Why I Only Read Physical Books Instead Of Digital Ebooks

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

How about you? Do you prefer physical books or digital and why?

[@Renee-Heal-The-Eagle]

I have all three types...of all three, audio books isn't that great for memorizing unless you really pay attention. I only get ebooks I deeply care about and for walking/ bike riding. A lot of people are getting audio books for driving, multitasking...it is too distracting for me.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes, the audiobook boom is interesting. I go through phases with them and think it wears my brain out after awhile. I'm much more absorbed when I can sit with a book and think in response to it. With audiobooks, it goes by at its own speed and leads to thinking in response to anything. That said, it is possible to make Impromptu Memory Palaces while walking around for memorizing dates, ideas and references one wants to look up later. It just takes a bit of practice and paying attention.

[@pigboy3991]

Great video. I've always preferred physical books, but I can never put to words why. This helps explain a lot of it. In addition to physical books, I also listen to a lot of audible books. For me, audible books only work for fiction / novels where I do not have to critically think and memorize a lot of information. It's quite impossible to think critically while driving / walking (when I usually listen to audible), and it's also very weird to sit and listen to an audible book instead of just reading the physical copy

[@keykenni14]

I use to use Kindle all the time and make notes on the device. I read hundreds of books over several years. However, I started to realize that though I remember reading the book, I didn't remember what I read. Also, I lost the notes when my Kindle broke. Now I read pdfs on my computer with adobe reader. It works better. I am also increasing buying physical copies.

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Anthony Metivier I do prefer physical books over digital.

[@garfieldnate]

I love physical books. I feel like they are more interactive and help me focus on a single activity. They don't mess up your circadian rhythm the way staring at a screen will. It's also fun to have a library of books to discuss with visitors or friends. And lending or borrowing of a physical book is much more likely to lead to reading it. Honestly I have some trouble with collecting lots of physical books, but I think I waste more time chasing down every ebook I could read without actually reading them.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

The circadian rhythm angle is fascinating, Nathan. Thanks for raising it. The point about time spent chasing after Ebooks that never get read is important too. I think electronic culture has switched on a lot of our "hunter gatherer" characteristics. But instead of for food, it's for information. I find as a Digital Nomad that it's still worth it, even if over the years I have given up well over 2500 physical books, including the original collection from my PhD years. The bulk were donated to help create funding for diabetes research funding and I always look for "pay it forward" opportunities. It all works out in the end. Thanks for taking a moment to comment - I look forward to your next post here on this channel.

[@folksurvival]

It depends what light you are using to read a physical book, obviously.

[@katieegeland9415]

Yes! I tried digital books for a few years but have also exclusively gone back to physical. One big reason that you discuss is comprehension. Being able to visualize where specific information is in the book is so helpful. Sometimes I take notes in the margins (which just isn't possible in ebooks). Another reason is that it is too easy to acquire huge numbers of ebooks, and then forget about them before reading! My "to read" shelf of physical books is a constant reminder of all the books I have and helps me stay motivated to actually read them.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for this, Katie, and great to hear about your experience. Marginalia is very important and has been historically very important to the development of new books and ideas throughout history. And yes, forgetting about the ebooks we've bought is problematic and belongs to the Digital Amnesia issue. The opposite problem some experience is guilt for collecting tons of physical books that people never get around to reading, but since books are beautiful, there should be no guilt involved. Thanks again for the comment and look forward to seeing you here again soon! :)

[@brendanward2991]

Ebooks. Paper books take up too much space. I usually end up dropping them off at the nearest charity shop. Also, it takes seconds to search through an ebook for a particular word, which is a powerful research tool.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for your perspective. I too drop off books at charity shops and the like, or give them away. But I find search useful only in the most mundane of books. I often find it's better to remember the bigger ideas and reread entire chapters to push the levers further. If I'm using individual word search, then I've probably not read it right the first time. Thanks again for your thoughts and look forward to your next comment. :)

[@sharkiealami7817]

Yes I agree if the ebooks for leisure (novels etc) but in order to memorise I feel real books are more effective

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes, they are indeed. :)

[@pebberbrown]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM My father - a College Professor for 50 years, got pissed off at me when I got him a Barnes and Noble NOOK reader! He hates everything digital. Myself I grew up with electric guitars and PEDALS and digital delays and then went from analog tape to digital recording. The Kindle ebooks seemed like a Godsent at first but hen I couldnt FIND THINGS in front of classmates during presentations! ("where the hell was that page?") Also they dont have page numbers only "location 1126 of 6301" at the bottom of the screen. I dont feel like I ever FINISH ebooks either - just move on to the next one, and the next one, and the next one.....

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

That feeling of constantly moving on is exactly why I had to get off. Devices of all kinds seem to switch on the "gatherer" part, leaving the hunter starved, even with the fullest of meals ready to satisfy. Interesting parallel to guitars and pedals to be explored - especially with so many acoustic innovations in the past few years. The Revenge of Analog is strong in the force, even as things like Neuralink (seemingly) rise to permanently wire us to the digital feeds.

[@cazgerald9471]

Physical books because AI won't be able to go back and edit them to Newspeak conformity.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great point, Caz. That is indeed a scary possibility. Thanks for taking a moment to comment and hope to hear from you again soon! :)

[@darkworld9850]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM The real horror will begin when the government will secretly begin to change the definitions of words in a few dictionaries to confuse people's thinking.

[@folksurvival]

@@darkworld9850 They already have been altering word definitions for decades.

