Book Situations and the Best Forms of Book

 Readers everywhere know that a physical book doesn't work for going running, an audiobook of an adult novel (if no headphones are around) does not work in public places, and an ebook does not download when your internet is down. Today we look at the pluses and minuses of every form of a book and reading app. 

Photo by Buzzfeed

An audiobook is defined here as "an [audio file], audiocassette or CD recording of a reading of a book, typically a novel". It can come in CD or MP3 form. Tapes are rare and often lack a player at this point.

An Ebook is defined as "an electronic version of a printed book that can be read on a computer or handheld device designed specifically for this purpose".  There are several apps for this.

A physical book is "a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers". 

These are the defined terms I'm going by for this blog post. today we talk about the pros and cons of all these forms.

Ebooks

This form of a book requires no physical bookshelf, a plus if you don't have the space. Another plus to this form is that it tends to be cheaper. Why? Because of Kindle/Kobo deals, lack of paper use, and other factors that make books cheap. Hardbacks vs ebook deals tend to be significantly different. Yes, some still cost a bit, but you get more here than a physical book store - and from your own house with no gas cost!

Photo By Pinterest

Another pro for this type is that you can't lose your bookmark in your bag or purse because the computer app or phone app keeps it updated. Book damage? Not possible. You can even make the text the size you want. Your phone and morning reading is one item in your purse or part of your many apps on your laptop (unless you have an e-reader). You can take notes on it without damage to a page. You can even go onto your library website for a book to borrow (if your library has a digital option). 

The downside here is that you require internet or data to download on the go. If your internet is terrible and the smallest download is too much you are out of luck. No data? Can't go online shopping or on your library site. You might be able to read the book you downloaded previously, but that's it. 

Another con would be the action of staring at a screen for hours. Yes, we all do nowadays, but if you need to avoid that situation in your spare time it might benefit you to not read primarily ebooks. Our eyes are strained with too much screen time. It doesn't help you sleep and if you are reading to relax into a sleepy state, well, on-screen books make no sense.

The perfect situation for the ebook is when you need a book on a budget quick, while also having good access to the internet. If the screentime is not an issue for you this is a way to save space in your dorm room, apartment, or home. Also, some authors have stuff on the ebook apps that you won't find in large bookstores (because some authors are only online or have a small name). Basically, if you need it today from the library or Kindle, go for the ebook. 

Audiobook

This is the road trip go-to for many people traveling for vacations, family gatherings, and long treks to work. It has a CD form, an audio file form, and even tapes (if you can play them on anything). You can even find classic books read out loud for free on YouTube (if the book is public domain by now). Doing your knitting or crocheting and need some sound to break the silence? Try this! 

Most you have to pay for or get from the library. These are sometimes more expensive and sometimes cheap. It is a coin toss and based on the author themselves. You can find sales and get some great ones for less than three dollars if you look at the right places. It depends on where you look online. You can get emails with great offers for both audio and ebooks. Check the sales section online.

Photo by Reddit

The voice speed is adjustable on apps like Chirp, but I don't think all audiobooks can have that luxury, especially when read out loud over YouTube and recorded on a CD or audio file. Regardless of the speed itself you can still fold your laundry and read your book at the same time. Headphones or not is your choice. Speaking of headphones, this is great for going a run or walk in the park (just as long as you pay attention to the surroundings and people around you). If you zip the audio file right to your MP3 player and make sure it is in order you are golden. Plane travel? Put on those headphones and listen to your novel (pre-download it before boarding!). The person beside you may not bother you (assuming you are avoiding conversations).

Students that learn via audio are probably going to love having a textbook read to them, especially if they can adjust speed (no guarantees). The blind also greatly benefit because audiobooks are more common than braille. Anyone who has trouble reading with their vision will find these refreshing. Contrary to what some humans think, the book is the same whether or not someone heard it or read it. 

The downside is that if the reader screwed it up you miss a section of your book. Downloading something incorrectly is also terrible because you lose whole chapters of the novel you are enjoying. In this way, make sure you are patient and have the whole novel in your computer or MP3 files. I have made this mistake before and it is frustrating.

Oddly enough, make sure your files are in order on your MP3 player if you take them from a CD or audio file to your MP3. Why? Because your player may throw them out of order. You can go from chapter 2 to 16 in one audio track due to this weirdness. For help on this, click here and be amazed. When you are driving it matters. 

A word of warning, please make sure you can focus on the road if you intend to bring it on your road trip. If you cannot listen to a book and drive responsibly you shouldn't be listening to it while your car is running. 

Physical Book

The classic binding-and-cover book gives any room a soul. It gives the house a personality, should you have the shelving space. Paperback is generally cheaper than a hardcover in the general sense. The older or fancier the cover, the more money you pay for it, but aside from that you can enjoy it just as much as the other forms. No Wi-fi needed! It is perfect for when the power is out, you are avoiding screens, or you just want to do something that requires no internet connection. Books were what humans used to ignore someone with before the cellphone. No screen damage to your eyes, either.

Photo by LiveAbout

Collectors will pay money for collectible books. Classics in leather binding, first editions, and other goodies are worth money to some individuals. There are people out there who admire their books and barely read them. Digital forms don't have this appeal. In this case, you do need a place to store them that won't harm the older editions. Collecting is not simply having a bookshelf; they show it off like a museum does. 

