From the Screen to the Shelf

By Sarah Perez Apr. 5, 2026

Helen Ruan ARt

Beginning in the mid-2010s, the “Digital Age” of instantly accessible streaming platforms and ebooks has gravitated consumers away from physical media. Despite this, the largest American retail bookseller, Barnes & Noble, expands its footprint, with almost 70 stores newly opened in 2025 and 60 more planned for this year. With a 300% increase in vinyl purchases since 2016, consumer patterns mark a shift in the popularity of physical media. 

 Barnes & Noble’s new business strategy opts for smaller stores where managers have a greater say in stock and displays. Book-buying habits increasingly point towards ownership: in 2021, more than 825 million physical books were purchased, a record last broken in 2004. In 2024, 59 million of these book purchases came from users of the TikTok hashtag #booktok. Since its creation in 2020, #booktok has grown to nearly 53 million posts, popularizing shopping habits through hauls, recommendations and exposure to self-published authors.  

In 2024, 323 new mobile and brick-and-mortar indie bookstores opened, driven by a “shop local” sentiment that helps connect consumers to more closely curated book selections and events. In 2023, book club listings rose 10% on Meetup and 24% on Eventbrite. Chain and independent bookstores are both benefiting from the same cultural shift—that the rise of bookshopping can be a social activity—rather than being affected by the market in distinct ways.  

In a 2023 Portland State University study on people aged 13-40, only 37% physical library material users reported using digital library materials. Ebook licenses have to be renewed several times, possibly leading to costs up to ten times greater than a permanent physical book over the ebook’s lifetime. Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association, explains that renewing digital resources is too costly for most libraries, leaving these services vulnerable to budget cuts. 

“Some of the coolest conversations I have had have been about books or at book events. While ebooks are more accessible, I prefer to borrow the physical copy for the feel,” Sophomore Nakshatra Arun said. 

Physical music such as vinyl is also popular with Generation Z—per an Audio Tech Lifestyle Study, about 60% of Generation Z report buying vinyls, and the 18-24 age range makes up the greatest proportion of people listening to vinyl, cassettes and CDs.  

“I usually buy vinyls online at the official merchandise stores of artists, out of a love for the music, the artist and the nostalgic feeling. At Rasputin, a local record store, I notice a much more diverse music section that lets me try out older genres,” Sophomore Wei Tung Liu said.  

While national data shows a 9.3% increase in vinyl sales since 2024, locals may see a more complex picture. Though large retailers such as Target and Guitar Center offer record sections, Rich Ajlouny, English Department, explains that record shopping is still somewhat detached from the younger generation. 

“There are many smaller record stores in downtown San Jose, but less young people are present. A drop in vinyl consumption due to the rise of CDs—which could carry more music at cheaper prices at the cost of lower quality albums—led to their resurgence among people who want the classic feeling and a return to form,” Ajlouny said.  

The revival of physical media and third spaces represents a growing desire for tangible connection and community in an increasingly digitized world. For Generation Z, the social and sensory experiences of building a collection have empowered businesses to bounce back and make physical media just as accessible as its digital counterpart.  

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About the Contributors

Sarah Perez

Staff Writer

Sarah Perez is a sophomore Staff Writer at Leland High School. Some of her hobbies include figure skating, reading, hiking, and sleeping.

Helen Ruan

Artist

Helen Ruan is a junior at Leland High School. She contributes to journalism as an artist. In her free time, she focuses on painting and developing new artistic skills. Beyond art, she enjoys reading manga and playing video games.