[@PamelaWhitehouse]

Kindle works for me. I use the notes tool so that I can note down everything I can remember from reading a chapter before starting the next, if it's that type of book. I use tags to help me find things in the book that I want to find again. I use the bookmark tool to save special sections. If you want to read with no interruptions, turn the messages off! You may want to revisit the updated Kindle if you have not used it for two years. There are a lot of new features, including correct page numbers. I like having my notes, my bookmarks and links in one place that is available anytime, anywhere.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Pamela. That is a great use of the notes tool, especially as a kind of self-testing. Your use of tags and bookmarks sounds great too. When it comes to turning messages off, I can't speak for all people. But for me, that turns on a little signal that says... "Turn the messages back on." No physical book does that. In any case, I will check out the updated Kindle when I can. But here's something else I didn't talk about in the video... It's more for writers, but I update very cautiously. I have written now over 50 books, and it is disruptive to my style when the software changes. So the device with my Kindle app is protected from updates to ensure that an app no longer on the market lasts for as long as I can still get life out of it. Kind of strange, but previous authors in history have had stranger quirks with their tools. Thanks for taking a moment to comment and look forward to your next one! :)

[@Renee-Heal-The-Eagle]

I only buy the ebook if the real one isn't available or if its expensive.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Good policy. These days ebooks are getting more and more expensive as well... and I have seen more than a few times that Kindle books I purchased disappeared. That can happen with real books too, but they disappear into the ether much less often.

[@berksteraydo9517]

The semester is near the corner, and I have to get some books. Before this, I was a little concerned about the price of it, I do not live in the US, Canada, or any other English speaking country. The prices get really big because of transportation, especially with low demand books. But I really need the physical ones as I am away from university and can not get substitute books - you can get the one used in the lecture but demand is high, and one added benefit that I can not get people to believe is that you're actually learning from an alternative book, while many are just getting the problem solutions verbatim, and parroting them in the exam. Interesting to see you associating a piece of your content with J.B. Peterson, that takes courage.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Glad you're doing what it takes to get what you need. As for Maps of Meaning, it's just a book by some dude released back in 1999. I think I know what you mean, but it's not courage, and even if it were, that's not what I would recommend focusing on. Calling out in a neutral way the behavior of those spreading opinions about books they haven't read or trained themselves to have sophisticated conversations about is what we really need more of in the world. What do you think?

[@berksteraydo9517]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM Definitely. What I was trying to say was that the author has a negative perception (for many people) surrounding his content. The books you have in this video are great selections, but that is not the point of the video. Still, some may judge the whole video based on something that is only there for context and exemplification. It is a logical sin that is sometimes hard to avoid.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

There is always judgment. It is fruitless to try and avoid it. And if and when anything throws us, I recommend these two simple tools for neutralizing the effects their unwarranted "feedback" might create: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oafXip2ap86Gpq8 I hope you find it useful. :-)

[@sharkiealami7817]

I read ebooks due to convenience when travelling but yes it feels harder to actually memorise on my iPad than actual books. Thanks for your elaboration I can see why

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Sharkie. Traveling is definitely one area of life where ebooks are hugely convenient. And as a mostly digital nomad, I used to find it hard and costly to get books l know I have to give up. But for the long term learning benefits, it's worth it. Thanks again for posting and look forward to seeing another one from you again soon. Will you be joining us on a live stream in the future? That would be great if so! :)

[@NickDorogavtsev]

I prefer digital books. So much easier to read, also I can read across devices. Some of your tips still can be used on eBooks, cover, content and etc.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes, I can see some of these techniques working just fine on digital. But it's not clear to me what exactly makes them easier to read when people say that. And if one can't remember what they've read, what's the use of "ease" anyway? ;)

[@vancourverite7779]

i prefer physical i just love handling and touching the book its more tangible than just reading an ebook. However, it makes travelling and moving so much harder. I have so many books and many i had to donate after i moved. I cannot imagine how many books i will need to take with me when i physically relocate to another country one day. So i think having kindle will be be more helpful. But i cannot justify how expensive ebooks are.. i have seen ebooks still be over $10 -$15+ thats almost the same price as a brand new paperback. And you already paid $140 just to buy a device to store ebooks..

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I do not disagree, and can only add that in my experience, all the savings in the world aren't worth the price of buying books I don't enjoy reading. On the matter of content itself, do you have any books you've read recently that made an impact on your life?

[@ayanamartins]

I wonder to what extent this may be different for people who have been exposed to digital devices early in life. I also learn much better from physical books, however, that is how all did ALL my reading-based learning until I was a young adult. Nowadays, I use both the digital and printed versions of a book if I care deeply about learning from it. The possibility of searching through an e-book can a be used as a powerful tool to aid learning.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

You could be very right about this and it's a good point to consider. There is some research suggesting that younger people are integrating with tech just fine. It's too soon to tell. Search is indeed useful, but training yourself to be a searcher who doesn't remember is a form of memory deskilling, regardless of the medium that contains the text. The option of searching (an activity) must not become a replacement for memory (an accomplishment). Thanks for the compelling post. I look forward to your next one! :)

[@ayanamartins]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM, I agree 100%! Thanks for replying even though I came so late for the party.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

My pleasure. As long as the MMM community keeps ticking, it's never too late for celebrating memory at our party. :) Do you use Memory Palaces much?

[@ayanamartins]

​@@AnthonyMetivierMMM Mostly for shopping lists, which I am aware that is an acute case of underusing

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I agree that the full potential isn't being explored if you're keeping the tool reserved for shopping lists - unless those shopping lists are in a foreign language you're learning. Have you tried that?

