It’s hard to believe that February is already upon us. Am I the only one who thinks 2023 is moving by at lightning speed?
I know we have discussed our favorite books before, but I’m also really curious to find out what your preferred method of reading is. Until recent years, a question would have been quite confusing. If you had asked someone what their preferred method of reading was even just twenty years ago, they probably would have replied, with a puzzled look, “I pick up a book and read it.”
But today, we have a lot of options, my favorite of which are audiobooks. As a busy mom, I rarely have time to sit down and read a book. I have a stack that I want to get through, but I can never seem to read more than a chapter (and sometimes only a few pages) before there is something else that must be done. So for that reason, audiobooks are my go-to.
So tell me, do you listen to audiobooks, or do you read books in the traditional way? Or do you have another method that you enjoy?
Traditional books. You can re-read a sentence or paragraph until it sinks in. You can’t do that as easily with an audio book. Don’t worry about being able to read only a little bit at a time. Years ago, I was the afternoon school carpool mom. I’d get there a half hour early, park, and read. In 3 years of school, I managed to read every book Thomas Hardy wrote as well as other European literature from that same period. The little bits of time you have to read really do add up. If someday my eyes fail, I will use audio books. But for now, I like seeing printed words. I think that helps with reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling. (P.S. – I think you mean “lightning speed,” not “lightening speed” in your intro. Unless you feel the passing of time is lightening something for you.)
I remember your post showing all of your and your husbands books. It was one small shelve I think? What changed that you wanted to read more?
Good question. 🙂 That was back when we lived in a small apartment and had little space (and few books). We have acquired more over the years. We also spend more time at home because of early bedtimes for the kids. We still don’t have a huge house, so we try to only keep the books we love.
What fun is that, keeping only the books you love? I buy used books by the armload, anything that might appeal to me one day, and I rarely get rid of any books unless I’m absolutely sure I’m never going to go back to them. Tastes in books will change and you can find yourself wanting to look at an old book again, even just to reference something. I put up bookshelves in a long hallway and keep those shelves filled. During the beginning of the pandemic when libraries were closed, I was glad I had familiar friends on the shelves at home.
I keep only the books I love. That’s why I have 8 bookcases, all bursting full.
I read ebooks from the library. It’s so much easier then going to the library or to the store and buying them
I read ebooks from the library.
My 17 y/o daughter reads to me. 1 chapter a day. She loves to read. I have an audiobook we are listening to. We tried to read at least 1 chapter a day. Even committing to that small amount each day has gotten us through many books. Even Gone With The Wind, so if you think you haven’t got time try one chapter a day.
As a busy mom myself and a full time working mom too. I enjoy audio books, with working in housekeeping I can listen to the book while I work I enjoy it. I do miss reading an actual book, but I get that with my kids at night we are working our way thru the Harry Potter books for their 1st time. I also have a kindle which is nice to take on vacation cause it doesn’t take a lot of space up.
My husband enjoys audiobooks. I use my ipad for reading as well as printed books from the library and buying them.
I use both! I listen to audiobooks while doing things around the house that don’t take much in the way of mental effort. I read a lot of books on the Kindle app on my phone. I’m a busy mother of 3 who homeschools and works part time from home, but I still easily read 6-8 books a month by snatching moments here and there, especially before sleep. I use Hoopla from my library and find free or inexpensive books from BookBub. Because I take my phone with me, my book is always handy!
We are big readers. We have a large collection. We recently bought a bookcase for our smaller books. We only read traditional books no audio or e-books. We enjoy Amish,historical novels ,non fiction history and biographies. We even like to read children’s books from time to time. Thank you Ellie for this interesting post.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
I love my KOBO ereader.
Only read traditional books, which I buy, read after my friend is finish with it or get at the library. I have been getting large print at the library, which is easier being almost 70 and wear glasses. If someday I couldn’t read I would like a family member read to me. Jane