Readers & Writers discussion

I only read Hardback or Paperback books. I have never read an ebook or listened to an audio book.

Mostly paperback, just because they're cheaper. But if I really like the author, I will buy their hardbacks. I never used to listen to books, but about a year ago, I started to do so on Audible while driving. One thing I really don't like is to read books or short stories on my computer Kindle. I'm on a computer all day for work, so the last thing I want to do is read a book on a bright screen.

Due to issues with my eyes I tread hardcovers and paperbacks. I can't stand to ready off electronic devices anymore. Just hurts my eyes.

Almost exclusively ebooks. It saves me from buying a bookshelf every 6 months.

I prefer paperbacks, but as a writer, I don't have a lot of time to read, so audio is my go-to form of reading. I got hooked on audiobooks when I was commuting to work. Now I can't live without them. I'm able to listen to at least four every month, while cooking or doing chores. I do read the occasional ebook and paperback.

I use both Libby and Hoopla through our library system to read ebooks on my Kindle and listen to audiobooks on my phone. I am not much of a music person, so I listen to audiobooks while driving. I used to while cooking, etc. but now I usually have a podcast on for that.

I resisted ebooks until I got myself a Kindle paperwhite. It's so much easier to hold in bed, and I don't have to turn the light on while my husband is trying to sleep. It is backlit, but not with the kind of light that keeps you awake. It's also great for vacations.

I don't read physical books now unless they aren't available as ebooks from the library.

My go-to is audiobooks. I love them especially for long drives, it really makes the time go by! I also will do e-books, but rarely read an actual print book these days.

Susan wrote: "I use both Libby and Hoopla through our library system to read ebooks on my Kindle and listen to audiobooks on my phone. I am not much of a music person, so I listen to audiobooks while driving. I ..."

I love Libby & Hoopla, I haven't bought a book in several years since I discovered that I can borrow them for free! My 2 local libraries seem to have a good selection of audiobooks, so I am never without "reading" material! And using the apps is so easy! I know I sound like a commercial, but I really do love them!

I can't read on my desktop or phone. I usually request large print books from my library. I enjoy reading paperbacks and my kindle. I occasionally read a hardback book if it has illustrations or photos. I find I am reading more on my Kindle lately. I'm 73

I forgot to say I can't listen to books on audio. I hope I can one day enjoy listening to a book. Aloha

Why can’t you listen to audio books?

I cannot focus on audiobooks for anything. I want to love them, but I end up spending more time backtracking than I would if I had just read the print copy. I have to see the words to fully comprehend the story. I enjoy e-books at night when I want to read in bed, but I truly love a physical book, either hardback or paperback. There's nothing like seeing the books lined up on the shelf. Also, depending on the type of book, I sometimes annotate what I read which is easiest with a physical book.

We are traveling a lot as we have a fifth wheel and travel out around the country. Libby and kindle apps are my friend. Also BookBub for cheap ebooks when I am impatient with the library selections

I used to say I wouldn't read on anything electronic. I love a real book! And mostly hardback. But about 2 years ago my daughter gave me a kindle. It's an older one and has a really outdated android system but it downloads books and let's me do everything book related that it's supposed to do.
Anyway, what I'm saying is that I love my kindle! I don't think I could function without it. The best part is the free books on kindle unlimited. I have discovered some amazing authors and books. I tend to binge read when I read an author and not ready for the book to end. I will just download more of their books and keep reading.
So definitely e-reader/kindle for me!

One more thing... I can't do audible books. I have to visually see the words or see the person's mouth saying the words. I can't just listen to someone without one of those visuals because even though I'm hearing them talk my brain won't process what they're saying without the visual. I can't listen to podcasts for the same reason.
I know, it's a really strange thing.

I mostly read old fashioned physical books. Hardback or paper back doesn’t matter, but for some reason I end up reading mainly paper back, belonged to audible for a while. Liked autobiographies mostly especially when read in the author’s own voice

I read on my Kindle. I also listen to books on Audible. Sometimes I listen on Audible and later in the day read on kindle. Two books at once. I do sometimes read a hardcover or paperback.

I am exclusively audiobooks! I'm thankful to have access to many free audiobooks through my local library's services. I find that Libby has the best collection. I also have a subscription to Scrib'd (now Everly) and Audible.

Paperback, hardcover if there isn’t paperback available and Kindle. Tried audible several times and it just doesn’t work for me, I can’t focus on it either, strange but true.

I love audiobooks when I have a long drive, otherwise it puts me to sleep

Karen wrote: "I love audiobooks when I have a long drive, otherwise it puts me to sleep"
Oh Boy, You are not alone,I find myself falling asleep alot these days, reading and watching TV!

I tell myself it's because I'm less stressed since I retired.

I read anyway possible.

I love holding a book in my hand, whether hardback or paperback. It just feels so good to hold, and turn those pages. Oh! Let’s not forget about smelling those wonderful pages. At home or at my cousin’s place, a physical book is my choice.

When I traveled by flying back in the day, I would pack paperbacks so it wouldn’t be as heavy as packing ten hardback books. On road trips, back in the day, I listened to books on CDs.

Now, when flying, I usually take one paperback with me, and my Kindle. This way it weighs less and I still have plenty of books with me. I drive more than fly, and that has me passing time on road trips listening to my books on audible. This way, I’m getting to my destinations without feeling like I’m driving forever.

However; no matter where I go, I either have my Kindle with me and if not, the Kindle app on my phone has everything I’m reading as well, since I’m usually reading about four to five books at a time.

At bed time, not to bother my husband, the Kindle is what I’m reading and that lighting doesn’t bother him.

