We remember the days long before e-readers existed, when we had to lug heavy books around at school and when we had to choose which books we brought with us carefully when traveling because there’s only so much room in a carryon bag.

While physical books with paper pages are definitely still around, they’re competing with e-books. With the lightweight nature of e-readers, and the option of installing reading apps on your phone, the number of books you can have with you at all times is virtually limitless.

It took us awhile to come around to the e-reading option. It’s just not the same as holding a physical book in your hands, but once we gave it a try, we definitely saw the benefits. We already mentioned the ability to have many books with you at the same time. It’s also easy to read anywhere since your screen will light up the words. You don’t need a separate light if you’re reading at night or in a dimly lit room. It’s also possible to read with just one hand, or even hands-free. Our multi-tasking selves love this.

However, recent studies have shown that the benefits of reading physical books outweighs the benefits of reading e-books, and even millennials agree.

One study from the University of Arizona found that e-books and physical, old school books, are basically completely separate products. Yes, you can access the same words in both ways, but the experience is different, and as the study focused on, the sense of ownership of the product is different.

With a physical book, you can dogear the pages, write in the margins, lend it to a friend, sell it at a used book store, and of course, hold it in your hands. While e-books have digital ways to try to recreate these experiences, it’s just not the same. People who took part in the study seemed to feel that an ebook felt more like renting a book than buying one.

A sense of ownership is far from the only benefit of reading books with paper pages. Even if you get your books from the library and don’t actually own them or have the option of writing in the margins, holding a real book in your hands is still a good idea whenever possible.

Multiple studies have shown vast differences in how fast you can read a physical book compared to an e-book (an e-book takes longer) and the amount of information you remember from the book (you don’t remember as much with an e-book).

Watch the video below for details about 5 important reasons why you might want to pick up a physical book instead of an e-book.

Do you prefer reading books with paper pages or e-books? What book are you currently reading?