[@weeboo305]

This video is great, tho tbf as many people in the comment section have also said, some “tips” for ease can also be used in digital books. I don’t speak for kindle but pdf books I speak for as it’s basically an exact copy of the hardcover book but in a digital format. For me, however, I’d definitely prefer physical books over digital books anyday. Not only is it MUCH easier to comprehend but also faster to read. Also, I’ve always wanted a library in my room full of books. If I owned such a room, I’d call the books my “little friends” and personify them as my friends as knowledge unlike people, never leaves you. However, there’s one thing I’d like to say, especially from the point you made in 11:43. And that is, whenever someone comes to my room, I want to show them I do indeed read x and y books and have superior knowledge of them, and they can prove this by picking up the book and testing me. This can make things even sweeter than they could even borrow the book and gain the power of knowledge as well. One last thing I’ll say, however, and this includes using used books. Physical copy of books are darn expensive, and since I prefer purchasing hardcover, that doesn’t make my life any easier. You could say I could just go to the library and read books there, however as you made the point in 11:43, I’d very much prefer to prove to people that I’m a somewhat of an expert in a field of subject without them having to waste time trying to find the pdf of a book or even kindle. Also, because I’d love to have a library in my room, even if it means paying for an arm or a leg over. Speaking of books, congrats on the Victorious Mind being on Nelson Dellis’s video!!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for checking this one out. It's a nuanced issue, to be sure. But I would humbly suggest that owning books for the purposes of showing off is ars quadrata at best. Go for ars rotunda and the world can be yours!

[@ziomeq8141]

I prefer to read physical books, too. But I bought Kindle recently in order to read more and it really works for me. Maybe you make a movie like 10 most valuable memory books for you?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I have a video exactly like that on this page: www.magneticmemorymethod.com/best-memory-improvement-books/ Give a look and let me know if you have any questions on that page.

[@JohnnyRivera9]

By using a physical book, I can see that, as the method of loci demonstrates, a REAL physical location and path can be taken. Carrying the book, flipping pages, magnetically dropping important, to you, information to pages by page number, as well as a path. Because you also have kinesthetic memory as well, by the thickness of the book, where the information that you want to recall can come from your fingers doing the walking. If I'm not clear, yes, I am in agreement that you can get the most out of retention of information, the acquiring of knowledge that you can recall easily by applying memory techniques using physical books. The transition from knowledge to discernment and wisdom is another thing entirely.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes, I think this just about sums it up - and I'm glad you pointed out discernment and wisdom. These are key points indeed. How have things been going with your memory training lately? :-)

[@JohnnyRivera9]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMMTo be answering your question and before hand, I'm grateful for your patience, I'm training daily with my 0-9 and 00-99 modified/personalized Major system pictures as well as generating my memory palaces with magnetic stations. I say pluralize because, woohoo, pat my back, I'm on my second one, while still going back a few minutes a day and rubbing with the intent to increase its magnetism with review and recall the first one, which was my Toyota Avalon. The second one, my home, has 168 stations. I started that one with a Word Doc, one room per page, 2 columns. The list on the Left and my hand scribbled room diagram to the right of it. I have a (growing) list of construction sites of locations that I'm gathering throughout my time stream. Just with these efforts, daily, normal recall of information as well as storage have increased. I'm mostly out of my brain fog. Long winded answer, thanks again for asking. I appreciate your diligent, powerfully thoughtful, honest and supportive videos. I have started and stopped a couple of times with memory training. With your videos, I'm am showing a stick-to-it-ivness that I haven't in the past. Past experiences don't determine future results, which applies to aborted attempts as well as positive results. Your support is helping with my habit formations in my personal business and congregational life. Very Thankfully, Coach Joe

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

It is connected with your library card. There are no late fees ever.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Ah, I see. That is good! :)

[@JeffTheHokie]

It's hard to say. I get eye-strain headaches when I stare at a digital screen too long, but I can also minimize eye-strain by turning the font size up.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

It is hard to say, and there are certainly grey areas. But in all the time since I made this video, I have only needed to read one digital book. It was not available by any other means. Eye strain was one thing and increasing the font only made reading unpleasant. It also required "turning the page" more frequently and worst of all, digital impedes my memory. Studies give us reason to believe it's probably impeding the memory of others too... and just looking around at the state of things, it certainly does seem that there are masses of memory impaired individuals around... Thanks for stopping by and look forward to your future comments! :-)

[@clinthuff9868]

Also 5I don’t like supporting having everything digital. I don’t want my movies/tv shows and books digital. I want physical copies in my hand. And 6 I love going to libraries and picking out my weekly tbr and my tbw(to be watched) movies and tv shows. I rather support a physical library. I don’t even like getting ebooks from the library, it tear real libraries apart when it just used for computers. I really enjoy seeing people with books in their hands at the library, instead of just ebooks. When you have ebooks you’re just getting a right for the contents of the books not the actual book it self

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Libraries are indeed great, and I think you're right: Seeing books held by people is a beautiful thing. :-)

[@folksurvival]

So you only use analog forms of video? Tape and an old tube tv or a projector of some kind?

