Books: Losing Emotional Bond in Digital Age

Books play the role of a friend, advisor, and guide in our lives. Through them, we can journey into an imaginative world that is often impossible to reach in real life. They not only enrich our vocabulary but also nurture our thoughts. Just as food nourishes the body, books nourish the mind. This is why I have a profound attachment to books.

However, in today’s technological era, where convenience has increased, emotional connections have diminished. The same is true for books. Digitization has turned books into digital assets, but their essence and emotional significance have largely been lost.

The rise of digital books and e-books has been swift. Yet, this trend brings a sense of regret that future generations may not understand the emotional bond we once had with books. The unique fragrance of new books and the joy of turning their pages used to open doors to an imaginative world, offering an unparalleled experience. Earlier, one had to visit libraries or borrow books from friends, creating a unique joy and fostering relationships through the exchange of books.

Now, a new trend of audiobooks has emerged, further diminishing the soulful connection with books. Audiobooks are essentially "listenable books" where an app reads the content aloud. However, they lack the emotional depth that comes with reading words on a page. Reading offers a unique pleasure and leaves an impression on the subconscious mind, making the experience memorable for years. Words read once may fade, but the essence of a book remains etched in memory. Audiobooks, no matter how attentively listened to, fail to create the same lasting impact, as spoken words are often forgotten with time.

As a writer, I deeply understand that every author wishes for readers to connect with their words and emotions as deeply as they did while writing. Such a connection is best achieved through physical books.

The renowned lyricist Gulzar beautifully expresses this sentiment in his poem:
“The knowledge will still be available in the future,
But those dried flowers and fragrant notes hidden in books,
The bonds created by borrowing and lending books,
What will happen to those? They may no longer exist...”

Thus, the true joy of reading lies in holding a book in its original form. Buying and reading physical books not only enhances the experience but also allows you to deeply connect with the emotions and experiences of the author.