Book? eBook? Audiobook?

February 13, 2013

How do you like to read? This may seem like a strange question, but it is one I have been trying to answer lately with all the different book forms that are available now. When I was a child, you got a book and you would read it. The only choice was the book you picked. Today you can get what some might call an "old fashioned" book to read, you can download an eBook to whatever kind of mobile device you have, or you can get an audiobook that you can listen to. 

I have tried the audio style of reading a few times. I find that it just doesn't work for me because my mind starts to wander to all the other things going on in my life, and then I realize I have missed half a chapter. I guess my mind needs to be more focused on the words in front of me. I know a lot of people love the audiobooks because they spend a lot of time driving, and it gives them a chance listen to a book they might not have been able to find the time to read. 

As for mobile devices, I have had an iPad for a while now and absolutely love it. When I first got it, I downloaded some eBooks but never got around to reading them because I had books I was already reading. Recently, I found myself without a book, so I downloaded a few eBooks to try that style of reading again. I have really enjoyed it; I always have what I am reading with me and don't have to carry an extra book along. 

I have found that even though I have been enjoying the ease of the eBook style of reading, there are a few things I really miss about having a good "old fashioned" book with me. I am a reader who likes to wander through my book. It may have been a busy couple of days, and I haven't had the time to read. If I start reading and something happens in the story, I may want to go back a few chapters and refresh my memory on what happened before or check some little detail, especially when I am new to the book or author and may not have the characters or a certain style of writing figured out yet. The biggest thing I have missed, and I know some of you will cringe at this, but I can't make it through a book without reading the ending first. I get to a certain point, and I just can't help myself. I have to know what is going to happen. Then, I am able to go back and enjoy the book. Also, you can't just hold your book up and see how far along you are by looking at your bookmark. I know the pages are listed at the bottom of an eBook, but the visual just isn't the same.

So anyway, with all this being said, I am still trying to figure out what kind of reader I am. I think it is great that we have all these ways to read today. The most important thing is that we read, no matter what format we choose. I know in today’s busy world, it is our lifestyle that chooses what style works best for us. I am so glad that our Library system supports all the styles.

Whatever style works the best for you, or if you like using all the different styles, I wish you "Happy Reading".

Leslie A.
Smithville Branch