Reading: Does format matter?

The question of whether reading a digital version of a story gives the same satisfaction as reading it in print doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer.

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Rather it depends on a number of psychological, ergonomic and contextual factors. On the one hand, digital reading offers unparalleled convenience, portability and accessibility. On the other hand, many readers and researchers still report a certain “feel” or deeper engagement with print that is harder to replicate digitally.

From a practical standpoint digital text is very appealing. With an e-reader or tablet one can carry a large library in a small device, adjust font sizes or lighting, and access the story instantly. A study pointed out that digital reading excels in terms of accessibility, portability and interactivity. For many people this means they are more likely to plunge into a story when reading digitally simply because it's easier to fit into everyday life.