I keep going back and forth on how I feel about audiobooks.
On one hand they are extraordinarily convenient. I can listen while I clean my room, cook, eat, shave, and so many other things. That’s time that I otherwise would spend not thinking or listening to music.
On the other hand, that is time I would spend not thinking or listening to music. Quiet space in the day is good and lately I doubt I’m comprehending the audiobook very well when I’m multitasking. It feels like outside of entertainment reasons there’s no point to listen to a book while I do other things.
The best listening experience has been when I lay on the floor on my back, which is good for my back, and I listen for an hour or so. Two birds, one stone, since I’d be bored without the book in that scenario.
Physical Books Are Better
Lately I am thinking that physical books are the best way to read. Better than audio or eBook or anything.
A physical book has no distractions. It doesn’t flash lights at you or make sounds. There are no pop-up ads, updates, or download codes. You can take it with you and you can write on it. You can flip through it quickly to skim for interesting words and pictures.
Audiobooks on the other hand are nearly impossible to navigate quickly. If you don’t know what area of the book you need to go to, you can only use the table of contents to help.
There’s something good and satisfying about having a physical object that you can carry around and manipulate. I also love the ability to read a book and get away from technology, where the audiobook/ebook does not allow it.
Honestly it’s shitty to “read” for 4 hours and then feel computer fatigue afterwards, books should be restorative. My eyes feel great after reading a physical book.
In this regard some eBook readers are better than phones and computers since they have pure e-ink displays.
This is all just my opinion, I don’t think any of it is objective truth. What is your preference? Audiobook, ebook, or paper book?
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