[@tomgrow]

I think it's funny how you called Rose Gardens at 9:58. They were probably like "Hello? Hello? Helloooooo?" while you finished this video. LOL!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Pocket dialing has entered the Twilight Zone! ;-)

[@maricelagriffith6717]

Hi Anthony Metivier! I like physical books because at the same time I am doing notes in my notebook about what I am reading. For example vocabulary, comments, questions, resumes, investigations. I like to read the covers, index, the vocabulary, see the photos, the graphs before I read it. I bought ebooks because I need that information for example: "Vision 20/20", Bill Campbell, "Plenitud magazine" "Dr. Mercola and Health" ... Sometimes, I receive ebooks as a gift for subscriptions. I like to see the book in a space and put a bookmark where I left the page, the last time I was reading it. Maricela G. from Mcallen, TX

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

These are great notes on your experiences and preferences, Maricela. Thanks for posting. I also like priming in this way and I am a HUGE fan of bookmarks. And that suggests another memory exercise I can perform today... Thanks for the inspiration!

[@nerdieone1]

I read a mix of digital and physical. I have tons of physical books but I also love my kindle too. I'm disabled (cerebral palsy)so sometimes holding a book open for too long, especially a heavy hardcover hurts my wrists. My eyes aren't the best either and I like how you can enlarge the font on digital devices and the screen cuts down on eye strain etc.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Interesting. I find that too much interaction with digital devices hurts my wrists, making dealing with physical books even worse.

[@nerdieone1]

I have a case on my kindle that opens like a book. That helps with any wrist strain for me when using it.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great!

[@currangill430]

I'm about to switch back over to physical books. I've found that I get distracted quite a bit even reading on my ereader. This video made sense to me now. Thanks :)

[@clinthuff9868]

Physical book for a lot of reasons. 1. When I buy a book I want it in my hand not somewhere in a digital cloud on app. 2. My opinions is if you buy digital do you really own it? Id say no I don’t want to have to access WiFi to get access to books I bought and it be on an app were I have to have a email and password to access my stuff what if I loose my email address which many people have and lose all their ebooks some haven’t even spent upward of a 1,000, yeah no thanks,3. I enjoy art and I like seeing book cover and book in general in my hand 4. When it come to a learning situation I study and learn better from a physical book like meomorization comprehension and so on. Even fiction I’m more lost in the world with not distractions

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great point about not really owning digital books. I've actually seen Amazon remove some of my books from the market because they deemed my mnemonic examples as typos. They are in fact homophonic transliterations to help the reader understand how to use memory techniques. That is frightening because robots should not be meddling in human communication. Jacques Ellul warned about the consequences of this many decades ago in The Technological Society - and he wasn't the only one. Thanks for your comment and look forward to hearing you again soon.

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

I read Nelson Dellis’ book first Digitally then I ordered it physical. I enjoyed his book while reading it but I knew I was going to purchase it. I also listened to the audiobook. I will always “Remember it!”

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great to have your ears on Nelson's book, Bill. I hope you'll take a moment to support it with a review on Amazon. :)

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Anthony Metivier sure will although I didn’t buy it through Amazon.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great - who is your preferred audiobook seller?

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Anthony Metivier Audio tapes were very important to me that is how I got introduced to these memory techniques. And I still have those tapes.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

That's great - which ones? Still curious from which portal you purchased Remember It! but totally understand if you prefer to keep that intel private. ;)

[@pixelated4046]

I read both physical books and ebooks. My ereader is always in my backpack when I go to school, work, internship or when I am traveling and a real book is to big to take with me. And most of the times when I am not sure I wil like a book I dont want to spend a lot of money just to read it and end up hating it. I will only buy physical books if i almost certainly know I will like them (if not I will trade them with my best friend, we keep a stack of books aside we know the other will like or might like and we trade books that way, something you cant do with ebooks) and sometimea I like switching format. Reading on my kobo, or physical or maybe an audio book are both different experiences and sometimes I just need that bit of change to keep reading. And one handy dandy thing about ereaders? They are easier to clean. I am a student mechanic and my hands get greasy all the time. And a screen is a lot easier to clean than paper pages :)

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Too true about screens and cleaning. However, many a stain on my physical pages makes for many interesting memories. I'm not sure I would want to live without them. :-)

[@MaricaAmbrosius]

I like both. The scrolling function gives a better sense of where in the book it is. I don't really memorize page numbers. Should probably work on my peg system.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I think if you get into memorizing page numbers, you're going to love the incredible utility it brings.

[@mongollloyd1101]

I avoided digital books for a long time, but am now replacing hundreds of fiction volumes with ebooks as my collection is overwhelming me space-wise. I tend to prefer audiobooks for fiction as I am always busy with my hands, but I'll be keeping most non-fiction in paper. I definitely agree with your assessment.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Space certainly is a concern with the physical world, and there's no denying the benefits of digital for keeping things clear. I like audiobooks for fiction too. What are you listening to at the moment, or anything in particular in recent memory really strike you? I'm listening to the entire Richard Feynman audio collection at the moment. It's very good if you're interested in his life.

