The Right Book at The Right Time, by Suzy Davies

When folks talk about different kinds of books, they sometimes mean books of different genres. Of course, I agree that reading different genres is a good thing. But in this article, what I mean by the right book at the right time is making the right choice for you and your family. When should you buy a traditional paperback, hardback, audio, or ebook? What are the advantages of each kind?

Paperback Books

Picture the scene. You are at home and want something other than watching tv or a movie. What could be better than curling up in your favorite chair and reading a book? In summer, maybe you are in a deck chair. In fall, you might be on the back decking or back porch, and in winter, unless you live in a sunny place, you are cozy by the fire.

There’s something so tactile about reading a real book. The experience is so direct. Even though people talk about popular, well-written books as page-turners, I would say that turning the pages gives you “think time” and you can read at your own pace. It’s possible to get lost in a book and zone out of any strains and stresses of everyday life for a while.

When you have finished reading a story in paperback, the advantage is you have something substantial to add to a physical library of books, that you can revisit any time you want. You can lend the book to friends and family. You can donate the book to a good cause. You may just let the book sit in your collection and display it as a badge of honor if the book has won a Pulitzer or an impressive award. You may even think that on display as part of your interior decor, it says something about the kind of person you are. Of course, this may not be superficial at all. People’s bookshelves, or books on a coffee table, are conversation starters, and the start of many good friendships. A novel enjoyed by friends is a focus for discussion, and one book leads to another…

Children feel a sense of achievement when they can count the number of books or authors they have read on their bookshelves.

If you plan a child’s room and include a bookcase from an early age, children will learn to associate books with happy emotions, leisure time, and coming home. There’s no substitute for reading books aloud on laps together when kids are very young.

Both parents and grandparents love traditional books read in this way because the physical closeness of sharing a book helps them bond with their child or grandchild. Older siblings enjoy reading to the younger ones, and this gives them a sense of responsibility, helping them to develop caring and empathy.

As children get older, you can organize children’s parties with physical books as prizes, which always feel more generous than just an ebook, and make it a memorable occasion. When children have sleepovers in pajamas or onesies, they can share their love of books and talk to each other about their favorites. Books are conversation starters, and most probably your child will want to share with you!

Hardback Books

Now, you may have read the paperback, and you want something even more durable, that you can keep for a lifetime, or pass on to generations. Or it may be, that like a comfort blanket, you like the weightiness of a heavy tome. So, hardback books are ideal for you! If you are buying a book for a child, or as a special gift, they certainly have a feeling of luxury about them and will be well-received if they are something to read at home.

Audio Books

Audiobooks represent the fastest-growing market in the book industry. As a writer of books, I recommend them for Drama, Plays, and Character Books, which may have a lot of conversation, and Mystery Books or Fairytales, where there is a lot of atmosphere. They are also very good for Poetry.

Audiobooks are versatile because they are hands-free, and can be “read” when doing other things, like household tasks.

They also lend themselves to folks who may have disabilities, which may make page-turning difficult, and to blind people.

If you buy an audiobook for a child, as children become more independent, it can be an alternative to being read a story and is excellent for developing listening skills.

Audiobooks are excellent for “whole class” learning and reading comprehension. They are perfect for classes of second language speakers, who will hear how words are pronounced, something a traditional paperback does not offer. Introducing books read in different voices and accents is a great way to celebrate inclusion and diversity, and to raise kids’ awareness of differences.

If you are traveling, and want to take a break, listening to a book is easy, and is a good way for you and the whole family to have a rest and time out.

Audiobooks are lovely to read in bed, especially with good voice actors - they may even send you or your children to sleep! For example, children who are sick may be comforted by listening to an audiobook that soothes them. If kids are hyperactive, and it’s difficult to get them to sleep, sometimes a well-read audiobook can be so mesmerizing, they calm down.

E-Books

E-books account for a substantial portion of the market, and the reason they are so popular is they are weightless and easy to “transport” when you are traveling. They can be read across a variety of devices, and shared with people, if the publisher facilitates this feature, at no additional cost.

I think they are ideal when traveling on public transport, since, unlike audiobooks, they are silent and non-intrusive.

You can build up an unlimited library of ebooks and they won’t take up any space at home. This is probably why they are so popular with folks who are students, growing families, or city dwellers, where space may be tight.

An ebook is an excellent way of trying out a new author and/or a new book since they tend to be cheaper than other versions, and sometimes you may find them on Kindle Unlimited, which means you only pay for the membership, not the number of books you download. If you love a book, you may well buy the real thing later.

Although evidence suggests that ebook versions of children’s books may not be as popular as other versions, they are environmentally friendly and some kids see them as “cool.”

Whatever kinds of books you or your children read, you should try out all types. There’ll be a version that will suit you, your children, and your lifestyle perfectly! It’s important to invest in books because good books are fun and educational. Whatever kind you choose, there’s something to suit everyone in the family.