberish—like telling a National Rifle Association gathering in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on February 9 that the Democrats are planning to “change the name of Pennsylvania” and that, in relation to the marble columns in the hall, it was “incredible how they could [have been built] years ago without the powerful tractors that you have today”—do not make his fans alarmed about his mental acuity. Cognitive dysfunction is not a worry with a man whose métier is cognitive dissonance.

Part of the dissonance is that Trump’s stand-up routine is completely dependent on the idea that he and his audience most despise: political correctness. Like much of the worst of contemporary comedy, Trump both amuses and thrills his audience by telling them that he is saying what he is not allowed to say. “Beautiful women,” he said at the rally in South Carolina after pointing to a group of female superfans in the audience. “You’re not allowed to say that anymore, but I’ll say it…. That usually is the end of a career, but I’ll say it.” There are so many layers to a moment like this: the idea that the woke mob is stopping manly men from complimenting attractive women, a sideways nod toward the “pussygate” tapes that should have ended Trump’s political career but didn’t, a dig at the Me Too movement, a reiteration of Trump’s right to categorize women as “my type” or “not my type,” the power of the leader to lift prohibitions—not just for himself but, in this carnivalesque arena of utopian freedom, for everyone in the audience.

Flirting with the unsayable has long been part of his shtick. If we go all the way back to May 1992 to watch Trump on Letterman’s show, there is a moment when Trump silently mouths the word “shit.” He does this in a way that must have been practiced rather than spontaneous—it takes some skill to form an unspoken word so clearly for a TV audience that everyone immediately understands it. Letterman plays his straight man: “You ain’t that rich, Don, you can’t come on here and say that.” But of course Trump did not “say” it. A sympathetic audience loves a moment like this because it is invited to do the transgressive part in its head. It gets the pleasure of filling in the blank.

Trump’s audiences, in other words, are not passive. This comedy is a joint enterprise of performer and listener. It gives those listeners the opportunity for consent and collusion. Consider a televised speech Trump gave at the Al Smith Dinner, hosted by the Catholic archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in October 2016, near the end of the presidential campaign. The dinner, held to raise money for Catholic charities, is traditionally the last occasion on which the two main presidential candidates share a stage—Hillary Clinton was also present. Trump deadpanned that he knew he would have a receptive audience because “so many of you in the archdiocese already have a place in your heart for a guy who started out as a carpenter working for his father. I was a carpenter working for my father. True.”

What is the joke here? That Trump is like Jesus Christ. Imagine if Clinton had attempted an equivalent gag. There would have been outrage and uproar: Clinton has insulted all Christians by making a blasphemous comparison between herself and the divine Savior. But the cameras cut to Dolan, a sycophantic supporter of Trump, and showed him laughing heartily. And if the cardinal found it funny, it was funny. It was thus an in-joke. If Clinton had made it, it would be the ultimate out-joke, proof of the Democrats’ contempt for people of faith.

But what is allowed as funny will sooner or later be proposed seriously. Many of those attending Trump rallies now wear T-shirts that proclaim “Jesus Is My Savior. Trump Is My President.” Some of them illustrate the slogan with a picture of an ethereal Christ laying both his hands on Trump’s shoulders. What begins as a risqué quip ends up as a religious icon. There is no line here between sacrilege and devotion, transgressive humor and religious veneration.

Just as Trump’s jokes can become literal, his ugly realities can be bathed in the soothing balm of laughter. Long before he ran for president, he was indulged on the late-night talk shows as the hilarious huckster. In 1986 Letterman tried repeatedly to get Trump to tell him how much money he had, and when he continually evaded the question, Letterman broke the tension with the laugh-line, “You act like you’re running for something.” In December 2005 Conan O’Brien asked him, “You also have an online school? Is that correct?” Trump replied, “Trump University—if you want to learn how to get rich.” The audience howled with laughter, presumably not because they thought he was kidding but because the very words “Trump University” are innately absurd. When he did that Top Ten List on Letterman in 2009, Trump’s comic financial advice included “For tip number four, simply send me $29.95.”

But these jokes came true. Trump wouldn’t say how much he was worth because his net worth was partly fictional. Trump did run for something. Trump University was an innately funny idea that people took seriously enough to enable Trump to rip them off. And Trump does want you to send him $29.95—the first thing you get on Trump’s official website is an insistent demand: “Donate Today.” This is the thing about Trump’s form of organized laughter, in which the idea of humor obscures the distinction between outlandish words and real-life actions. Sooner or later, the first becomes the second. The in-joke becomes the killer line.

March 21, 2024

Who Should Regulate Online Speech?

Small Island

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Fintan O’Toole is the Advising Editor at The New York Review and a columnist for The Irish Times. His most recent book, We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland , was published in the US last year. (March 2024)

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8 New Books We Recommend This Week

Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times.

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Our fiction recommendations this week include a “gleeful romp” of a series mystery, along with three novels by some heavy-hitting young writers: Téa Obreht, Helen Oyeyemi and Tommy Orange. (How heavy-hitting, and how young? Consider that Obreht was included in The New Yorker’s “20 Under 40” issue in 2010 — and she’s still under 40 today. So is Oyeyemi, who was one of Granta’s “Best Young British Novelists” in 2013, while Orange, at 42, has won the PEN/Hemingway Award, the John Leonard Prize and the American Book Award. The future is in good hands.)

