Play Book Tag discussion

Do you have any preference for the form of book you read? Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audio?

Why?

Yes. Sometimes I read Hardcover and audiobooks but I always use format is Paperback and ebook. But I prefer to read Paperback and Ebooks because I like to use them always:D

I have a real fondness for hardcovers with trade paper a close second. The hardcovers generally are 'keeper books'. I also read a lot of ebooks and like them just fine, especially when travelling. I only travel with ebooks. A lot of the books I read in ebook are those that I used to get as mass market paperbacks.

Aging eyes don't handle poor lighting and small type so well. The beginnings of arthritis in my hands sometimes makes holding hardcovers and even paperbacks hard and even painful. Ebooks solve all those problems for me and as I can download the Nook and Kindle apps on any device, I am never without a book to read.

I dislike audiobooks as a general rule, only listening to them on long drives and trips - and then it is old faves like Jim Dale reading HP. I also don't do well listening to any book I have not read first. You will rarely find me reviewing an audiobook.

My preferred format is audiobook along with some version that I can read - ebook, paperback, hardcover, doesn't matter. I'm a slow reader and can finish a book much faster if I can alternate between reading it and listening to it.

Amazon tracks for you if you have the book on both kindle and audible, which makes hopping between the two very easy. But I've been doing this ever since books on cassette came out, so I'm pretty good at alternating between the two regardless of the type of audiobook and book.

I need a real book in my hand. I tried E-books, don't care for that-I use to do do audio in the car when I commuted and when Natalie was young-

Between paperback and hardcover, no real preference, yet. Like Theresa, the hands are getting stiff and chunkster hardcovers are getting harder to hold. Someday I will have to return to Audio, but I am not looking forward to it.

I prefer paper, either hardback or paperback, as long as the print isn’t too tiny. But ebooks are great for trips. I love audiobooks and they are wonderful for times I can’t read with my eyes, like driving, doing housework, exercising, etc. There are some series where the audiobook is so good that I won’t read them in print, the narrator is part of the book.

Robin P wrote: "I prefer paper, either hardback or paperback, as long as the print isn’t too tiny. But ebooks are great for trips. I love audiobooks and they are wonderful for times I can’t read with my eyes, like..."

I think I should just copy/paste Robin's comment. I like the highlight function of ebooks. I love my audiobooks, but I often have a print copy as well. I can finish a book much faster with my eyes. I love well illustrated books and I need hard copies of those. I may even have more than one hard copy of a book that has different illustrators for different additions. I'll also go for a hard copy if photographs, maps or charts are important to the content.

I have an older kindle, but most often I use the kindle app on my laptop or ipad. I will read on my phone if there is nothing else available.

Can't explain it but I prefer paper to anything else. I can read ebooks but they always seem longer to me than they are, something about not always being able to physically see the pages left. I like audio but I find myself losing focus and my mind wandering whenever I listen vs. actually reading. I also like giving a good book to a friend (like a gift) and sharing thoughts after they've read it. Hard to do with either an ebook or audio, unless they make the investment and buy it.

@JGrace - illustrated books - yes! I am a sucker for different illustrated editions of books. I also am seduced by special Anniversary Editions which often add essays and illustrations or photographs. I might even get a new edition just because the cover is gorgeous.

Which is another reason I will always read and own some hardcovers - the cover art, type font and paper quality are sometimes part of the reading experience - recently that was Mexican Gothic - an exquisite hardcover.

My first choice is ebook. It's lighter to carry with me and I do a lot of my reading on public transit. It's also convenient for checking in and out of the library without leaving the house!

Next choice is audio, but I've been more distracted the past year or so, and I'm not enjoying them as much. Some still stand out, but not as many as used to, I don't think. Of course, the nice thing about audio is that I can other things while I listen. And, like ebooks, easy to check in and out of the library from home.

ETA: I do prefer print for graphic novels and picture books. For ebooks, my preference (again, it's lighter, and I worry less if I drop it) is to use my Kobo over my tablet. But, it's an old Kobo so no colour (and I'm currently having issues with it not recognizing the lack of DRM on library books) so that's why I prefer print for these types of books (plus size).

I love my Kindle. I still read a good number of paperbacks and hardbacks from the library but they require light and holding. The ebook is so much easier for reading before I sleep or while I have lunch and need both my hands for that task. Especially as I do have a fondness for big books. It also travels well and I can immediately get borrow a book even though I'm not home. Also ebooks are so much better for long flights when the lights are off. Currently I'm in Uganda for 6 weeks which would be impossible without ebooks.

It took me a while to warm up to audiobooks but now I always have one of those going as well. Initially I only used in the car while commuting and non fiction so I could still focus on the traffic but now I will listen to most any book and use for walks, cooking and cleaning.

I love that there are so many options for reading these days!

I’ll take a book I want to read in any format. When I’m working, I have an audiobook or music in the background. I can’t do quiet when I’m working.

I have found that I get more out of nonfiction if I listen- I think it’s a remnant of taking notes during lectures for so many years. I also enjoy a full cast reading of a book or a play.

I prefer ebooks for long fiction, I’m too clumsy, and the books are too clunky. And I like my toes intact.

