Hello bookworms!!
I’m not really sure this could be considered a discussion post but I wanted to share with you my favorite way (format) to read books. I’m also aware that people have done similar posts like this already but I still wanted to share my opinion. You can read a physical book, an ebook or you can listen to the audiobook. Those are the 3 formats that I will be talking about today.
When I read a physical book or an ebook I have to have complete silence or I will put my headphones in and listen to ocean sounds to block out all of the distractions because I am easily distracted. For audiobooks I usually color while listening to the audiobook. I have an app on my tablet called Happy Color which I am addicted to. This is fun but sometimes I get so focused on what I am coloring that I just kind of zone out and don’t really catch what is being read to me.
So this leads me to my favorite way to read books. I really love listening to the audiobook while following along in the physical book. I tried this for the first time last year and it has stuck. If the audiobook is available on Scribd and I have a physical copy of it you better believe that’s how I’m going to be reading my book.
I enjoy reading this way for a few reasons. One I get through the books faster than if I was just reading it because I am a slow reader. I listen to the audiobook at 2x speed and yes before anyone asks I am able to understand perfectly what is being read to me. I know some people despise the chipmunk speed which is perfectly fine and I totally understand. I say you do you and I will do me there’s no judgment here.
Second is because if I am following along in the book instead of coloring I don’t zone out and miss anything. 100% of my focus is on the book. And lastly I have found that especially when I am reading Stephen King books this way I tend to retain more of what I am reading.
Just a short little post for y’all today that I just really wanted to share for some reason. What is your favorite way (format) to read books?
Misty's Book Space 
Physical and eBooks are my favorite way to read. If I’m going somewhere that’s more than an hour ride, I’ll listen to an audiobook on the way and then finish on the way home.
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I haven’t listened to an audiobook while driving only because where I live I don’t have enough connection to be able to download the book and if I listen to it without wifi it uses my data and I don’t want to do that.
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Oh, it’s usually when I’m in the car with my parents or family.
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Normally when if I take a long trip it’s 9 times out of 10 by myself so it would be the perfect time to get through a book.
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I agree with Ashley about physical and ebooks being my favorite – I can read in the middle of crowds (airports, ballgames, parties) and it doesn’t bother me a bit. I’ve been listening to more audio books over the past couple of years. I also have Alexa read to me from my Kindle when I’m putting on makeup/drying hair – I keep her on the vanity in the bathroom.
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I can’t read with any sort of distraction because I won’t be able to focus on the book. I just got really into audiobooks over the past couple of years as well.
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Although I’ve enjoyed several audio novels, I normally read with actual book in hands, eyes on page, and ears weeding out any random noises.
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That’s so funny. I was just recently thinking of trying the audiobook with a physical book. I don’t struggle as much with you with the focusing, though. I want to do it with books that have words or names that are foreign to me so I can hear them and see how they’re spelled at the same time.
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Yeah that’s a good thing about reading the book and listening to audiobook. I learn how things are supposed to be pronounced lol.
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I love reading physical books but I also appreciate e-books, especially when traveling.
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Yeah traveling with ebooks is easier than lugging around several books. That becomes heavy very fast.
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Exactly. 😊
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I’ve never tried to listen to the book and read the physical book at the same time, I might have to give it a go at some point to see how it is.
I used to be able to tune out audio and all distractions and read pretty much anywhere–now I need to put in my headphones and listen to instrumental music because my attention wanders these days. I don’t know if it’s the changing times due to technology or that I’m getting older LOL.
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I don’t think I’ve ever been able to read something without it being silent or listening to ocean sounds. I’m way to easily distracted lol.
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Great post, Misty! I’ve only listened to audio and read along with one book before, but it was a fantastic experience! I love how immersed in the story I can be, and find that I”m able to retain all the information as well. I also listen to audiobooks at chipmunk speeds, but I love it. Haha!
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Thank you so much. I normally don’t do discussion posts because I’m not good with words but I had the urge to do this for some reason so I did. Same I don’t know what it is but I get sucked in more that way and I retain so much more of the information. I feel like this is especially true with Stephen King books for me. I love it too. My husband heard how I was listening to one of my books and he’s like how do you even know what it’s saying. I was like I just do. I know it doesn’t work for some people but I’m glad it does for me because I can get through the books faster that way.
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