Almost every aspect of modern human life requires the usage of technology; whether it’s parking your car, booking an appointment, or communicating across long distances. A study conducted by Uswitch from 2023 showed that 98% of British adults aged 16-24 owned a smartphone, which could lead to the conclusion that traditional pastimes, such as reading a book, are becoming less popular. 

 

However, in a recent interview with James Daunt, the owner of Waterstones bookseller, he has announced the expansion of his literary empire with the opening of many more bookshops year on year to accommodate for the steadying demand for physical copies of books. With the popularisation of the Kindle, book sales declined in 2013, however according to The Publishers Association, 2022 was a record-breaking year with 669m physical book copies sold in the UK alone. 

 

One reason for this could be the rise of ‘BookTok’; influencers sharing and reviewing their latest finds on social media, inspiring followers to pick up a hard copy of recommended books. Other theories point to the rise in the cost of living meaning that more people could be choosing to find cheaper entertainment alternatives to going out such as staying at home with a book. 

 

Dan Conway, Chief Executive of the Publishers Association, says: “The statistics truly are a testament to the timeless appeal of books; they offer comfort and escapism for readers, can be a good source of education and learning, and can last a lifetime.” Whether you’re eight or eighty-eight, reading J.K Rowling or Agatha Christie, there’s nothing like curling up with a good book. A physical copy of a book allows you to share your adventures by lending a book to a friend, and gives you a sense of pride and joy when you turn to the final page.

Of course, you don’t have to own a particular book to read it; libraries provide a free opportunity to immerse yourself in whichever facet of books you enjoy. Although restrictions during the pandemic meant that the numbers of people visiting libraries plummeted, it is refreshing to see that post-pandemic, in-person visits to libraries have increased by 68%, and the number of books borrowed increased by 58% according to a survey published in 2023 by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). In his Annual Libraries Report 2023, Lord Parkinson, Minister for Arts and Heritage said: “Our libraries have been a lifeline for many people while living costs have been rising, with many libraries becoming ‘warm banks’”. 

This suggests that despite rapid development of technology in a digital age, the desire to read a physical book remains strong.