How do you like to read?

[Matthew]

This came up in one of our other chats, and I thought it might be good to make a thread specific to the question "How do you like to read?"

Do you only read real paper books? Do you rush out for the hard cover the day it comes out, or do you wait for the paperback? Is the library your second home? When you go out shopping, is the trip not complete unless you buy a book? When talking about electronics, is your e-reader more important than your phone or tablet?

[Matthew]

I love the library! For years we did not live near one, but now that I do, I stop by at least once a week - and since the limit is 100 books checked out, I usually leave with at least one additional book to what I already have from previous weeks. Sometimes I even bite off more that I can chew (i.e. I spend a lot of time renewing because I can't get to all the books in time).

I too was hesitant at first to go with an e-reader, but now I love the option! I still must always have a physical book or two going, but I always have at least one e-book too so that have can read while waiting in line at the store, while I am on a quick break, etc. The Kindle app on my phone gets used a lot! Also, my local library lets you check out books for your e-reader online. This can be done from anywhere, so if I run out of something to read while I am on vaction, I will not be stuck without anything to read.

I still occasionally buy books, but with the library and e-reading options, I have plenty to read that is easy to get without expense.

[Penny]

I live about two blocks from my local library, so it's nice and convenient. I love holding a book. I love opening up a brand new book off the shelves and smelling that wonderful combination of paper and ink. Aaahh! About two years ago, I was sitting in my living room with my husband when a commercial for Kindle came on. I remember telling him that I didn't think I'd like one because of how much I love physical books. Well, he took that as a cue to get me one for my birthday. I smiled and said thanks, then uploaded my first book. I'm pretty hooked on my ereader now. It is much lighter and fits better in my purse. I don't have to keep getting creative with my book storage options in our apartment. Don't get me wrong, I still go back to my old books and can't resist buying new ones at times, but I'm an ereader convert.

[Matthew]

I tell you - I never thought I would be a consistent audio book listener, but now every car ride I am listening and when I am doing mindless chores I am listening. Because of this, I have listened to about 10 books since May. There is that much time spent driving and doing chores!

It feels much more productive than listening to commercials and silly morning talk shows on the radio. Am I now out of the loop on current music? yeah, pretty much. Do I mind? not really.

[Alex]

i have never tried audiobooks but it would make sense haha

[Vicki Willis]

I love audiobooks for the gym. It makes it so easy to do cardio. Sometimes you don't want to stop! They are also good for when I walk the dogs alone. :)
I mostly use my kindle, but I am reading Under the Dome right now in paperback form and it is so different! I find myself trying to click on a word to get the meaning! haha

[Jana]

I know I am late on answering this poll - How do I like to read?....in the car (audio ofcourse!!), in bed, on the couch, when I eat, when I clean the headphones go in as well and when I exercise it helps make the time go faster!!! LOL!!!

I read in all formats...kindle, Ipad, old-fashioned paged book and audio (though my kids say that is not "reading"!). I do love the ereader option rather than pages....yeah, I know, I know. I have more books on my Kindle than I care to think about!!! I'll be dead before I read them all! Guess my kindle will need to be in my will!!! Gotta love the email lists with the free books everyday!

[Kandice]

I try to have one physical book, one ebook and one audio (in the car) book going at a time. I've always listened to books in the car as opposed to radio. The only drawback is that it slows how quickly you can "read" that book. I often find myself running errands that can wait just to get a few more pages in.

[Matthew]

Kandice wrote: "I try to have one physical book, one ebook and one audio (in the car) book going at a time. I've always listened to books in the car as opposed to radio. The only drawback is that it slows how quic..."

Sometimes I take my time driving home and then sit in the garage if I am getting close to the end of a chapter!

[Jana]

LOL, Matthew!!! Yes! I have sat in the parking lot at work and done the same thing! My latest favorite is Spring cleaning and listening. I finished 2 books this past weekend!

[Matthew]

I listened to most of The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History while I was steam cleaning my carpet! And, I almost love to mow my lawn now so I can get some "reading" in.

[Jana]

Will have to try the lawn mowing/leaf blowing/listening combo!! Always thought those outside chores would be too loud to enjoy the audiobook!

This weekend...spreading mulch....bring on a good "listen"!!!

[Matthew]

It is amazing how loud the book sounds when I turn off the mower . . . . I am probably destroying my hearing!

[Kandice]

I've sat in the driveway to finish a good bit too! I always eat my lunch in my car so I can listen to a book. I'm not anti-social, but I love my books. I've been known to love an audio book that I hated on page.

