There has been an increase in the number of paperback books being purchased lately. Can it be we missed the tactile feel of a book? The weight, the process of turning pages, the aroma of a book, whether old or new. It even has its own name: bibliosmia. We use devices with backlit screens a large portion of our day for work, and play, increasing eye strain, headaches, tired eyes, and sleep problems.

The act of turning pages slows us down, our reading becomes more deliberate instead of the constant scrolling, swiping and nonstop notifications. We can immerse ourselves in the story, relax, and enjoy the quiet and being grounded. A physical book also gives us a personal connection, whether through the place or person we receive them from, scribbled notes in the margins, or a note inserted from a previous reader. Some are keepsakes, some we offer to friends to read, while others populate our shelves. A worn paperback tells its own story and how it has been loved with curled pages, the odd stain, fingerprints and torn pages. It is a living thing that we possess and contribute to its characteristic.

Surprisingly, social media has played a role in this resurgence on such platforms as TikTok (BookTok) and Instagram. Books are trending—but not the digital kind, creators are showing off their beautiful covers, color-coded shelves, and cozy reading nooks, fancy hardcovers, annotated pages, excerpts, digital characters and stacks of library hauls. There are genre led threads and hashtags, and whole communities for specific genres and book collectors.

Bookstores are stepping up, too, offering author readings, book clubs, and community events. They’re places we can connect with other readers and browse casually—something algorithms can’t replicate - it has become a vibe.

Gen Z seems to be at the forefront of this paperback comeback as they break from the digital world and embrace paper. They’re treating books like fashion—something to show off, talk about, and bond over. “Old-school” is cool again.

Another source of resurgence is within educational institutions where studies show students understand and remember material better when they read it on paper.

Digital books will, of course, stay as they are a cheaper option and great for traveling, commuting, or carrying lots of titles at once. However, what we gain in speed and storage, is lost in connection and experience.

I only read 'paper' books - how about you?