What medium do you primarily use to consume books?

[Berlyn]

For me, I primarily read books on my Kobo but I do occasionally listen to audiobooks, depending on the narrator. For example, I really love Andy Serkis' narration of The Lord of the Rings and Stephen Fry's narration of Harry Potter.

 

[Swank]

Oh, I thought you meant in the bathroom...

 

[Berlyn]

Oh, I thought you meant in the bathroom...

I absolutely read books on the toilet. No shame in it. With 3 young ones running loose around the house, sometimes its the only peace and quiet us parents can get.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I absolutely read books on the toilet. No shame in it. With 3 young ones running loose around the house, sometimes its the only peace and quiet us parents can get.

Was the only way I got any reading done for ten years…. Anyhow, I run a bookstore so, as you’d expect, paper all the way here

 

[Susan Boulton]

I tend to listen to Audiobooks these days. I can listen while I am doing other things, like in the garden (phone in my pocket lol)housework, craftwork, etc...

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Physical books only, please. I can't easily go back with audiobooks ("Wait a minute . . . Who is Mary again?") and the one time I tried a Kindle I found it unworkable.

 

[CupofJoe]

Audio books are great for travelling. But I can curl up in a comfy spot with a hardback book and read for hours [as long as someone is prepared to bring me coffee once in a while].

 

[kythe]

I have read so many physical books throughout my life, it is hard to let go of them. But a few years ago I discovered Kindle and it has the advantage of being lightweight, not easily breakable, and I can read in the dark in bed.

A couple of years ago, I started on audiobooks. It can be nice being "read to", as I can often multitask activities.

A few weeks ago I had a major surgery and I am still spending most of my time lying in bed resting. I've listened to a few audiobooks while lying down, and I'm currently reading a book on the Kindle.

 

[Bick]

Ketchup


(Well, I voted for ‘book’)

 

[Elckerlyc]

I can't divide my attention. I am either busy doing things or sit still to listen (and I mean actually listen) to either music, a radio-play or an audiobook. If for a moment my concentration slips it is easier to re-read the last few lines than rewinding an audiobook. And that can happen quite easily because one word can, by association, trigger an avalanche of thoughts that has nothing to do with the narrative.
While that happens an audiobook keeps on running, wholly unaware that I am not listening! A loud "Are you paying attention?" would help.

Also, with an audiobook much depends on the tone and style of the narrator. I prefer my own voice and interpretation the author's written word.

EDIT.
I forgot to add that I mostly read e-books, for practical reasons. E-books are cheaper, you can store as many books you wish on your e-reader and there's only that one object you need carry around, with a weight that's less than your average paper book (and I have a weird preference for door-stoppers.)

 

[Rodders]

I used to be a physical guy, but the Kindle app on my iPad changed all of that. Besides, space is always at a premium when reading physical books.

I still get hardbacks of the books that i've read and enjoyed a lot. My most recent ones are the Dan Abnett's Gaunts Ghost series and Adrian Tchaikovsky's Dogs of War and Bear Head.

I habitually collect the Star Wars hard backs.

 

[farntfar]

I read on a kindle mostly. It's easier to get books in English delivered in France that way.

I also listen to audiobooks when I'm driving a long distance or going for a walk etc. For this I choose books I probable wouldn't get round to reading, but would like to. The last thing I listened to was Milton's Paradise Lost, for example, which I found quite surprising.

 

[thaddeus6th]

I voted for physical books, but it's more complicated. I tend to buy new fiction as e-books, and history (usually) in physical format. But I've also started listening to a lot of podcast material (history).

 

[Vince W]

Books mostly.

 

[Rodders]

I have been listening to audio books recently as its a wonderful way to spend two hours on my cycle home. I don't want to subscribe though and i'm finding them a bit scarce on Amazon as they're really trying to push "Audible". I only listen to books that i've read before. No new ones.

 

[kythe]

I voted for physical books, but it's more complicated. I tend to buy new fiction as e-books, and history (usually) in physical format. But I've also started listening to a lot of podcast material (history).

You make an excellent point. I've tried to read non-fiction on both Kindle and audiobooks, but it is hard to work with. I tend to use non-fiction more as reference and am more likely to skim and skip around than read straight through. This is harder with the electronic mediums.

Since Kindle is black and white and also a small page, something is lost with pictures and diagrams. Audiobooks of course lack that completely.

 

[Elckerlyc]

I make the same exception for non-fiction. Paper only and preferably hardcover (or so my bookcase insists.)

 

[Vince W]

I have been listening to audio books recently as its a wonderful way to spend two hours on my cycle home. I don't want to subscribe though and i'm finding them a bit scarce on Amazon as they're really trying to push "Audible". I only listen to books that i've read before. No new ones.

Here's a tip with Audible. Sign up for the subscription. You get 30 day and usually 2 or 3 credits free. Claim the credits (they're yours to keep) and then cancel the subscription. Listen to your books. By then you can repeat the process. I've been doing this for a few years without spending a penny on audio books.

 

[Montero]

Consume books?
Well if I am in polite company, a knife, fork and napkin, otherwise just bite in and chew.

Other than that - audiobooks only when I'm stuck with a long dull job like spring cleaning or painting and usually from the library.
Was physical only for years, but now reading some authors who are only on eBook. For the actual eBook, prefer and ePub if I can lay my hands on it, as in a file I get to keep.
Do also now have what is supposed to be a laptop tilted shelf on the table by my favourite reading chair, and I also use it to put books or eReader on to give my hands a break.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Kindle exclusively for the past two or three years which I’d never have imagined a few years ago.

I love the sensory stuff you get from a proper book but having an entire library on my kindle is wonderful.

It’s also great for proofing my writing. Editing on a laptop is harder than editing on a kindle. I seem to miss things in Scrivener that I don’t on the kindle.

However, this does instil in me a large degree of self loathing for lining Bezos pockets and not giving the author as much money for a physical book.

And you can’t share them.