Despite the hundred million ways you can choose to use your leisure time aka social media, video games, they are no match for the classics: reading a book or watching a movie. Both fuel our imagination in very different ways; both have existed for eras together, come in different genres and count as an expression of humanity.

If a picture speaks a thousand words then a book is like a window to another dimension. Can one of them really be superior to the other?  

The ones who swear by BOOKS and only books will say yes! They may even be such purists that they would refrain from watching a movie based on their favorite book. Not really since they've spent too many hours imagining it in their head. (And let's face it, imagination is best up there). It is no wonder why film based on books seem tend to disappoint.

But then again, how many of us read the entire Harry Potter series and then watched the film series because Daniel Radcliffe was so cute! It is impossible to discount films and call them inferiors because the visual medium is powerful, evocative and imaginative. A book called ‘Avatar’ or ‘Intersteller’ or ‘Minions’ wouldn’t have had the same satisfaction as seeing a yellow minion roar in laughter. Some film aficionados may go as far as saying they’d watch a film on any given day instead of reading, an act which is strenuous and requires patient.

So we asked our youth reporters to solve this philosophical question. You should weigh in on the debate in the comment section as well.

Tell us what's better? Books Or Films? 

Books Books Books!

There has been a tug of war between the Book and Movie camps as long as both have existed. However, I feel books are always the better bet for a lot of reasons. Firstly, with a book there is an attention to detail, all of which cannot always be depicted on screen. Secondly, reading helps you improve your vocabulary and for aspiring writers, it gives you an idea about plot lines and styles of writing. Finally, while reading a book your imagination is put to work and comes alive with picturisation that a movie may not do justice to. 



-- Sadhvi Dash, class X, Silver Oaks International School, Hyderabad

I would choose to read books, because books portray various incidents and characters in depth, which movies fail to attain. Books stimulate your imagination.   In movies you are not given the space to put your imagination to work.   I would rather snuggle into my blanket this winter with a bucket of popcorn and a good book than watch a thousand movies. The true experience of reading a book is indescribable. 




Rajathariga S P, class XI, AECS Magnolia Maaruti Public School, Bengaluru
It completely depends on what you like. But when it comes to me, I would rather prefer reading a book than watching a movie. Reading books not only helps in improving the vocabulary but also increases our imagination. The words written in books make me visualise what all is happening in front of me. Reading a book is definitely the right pick at least for me. 


Ayantika Dutta, class IX, Jewish Girls' School, Kolkata

Can't Choose

Watching movies kills our imagination. When we read we visualise what we read, however when we watch a movie, the directors and producers do all the imagining for us. I think both movies and books have their own place. I personally love both of them equally and picking one is really difficult. I make sure to always watch the movie after reading the book. Asavari Singh, class IX, Wisdom World, Pune

How can I choose between books and movies. I loved the Harry Potter books as much as the films version of the series! Disha Jawa, Class X, Venkateshwara Global School 

Films are better!

My answer would be very obvious, watching a film. This also states that I love visually created concepts of books. The warmth of books never succeeded to attract me. I would often search for videos for my school chapter content. This concept is then permanently fixed into my mind without any intervention. This also creates a deep impact on the left brain where Visuals find their place. So my vote goes to watching a film. 

Ravi Sangoi, 9th, New Horizon Public School, Airoli

Student inputs by Team NIE