NEWPORT, Ky. — October is National Book Month, a celebration that highlights the importance of reading, writing and literature. Local bookstore Roebling Books & Coffee in Newport is sharing the importance of reading physical books.
Emily Webster has been a book specialist for over 25 years. Right now she’s sharing her love of reading at Roebling Books & Coffee. She has worked at many local bookstores in the state.
“I started working as a temporary Christmas help at a Borders Books and Music and never left,” Webster said.
Despite the growing popularity of digital books, Webster says she’s not concerned about the end of physical books. “It’s easy for people to assume that E-books might just completely take the place of physical books but the magic of a bookstore is there’s books physically here that you can just discover without typing anything on a search bar,” Webster explained.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, bookstore sales fell nearly 30% in 2020. However, a 2017 study done at American University found that 92% of those surveyed said they concentrated better on reading printed words over an e-version.
Webster argues there’s so much one could learn from people through books.
“It’s a really intimate conversation with the person who has written the novel. I just love connecting with someone like that,” she shared.
Webster isn’t the only person who enjoys the experience that physical books provide.
Joe Walsh is a regular shopper and featured local author at the store. He shared that Roebling Books and Webster gave him an opportunity to share his work with the world. He says there’s a surprise in physical books and local bookstores.
“There’s the mystery of what you might run into that you didn’t expect,” Webster said. “Being able to know about books that are out there that I think will be important for customers and being able to feature those in a way that allows customers to find them and be able to learn about things that otherwise they just might not run into,” he added.
The Roebling Books & Coffee business has three locations in Northern Kentucky. Webster says they are always looking for local authors and artist to share their work with the community. There’s more information on their website about upcoming opportunities and events.