As technology advances and students gain greater access to apps that read to them, they have more options than ever for accessing textbooks and other reading materials. Audiobooks, e-books, and paperback or hardcopy books all offered unique advantages.
Whether for convenience, affordability or personal learning preferences, these formats actively shape students’ reading habits. While digital formats grew in popularity, physical books remain appealing—and many students prefer something they could hold.
Many students said e-books and audiobooks provided an easier way to keep up with coursework and personal reading. Vanessa Ruezga, junior journalism major, preferred e-books for their accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
“Having them digitally is more convenient and cheap because you can find a free PDF form and download it anywhere,” Ruezga said.
Although Ruezga enjoyed e-books, she found audiobooks distracting.
“When I have tried to hear them, I end up not paying attention and doing something else. Reading makes me focus more,” Ruezga said.
Amy Dacus, junior public relations and Christian studies double major, also leaned toward digital books, especially for academic use.
“For textbooks, I usually use online books because it is easier to search for specific information,” she said. “Even though physical books are easier to read, the cost difference convinces me to choose a digital copy.”
Dacus believed the affordability of digital textbooks was a significant factor in their widespread use among students. Additionally, the ability to carry multiple books on one device made digital formats more appealing.
“Many prefer digital books since we all carry our computers or phones,” Ruezga said. “It makes it easier and less heavy to carry.”
Katlin Marley, sophomore behavioral science major and library student worker, noticed more students gravitating toward audiobooks, especially for multitasking throughout the day.
“Audiobooks are becoming more trendy in recent years,” Marley said. “Students listen while they drive or do other tasks, making them a convenient option.”
Audiobooks allowed students to absorb material while engaged in other activities, which was especially useful for those with busy schedules.
Despite the rise of digital reading, many students still appreciated the experience of holding a physical book and annotating its pages. Marley believed physical books helped counteract the disconnect some students felt with digital formats.
“When you’re holding something physical, and you’re able to actually read a book, it kind of takes you out of your element and helps you get absorbed into the material,” Marley said.
Ruezga acknowledged that physical books were less straining on the eyes and made note-taking easier.
“With an e-book, you can lose your spot more easily, and your eyes can get strained from staring at a screen,” Ruezga said.
Sticky notes and highlighters were also easier to use with printed books, making studying more efficient for some students.
Marley agreed that physical books still held value.
“There’s memory in physical books,” Marley said. “For most of human history, we’ve relied on written texts. While technology is advancing, I still think there will always be a place for physical books in the future.”
While digital reading continued to gain popularity, it seemed unlikely that printed books would disappear completely. Many students recognized the advantages of both formats and chose based on their individual needs.
Dacus, for example, enjoyed a mix of audiobooks and physical books for personal reading.
“I like listening to nonfiction or Christian books and physically reading fiction stories,” Dacus said.
Marley believed digital reading would continue to grow but would not fully replace printed books.
“I see an increase in e-book popularity as it continues now, but I still think physical books will always have a place, whether it’s for fiction, autobiographies or historical texts,” Marley said.
Overall, students’ reading preferences depended on factors such as convenience, cost and learning style. While digital books were often more affordable and accessible, printed books offered a tangible, immersive experience that many still appreciated—the feeling of flipping a page and imagining the story in their hands.
In the end, as technology continued to evolve, students hoped both formats would coexist, making reading a meaningful and accessible experience for everyone.
