Let's Talk About Books, Baby

I'm back with more questions and answers about books.

Do you prefer reading physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks?

I prefer ebooks. My Kindle is easier to hold than any other book, it's easier to flip pages, you can make the font whatever size you want, and it's easier to highlight things and take notes. If something has lots of images or maps or something like that, I still prefer a physical book, though. I mean, The Work of Art by Adam Moss is a work of art and you should seek out the actual artifact if you can!

But I end up reading more physical books than ebooks because my library has a more robust collection of physical books. One of my IRL book club members is president of our public library's board of directors and she has lots of explanations for why this is the case, but it boils down to the fact that ebooks are very expensive per loan and physical artifacts can be loaned out more times with less cost. 

Right now I'm listening to a lot of audiobooks because I'm finding it hard to find time to read books with my own eyes (TM Sarah). 

Do you prefer paperback books or hardcover books?

This is so complicated. If I'm reading in bed, I prefer a paperback because it's lighter. If I'm not reading in bed, I prefer a hardcover because the font is usually bigger and easier for me to read if I'm reading in less than ideal conditions, which is most likely going to be case. I tend to read in low light environments and I want to be able to see! I also like that taking notes is generally easier with a larger page size. 

Do your prefer used or new books?

Mostly I prefer books that don't smell. I don't mind a used book and I like to really think about the lives that my library books have lived. 

But I reallllllly don't like it when books smell or have stains. I want to be the person who can go to the used bookstore and buy books, but they always have that musty smell or remind me of stale cigarettes. I don't know. I just try not to buy books at all. 

How do you feel about used bookstores?

I think I stunned Jenny when I wrote in the comments on her blog that I do not care for used bookstores. They make me so sad. They're usually disorganized and the thought of all those books that have been discarded through no fault of their own. And there's always a smell. Ugh. I just don't like it.

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Yes, yes, I do. Doesn't everyone? The cover of Invisible Women is amazing and really reflects the content of the book. On the other side of things, I still think about how seriously ugly the cover of Royal Holiday is. 

What’s the last book you bought? Was it an ebook or physical book?

I bought an ebook of Black Beauty for a dime. I sort of want a physical copy of the illustrated version, but now that I have the basically version, I'm not sure I could convince myself to buy it. 

Bookmark or not?

I rarely use an actual bookmark. I mostly use a piece of paper (often the hold receipt from the library) as my bookmark so that I can jot down notes for a book review if I write one. Those notes include lines I think are interesting, things I need to look up, and hat mentions (of course). I love a bookmark as a physical artifact, but I rarely use it for its intended purpose. 

Deckled edges or not?

I despise deckled edges and feel actual anger when I get a book and it has them. The pages are so hard to turn!

****************

What's your hot take? Ebooks or physical books? Does listening to an audiobook count as reading it? What's the last book you bought? Have you ever purchased a super cheap classic for your ereader?