This post was also published today in my One Thing I’ve Learned social blog.
I used to ONLY read books in print form. I’d secretly think that audiobooks and e-books weren’t “real” books.
Now? I read books in all formats. I still love the tactile experience of holding a print book in my hands, and still prefer print for certain types of books, like children’s picture books. With my visual issues (glaucoma and severe PVD), however, I find I can no longer read some kinds of books easily. I also need more lighting.
E-books let me enlarge the type, and the backlighting means I don’t have to worry whether I have enough physical lighting where I’m reading. I can also carry around more books without worrying about the weight (not just for travel, but also because of the rotator cuff injury I sustained while moving recently).
Audiobooks let me read while I’m working out in the fitness room, or doing housework. And again I don’t have to worry about text size or lighting. I also borrow a lot of audiobooks from the Toronto Public Library via the Libby app.
As much as I still love print, I’m grateful for e-books and audiobooks. It’s a comfort knowing that even if my eyesight continues to worsen or I have other physical limitations, I can continue to READ. And yes, I do consider all these as “real” books.
Plus I can still support independent bookstores! I switched from Audible to Libro.fm last year. With Libro.fm, you can choose any indie bookstore to support with each purchase. I chose Bakka-Phoenix Books because I have friends who work there, and because my husband and I have been going to Bakka since our university days.
And look! I’m excited that the copy of THE NEVERFEAR that I pre-ordered just arrived. I was able to start listening to it right away. 🩷
If you’d like to check out Libro.fm as well, I’d appreciate you using my referral link. I may get free books and you can never have too many books, right? Plus Libro.fm is going to be offering e-books, too!
