Books, Kindles, and audiobooks—limiting yourself to just one format doesn’t make much sense anymore.
We all have our preferences for how we consume books: physical books, e-books, or audiobooks. They each have their pros and cons, but I think most book lovers would agree that we’re grateful for the various roles they play in the reading community. They draw readers in and let us explore stories in whatever way suits us best. If one format isn’t accessible, another usually is. And that only means more chances for people to discover, discuss, and share what they’re reading.
So, what is my preferred reading format? Well, it depends on the environment and mood I’m in.
Physical books
I wasn’t always this flexible. As my reading journey has expanded, my pickiness has greatly decreased. I came to realize that solely relying on one reading format is not ideal, so I decided to branch out.
I began with physical book copies, as most of us do, and it undoubtedly shaped my reading preferences. I love holding my book, flipping my flexible paperback, smelling that fresh vanilla-like scent, and gazing at the cover,. These simple elements left me savoring the experience of reading physical books.
And who doesn’t want a physical book for support, whether it’s clutching it out of excitement, absentmindedly running a hand along the spine, or double-checking your bag to make sure you didn’t leave it behind, all while waiting for the next chance to open it.
It’s not that I want to show off to the public that I am reading, though I likely seem more productive when I’m holding a book than when I’m simply scrolling through my phone. For me, it’s more about the act of reading. When I am wandering outside and I see someone reading, it feels like I’m encountering a lost art form. It also produces a strong sense of curiosity. Why that choice of book? Are they enjoying it? How did they discover it? Is it all an act? There is beauty in knowing that a person is immersed in their own world.
There is just something special about seeing someone with a physical copy in their hands, since we know that today’s world is engulfed in digital media.
That appreciation hasn’t faded. But neither has my reality: I’m a reader who’s always on the go, running low on shelf space, and sometimes too tired to lug around a hardcover.
Kindle
It’s slightly embarrassing to admit how resistant I was to the Kindle at first. I was that person who romanticized the smell of pages, the satisfying weight of a hardcover, and the ritual of bookmarking key passages. The concept of reading on a screen felt cold, almost like cheating. But oh, how wrong I was!
These days, I take my Kindle everywhere, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine going back. It’s a deceptively simple device: compact and lightweight, yet somehow holding an entire library in its slim frame. For someone whose TBR pile has officially evolved into a TBR bookcase (one that’s spilling onto the floor, if we’re being honest), the space it saves alone is life-changing. Traveling used to mean agonizing over which three books to pack. Now I can bring thirty without breaking my back!
But the real magic lies in the customization element. Maybe it sounds small, but being able to tweak the font size and line spacing has genuinely improved my reading experience. Some days, my eyes are fatigued, and I need larger text. Other days, I want tighter spacing to feel like I’m making real progress.
One of my favorite perks? Adjusting the lighting. Whether I’m curled up in bed or sitting outside on a sunny afternoon, the Kindle adapts perfectly. I can dim it down to a warm, soft glow for late-night reading sessions or brighten it up when the sun is glaring down. No more straining my eyes or losing my spot because the light shifted. It’s like having a reading lamp that follows me everywhere.
That little light has saved my eyes more times than I can count. But even with all the font tweaks and the perfect glow, there are still moments when sitting down to read just isn’t happening, like when I’m driving, cooking, or buried under a mountain of laundry. That’s when audiobooks swoop in to save the day.
Audiobooks
My solution? Audiobooks! Audiobooks made my reading experience much smoother, and here’s why:
With headphones on and the volume turned up, the noise disappears—both the chaos around me and the clutter in my head. No more rereading the same sentence over and over. The narrator guides me through, changing their voice with each scene and making the story come alive
Audiobooks are also uniquely immerisve. You can truly get the best of both worlds, especially if the audiobook has a great cast of narrators.
And you can adjust the speed to your liking. I am usually a 1.5x speed girly, but sometimes when I really need to lock in, I lower the speed rate. I’ve found that certain book moments require different speeds.
I remember the early reading days when YouTube was my source for audiobooks. You can’t blame a girl trying to save a few pennies here and there, but it didn’t last long, since the narrators usually didn’t match the protagonist in voice or age description.
I wouldn’t have access to audiobooks if it weren’t for the app Libby, which allows you to borrow digital books and audiobooks by signing up with your local library card. Discovering Libby solved all of my reading problems. You can even add multiple library cards so you can grab your book of choice from whichever library has it first!
Audiobooks are made for college students who are constantly walking from class to class. Instead of listening to music on my way, I’ve started hitting play on my audiobook. It’s a handy alternative for students looking to meet their reading goals.
I also turn to audiobooks at mealtimes. When I’m eating alone, I don’t always feel like multitasking by turning pages or tapping on a screen. Audiobooks allow me to listen while I eat, which makes a big difference.
The same logic applies when I’m feeling lazy or tired. After a long day, I may not have the energy to hold my book out or prop my Kindle up. Sometimes I just want to lie down and rest my eyes.
Now I plop on my bed, connect my headphones, and play my audiobook to wind down. I don’t have to worry about holding anything, and it prevents eye strain. Admittedly, it can almost feel like someone is reading you a bedtime story. I tend to do this when I’m physically tired rather than sleepy; but I can see how the habit might backfire on someone. It just depends on the person.
The holy trinity
Each format offers something unique. Physical books evoke nostalgia. My Kindle delivers convenience and customization. And audiobooks? They are transformative, keeping stories alive while my hands are busy. Different tools for different moments. What matters isn’t how I read—only that I keep turning pages.