Audio books are very, very underrated in my opinion.

[Leah]

Matthew that makes me laugh! Bryan is thrilled that I volunteer for chores like lawn mowing now because I do the same thing! The one downfall I'm trying to overcome with them though is how much longer they take than were I reading the words rather than listening. I just got The Goldfinch and at 771 pages, the audio is 32.5 hours long. I am quite confident that I could read it in much less time, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can renew it because otherwise I may never finish in time :(

[Kandice]

I am often frustrated with how long an audio book takes compared to reading it myself, especially because I only listen in the car so if I don't have a lot of driving to do it takes even longer!!

I have never been one to switch between the page and audio either. I"hear" it differently in my head so that feels jarring.

[Matthew]

The only time I switched from audio to text was with Nelson Demille's Plum Island. I only had about 30 minutes left when my loan ran out and I couldn't renew. So, I just checked out the book and finished.

I agree about how fast they read. I just finished a 17 hour audio book and I know it would not have taken me that long.

Also, I am pretty sure I have had terrible readers ruin perfectly good books.

But, I still love being able to fill my commute with books instead of commercials!

[Kandice]

On the flip side, I have had excellent readers greatly improve a book for me. Exit A read by Campbell Scott (my all time favorite reader!) being just one example.

[Leah]

Kandice, I know the feeling on listening in the car! I do listen a lot when doing chores and such too, but my daily round trip commute changed from over an hour to about 10 minutes last fall and I am definitely feeling the lack of listening time now.

[Josen]

Matthew wrote: "I love the library! For years we did not live near one, but now that I do, I stop by at least once a week - and since the limit is 100 books checked out, I usually leave with at least one addition..."

100 books?! Wow! I'm gonna have to check my library to see what the limit is. :) I love physical books so the library is my best friend. I used to collect only hardcovers but at one point we downsized so I had to donate my books. :( That's when I went back to the library and have loved it ever since. BUT I'm at the point where I can't take it anymore so I told my boyfriend we're making room for books! :) The part I love most is cracking open that book to the first page. It's that doorway to another world and I can't wait to dig in!

As for eBooks, I'll do that only if I'm traveling and really can't take my book. Otherwise I just can't seem to do it. Even if the book is really good I just don't reach for the eBook.

With audio books I never did it before because I felt like it was cheating. Lol! But now I commute to my job so I decided to try it out. I love it! I'm doing Game of Thrones right now so I think it'll be great for really long books like that. I'm hooked! :)

[Matthew]

Josen wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Wow! I'm gonna have to check my library to see what the limit is."

Let me know what you find out - I am curious.

Josen wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Even if the book is really good I just don't reach for the eBook."

I was hesitant at first too, but now, with e-books on my phone I can take every moment of down time and turn it into reading time. Also, it feels less strange looking at my phone (because everyone does that) when I wait in line than it would if I were to pull out a book!

[Christopher]

I really can't get into audiobooks. Somehow I always find issues with the narrator's voice or some inflexion, some act things out too much, some are just dull. I do use an e-reader or my iPad simply because I've got it with me all the time and so I can conveniently carry a ton of books around. I still love a real book though and book shops are the most wonderful places on earth. Whatever works for you I say, so long as you're reading.

[[deleted user]]

My favorite place to read is always the library. I could spend hours there if I go by myself.

Normally my boyfriend accompanies me so I limit my time to picking out a "few" books (in addition to the ones I put on hold).

If I come back home with less than 5 I'd amaze myself.

[Josen]

I can't get my boyfriend to go with me to the library. Lol! I can get him to go to Barnes & Noble because he does read but that's only if we're in & out of there. Lol! He knows what he's looking for and he's done. But once I start to wander off and browse he has to reel me in. Lol!

Oh and Matthew, I found out at my library I'm able to check out up to 50 items. So yours is still the most I've heard of at 100!

[Matthew]

You know, I don't think that I have ever actually read at the library. I always am too tempted by all the shelves to browse that I can't sit still!

[Josen]

Matthew wrote: "You know, I don't think that I have ever actually read at the library. I always am too tempted by all the shelves to browse that I can't sit still!"

Yeah that's me too. I tried to make a little game out of it for myself when checking out books. (because there's soooo many I want to read) I told myself I would check out books from one aisle each time I went and work my way to the back and start over. Try out new authors at random. I haven't done that yet tho' because I always get distracted by the other books I see. Lol!

[Justin]

I love the library and I love grabbing coffee and strolling through Barnes and Noble. But, for me, hanging out in bed at night reading is where it's at. When my wife falls asleep, I have to switch to reading on my phone so I usually have a paperback and an ebook going at the same time.