[@pebberbrown]

Oh shit. I just watched this video 10 minutes after I ordered an Amazon Fire HD 8! MY problem is that SO MANY of my grad school books are ONLY available in e-book format, and second I have boxes and boxes of books piled up , boxes of books in storage, bozes in my van, etc. I know - get rid of them right - hard to do.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

It's a shame that books are going this route. I imagine in the future they'll have to change that. One thing you can do is take notes on index cards to "disrupt" some of the connection between the device and notifications, etc. This information can then be sorted and gathered for optimum use in a Memory Palace Network. Here's what I mean: www.magneticmemorymethod.com/how-to-memorize-a-textbook

[@pebberbrown]

Anthony Metivier Thanks so much for such a quick reply. Say i have a rather nagging question that i have been contemplating for a while --- what if Stonehenge is actually a memory palace --- and what if Sumerian cuneiform are also memory palaces --- as well as heiroglyphs and most of all the creations at Gobekli Tepe?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great question. In The Memory Code, Lynne Kelly places Stonehenge in the larger context of stone circles. She goes deep into the topic, and you can get a taste for the book in our interview here: www.magneticmemorymethod.com/the-memory-code/ I highly recommend you get her take on it. She also discusses Göbekli Tepe in the book. It's great that you're interested in these matters. Many others are too and The Memory Code was a smash hit! :-)

[@Zozette27]

Because of my disabilities I find most books to heavy to hold for any length of time so I tend to use audiobooks. If I am listening to a non-fiction book I take notes (I can hold pens using my homemade pen grips). This helps me retain information and know roughly at what point of a book information is. If I do read physical books they need to be either be small paperbacks or large hard backs that I can lay flat on my table to read. I have bad eyesight so the font has to be of a readable size. I especially like physical books if there are tables, maps or diagrams etc. eBooks are my least favourite method of reading though do appreciate that I can increase the font and have a sepia background. I use an iPad so I can easily swipe a page which is easier than holding a book. I read eBooks if they are the most suitable form for me to use. I sometime print out diagrams, maps etc when the appear in eBooks.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and perspectives! Any great titles you've come across lately?

[@Zozette27]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM my favourite non-fiction from last year were *Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford *Alone on the Ice: The Greatest Survival Story in the History of Exploration by David Roberts (about Douglas Mawson, the Australian Antarctic explorer) *The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books by Edward Wilson-Lee (about Christopher Columbus’ illegitimate son whose main passion was collecting books) *The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science by Andrea Wulf

[@Zozette27]

I am trying to read more books about women this year and I am currently reading a biography about sci-fi writer James Tiptree jr (Alice Bradley Sheldon) and I have just started ‘The Very Secret Sex Lives of Medieval Women’.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Those all sound great. Thanks for mentioning them!

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

LoL Audiobooks! Any other dyslexics around here? No? Ok, I like physical books too. They are fun to carry around and give as gifts. 😁 I literally carried “I Am That” around everywhere for a year. Was amazingly comforting during a difficult time, and I’ve never connected to a device like that. 😂

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Tat Tvam Asi! 🙏

[@johnpepple3456]

If there's a Carrington event, my physical books will still be around!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

That is a checkmate point if ever there was one! :-)

[@folksurvival]

If there's a Carrington event then most people will die so the books will probably lie around unread and decomposing anyway.

[@wagnerbaldin8651]

A vintage bike, balls to jugling and a keyboard...I believe that you are a kind of nostalgic person, wich is good sometimes. Not old fashioned, but someone who gives value to things that build your character. Great Job! I prefer real books instead of by any device, but unfortunately here in Brazil we have some difficulties to acquire good ones, like yours.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for this, Wagner. I'd say I'm nostalgic only in the sense of being interested in nostalgia's relationship to memory. Juggling and music are (hopefully) timeless. It's a shame that books are hard to get there. Why is that?

[@wagnerbaldin8651]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM Well, let me explain about our problems here buying good books. The video you recommended 5 memory palace books, look: The memory code: R$ 199,00. Moonwalking with Einstein: R$ 80,00. Memory Craft: R$ 204,00. The Art Of Memory: R$ 191,00. The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci: R$ 96,00. And last but not least, The Victorious Mind, your book: R4 200,00. Total= R$ 970,00 or USD$ 180. Almost half of my salary in a month. Only Matteo Ricci's book we have translated into portuguese, the rest, only in English language. Compared with translated books, the good ones, it should be about USD$ 30. Thanks God I speak English reasonably good to read, ok to comunicate and watch your videos.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Sorry to hear that it's so difficult to get books over there. Hopefully that will change soon!

[@wailalblowai9697]

hello, Anthony Metivier, I had problem which was I want to increase my memory palace to 500 loci but I don't have enough room or house how can I do it the reason why I want to increase my memory palace was to memorize 5 textbooks remembering by pages

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for this question, Wail. I personally don't advise building up any individual Memory Palace that large. Most people (and probably all people) experience diminishing returns very quickly due to the Recall Rehearsal process. Try this approach to memorizing books instead: www.magneticmemorymethod.com/how-to-memorize-a-textbook/ And create multiple Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method. There is always a way if you just get started with the free course and start filling out the worksheets. Thanks for your question and look forward to the next one! :)

[@Justin-baxe]

Fantastic video! I totally agree with your points especially about the digital fasting. When i read ebooks on my phone i found myself drifting off when i got a email or youtube notification plus eyes strain my eyes.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for sharing your experience with these matters. Eye strain and attention strain together are a real pain. How are things going with your memory?

[@Justin-baxe]

A hell of a lot better now with reading physical books. When i read ebooks it felt like i didn’t remember anything from the previous chapters or book since like you said page numbers are different every time you go back to it.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Glad you're experiencing improvement. That's fantastic. Have you developed a 00-99 so you can memorize page numbers and use that as a basis for adding on facts sans Memory Palace? If not, it's definitely something to work towards. :-)

[@Justin-baxe]

Anthony Metivier Never tried it but i definitely will. Thanks for the tip! I noticed with ebooks i could 3 chapters and be processing the information then i get a email notification and waste 10 minutes surfing the internet

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great - have fun using your 00-99 in this way. And definitely enjoy being free from having your attention hijacked in this way. Long live printed books!

