Do I listen to an audiobook on my iPod, read a book on my new Nook, or read the dead tree book from the library?
Yes, I have three books going at one time.*
Uh…three books that are currently active…I could probably find another book or 3 that I have started and temporarily set down…
I’m not sure which is my favorite reading method. Audio books are awfully nice when I’m attempting to knit or quilt or do housework,** but sometimes a book is too slow on audio. I tend to skim when I actually read the printed word. The book I’m listening to now was really slow to start, and I’m not crazy about one of the narrators (it alternates between 2 people), and if I’d been reading it, I’d be done with it much sooner.
There are some books and authors, though, that are best savored word by word. I started reading Terry Pratchett’s first books, and liked them, but I kept getting confused and would have to backtrack, because I had missed something. I have subsequently listened to many more of his books, and I adore them — not only do I follow the story better, but the wordplay, the puns, the clever wit: I would be missing it all if it weren’t being read to me in a lovely British accent.
As far as e-book vs. printed books: I know some people make a big deal of enjoying the physical act of reading a printed book, but I have come to love my Nook*** (and this is actually my second, I just got the newer, smaller one today…), and would prefer to read books on it. But…I’m not made of money, and I still like to support my local library, so, lots of library books still come home with me.
Having said that…my library does have a membership in an online program that was originally for downloadable audio, but now includes quite a few ebooks, so I’m getting the best of both worlds, there.
Part of the reason why I have so many books going at once is because I’m in a race with myself to meet my self-imposed challenge of reading 100 books in 2011. Originally, my “rules” were only new-to-me books, but I slipped earlier this fall and reread a couple of books (the Hunger Games trilogy, if you must know…). My count is 94,95**** and while it’s just the beginning of December, and there’s that whole Christmas break coming at the end of the month…I have this irrational need to finish this challenge up now…
So really, my problem’s not so much that I have so many choices, it’s that I’m probably going to pick one, and stay up until the wee hours because I’ll get caught up in the story. Which ties in to that whole needing-more-hours-in-the-day problem I mentioned in my last post…
*From top to bottom: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt, The Next Always by Nora Roberts.
**Can you believe I typed that with a straight face. Yes, I occasionally do housework.
***Why do I love it? It’s light, stores a gazillion books, and is a bookstore in a teeny tiny package. I can make the print huge and read it while I’m walking on the treadmill. Because I’m sticking with a model that uses e-ink (instead of one of the new, bright color tablets), it really does read like a printed page, and traveling with a Nook beats traveling with printed books, hands down, in my opinion. Plus, I love living in the future. I love technology, and this thing is just really, really cool.
****Yes, I ended up staying up too late and finishing the Nora Roberts…
I’m with you!! I held out on buying the e-reader until September. I thought I would miss turning pages… NOT! I love that i can just tap on the screen to turn the page. I said I would not get one because I often justify my book purchases by passing them on to friends… can’t do that with a Nook. BUT, so far I have only bought one book. There are lots of free things out there (they may not be the current best-sellers but many are good reads.), plus I am on the local library e-book list… LOVE that! Checking out and returning things without actually having to travel 20 miles to the library is nice! I usually have 2 different things being read at the same time. I really try to resist the urge to open up the 3rd one, because I start getting things all muddled up in the plots.
The Nook is so portable and lightweight! And with the clip-on light I can read anywhere. LOVE IT! Is there a 12-step plan for this? I am SOOO hooked! I need to be working on those Christmas quilts, finishing the pair of socks for NOVEMBER, Christmas baking, housework, and a million other things.
KAT
me too — I always have one audio book in the car and at least two “real” books going at home! Our library has e-books and audio books downloadable but I haven’t found a lot I want there. I have done a little reading on my iPad but have to admit I still like paper better….
Thanks for getting me hooked on Goodreads, by the way!
I am so with you.
i listen to audiobooks when I’m puttering around my sewing room or hand quilting. Some books, like The Help, are so much better in an audio format.
i do like hardcover dead tree books because they are easy to hold open and read while I knit or hand piece.
I bought a color nook last spring and I love, love, love it. Not only can I change the font size, but it is backlit and i can dial the illumination way down when I read in bed. My hubby isn’t bothered by a light and he won’t tell me I need to put my book away and get some sleep. AND it holds lots of books. I can slip it in my purse. I love knowing I will never be without a back up (or ten) book. Makes packing for vacation so much easier.
And like you, sometimes I find it hard to choose which book i want to read…
Love your story. I used to read many books, but life has changed for me. I just told my husband this past weekend I wanted to buy an Ipod or Mp3 player so I could listen to books at work. My job is such that I mostly work on my own projects and can choose to listen to other converations or not. Can you give me any advice as to what I need. I really don’t want to spend money that I don’t need to spend just to listen to books.