[Josen]

Justin wrote: "I love the library and I love grabbing coffee and strolling through Barnes and Noble. But, for me, hanging out in bed at night reading is where it's at. When my wife falls asleep, I have to switch..."

I rarely do an eBook but I will if necessary. But on a phone, isn't that harder? It's so small. Lol!

[Justin]

It's small, but manageable. If I go blind later, I will just switch to audio books. :)

[Kandice]

Justin wrote: "It's small, but manageable. If I go blind later, I will just switch to audio books. :)"

Ha!!!!

[Kandice]

I love reading in my living room after the rest of my family has gone to bed. The dogs sprawl on me and it's heaven!

In the summer I love reading on our deck, but in the evening, mostly, so there's a breeze.

[Josen]

Kandice wrote: "I love reading in my living room after the rest of my family has gone to bed. The dogs sprawl on me and it's heaven!

In the summer I love reading on our deck, but in the evening, mostly, so there'..."

I'm with you there..........out back in the early evening with a slight breeze is the best.

[Justin]

I've got a swing on my back porch that's like a little slice of heaven when the sun starts to go down.

[Josen]

Aah that's my favorite time of day :)

[[deleted user]]

Josen wrote: "I can't get my boyfriend to go with me to the library. Lol! I can get him to go to Barnes & Noble because he does read but that's only if we're in & out of there. Lol! He knows what he's looking fo..."

It takes a lot of convincing to get him to go haha, usually he just wants to go if he wants to read a book he's already read before.

[Vicki Willis]

I do almost only Kindle books, but this summer I wanted to read in my pool on a raft so I have read some paperbacks and even a few from the library. :)
I found myself constantly touching the page to try to turn it or touching a word to check the definition.
I prefer Kindle because I can have a huge book collection without having to have a lot of space for it.

[Matthew]

Yeah, Vicki - lots of books all on one device - gotta love that. Also, I can download books from my library no matter where I am - on vacation, need another book? No problem!

[Matthew]

Looks like I already said that back at the beginning of this thread, but hey! I like it a lot so I said it again!

[Justin]

Matthew, what are your thoughts on e-books? :)

[Matthew]

Eh - they're okay, I guess ;)

[Josen]

Rebecca wrote: "My favorite place to read is always the library. I could spend hours there if I go by myself.

Normally my boyfriend accompanies me so I limit my time to picking out a "few" books (in addition to ..."

Rebecca, you said if you come home with less than 5 you'd be amazed. If I only come home with 2 my boyfriend says, "what about the ones you JUST bought?" or the other ones you haven't read yet?" I just tell him I had to bring some home. No rhyme or reason, I just had to. Besides its a woman's prerogative. :)

[Josen]

Matthew wrote: "Eh - they're okay, I guess ;)"

Lol! Is there anybody with me who just cannot do eBooks?

Maybe not? Lol!

[Justin]

Wish I could use the woman's prerogative excuse.

[Josen]

Lol well okay maybe you can't use that particular one but I have heard from quite a few men, "What can I say? I'm just a man......I'm just a man." Lol!

[Justin]

I mix and match. E-books are great to borrow from the library, but I want to own physical copies of books I love.

[Josen]

Good answer. ;) lol

[Kandice]

I also may be repeating myself (too lazy to re-read the whole thread) but I buy hardcovers of authors I love as soon as they are released and I adore comics and graphic novels so I have to own those in the flesh, but I love ebooks for one offs and books I'll never re-read, and most especially for magazines. I get all my subscriptions that way now and find I am more apt to read them when I can do it when and where ever.

[[deleted user]]

Josen wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "My favorite place to read is always the library. I could spend hours there if I go by myself.

Normally my boyfriend accompanies me so I limit my time to picking out a "few" books ..."

Haha today I told him I was going to pick up the 3 books I have on hold that are ready and he was like "didn't you just pick up two yesterday? Plus the 3 we bought at the garage sale that you just had to have"

Yep. :)

[Josen]

Rebecca wrote: "Josen wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "My favorite place to read is always the library. I could spend hours there if I go by myself.

Normally my boyfriend accompanies me so I limit my time to picking out ..."

That's too funny! :)

[Josen]

So have you eReaders heard of Bookbub.com? You pick your genres you like, then everyday they email you picks of the day from different sites (Amazon, Nook, etc) and all the books are usually under $3.00 or free. I just look at what they recommend and then I'll try to look for the physical book. :)