Books have been around for thousands of years, but with advances in technology in the last few decades, there are now multiple ways to ‘read’ a book. The three most popular forms of reading are physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks. Because each form of consumption has its own pros and cons, there is no one-size-fits all model. Instead, each form is suited for people depending on their lifestyle and preferences.
Learn more about each form to get a better sense of which form of reading best suits your style.
What's your preferred method of reading?
Physical Books
Pros:
- Good for people who want to get away from technology, be physically engaged, and mark up the pages
- Only form of a book that an author can sign
- Doesn’t require battery or any electronic device
- Can be stored in personal library or used as a conversational piece at home
- Reader can write in the book and mark it anyway they wish
- Traditional and chic form of reading
- Paperbacks usually run cheaper than eBooks or audiobooks
Cons:
- Physical books can be heavy and large
- Books can be easily damaged (ex. rain)
- Difficult to read while performing physical exercise (ex. jogging)
- Takes longer to order (if physically shipped)
eBooks
Pros:
- Good for people that travel often and prefer to travel light
- Can be stored on smartphone or tablet device
- Convenient, weightless, doesn’t require physical space
- Good for people with limited space in their homes
- Eco-friendly
- Ability to highlight text easily and search for important notes in seconds
Cons:
- Usually costs more than paperbacks
- Difficult to borrow an eBook to a friend
- Requires electronic device
- Can’t be signed by an author
- Difficult read while performing physical exercise (ex. jogging)
Audiobooks
Pros:
- Good for people that like to multitask or are constantly moving during their commute
- More passive activity
- Can be ‘read’ while exercising or driving
- Good way to be productive while commuting to and from work
Cons:
- Usually more expensive than physical books
- Usually becomes available after physical and eBook release
- Require electronic device (and sometimes headphones)
- Difficult to highlight and write down important information
- No visual words so readers cannot take a picture of any text to save or share information
What style of reading best suits you? Let me know in the comments below!
Personally, I read physical books while at home, and eBooks/audiobooks while on my daily commute. If you're looking for some good books to read, check out my 10 favorite books of 2017 list here.
Thank you for reading. If you're interested in getting a free audio or kindle book, check out the links below!
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