[@sunshinelove2753]

Physical books are more enjoyable🙂, but they are more expensive and over all take up to much space. That’s why I have to have a kindle.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Space is definitely a concern I share, and would prefer not to have the clutter. By the same token, even though learning by osmosis doesn't exist, there's something of an effect to having lots of books around that I missed when I went mostly Kindle only for a few years. As for the expense, many Kindle books have gone up over the years, and if a book has one great idea, it's usually worth far more than the price of admission. Thanks for the post and look forward to your next one!

[@DarkZero375]

You definitely cannot beat the feel of a real book, the smell of the pages, and actually seeing how far you are in the book. On the other hand, you can have thousands of books all stored on one device versus taking up so much space in a home. I definitely enjoy collecting books for sure. But if I find one that’s cheaper as an ebook, I’d consider it.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for this. I used to agree that not having books everywhere was a benefit. I've come to disagree, however. I'll have to make a video about why in the future.

[@수민-z6o]

I have realized that shen it comes to fanfictions then I can easily read on my smartphone, but when it comes to any other genre... I prefer physical books or else I will rarely finish any book digitally!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

That is interesting about fanfiction. Do you tend to read them thoroughly, or just check them out?

[@수민-z6o]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM It depends, if I find the story really engaging then I read it with enthusiasm. Though, I just sometimes check my academic books😂

[@kristopherdavis2262]

I prefer physical not every book has a digital copy.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I've heard it said that less than 15% of the world's physical books have a digital version. I'll bet that number is actually smaller now as more print material that never has a digital version is being created every day.

[@kristopherdavis2262]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I have many rare books it's just not the same. I use Kindle but only until I get an actual physical copy. I enjoy your information thank you!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I agree. Glad you're enjoying these videos. Thanks for letting me know!

[@61984sd]

Physical books professor. Its easier and faster to annotate physical books compred to digital. You just directly write on physical books. On pdfs, you have to click on this and that everytime you want to double rule, check, encircle, place a star or do whatever you usually do while reading. I usually do something on every paragraph of every book I read. Imagine taking 3 seconds doing the annotations on pdfs that are 500 pages long. At some point annotating pdfs just becomes a chore I think. Haha

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. I know some people are quite successful at using Evernote in combination with their ebooks. But writing in books is useful at times, to be sure, and there is a great history or marginalia around the world. In fact, many books are born because one writer wrote in the margins of another. I think of marginalia as "productive consumption." (Highlighting is never that.) Thanks again and look forward to your next post! :)

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

There is a free app I downloaded called hoopla. It goes hand in hand with my library card. Downside of it is you can only take out 5 items a month. Not sure if it’ll work in Australia to be honest with you.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks, Bill. I'll look into it and make sure this app isn't ripping authors like Nelson Dellis off by creating some kind of lending library without recompense. :)

[@samuelfernandes9048]

I prefer physical books.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Do you have a preference for hardcover or softcover? Reading anything interesting at the moment?

[@samuelfernandes9048]

Anthony Metivier, Any of them. In the moment I'm reading a book in Pdf about study.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Sounds great. We're "on the same page" with our reading since Learning How To Learn is also about studying. :)

[@Brunette_Rapunzel]

I have both, but prefer ebooks. I travel alot and have a very small apartment. I don't have much room for physical books and can't carry around physical ones. I love my Kindle for these reasons.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Travel is the ultimate arbiter here, to be sure. Then again, back in the day, mnemonists used to carry the books in their Memory Palaces that they could not carry on their backs.

[@Brunette_Rapunzel]

Takes abit of the joy of reading away to not actually read it.

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Brought it through Target store website after I noticed they didn’t sell it in stores.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Interesting that Target sells audiobooks - thanks for the info! :)

[@hugoantunesartwithblender]

I love physical books. If im at home i prefer physical books. We all have preference. I love the smell for exemple. BUt i disagree with only reading physical books. Traveling for exemple, its a lot easier to have ebooks. Or for who doesnt own a house.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I hear you. But I’m traveling now and having three books in my backpack is of no inconvenience. It provides healthy exercise, which I definitely need on top of the benefits of reading physically. Point taken on the storage front, but now with AI and certain companies removing purchased content, I’m not sure digital books are going to pan out, not will we necessarily be able to afford the electricity needed to store and read them. These are real issues and some of the reporting on energy consumption issues recently only make me more interested in print. Especially durably printed books. 🙏

[@fisicogamer1902]

Oh! I wished to have physical books. The thing is, there is some e-books Free, but i dont see physical books like this. I can borrow from library, but there is no books there, except for university tests....😭😭

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks, Fisico. It is definitely a challenge getting physical books for free. But when you make the best possible choices up front, they are usually worth every penny. Is it Brazil you said you're living? Is it difficult to order books there? :)

[@fisicogamer1902]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM yes, the thing is....libraries here are Just for School work, no books on memory, arts in general, or even healthy diet. Every now and then, i Find one but.... The only guaranteed way to get practical good books in here, is generally through the internet. There are fictional good books, but they are expensive and i AM focusing on having a good life :)

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Focusing on having a good life is what matters, Fisico. For me, that means rebuilding a library of physical books, but one that is different than the one I used to have. Now I don't get books for the purposes of reading them and collecting them, but always think of who I can give them to after reading them. :)

[@ReviewBlogVlog]

Well, as a college student I just can't afford buying all physical books, nor is possible to grab all of them from the library. So in med school I pretty much rely on PDFs.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Do you find that you're able to read well from the PDFs?

