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| Some of my upcoming reads are pictured above! |
In keeping with my "devour" mindset to reading, I have embraced ALL the formats. Physical, ebooks and audiobooks. During the week, when I have work and a commute, I like to read a book in one of the mobile formats - ebooks and audiobooks. I can listen to audiobooks while I'm working (I'm so glad I don't have to work with people too much!) and I can read my ebook during lunch or when I have a few minutes here or there. Whispersync between my Kindle and my iPhone is my dearest friend - I love that I can pick up reading on different devices so quickly!
Physical books I like to save for the weekends when I can really enjoy holding the book and turning the pages (because during work lunch it's sometimes difficult to hold a book one-handed and read while eating). Also I feel better keeping my books at home since I want to keep them in as good condition as possible! It's terrible to think I can spill things on it or accidentally fold pages while it's in my bag!
The other habit I've gotten into is to not read too many books at once - at least I always try to read only one book in one format at a time. It's easier for me since I'm not a mood reader, and I feel like I am much more productive blog-wise if I finish a book in a week, instead of finishing three books at the same time in three weeks. Then I can space out my reviews better.
Lastly I read any time I can. The different book formats help me pick up a book whenever I want. I get a lot more reading time on the weekends usually, but if I can read most of a book during the week, I feel like I made a lot of progress.
What are your book reading habits? When are your most productive reading times?
I would also really appreciate it if you would fill out this brief survey below on reading habits. It will be interesting to see the results!
And click here to view the live results!
I've been saving e-books for nighttime and anytime during the day when it's more convenient/appropriate to use the e-reader rather than a physical book. I read any time I can, too! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we think the same way on that! E-readers can be so handy, even though I still love holding a physical book! :)
ReplyDeleteI am just a book addict. I read books in print and ebook, but I have a hard time reading print at night because of lighting. So it really depends. I have a frontlit e-ink ereader and a tablet, plus a regular old kindle keyboard, so I kind of flip-flop between them all plus print books. But, see, I am a mood reader sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLisa @Just Another Rabid Reader
I'm a mood reader, It's not unusual to have several books going until I find the one that just grabs and refuses to be put down
ReplyDeleteI also read across as many different formats as possible. I like to have something going on my kindle (definitely easier for lunch break reading) and a physical book at the same time. Although I find I'm more productive when I'm only reading one book at a time. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love to read paperbacks but I also read ebooks on my iPhone and Mac.
ReplyDeleteI've limited to myself at no more than 3 books at a time, or else things get confusing!
ReplyDeleteI feel I read largely on my ereaders because they are the most convenient. I always have a book with me as long as I have my phone...which is always. :) I used to read several books at a time, but now I try to limit myself to no more than two because I want to do a better job at focusing on each book. Doing this, I think, has bettered my reviews and critical thinking!
ReplyDeleteI usually read two books at a time: one ebook and one physical book so that I can bring an ebook when I go out and read the physical book when I'm at home! But if there are some books that need to be reviewed ASAP, I'll only read that one book so that I can finish faster. I really try to read as much as I can, too. And like you, I don't really mind! :) I don't read audiobooks though. I get distracted too easily!
ReplyDeleteBefore the birth of my time consuming nutter, I read about 150 books a year. I read them quickly, and like you at times I was impatient to finish one so I could start another. Now that I have very little time to read, I am actually enjoying the savoring side of reading. It's interesting to be engaged with one book for days or even weeks. A new experience.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to take the survey, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to audio books unless I'm taking a road trip. I have fun with them then and I love reading out loud (often to my husband).
We've never reviewed audio books at GeekyLibrary, although I'm not sure a formal policy was ever put into place. I guess I just feel like audio books are more of a performance of a book, and as a performance art differs from reading.
The way it is read affects the way you perceive the book. I'm not one of those people who will just say, "oh, it's cheating," but it deserves a mention. Perhaps they should be reviewed differently?
-Kallen (GeekyLibrary Content Manager)
Ooh, tell us more about Whispersync. I haven't heard about it.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much don't read physical books anymore. If I came across one and I really wanted to read it, I would, I just tend to get everything on my Fire or in audiobook which I've started listening to with more frequency. I don't know that I have any actual habits. I read when I want and because I want. I don't force myself to read, or to read any certain thing. I just really go with the flow and enjoy my reading experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a leisurely reader anymore either! It's not that there's real pressure to finish a book, but just knowing how many are waiting--and yes yes about wanting it in your head faster! The best books to me are the ones I read in one sitting, because I can't pull myself out of the world.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the worst when you pull your book out of your bag and something's messed it up? it happens relatively frequently for me, since I'll bring along whatever I'm reading and don't reserve things for the weekend--though that makes so much sense! I have to make myself read 3 review books for every non-review book, so it's more about what I'm reading at the moment than its format. I'm jealous of your job that lets you listen to audiobooks! :)
Fun :D I like taking surveys. My reading habits changed after I started blogging too. I think I might be dealing with a bit of a backlash from that :/
ReplyDeleteI do love my paperwhite kindle for the front-lit reader - it makes it so nice to read with all the lights off (somehow that pushes me to just read a bit than go to sleep. Because otherwise I'd stay up all night :D)
ReplyDeleteBook juggling is difficult for me - I don't know why! But since the end result is to voraciously read - more power to it! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you feel the same way! I do find a lot of satisfaction in marking a book as read in Goodreads, so it's nice to finish as soon as possible! :)
ReplyDeleteOh you read ebooks on your Mac! I don't really, but there are some publishers that allow you to read chapters only on their website, so it 's much better to use a computer. I should do that sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSame for me! At least I think it would get confusing, but maybe if the books are distinctive enough I could juggle more! :)
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you - I need to have a book with me at all times, and ereaders are the most convenient. Otherwise I'd have to carry a big purse and I don't want to do that! Interesting that you think focusing on one or two books helps your reviews! I have to think if that has helped me! Certainly it has helped me to get to writing my reviews in a timely way because having one review to write is less daunting than having to write three.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, we do the same! One day when the publishers let people buy a physical book that comes with an ebook copy, my life will be perfect. :) I do like to listen to certain kinds of audiobooks - if the book is dense or has a lot of names/places in the worldbuilding, I usually prefer to read it, because I can remember everything better. Really easy reads are great for me to listen to as audiobooks!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, 150 is a great accomplishment! I will probably get to a level of busyness in my life where I will have to take it slower, so I look forward to the new experience! :)
ReplyDeleteAudiobooks are perfect for road trips! Whenever I'm going to take one, part of my planning is picking out something really interesting to read. I can see how audiobooks can change how you feel about a book - especially because the reader can really bring out the characters in ways you wouldn't have thought, but I include them in my reviews - with comments on the quality of the narration if I feel it noteworthy. But then I also like to review everything I read - mostly because my reviews help me remember my feelings about a book!
