Do you love physical books and hate e-books? You have unique personality traits.

In an age where screens command our attention, do you choose the rustle of pages and the smell of printer's ink? Psychology has an interesting theory—and no, it's not about sentimentality.

Although technology enters our lives through doors and windows, there are still those whose hearts melt faster at the sound of the word "bookstore" than at the sight of a new iPhone. It's not just an aesthetic choice but also—as research shows— concrete information about our personality.

According to a report by the National Media Institute, a staggering 56% of Poles haven't read a single book in the last year. If you regularly read books, and do so in traditional, paper format, you're in a rare breed. And it's very possible that you possess traits that make you live more mindfully and deeply than most.

Reading books/photo: Unsplash Thought Catalog

Psychologist Dr. Naomi Baron, author of "Words Onscreen," notes that people who prefer printed books are more sensual. Literally. It's not just about the feel of the paper or its smell, but about the emotional approach to reading—we remember where we were and what we felt while reading a specific passage. A book becomes a memory, an experience that engages more than just sight. In a world that increasingly disconnects us from our bodies and sensations, this is a truly unique ability.

If a book ends up in your bag more often than a tablet or e-reader, you're probably one of those people who can "switch off"—in the best possible way. Psychologists even call it "inner emigration." The ability to disconnect from digital stimuli and fully immerse yourself in reading is something a Kindle or e-book app can't provide, with notifications popping up every few minutes. Paper offers freedom from distractions—and this benefits not only our concentration but also our mental health.

Researchers from the journal "Reading and Writing" leave no doubt: people who read printed books understand text better and reflect on it more deeply . This is called metacognition —the ability to analyze one's own thinking. Sounds complicated? Yet, it's precisely this that allows us to draw more from reading—not just information, but also life-changing conclusions. And speaking of which…

A love of printed books often goes hand in hand with mindfulness and a need for deeper meaning . Do you visit used bookstores, spend time in bookstores, and talk to booksellers? It means you're looking for more than just quick entertainment—you want an experience. One of flesh and blood. You could say you're reading not just a book, but a moment of your life. Psychology sees this as a conscious opposition to the "fast and furious" culture.

So the next time someone asks you why you don't use e-books, you can answer with a smile: "Because I like to feel what I'm reading."