Handling a physical book makes you value it more
Psychology
The simple act of gripping a hardcover triggers a psychological shift that makes you perceive the object as more valuable than its digital counterpart.
Even as digital giants dominate 80% of the book market, independent bookstores are thriving by leaning into the 'endowment effect.' This psychological phenomenon suggests that the mere act of touching a physical object increases our perceived value of it by up to 50%. When you run your fingers over a linen cover or feel the weight of the paper, your brain begins to claim ownership of the item before you even reach the register.