What's the Best Book Format? Paperback, Hardback, Audiobook, or eBook? 📚💻🔉

In the modern era, there is so many different ways to access a book. You can buy a paperback copy, a pretty hardback copy, an eBook or even now an audiobook. With so many options to choose from, there are so many ways that you can enjoy the wonders of the written work.

I personally love a good paperback. The feel of the pages in my hand, and the new book smell when it has come off the shelf. I can never get enough of that. However, what I absolutely won’t accept is when I have cracked the spine, but when I have I will then have to crack it at even intervals throughout the book – for example every 100 pages. Just one of my many book-reading quirks, I suppose. 🤷‍♀️

However, recently I have started to move into other sections of book formats. I have a few hardbacks on my shelf, but they are only bought if they are pretty, and I have already enjoyed the book enough to deem it worthy of needing a hardback – but between you and me, it is mostly because it is pretty. I think the thing I enjoy most, besides the prettiness, is that the spine won’t have a visible crack. I am very particular about that, as you already know.

I have also really started to enjoy having access to so many eBooks. I don’t have a kindle, or anything like that, but I do have the kindle app downloaded on my tablet, where there is probably hundreds of books that I have found for free to potentially enjoy later. I don’t know if it is just me but when I am reading an eBook it seems to be read that much faster. Yes, I can read a paperback really quickly, but there is just something about finishing an eBook that is meant to be 400+ pages in about two days. But, then again, that could just be because I read too much – if there is ever such a thing as reading too much. I also have the chance to read it and be cosy, while I read at night. I can actually snuggle into my bed, instead of having to hold the paperback. I think that is one of the reasons I go for it. There is also a range of stories on eBooks that you just can’t get in paperback because people are self-publishing their works on Amazon all the time. Thank the stars, there is always authors writing, because otherwise I would just run out of books to read – and we certainly cannot be having that.

I can’t say I have ever really tried an audiobook. Nope. I suppose that is sort of a lie. My friends at my local library suggested a comedy audiobook on a disc, that I did listen to. Though, I do understand the appeal of being able to do other things whilst you are listening to the book, I tend to zone out a lot of the time when listening to things so, I don’t think sitting still and only listening to the book is the right fit for me. I mean, I still can’t get my head around listening to books in first person and having the characters speak in your ear – I think that is a big thing that puts me off 😂. I might just stick to my music in the background whilst reading. But, if that is the best way for you to read a book and learn about different worlds, I am all for that especially when you have narrated by famous people, with the industry being so up and coming!

Thinking of music, have you ever had the perfect song play on your playlist, whilst reading a book that fits the scene perfectly. Most of the time I couldn’t have done it if I had tried – and don’t get me wrong I have tried, but to no avail. Shame! 🤷‍♀️But either way it brings me great joy, when it does happen and then I can associate that song with that book. FOREVER. Lucky me. 😄

So, now that I have gone off topic with a separate rant, you are welcome. What is your favourite book format and why?

Until the next chapter,

#BellesBookBabble