Physical books can cost more money due to printing costs. If you can find discount books and hobby bookstore owners you are in luck. Used books are just as wonderful as new ones. Places like Books-A-Million are not cheap. Amazon and Barnes and Noble can get expensive, too, but do offer used ones at highly discounted prices or rentals. Students know that textbooks can cost a bit. Anyone who loves reading can spend at least fifty dollars at a bookstore (cough couch, me, cough cough).

One thing you know for sure is that the reader didn't mess up and skip a chapter because you are the reader. Reading is also a vital skill for all of our lives. You can only learn it through visual reading. Schools still use textbooks in physical form (at least in my experience) in order to teach young children how to read. The physical book should never disappear. The library will make sure of that as long as it lives and breathes. 

The downside was touched on in the first paragraph, which is money and space to store the books themselves. It is also hard to carry around large novels if your purse or bag is tiny. I spend money on books in all forms, anyway, but if you are on a budget go to your local library. You may not be able to keep it forever, but you still get to read it. That is the point of your public library systems. No space? The library will only lend it to you temporarily and you can set it on a counter until you finish it. The only money you have to pay is if you don't return it and get late fees.

Photo by JustPost

The best situation for physical books is when you are doing one thing at a time, reading to a child or having a child read to you, or teaching. This is also great for reading along with an audiobook, should you want to do that. You can be sure your narrator didn't skip words if you read along. Waiting rooms and waiting for anything are great places to pull out a book. Traveling on planes are great places to read, but you should know some humans don't see a book as "leave me alone" (if you are trying to discourage conversations). 

Reading Apps and Where to find books

Reading apps like Kobo and Kindle have brands attached to them and you can buy e-readers for these brands. The apps themselves can go on about any device (though kobo and amazon tablets won't work together because amazon and kindle are owned by the same people). Even your laptop can have the reading apps on it, in case you don't have space on your phone for much. I can vouch for both apps.

Kobo and Kindle can both bookmark, take notes, change text size, and play audiobooks. They are remarkably similar, but there are also different authors on each app. It is good to have both in order to find those small-time authors who have amazing books. Kobo tends to make the first of a series free and then make you buy the rest, so you have a preview in case the series is awful. Kindle can sometimes give you perks if you subscribe to audible or Amazon Prime.

 The United States catalog of Kindle is bigger than Canada's catalog, though, so it depends on location. Kobo is better for Canada in the catalog. If you want more than an e-reader you can go Kindle and get an Amazon tablet, but otherwise, the e-readers themselves only do books. For more differences, click here. 

Overdrive (the online library) can work extremely well for MP3 players, especially if your car (aka, my car) lacks a CD player. In my case, I bought a player that was recommended for audiobooks. Just click here for suggestions on what to buy. Overdrive will zip what you borrowed from the library (all you need is a library card or a phone number) to your MP3 player in numbered parts. If you have to mess with the reordering process because your player is weird, look back at the audiobooks section for that link on how to do that. You can even place holds on ebooks and audiobooks. 

Your pubic library is always there for you, online and in person. The humans who work there are nice people. Show them your love and pick up a book anytime. They even have some sales on books they aren't keeping occasionally and that's a great place for cheap books. CD audiobooks are here for you if you have the car that plays them (which is becoming less common). Audiotapes are now bordering on rare, much like the cars that have tape players, yet you can find an adapter for playing those in your car. 

Chirp, an app that I got for cheap audiobooks, will only work on its own app (no transfer to MP3) and is a bit of a pain that way. Yet, some fantastic big names are on sale there for less than three dollars. I'd say it is worth it for home or if your phone can play it, but otherwise, you might be a bit disappointed. Just do your research on the apps you find with cheap books before you decide to do anything. 

I missed a few apps here and there, I'm sure, so click here for more and do your own research. 

Bonus! Bible Apps

Here we are for the bonus content - a Bible app showcase. First, let me tell you what I use, and then we can talk about a few more. 

I try to read my Bible reading plan daily on YouVersion, which I highly suggest because it keeps you reminded and on track. It even gives you several reading plans to choose from and they vary in length. Added devotions show up with the list of reading that day. It keeps track of record streaks of reading (aka opening the app) and that motivates me to create streaks, boosting my Bible reading habit. It can read to you if you are an audio reader. The app comes on Apple, Android, and Amazon devices.

Photo by Tithe.ly

Bible.is has many languages and translations. You can listen to dramatized audio if you like. It keeps track of where you are. Some said that some readings weren't available, but I'm not sure how much limitation there is. You can control the speed, apparently, as well as control text size. I didn't use it, so try it and tell me what you think of it. 

ESV Crossways may not be the best because I see reviews on how it changed for the worst. I think this is only the ESV study bible. It costs money to get extras. I read several reviews and most of them were negative. Here, I'll let you look at them - reviews here! I'm fairly certain you should not get this one.

Glo Bible is known for being pretty dang awesome, and the review I read is right here. Maps, virtual tours, HD video, and customizable reading plans are all in this app. Social media features allow sharing of the Bible verses onto your Facebook and Twitter. You can take notes on the app easily and see different translations. Researching Biblical topics on this is easy with a topical map to explore. It is free and then there is a premium version (but you may have to pay a bit to get this). Some versions of the text cost money (5 dollars -ish per version).

From here I will let you look at more of these on your own, due to the sheer amount of them. The link is here if you want to look at more options for yourself. There are ten of them listed on the provided link. Have fun!