Rumours of the death of the book have been exaggerated, it seems. Sales of ebooks, the supposed nemesis of the traditional tome, have fallen off, according to Foyles and Waterstones, as literature lovers seek out something they can flick through. This appears to be one of the rare examples where a groundbreaking technology ends up being supplanted by its predecessor.

Foyles, the London-based chain, said physical book sales had risen 8% over Christmas while Waterstones revealed a 5% increase in December. The figures reflect a wider drop-off in the growth of tablet computers. But it also shows the lasting appeal of traditional gifts. How does one wrap up a download? Would you browse an e-reader in the bath?

Just as newspapers continue to be printed decades after the television and the radio entered people’s homes, hardbacks and paperbacks still have their place – and it looks like it’s bigger than many had forecast.