[@ReviewBlogVlog]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM When the book has been through an OCR, I would say so. However, I'm obliged to read on the computer because of screen size, etc. And it can be a little uncomfortable to spend a couple hours in front of it. I've been avoiding writing on paper, or reading in physical books (even though I find it easier sometimes) because at the end of each semester I probably end up killing a lot of trees with sooo many pages of annotations! So whenever possible I make my annotations on computer using a cheap wacom tablet. Have you ever tried studying paperless? I find that after a while it gets easier to remember what was written, as the habit of writing on paper diminishes. Sometimes is just easier to study paperless, as I've seen in language learning. I'm currently studying Japanese and so far I've learned 1250 kanjis, and I'm building my vocabulary, which currently has 286 words (not much, but I'm working on it, haha). If I decided to write down all this information, I would end up consuming a little too much of paper. Not to mention my grammar notes, which currently has 27 pages on it, according to my text editor. Oops, I hadn't noticed how much I've written until now. Sorry about that.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Please, never apologize for writing - too many people are being trained to truncate language. That is not a great thing. I haven't done much paperless studying. I also don't know how one would compare the damage done from the mining and electricity consumption from devices compared to trees. I think it's probably a false comparison, especially when you add on the damages yet to be analyzed from how digital behaviors have been emerging. It's great that you're doing so well with Japanese - congrats! :-)

[@pigboy3991]

Hi Anthony, I'm new to your channel (coming here from Barbara learning how to learn class). Do you have any tips / guidance on note taking? I'm currently experimenting with the combination of physical / digital notes where all my physical notes can be converted to digital form. Then all my content is stored in a tag / sub tag based structure to help with recognition. However, I still feel like it's too messy sometime (too many tags / subtags). What's your note taking methods?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great to meet you, Phuoc. It's an honor. For note-taking, I have a full blog with podcast and video called 5 Note Taking Techniques That Will Force You To Remember More: www.magneticmemorymethod.com/note-taking/ Although these ideas may not be a "magic bullet," I think if you explore them, they'll be rewarding. Let me know if you have further questions after checking out that page on my site and thanks for taking a moment to post. :)

[@fieldy03]

Have you read Fahrenheit 451?if you've read it..is it possible books are banned in the future? Or is about cencorship in the past

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I have read it. There have been books banned in 2021, I’m afraid. Plus, the algo driven world suggests situations where multiple bannings might take place. A discussion of this concern arose here if you care to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKi4laCuZdh9i6s

[@luisramrod9121]

I just switch to digitial books. I love physical books, but I go to three different colleges and my textbooks are very heavy. No more back pain.😁

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

If I were to go to university again, I would probably need to take this into consideration, Luis. But in my imagination, I would welcome it and just get a better backpack. For all of my 4 degrees, I would have done very well to be more physically fit. ;)

[@fesef8185]

Hey Anthony, i am currently learning the system for memorizing numbers. Is there a website to practice the system? I mean with real things and not random numbers; for example historical dates or so. Anything else will help!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

There are lots of websites, Maxi. Google is your friend. However, I recommend you practice with numbers that will improve your life instead of random digits: phone numbers in case you lose your cell, banking numbers, the dates of historical figures or loved ones, etc. Why practice with anything else? :)

[@lmc3307]

I only buy physical books because I have a personal library in my house and it’s my pride and joy lol. Can’t show off an e book ! (Plus they give me headaches)

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Showing off ebooks is certainly a challenge... though I have seen it done.

[@shilpi9407]

Although I am a voracious online reader ,but I can't study for an imp test solely from any online medium. So sad :(

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

What do you think accounts for the problem you're facing with your studies?

[@shilpi9407]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I think I can't remember anything that I had studied online and on the contrary whenever I read paperbacks my mind is more organized,focussed and automatically start to revise whatever I had gone through in short I am forgetful while reading ebooks .In this digital era when everything is available online I don't know how will I cope up.Thanks for the replying and making a wonderful video for the rest of us.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

This is a wonderful experience that I also find with physical books. When it comes to coping in the digital era, I talk more about digital fasting and other techniques here: www.magneticmemorymethod.com/digital-amnesia/ Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to your next post on this channel! :)

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

I brought the book on the website not audio book.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Got it. But where did you get the audiobook from?

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Anthony Metivier I borrowed the audio book from the digital library.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Which digital library?

[@currangill430]

Have you used a kindle? How do you think it compares? I don't mean the kindle app btw.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Glad this video makes sense. I’ve tried a Kindle briefly and don’t find it pleasant or memory friendly. Maybe one day, but I still stick with books, as visible in the background of my more recent videos. Have you read anything interesting and recommendable lately?

[@currangill430]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I'm reading Norse mythology, Irish Fairy and Folktales Barnes And Noble Editon (it has a lot of typos), Myths of Norsemen, Viking history by Njord Kane (I reccommend if you want a well reseached history of Vikings) and for my fiction read Iron Gold by Pierce Brown Myths-history are for my research for my upcoming book 😅 None of them are about memory so idk how interesting they'll be for you

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I do love mythology - thanks for mentioning these!

[@currangill430]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM awesome! I also just ordered Nordic Folktales from a used bookstore which should be coming today sometime!

[@renancosta95]

I'm from Brazil, I'm sad when there are no automatic subtitles :c

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Hopefully some community members will pitch in and make some soon, Renan. In the meantime, hopefully you can get some good listening practice in. You can always write here too for practicing English that way. :)

[@MrApplewine]

eBooks are OK if they are DRM free. You can also read them on a monitor instead of an expensive e-ink device.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Why DRM free?

