Print books

Why a good old-fashioned book is better for your mental health.

Print has been dead for as long as I've been at The Bookseller. If we didn't feel so continually threatened, the business wouldn't get out of bed.

Books are one of the first entertainment technologies-and one whose fundamentals are essentially the same since Gutenberg rolled out movable type to revolutionize printing in 1440. Given the stability of the format, it's amazing just how much there is still to talk about, and how vital book publishing remains even as many newer technologies have come along.

LONDON - Digital books on tablets, smartphones, and devices like Amazon's Kindle are certainly convenient, but according to a new survey most people still prefer a good old fashioned paper book. There's just something satisfying about turning the page and holding a physical book in one's hands, as over two-thirds of adults say they always opt for a real book over digital reading.

Recently you may have heard about book publishing's printing problems from outlets such as the New York Times and Publishers WeeklyInternational news website of book publishing and bookselling including business news, reviews, bestseller lists, commentaries http://www.publishersweekly.com/. In the US and UK, spring and summer titles were delayed until fall, making for a crowded season. Not only is it challenging to get media attention for new releases right now, but it's also leading to a "printer jam"-a tight printing market.