Everyone Tells Me It's the Way to Read. I'll Never Give In.

"I read only hardcover or paperback books. That's right. Every book I read last year was a physical book. I turned through literally tens of thousands of pages. I don't think I've touched a Kindle in over a decade, and if I get my way, I never will again."

"As a member of Gen Z, I have had the option of reading books digitally for most of my life-and I didn't initially start out as a physical-book purist. When I was a kid, packing for sleepaway camp, I'd load up a Kindle with books to avoid stuffing my duffels even more."

"So when I graduated (and began an internship at this very publication!), I decided I would try to spend my newfound free time reading again. I joined the New York Public Library, requesting books that others had consistently recommended to me. I revamped my Goodreads account to curate a new list."

A Gen Z reader shares their commitment to reading exclusively physical books, completing over 100 annually. Though initially open to e-readers during childhood, they gravitated toward physical books. After college interrupted their reading habits, they resumed reading for pleasure upon graduation, joining the library and setting ambitious reading goals. Reading a physical copy of Chanel Miller's Know My Name rekindled their passion for reading. The reader emphasizes that physical books provide a deeper, more immersive experience than digital alternatives, making the tactile experience of reading essential to their enjoyment and connection with literature.

Read at Slate Magazine