I’m definitely never without a reading source and I will always read or listen to someone reading anyway possible.

I mostly read on my kindle (e-book) but I still do read paperback and hardback.

I like actual books, whether hardback or paperback, although I do have a Kindle for emergency reading.

I also an e reader, the only trouble with that is I keep adding books. I still have over 700 to read.

I prefer reading books but I have a Kindle so I need up reading on that or my computer to save money and trees!

I read a Kindle or iPad because I find them easier to hold and they weigh less than some Hard. covers! I happen to have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis in my hands and sometimes a heavy book is hard for my painful joints. Personally I love books and paper backs which is what I read before my hands got so painful. I love the smell of the hardcover and paperback and the turning of pages as well! I still occasionally read a Hard cover or paperback if they're not heavy or cumbersome.

I read on my kindle app on my phone before bed. It’s easier to just lay it down when I’m ready to fall asleep. I also read hardback/paperback books during the day. The book on my kindle differs from the hardback/paperback I’m reading.

Angie, I do exactly the same thing.

Shirley, I just have to make sure the two books aren’t too similar. I get them confused otherwise. :)

I'm a new member of the group. So, hi there!

This topic always interests me. A few years ago I would have said paper only -- mostly hardback because the typeface is usually (though not always) easier for me to see. But in recent years, I've been using e-readers more and more. In fact, I don't think I read any "real" books last year, just electronic. And so far, this year seems to be going that same way. I use the Kindle app on my iPad more than the Kindle itself. For some reason, I read faster that way.

As for audio-books, I've only tried that a couple of times. And both times, I ended up buying the Kindle editions and reading instead of listening.

New member here! I mostly listen to audio books and read ebooks. I love the feel of a physical book, but I have trouble seeing the smaller print. I love ebooks because I can make the font much larger.

I mostly read ebooks now. I love print books, the look, the feel of them, and they don't strain my eyes, the way an e-reader does. But price is the deciding factor, I'm a prolific reader, and ebooks are usually so much cheaper. Also, I can't resist the instant gratification, a minute to appear on my screen, instead of days waiting for a book to arrive by post.

I also read ebooks, doesn't your tablet allow you to change the size of the print? Go to settings and see.

It's not the size of the font, it's the illumination of the screen ... just realised you'll probably tell me Gwen that I can adjust the brightness! I'll go check.

Sorted!! Thank you, Gwen. Can't believe I didn't go to settings before. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer lol!

I can on all my tablets. Good luck

Glad it worked out for you. Hey I'm old and still learning about the internet and all it's working.

I read exclusively on my Kinde. I like being able to control font size and the brightness, but it's nice that I have books loaded and ready to go when I finish one.

I prefer to read physical books. You don't have to shut them off on planes, they don't break when you drop them and won't electrocute you if you drop in the tub. But I have downloaded some to my cloud reader, so they are available on my tablet or desktop. I can't get into audio books, because I can read faster than I can hear, but it's a great option for some.

Hi Catherine, I always preferred to read physical books, but since recent 2-eye cataract removal surgeries, I needed to go all the way to readers, so that I could increase the print size to what I need. I'm not sure I would ever want to go back entirely. I have found that, for instance, in reading many books, I might find a new word and wondered therefore how it was being used...On Kindle, definitions are readily available and I'm finding my vocabulary is being helped, except with a senior memory, the knowledge may not last. LOL But I've been better able to totally enjoy the words selected by writers... My Mom used audiobooks in her later years... Right now, I agree with you about listening... But, mainly for me, I found that it was very hard for me to listen to a book and do a review, if I didn't do it immediately. I do a lot of highlighting not only for emphasis, but to allow me to pick up the plot to the book if I couldn't get the review written right away...

All of the above. As a first choice, I have a library full of hardback and paperback books that came mostly from sales to raise funds for the local food pantry. I usually have a wish list of newer books, so family and friends sometimes treat me to a new book (paperback or hardcover) as a gift. For second choice--I have Kindle and Libby on my phone that allow me to read ebooks. Audio is usually my last choice--I just can't do other things and concentrate on the story.

I agree about audio books, but I love my e reader. Maybe too much I still have over 700 books to read. I read at least 3/4 books a week.

Almost exclusively on kindle. I have problems with small font sizes in hardback books, so I prefer e-readers. I occasionally have to read on my iPad if the book I’ve borrowed on Libby isn’t on kindle, but the kindle is pretty superior to this. That e-ink is no joke.

I keep trying but haven’t managed to get involved in audiobooks. I think it’s because I don’t find earbuds very comfortable and I’m always scared they’ll fall out. I think that’s a fairly silly fear but the Apple earbuds are pricey. I’d hate to lose one.

I read on both paper (hardcover or paperback) and Kindle but just can't get into audiobooks. I've tried several times and even though I do listen to radio quite a bit, including plays, and love being read to, I just can't connect with audiobooks.

Me too on the audio books!! I have tried several different times, and willing to try again, but the habit is just not forming the way regular reading works for me! Hmmmm

I read mostly paperback books because they're easier to hold in bed when I'm reading before I go to sleep. They're also cheaper than hardcover. I never read ebooks or audio books because I like holding the paper version when I'm reading. I suppose I'm old fashioned that way.

I mostly read on my Kindle paperwhite. It uses e-ink technology so there's no bright screen or glare and it won't hurt my eyes.

Nowadays mainly ebooks. I have not enough space for collecting books anymore. I have an ebook reader with e-ink technology, so no glare, can read in sunlight, light changes from blue to read over the day. Way lighter than an actual book.

Rarely audio books.