Filipino Friday 3: Reading Habits and Book Formats

Reading Habits and Book Formats. Where and how do you read? Can you read anywhere and everywhere, or do you need a certain place/mood/state of mind to get reading? Do you read more in the morning or at night or any minute that you can? Where and how do you usually read? Are you exclusively for print, or do you go for ebooks more than print? Have you ever tried audiobooks?

I am old school.  Even as most books now have digital versions, I still prefer the physical, ink-on-paper variety.  I like holding a real book, flipping the pages and being able to see my progress based on the thickness of read/unread pages.  Somehow, I feel more engaged and focused reading a physical book vs. from a gadget.

I very rarely reread books so most of my collection just sit on the shelf after I'm done with them.  I feel it's a waste of precious trees if they are not shared with others.  So I started a Google doc at work where the team can list down their collections and anybody interested in borrowing can just get in touch with the owner.  I am really excited about The Great Book Swap for the same reason.

I also check second-hand bookstores or buy online.  If I'm not in a rush to get my hands on a particular book, I would usually buy from US eBay or Amazon and have them shipped to my sister.  It's way cheaper than buying new and a good way to find books that are not available locally.

Ok, back to the topic!  We recently acquired an iPad and I bought by first e-book on August 1 -- We Are All Weird by Seth Godin.  I read it in one sitting and my eyes didn't hurt (usual problem with reading from a screen.  Thank you, Apple, for retina display).  Now I am more open to reading e-books.  Save the trees!

I tried listening to an audiobook but I can't just sit still and listen.  I move around, do things while listening and then it just becomes background noise.  Audiobooks are not for me.

I read best at home in the evenings, specifically after Neil goes to bed.  I need a quiet environment to really get into reading and quiet happens only when the boy is asleep.=)  I still try to carry a book everywhere for unexpected downtimes but I just can't sustain the concentration when there are other things going on.


The 2nd Filipino Reader Conference will be held on August 18, 2012 at the Filipinas Heritage Library.  Click here for more details.

Comments

  1. guiltlessreadingAugust 3, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    Isn't the iPad wonderful? I'm slowly trying to convince myself to get one ... hahaha

    Please check out my post when you get a chance:
    Filipino Friday 3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DFAugust 5, 2012 at 12:25 PM

      Yes, the iPad is a nifty gadget for reading and browsing but I still prefer laptop for blogging. I followed your blog.=)

      Delete
  2. ChrisAugust 4, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    I don't have an iPad so I still have yet to read a lengthy eBook through the PC... I still like the "classic" book format. Nice to "meet you". Dropping by from the Filipino Friday :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DFAugust 5, 2012 at 12:44 PM

      Thanks for dropping by! I just bought two books, printed version. Classic still rules. I'm following The Mommy Journey.=)

      Delete
  3. JinkyAugust 4, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    That work bookswap is awesome! I'll have to look into that GBS ..is it worldwide?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DFAugust 5, 2012 at 12:48 PM

      Thank you! GBS is local, launched as part of the Filipino Reader Conference but it's inspired by bookcrossing.com which is the worldwide bookswap site.

      Delete

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