In nonfiction, we recommend a painter’s memoir, a group biography of three jazz giants, a posthumous essay collection by the great critic Joan Acocella and a journalist’s look at American citizens trying to come to terms with a divided country. Happy reading. — Gregory Cowles

THE MORNINGSIDE Téa Obreht

After being displaced from their homeland, Silvia and her mother move into the Morningside, a weather-beaten luxury apartment building in “Island City,” a sinking version of New York in the middle of all-out climate collapse. Silvia learns about her heritage through the folk tales her aunt Ena tells her, and becomes fascinated with the mysterious woman who lives in the penthouse apartment.

“I marveled at the subtle beauty and precision of Obreht’s prose. … Even in the face of catastrophe, there’s solace to be found in art.”

From Jessamine Chan’s review

Random House | $29

A GRAVE ROBBERY Deanna Raybourn

In their ninth crime-solving tale, the Victorian-era adventuress and butterfly hunter Veronica Speedwell and her partner discover that a wax mannequin is actually a dead young woman, expertly preserved.

“Throw in an assortment of delightful side characters and an engaging tamarin monkey, and what you have is the very definition of a gleeful romp.”

From Sarah Weinman’s crime column

Berkley | $28

THE BLOODIED NIGHTGOWN: And Other Essays Joan Acocella

Acocella, who died in January, may have been best known as one of our finest dance critics. But as this posthumous collection shows, she brought the same rigor, passion and insight to all the art she consumed. Whether her subject is genre fiction, “Beowulf” or Marilynne Robinson, Acocella’s knowledge and enthusiasm are hard to match. We will not see her like again.

"Some critics are haters, but Acocella began writing criticism because she loved — first dance, and then much of the best of Western culture. She let life bring her closer to art."

From Joanna Biggs’s review

Farrar, Straus & Giroux | $35

WANDERING STARS Tommy Orange

This follow-up to Orange’s debut, “There There,” is part prequel and part sequel; it trails the young survivor of a 19th-century massacre of Native Americans, chronicling not just his harsh fate but those of his descendants. In its second half, the novel enters 21st-century Oakland, following the family in the aftermath of a shooting.

“Orange’s ability to highlight the contradictory forces that coexist within friendships, familial relationships and the characters themselves ... makes ‘Wandering Stars’ a towering achievement.”

From Jonathan Escoffery’s review

Knopf | $29

PARASOL AGAINST THE AXE Helen Oyeyemi

In Oyeyemi’s latest magical realist adventure, our hero is a woman named Hero, and she is hurtling through the city of Prague, with a shape-shifting book about Prague, during a bachelorette weekend. But Hero doesn’t seem to be directing the novel’s action; the story itself seems to be calling the shots.

“Her stock-in-trade has always been tales at their least domesticated. … In this novel, they have all the autonomy, charisma and messiness of living beings — and demand the same respect.”

From Chelsea Leu’s review

Riverhead | $28

3 SHADES OF BLUE: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool James Kaplan

On one memorable occasion in 1959, three outstanding musicians came together for what may be the greatest jazz record ever, Davis’s “Kind of Blue.” Kaplan, the author of a Frank Sinatra biography, traces the lives of his protagonists in compelling fashion; he may not be a jazz expert but he knows how to tell a good story.

“Kaplan has framed '3 Shades of Blue' as both a chronicle of a golden age and a lament for its decline and fall. One doesn’t have to accept the decline-and-fall part to acknowledge that he has done a lovely job of evoking the golden age.”

From Peter Keepnews’s review

Penguin Press | $35

WITH DARKNESS CAME STARS: A Memoir Audrey Flack

From her early days as an Abstract Expressionist who hung out with Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning at the Cedar Bar to her later success as a pioneering photorealist, Flack worked and lived at the center of New York’s art world over her long career; here she chronicles the triumphs, the slights, the sexism and the gossip, all with equal relish.

“Flack is a natural, unfiltered storyteller. … The person who emerges from her pages is someone who never doubts she has somewhere to go.”

From Prudence Peiffer’s review

Penn State University Press | $37.50

AN AMERICAN DREAMER: Life in a Divided Country David Finkel

Agile and bracing, Finkel’s book trails a small network of people struggling in the tumultuous period between the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections. At the center is Brent Cummings, a white Iraq war veteran who is trying to cope with a country he no longer recognizes.

“Adroitly assembles these stories into a poignant account of the social and political mood in the United States. … A timely and compelling argument for tolerance and moral character in times of extreme antagonism.”

From John Knight’s review

Random House | $32

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James McBride’s novel sold a million copies, and he isn’t sure how he feels about that, as he considers the critical and commercial success  of “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.”

How did gender become a scary word? Judith Butler, the theorist who got us talking about the subject , has answers.

You never know what’s going to go wrong in these graphic novels, where Circus tigers, giant spiders, shifting borders and motherhood all threaten to end life as we know it .

When the author Tommy Orange received an impassioned email from a teacher in the Bronx, he dropped everything to visit the students  who inspired it.

Do you want to be a better reader?   Here’s some helpful advice to show you how to get the most out of your literary endeavor .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .