Audio, Physical or E-Book?

One thing that we, as book lovers, are lucky in is the amount of choice that we have. We have an unlimited choice of genre, authors and even editions of books to suit our preference. Another thing we have, is the choice in what format we can read our beloved books. I see so many posts all over the book world arguing over whether to get a physical copy of a book, an e-book or an audio edition. Some people stick to one particular format, many of my friends only read e-books. Others, myself included, mix it up between all three. This post is going to share with you my pro’s and con’s of each format.

Audiobooks

Audiobooks are something that I have struggled with on and off for so long. I will go through phases of listening to audiobooks and then I will cancel my audible subscription, sometimes for years before finally deciding to give them another go. Currently I’m at the point where I’m giving them another go.

Pro’s

• You can listen to books when you’re on the go and too busy to sit down and read. When I was at university I used to listen to audiobooks on my commute which was perfect. For me now, when I’m walking the dog is a great time to listen to an audiobook.
• You can still get through some reading when you’re super tired. I don’t know about you, but after a full day at work I love coming home and relaxing by reading. After work, however, I’m often too tired to focus on reading, so audio’s are perfect for times like that.

Con’s

• The narrator can really make or break a book. If I don’t like the narrator then I end up really disliking the book and not wanting to go back to it in another format in the future. There are a few really popular books that I DNF’d on audio and have never gone back to.
• Audiobooks can take a long time to listen to. If you’re anything like me you will listen to a couple of chapters and then not listen to it for weeks. It often takes me a month or longer to listen to a full audiobook.

Physical Books

Physical books are the ‘old school’ format for me. Whenever I think of a book I think of a gorgeous hardback or paperback sat on a beautifully decorated bookcase. They’re probably my go-to format.

Pro’s

• The feel and smell of a ‘proper’ book. There is nothing better for me than the feel of a real book in my hands and being able the physically turn the page. Plus, I absolutely adore the smell of a new book.
• You get to see the beautiful editions. I am completely taken in by a gorgeous cover, sprayed edges and the like.

Con’s

• Physical books can be bulky. If you’re the type of reader who reads on a commute to work, physical books can be heavy and take up so much space; especially a hardback.
• Dropping the book can be painful. If you enjoy reading while laid down, I’m sure you already know all to well the danger of dropping a book on your face. A heavy hardback can be dangerous.

E-Books

E-books have definitely been on the rise in the past few years. When I first started blogging they weren’t all that popular but now a lot of people choose to read e-books over physical copies permanently.

Pro’s

• You have millions of books right at your fingertips. Are you out of the house when you finished your current read? It doesn’t matter with an e-book as you can download more immediately. Instant gratification.
• Light and easy to carry. If you’re out and about e-readers are super easy to carry around. They take up to next to no space in your bag and it’s much lighter than a physical book.

Con’s

• Backlights can hurt. This may just be one for me, as someone who suffers from migraines, but the backlights on e-readers can set my migraines’ off and really hurt my eyes.
• It’s dependent on a battery. There is nothing worse than getting to a really exciting and crucial part of a book and your kindle/e-reader dying. At least with a physical book it’s not going to conk out on you.

Which do you prefer?

I will always be on Team Physical Book! I have changed my format preferences a lot over the past few years. Originally I would only ever read physical books, then I went from physical to mainly reading e-books and now I’ve come full circle back to physical books. I don’t know what it is but I find I just don’t enjoy reading as much, or have the motivation to pick a book up, when it’s an e-book.

For me, 99% of what I read is a physical book, I only really use my kindle for ARCs that I get in e-format and I dip in and out of audiobooks. At the moment I’m enjoying audiobooks when I’m too tired to focus on actually reading the words on the page.

Ultimately… it doesn’t matter which format you prefer. Reading is reading and we are lucky to have so many different formats to choose from. Which do you prefer?

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