I dont actually feel much of a difference between paper and digital. Just when studying i prefer paper, cause i constantly jump back and forth between the pages and paper is just more practical for that, plus i can write on the margins.

Physical books are inferior to digital because they’re much harder to steal.

Im much more likely to flip back to some scene with a physical book to refresh some detail. Whats funny is its kinda easier with digital but I just don’t like to do it.

I bet some people do feel closer with physical copies. But I am not one of them.

What people probably think of is a study that tested how much content people remembered based on whether they read on paper or on screen. On paper, the fixed organisation of text helps with memorising it. It is already well-known that when reading a list you’ll remember the first and the last point better than something in the middle, and text on paper also seems to form this sort of a “grid” that you can map the ideas upon. It’s also easier to orient yourself where you are in a book, as you have the physical thickness of the pages under your fingers rather than the relatively abstract percentage number in the corner or something.

But overall, the difference probably isn’t something drastic. Certainly nothing to do with “connection to the story”, that’s not something that can be measured… maybe someone subjectively feels like that, IDK.

Audiobooks are probably quite a different experience, though.

I don’t think there’s an objective “better.” Some people have distinct preferences, some don’t. Of the people who prefer physical books, some have an affinity for the more tactile nature.

I definitely get a better connection to a paper book than I do my reader. I also vastly prefer being able to flip back a few pages to remember something that was written that I didn’t catch when I first read it, as opposed to fumbling through some UI thing to try bookmarking my current page and then scrolling or tapping back to whenever that thing was said.

That said, a reader is better for the environment (no trees were killed and no gas was used to drive a heavy book to either a store or my house). It’s also way easier to carry it on a plane and to travel when you are just at the end of a book, whereas before I had to bring two books with me. Finally, it’s easier on my hand muscles holding a 1200 page hardcover when reading in my hammock.

I personally don’t feel any more of a connection to a book based on whether it’s a paper copy or electronic one, even though I prefer paper books.

I could sort of understand how others might form an attachment from holding something that contains one specific story that’s significant to them vs. a device that contains many different things.

The medium usually doesn’t change the story itself for me, but it does change the vibe of the reading experience. I’ve always compared reading physical books vs ebooks to a sense of place, like reading a book in a fluorescent-lit office vs reading in a comfy chair in front of the fireplace. The office is better for efficiency and learning, while the fireplace is much more comfy and relaxing

I really do like the feel of books but I do most of my reading on airplanes now and don’t miss having to make room for a heavy book in my carry-on.

I wouldn’t say there is a special connection to anything but books have a nice feel to them, and especially something well read from the library.

Most of my reading is epubs nowadays though just out of convenience.

It does not to me.

The only time I prefer reading a physical book is when I am vacationing at the beach. Reading while siting in the sand listening to the surf, and birds is just part of the vacation process.