I also tend to like the immediate acquisition with ebooks, the fewer trees cut down, and being able to make notes and not feel guilty about defacing a book.

But I will always love the smell and the beauty of books. I love holding a book in my hands and turning the pages. There is no other way to read with a child- I’ve started a collection for (hopefully) future grandchildren.

An interesting article on how printed books are made in today's newspaper:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...

I am almost 100% an ereader. I remember ordering my first Kindle in 2007 and it cost a fortune at $399.00.

Over the years I've had every iteration......Original, Paperwhite, Oasis and Voyage. When I get a new one I give my older one to a friend or neighbor to spread the love. I rarely upgrade my phone but if a new Kindle comes out, I just have to have it. In 2014, I moved and donated my bookcases full of books to good homes. Occasionally I will get a book from the library but it's only because it's not available as an ebook. I have a bad habit of tapping the page and wondering why it won't automatically go to the next one.

I also love a good audiobook. There are several series I prefer as audios because the narrator makes it so much better. When I started audios it had to be a book that I had already read. Now I listen to one while cleaning my house or taking a walk.

Paperback, hardback, ebook or audio..........any book you can enjoy!

Olivermagnus wrote: "I am almost 100% an ereader. I remember ordering my first Kindle in 2007 and it cost a fortune at $399.00.

Over the years I've had every iteration......Original, Paperwhite, Oasis and Voyage. Whe..."

LOL, I totally tap the pages of a physical book too. It never works!

For many years I read mostly small paperbacks and slowly switched to larger paperbacks and hardbacks.

I wanted to try an ereader, because I noticed the books were much less expensive and when I purchased my first Kindle Fire, I had to force myself to use it. I began to appreciate having the dictionary available for every unfamiliar word and the ease at which I could look up locations and information, while reading. Soon I was reading exclusively on kindle and now have to force myself to read from my extensive DTB library.

I am not a lover of audio books, but have used them for books which work better in that format like Daisy Jones & The Sixor who use readers which I want to hear, Michelle Obama and Trevor Noah.

I use all the formats. I generally have about 8 e-books, 5 paperbacks, and 1 audio going at the same time.

I primarily use my e-reader, followed by paperbacks, and audiobooks. I own only a very few hard covers. I have very little space to keep books, so e-reading allows me to store lots of books in a very small space. I like the e-reader for travel by plane, which I don't get to do as much as before the pandemic.

Audio books are a favorite way to pass the time during long driving trips. I also use them to occupy my thoughts during exercise, chores, and artistic endeavors. I listen to lots of other media (music, old history recordings, old sport recordings, etc.) so I find I can easily concentrate without my mind wandering, unless the book is just not for me, or the reader is bad.

I still enjoy paperbacks. I visit my local used bookstores on a regular basis and can't resist picking up a few each time. I donate my physical books after reading.

Olivermagnus wrote: "I have a bad habit of tapping the page and wondering why it won't automatically go to the next one...."

I did that recently for the first time ever! LOL!

I use all the formats as well. But I agree with the earlier comment about particularly loving beautifully illustrated books (properly illustrated where the pictures are integral to the story, not just books with illustrations…). One of my favourite books that I own is the illustrated version of Dava Sobel’s Longitude - it’s an extraordinary book. And my copy of A
Sea of Glass just arrived (thanks so much to JoAnne for the recommendation). I keep thumbing it and stroking it because it is so incredibly beautiful. No idea what the text says yet!

Of all the illustrated books though I think my ultimate favourites are complex pop-up books, with bits that move. I know - I’m such a child! But I love the engineering and design that goes into those things. I can play with them for ages and would love to learn how to make them myself

KateNZ wrote: "I use all the formats as well. But I agree with the earlier comment about particularly loving beautifully illustrated books (properly illustrated where the pictures are integral to the story, not j..."

I love pop-ups too! I have Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros which is spectacular. There are hidden pop-ups and slide features too. Most of the other pop-ups I have relate to Christmas.

Oh. My. Actual. Goodness. How did I not know there was a Game of Thrones pop up book?!

Theresa wrote: "KateNZ wrote: "I use all the formats as well. But I agree with the earlier comment about particularly loving beautifully illustrated books (properly illustrated where the pictures are integral to t..."

I hope you have this "popped-up" as we do our read!

@ Kate- was not me who recommended Sea of Glass, though it does look beautiful!

KateNZ wrote: "Oh. My. Actual. Goodness. How did I not know there was a Game of Thrones pop up book?!"

I only found out from a friend in 2019 when she showed me hers! I do hope you have ordered yours.

@JoAnne - no for 2 reasons. It takes up an entire table top which I don't have to spare. I also can't find it...or my copy of [book:The Lands of Ice and Fire: Maps from King's Landing to Across the Narrow Sea|15721980. They are not where they are supposed to be. I will keep looking as the pop-up needs to be opened at least once per book and I could use the maps.

I have a beautiful pop-up copy of Puff the Magic Dragon with a cd. One of the children's books I plan on keeping.

I will read in any format (and listen), but I consistently make a resolution to read my kindle more and never do. I just love to hold a book. I go in spurts with hardcover and paperback. Sometimes I love a lil mass market paperback, the kind that fits in your back pocket.