Malaysians Still Drawn To Charm Of Reading Physical Books
KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), Jan 31 (Bernama) -- In her pursuit of books from her favourite genre, Aisyah Mohammad is willing to travel long distances to attend book sales.
Recently, she drove nearly 100 kilometres to Kerteh, Terengganu (a state on the east coast of Malaysia), to buy physical books of her choice, even though they are now readily available in digital form.
The 31-year-old private-sector employee told Bernama she is happy to attend book sales anywhere, even across state borders, as long as she can acquire the titles she wants to add to her home library.
A fan of motivational and self-development books, Aisyah finds printed copies far more satisfying, allowing her to focus fully without distractions. She also believes the experience of holding a book and turning its pages has a unique appeal.
“Sometimes when you read on a smartphone, notifications interrupt your focus. I prefer holding a book and feeling the paper... each book carries its own sentimental value,” she added.
Met at the Big Bad Wolf Books sale here, which runs from Jan 29 to Feb 8, she said the price of physical books, some of which can cost hundreds of ringgit each, is not a barrier as long as the content is engaging and contributes to her personal growth.
University student Nur Allisya Natalia Norasidi, 22, meanwhile, said despite growing up in the digital era with easy access to online content, her interest in physical books remains strong, shaped by her parents’ upbringing.
“I grew up with gadgets and the Internet, but I find reading physical books a more meaningful experience. It also helps me understand the content better. Having my own collection is more enjoyable and inspires me to keep reading,” she added.
Sharing a similar view, a 35-year-old mother of two from Japan, who only wanted to be known as Reimi, said she prefers physical books as they are easier to handle when reading with her children. Physical books also allow them to choose their own favourite titles.
“When using digital books, I have to constantly supervise my children while they read, whereas physical books allow them to learn more freely and comfortably,” she said.
In Malaysia, physical books continue to be a preferred choice and remain an integral part of the reading culture among people of all ages and backgrounds, proving that the experience of “turning pages” is still hard to replace, even in this digital era.
The Reading Profile of Malaysians 2022/2023 study by the National Library of Malaysia recorded a positive shift in reading trends among Malaysians, who crave a variety of information in line with changing lifestyles and current technological developments.
This is evident in the average number of books read by Malaysians, which has increased to about 24 titles per year, compared with just two books in 2005, reflecting a growing reading culture.
-- BERNAMA
