Paper books are printed from files, and copying is not a problem. And scanning a paper book is the job of a low-paid girl per day. This is an obstacle for pirates.
I read more on screen than on paper. Even if the book is on the shelf - it is faster for me to find it in electronic form, the font can be displayed that which will be convenient for me without points, to find the right place - a matter of a few clicks.
A waste of resources on the manufacture of a paper book, delivery to the store, recycling or long storage of excess copies - actually, and increases the price. And all this - so that then it will stand on the shelf for decades in case the owner comes to the fantasy to read it a second time.
I need a text. I can get the text without that cost. If I need a shell of pages, a smell of leather, an autograph of the author, or Leonardo’s personal notes on the first hundred pages, I’ll pay, let the bouquiniers’ shops stay. I welcome a new business - to choose a book, to specify a design option, to pay - it will be printed, wrapped and delivered. Most of the books are interesting to me.
By the way, the author receives a single-digit (rarely two-digit) number of rubles from each copy. I would gladly press the button to delight the author with a penny, so that he receives for his work no less than from the publishing house. It is only a pity that most good authors do not need this for a long time.