The thing I love most about reading is that it is such a subjective experience. There's no right and wrong, just preference and personal experience. That also includes your preference for consuming literature, too. I know I've dabbled, and often switch between how I'm reading.
I had considered making a pros and cons list of the different types of reading, but quickly thought that there weren't any real cons, just aspects of each that work better for each individual. So here's a list of reasons that audiobooks, ebooks, and physical books have their own positives.
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are fantastic in their ability to be transformative--and I mean that in more than one regard. These are a fantastic way to really get swept into a world and feel like you're 100% there as someone is narrating the story in an unignorable way. Moreover, the beauty of audiobooks is that they’re versatile. Whatever the location, you have an option to read, which can elevate tasks like driving or cleaning.
If you have the time to sink your teeth into a story, audiobooks are a great way for that if you have some other stuff to do or you can absorb information audibly. This also is a good option if you are reading something by a celebrity, since they tend to narrate their own works!
E-books
Like audiobooks, e-books are great because of their versatillity. It’s the world as your oyster because it’s extremely easy to find and collect books, as their all installed on the same device. That’s also great for wanting to read from anywhere without worrying about the state of a physical book. Plus, this is a great option for library loans as many libraries offer e-book loans on apps like Libby, which can be read in app or even on Kindle.
E-books are lovely for being a trusty companion whenever and wherever you feel like delving into a good book.
Physical Books
There’s something that’ll always be special about physical books. To an extent, it’s a tangible manifestation of delving into new worlds. Physical books can also be easier to engage with since processes like tracking progress or annotating can be traced and seen in real-time. Plus, if you’re looking to display something, these can definitely add beauty and nostalgia to a space! And, it functions as a tool to share thoughts and opinions about a piece of work.
Physical books are great for a tangible experience to ground an experience, light up a space, and works great as a gift.
The Beauty of Reading
As I said at the beginning of the article, there’s no right or wrong way to approach reading. It isn’t a race or a goal, it’s an experience, which I’ve certainly been culpable of forgetting. Because it’s so subjective, reading is incredibly unique. There’s beauty in the different forms, preferences, and time working together to make something new for every person.