[@BeatSyncBytes]

A good colorful PDF on a large screen is more powerful than PHYSICAL BOOKS, because you can search faster within book

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Why is searching so powerful? If you don't know what you're looking for and you're skimming your way out of context... what kind of power is that? I'm genuinely curious and would love to know what accomplishments you've experienced based on search in the context of a large screen being more "powerful." Thus far, your statement lacks specifics - help convince us of this power. :-)

[@paulinetayloe9988]

I use my iPad e-reader the orenge apt background with a white book icon, I’m 41 years old I still stay with my parents long story, with cost of living and I’m runing out of space to put books and my mum hates a untidy room she’s a perfectionist and the cost of living z-library is good and my ipad is 12.9 inches so I can’t tie it out because length wise I have a book bag casual bag that it fits but tall wise it dose t fit my bag, I prefer physical books the feel, everything about it and the smell, and most of the dragonlance etc I’d like to read are expensive and the cost of living where I am is going up as well all know, so ebooks save space and I’d allways buy the books now well most I can and when I get my dad to buy me the books on Amazon which he only has the prime account, and if he doesn’t see the new on the list when he keys it into the search engine he doesn’t get it he makes excuses, so that’s what the e-reader is good for and it safe space, this man I understand what he mean I’m the same.

[@paulinetayloe9988]

I don’t take an ebook out everywhere I go I do physical books lo, so when I’m in the house I try to read ebooks and physical books and split the time and I’m still trying to find out how to do that withought confusing things, but I think I’ll stick to physical books so many books I whant to read in so little time, and right now iv been out of a 26 year reading slump, so many books I whant to read and I can only read 48-52 books a year that’s if I haven’t anything to do 12 books a year if I’m unlucky.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective. 🙏

[@Maako2278]

I'm just trying to buy manga so I tried book walker and it turns out ItS OnLy EbOoKs

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

It is indeed difficult when a book is only available in digital format. I think we can divide pleasure reading from the learning intensive reading I'm talking about in this video, however. Does that make sense?

[@FunkDoobie903]

Physical book for me, a welcomed break from gadgets. I also want to keep a physical collection. 😎

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Same here when it comes to keeping a physical collection. I don't exactly regret giving up my previous libraries, but it is nice to collect more books again and enjoy their presence. :-)

[@dilkashaikh]

Any website where I can get new published ebook which are top best selling of the world and self help book please send the link below :))))

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Amazon. Ebooks not recommended. :)

[@dilkashaikh]

Wow It is been really cool, But I have Laptop Now I downloaded it thank you for suggestion but I like to read hard copy and soft copy, both ways are good for us :)

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great. If you can get a printer, then it's easy and fun to fill out the MMM Memory Palace creator. :)

[@yogeshsoni5281]

Please add English subtitles it's a humble request to you good video I m waiting for your reply

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

English subtitles might be coming soon. Please stay tuned and thank you for requesting them. :)

[@geert574]

books are too thicc so ebook, I get annoyed losing blood in legs with some 4 pounder on me. Print is often also very bad because they use the cheapest paper

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Some books certainly are printed on cheap paper. But that's often because the knowledge on those pages isn't worth the investment. I'm talking more about books like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5SnmKN_pMyditE As for weight, I would never get annoyed by books that give me more physical exercise. The like/dislike monster and how to get rid of it may be of use to you if that's really a serious deciding factor. Happy to suggest a text for that, which might be available in both formats.

[@ButterCookie1984]

OMG yes!! It feels like Christmas when I have ordered a new book and the package arrives in the mail. I love the physical touch and smell of a book. I believe that us avid readers love books, and are not fans of "ebooks", because we see it for the dystopian "Farenheit 451" doomsday that they represent.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

It is indeed like Christmas, and great point about dystopia. I've certainly seen this in my own collection, with Amazon removing books based on a robot deciding that a mnemonic example was a typo. Scary what they are doing these days with the technology - and even scarier that commenting on it here could lead to this discussion being "digitally burned." Thanks for taking the moment to comment and hope to see another one from you soon! :)

[@ButterCookie1984]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM Certainly, and SUBBED!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

That's fantastic - I look forward to hearing more from you in the comments soon and hanging out on a live stream. The longer we can enjoy the current version of the Internet and the conversations it enables, the better. Talk soon!

[@folksurvival]

At the moment it's the opposite though; it's much easier to aquire books to read on an ereader that are very difficult to find as physical versions because all bookstores and major online retailers have banned them. There are many books that you can aquire and read as digital files that at one time you could order as physical books on Amazon but now Amazon and other companies (including physical stores of course) have "memory holed" as if they never existed.

[@ChristianFitzharris]

Great!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Glad you could check it out! Reading anything at the moment? Online or off?

[@bisrim6695]

JB Peterson book is heavy.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes - and worth every pound! :)

[@amanmittal4697]

I did not have money that's why I have to read through pdf🤣🤣I am broke😪

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Hope things turn around for you soon! 🙏

[@amanmittal4697]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM it will definitely very soon!

[@amanmittal4697]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM also I want you to give suggestion of books to read this can be anything fiction and non-fiction

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for this suggestion. So far, this is what I have on the channel with some book suggestions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqK9aauKqaqDZpY I have read so much, and it would take a long time to list them all. Any particular areas of interest you have?

[@amanmittal4697]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I am kinda of person with no friends and I usually read self improvement and fictions!