ReplyDeleteWhispersync is part of Amazon I think - if your devices are hooked up to the internet, you can read some of a book on your kindle for instance, and then if you go to the book on your phone's kindle app, it will know where you left off on your kindle. It's the best. I'm sure other ereaders have that capability though!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see in the survey that some people don't read physical books anymore. At least I thought there would also be people who don't read ebooks! I can understand though, the price is pretty off-putting when you are a big reader, and ebooks are so convenient!
ReplyDeleteIt's so great that you read 3 books a week! I only get to about 2 usually! Although I don't always listen to audiobooks - podcasts also take up my listening time. It is really soul-hurting to see one of my books messed up, maybe in future if I bring books, I'll bring them in their own little bag. :)
ReplyDeleteWell I hope it's not too bad! Just make sure blogging and reading are still fun for you!
ReplyDeleteI try to read whenever I can as well. I think the only reason I ever clean is because of a good audiobook. :)
ReplyDeleteI have the kindle app on my Mac, iPhone and iPod.
ReplyDeleteWow this is a great post! I'm actually now a little more persuaded to get some audiobooks so I can listen to them on my way to school or work! But it just doesn't feel like a real book :( It took me so long to get used to ebooks! I only use my kindle for ARCs and books that I can't get in paperback but otherwise I buy all of my books.
ReplyDeleteI have the first Nook with glowlight. I love the thing, it is so easy to read in the dark! And no glaring lcd headache.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with finding balance in my reading habits. I have to read for quantity, but I try to remind myself that there are times that a book needs to be savored. I have forgotten that at times and all of a sudden I realize that out of the last ten books that I have read I can name about half without looking and describe in detail less than half. It is them time to pull back and remind myself what it was about at the beginning. Blogging for the love of books, not reading for the love of blogging.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic.
Some audio books are better than others, too. What was your favorite to listen to?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you include comments on the audio in reviews!
Ooh, survey :) I loved Hyperion so hopefully you'll enjoy it too. I've also embraced all of the formats. Books are just awesome however read them :)
ReplyDeleteI'm currently on a physical book buying ban because (1) books can get pretty expensive over here; (2) I have to somehow resist my urges on TBD; and (3) I'm saving up for other hobbies. I guess that's why I've been favouring ebooks as of late. I fell in love with my library and especially their ebook database.
ReplyDeleteI normally read books on my iPad/Kindle right before bed. I'm usually doing something else during the day, like playing video-games, haha! (I wish!) I feel like I haven't held a physical book to read for a while, oh no!
LOL! That makes total sense - I can't clean unless I have something to entertain me!
ReplyDeleteOh fantastic! The AudiobookSync program is underway right now and have some really great audiobooks to download - maybe it can help you get addicted to audiobooks. :D It is great that you buy your books for the most part though - because that is my plan - I need to build my own great library someday. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, it is nice to take the time to read a book and really get into the world! It is so hard for me to slow down and 'smell the roses' as it were! :) I feel like there are some books where it is more important to slow down and I usually do, so for now I will have to be happy with that!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying Hyperion so far - it's quite a surprising story, and there were a few really shocking moments for me! And I love that - books are awesome in any format! :)
ReplyDeleteThat makes total sense - I try not to buy books that I'm not sure I will love, because I need to find some way to keep my book habit in control. :) I don't use my library ebook option as much because of the wait time, which can mess up my reading schedule, but it is nice to have as an extra resource if I need to read something and I don't want to buy it yet for some reason.
ReplyDeleteAh, I try to stay away from video games for that reason - there are already so many things I want to do in a day! But my iPhone games are slowly taking up more of my time! I can not win! :)
I read when I can as well. Lately that's been audiobooks during my commute, and ebooks during lunch at work. Reading at home hasn't been easy to do lately. I'm interested in the results of this survey :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I am on break I read a lot more!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you can get time to read in at work since it's difficult to do it at home! It looks like ebooks are really popular as a format - I was really expecting physical books to at least be tied, if not more widely read!
ReplyDeleteAw, I guess you can't tell your class to take a reading break? :) I am glad summer break is coming up for you then!
ReplyDelete