How do you “consume” books?

14 Comments

Recently, I posted a question in a Facebook Group as well as on my Facebook Page. I thought it would be fun to get your answers too.

The question:
How do you like to consume the books you read? Print? Audiobook? eBook reader?

By far, most of my reading is done via audiobooks (at least 90%), and most of those are via the app on my phone. I love audiobooks! After about 20 years of membership, my Audible library has over 1,000 titles in it. I can “read” while putting on makeup, fixing a meal and eating it, driving in my car, walking on the treadmill, doing yard work, taking out the trash, etc.

Some books get double duty; meaning, I buy the Kindle version and the Audible version together. Amazon calls it “immersive reading,” listening to the audio while following along on the Kindle or in the Kindle app. The line being read aloud is highlighted in the ebook. Some books are especially made for this type of reading. I’m more apt to do this for non-fiction, books I want to study. But when a novel is on sale for the Kindle for $2 or $3, then it is easier to spend the money to add the audiobook version.

A few non-fiction books demand paper. Especially my Bible and Bible studies, but other books too. Ones I want to be able to flip back and forth through the pages. Books that need studied.

Side note: I get a kick out of people who say they only like to read “real books.” They mean they want their books in print form, but I always want to tell them that the ebook and the audiobook are real books too. It is the same book, just in a different format.

Your turn:
What’s your reading preference? Or do you mix and match like I do?

~robin

PS My Boulder Creek Romance Box Set (Kindle edition), regularly $7.89, is only $2.99 US from July 8 through 12. Also on sale in Amazon UK, Canada, and Australia.

14 Comments

  2. I love audiobooks!!!! It took me a long time to try one but once I’ll have it a try, I was hooked. Please continue offering the audiobook version of your new releases.

  3. I prefer reading print books, but I like to listen to books as well. However, my CD players (have even ordered new ones) won’t play many of the books on CD that I’ve bought recently. As a result, I’ve stopped wasting my money on buying books on CD. While I have 2 e-readers (Nook and Kindle), I don’t use either one and just read print books now.

  4. I love the smell and the feel of a book.
    One I can hold in my hands and turn the pages.
    I read hardback, large print, and paperback.
    I enjoy reading all genres.

  5. My mind wandered when trying to listen to audiobooks so my preference is paper books. The only time I read ebooks is if the one I want to read is only available in an ebook.

  8. I much prefer turning pages to swiping and seeing how far I’ve read. I can’t just listen and get as much (if any) out of an audio book. I am too distracted and must be a visual learner. I do enjoy the app Hoopla on my tablet to receive e-books to read for free from the “library”. Another plus to my tablet is to have many books available when I travel, but I still pack at least one old school format.

  9. I prefer books in print but also love my kindle for walking on my treadmill and taking on a trip. I read on my Kindle app on my phone too, that way I always have something to read during wait times.

    I do not like audiobooks. I lose my train of thought and can’t get back into the story. I guess I’m not a good listener. I know I could read a lot more books if I could listen well but it just doesn’t work for me.

  11. I read print books-I have too many😉 but I also have many for my Kindle-most are free! I love getting them that way!! I have purchased a few. Haven’t tried audiobooks-yet.

  12. I enjoy audio if I’m driving. I have all of these books on Kindle, and haven’t read even one of them. Bottom line, for me, give me paper any day! Guess I’m old school.

  13. I consume e-audiobooks from the library using Hoopla, and Libby. I listen daily in the same way you listed (chores, exercise, driving, cooking, laundry, shower, etc), and sometimes just listening. I would probably read 10% of what I read If I couldn’t read while moving & doing like this, because I just can justify it at this time.
    I only use Audible on free (or $1 for 3mo) offers because my library has such a marvelous selection of e-audiobooks through hoopla and Libby.
    I do love reading a paper book, and I will when I have the physical time, but it is rare. I used to read paper more than I do now, especially when a book is only available to me that way, but now they often go back to the library unread or back on my own shelf, due to the time available or poor timing. All of my physical bookshelves are overfull, (some are 2 books deep).
    I will read ebooks when needed and have an extensive kindle library of Christian Fiction, but prefer paper over screen when space allows.
    I occasionally read and listen simultaneously to both fiction & nf, and often the Bible through the YouVersion Bible app reading plans
    And anything I highlight or bookmark profusely in e-audiobook or ebook I have to then purchase in paper.
    I like all of your books that I have read, and I love many of them! I apreciate their faith content when applied to the story, the most! And, you really tell a story well! Thank you for writing Christian Fiction and sharing with with us!

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