Europe has been slow to accept the rise in digital technology. Print books remain the most popular option on the continent, surpassing both e-books and audiobooks. The e-books market in the EU is only generating around 1 billion in revenue a year. In contrast, print book publishing generates 22-24 billion annually. But why?
It All Comes Down to Nostalgia
Print book purchases have risen in recent months. EU readers are returning to print in droves. Many Europeans feel profoundly connected to the tactile nature of tree books. They’ve grown up turning pages and smelling the delectable scent of a brand-new book. It’s not easy to shake the nostalgia of paging through your first novels as a child.
Buying Trends Are Changing
A recent Eurostat survey found that 14.7% of EU locals bought printed books or magazines online in the three months preceding their 2025 survey. That’s almost double the number of the previous months.
Book printers Cheltenham and Germany alike are enjoying a boost that might be a sign that readers are cutting back on their screentime. https://wheatleyprinters.co.uk/printing-services/marketing-materials/book-printers/cheltenham and other book printers allow EU residents to escape digital subscription models and enjoy books that don’t need to be recharged.
When you buy a physical book, you receive a lasting memory to store on a shelf. You don’t need to charge it in order to read it, and it’s unlikely to give you a headache. Maybe EU readers are onto something, and the rest of the world should catch up.