TLDR the internet killed the bookshop industry
I still do buy and read physical books, but then again I can easily put dozens or even hundreds of digital books on my iPad for reading while travelling.
Can't do the same thing with physical books :(
If you like books for the"feel", you are missing the point of reading.
From a more practical standpoint, the possibility of storing loads of books on my Kindle is greatly appreciated. I recently spent a week at a hospital, and the Kindle entertained me through days of idle time.
Evidence that paper is better for reading comprehension http://sciencenordic.com/paper-beats-computer-screens "... when you read a text on paper your understanding is deeper and longer lasting than if you read that same text on a computer [...] if you read the text on a screen you can probably recount what you read. But you cannot as readily make use of the content in other contexts. You haven’t comprehended it as deeply and assimilated it as substantially."
I see quite a few spelling errors in ebooks. It'd be nice if I could highlight these for potential correction.
> If you like books for the"feel", you are missing the point of reading.
Nobody told me there was a point to it, I always thought reading is its own joy. To feel the flavor of the words and to hear the rhythm of the sentence was supposed to be point, if there was one.
The 'feel' of flipping pages is just a nostalgia worth holding onto, for me. Especially so when the words are actually typeset in a manner where page breaks provide transition. You know what else I like besides holding the book and flipping the pages ? I like bookmarks. I enjoy placing them and taking the time to pause, to enjoy. I like the smell of fresh print. I like leather bound, hardcover and paperback in that order. Is all of that missing the point of reading as well ? Am I not a ^serious reader^ because I cling to the physical manifestation ? Poor me, the amateur reader.
In the last 10 years, I have bought less than 10 dead tree books. That makes it a ratio of around 5000 ebooks to 10 ( at the most ) physical books.
The demographics of e-books are kind of shocking: the average reader is over 40. Most younger people only read what they can find for free online.
Some more on the topic:
http://gyrovague.com/2012/04/30/why-e-books-will-soon-be-obs...
That being said I still am a supporter of digital technical books. The information goes out of date too quickly for a physical book to be useful. However, if you want to read Homer's The Iliad, it may be better to have a physical copy you can read before bed and retain on your shelves for easy access.
I certainly don't prefer digital books over printed books. Although that said, I'm not arguing that I am like most people and that I'm included in the above statement.
I'm asking as you stated it matter of fact, so I assume you have some kind of source. I'm genuinely curious and this is a serious question.