I don’t think I’m the only bookworm that dreams of having a giant library filled with books like Belle had in Beauty and the Beast. However, I live in downtown Toronto, not a sprawling country estate, and I certainly don’t have a library or even room for a second bookcase.
Despite all that, I love hard copies of beautiful books. The thought of deviating from that medium felt wrong to me. I thought if I listened to an audiobook or used an eReader, I was cheating on my first love. I was convinced that the alternative forms of reading were not true “reading.”
As technology has improved though, so too has accessibility to reading. You don’t even need a physical book anymore. Not only does that save on shelf space, it opens up the wonderful world of books to different types of readers. Once I got over my hang-ups, I was able to enjoy more books. And it was easier for me to learn, escape to different worlds, and be entertained.
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2020 Was the Year I Learned to Embrace Audiobooks and eReaders
Audiobooks and eReaders are growing in popularity, especially this year when us bookworms can’t wander bookstores for hours the way we used to. Sure, we can order books from our favourite local stores, but even that takes a couple of days. Audiobooks and eReaders bring convenience to readers looking for their next read TODAY.
My first experience with an eBook was on my iPad mini, years ago, when Apple launched its bookstore. I got a copy of American Gods by Neil Gaiman, but reading on my iPad felt unnatural. I missed holding a book, flipping a real page, hearing the sound of that page turning.
However, that time I went to renew my passport and forgot my knitting (the horror), having this book synced to my phone was a godsend. It gave me something to read while waiting in the long line up. But I didn’t read a single page after that day in the summer of 2014.
I will admit I was snooty and didn’t consider these virtual eBooks to be “real” books. I also never understood the appeal of an audiobook. eBooks are digital. Listening to a book isn’t “reading” a book.
Spoiler alert: I was wrong. Very, very wrong.
Audiobooks Aren’t for Me (Yet) but They May Be for You
In our “Rediscovering Reading During Quarantine” post, I talked about how I started listening to audiobooks for the first time. Yes–this was because Sea Wall/A Life came out, a recording of the Broadway performance by Tom Sturridge and Jake Gyllenhaal. Yes–the second book I listened to was The Great Gatsby narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal. A theme? Yes.
Once I couldn’t find anything else narrated by Jake, I simply listened to books from my Classics book club. But I kept finding myself distracted and not paying attention to what I was listening to. I tried listening and working–definitely didn’t work.
One day, while doing the dishes, I found myself actually focusing on the book. I needed something mindless to do with my hands so that I could stay on track with what was in my ears. Every time I did dishes, I listened. When I started Catch-22—a 21-hour book—I realized listening to audiobooks took way longer than reading, as I am a fast reader.
I was starting to think audiobooks were annoying again, but then I realized something. Audiobooks give access to people that may not be able to read a physical book. I had never thought of print disabilities, as I don’t have one. I can hold a hardcover book for an entire reading session. And I can comprehend written words in many different fonts. I felt so short-sighted, because accessibility in reading is incredibly important and being able to listen to a book isn’t cheating. You are still reading a book, absorbing the story and enjoying an art form.
I’m still listening to Catch-22 when I do my dishes, and I’m going to start going for audiobook walks. With my new subscription to Libro.fm, I’m going to be more deliberate with the books I choose. I make sure it’s a book that may not need 100% of my focus all the time. The true test will be if I can listen while knitting!
Your Audiobook Options
- Audible is affiliated with Amazon (con) and costs $15 CAD a month for one book. Audible does have exclusive podcasts and other bonuses that come with your subscription.
- Libro.fm is $15 USD a month for one book BUT you can choose a local bookstore to support in your community. I chose Queen Books, one of my favourite shops in Toronto. In the current world climate, being able to support local business but stay home is important to me.
- Apple and Kobo also have audiobook options, but I haven’t used them personally.
eReaders Let You Take Your Entire Library Anywhere
You know that feeling when you’re packing for a trip and you want to bring 17 books with you, even though you know you won’t have time to read 17 books? That’s not really the point though.
After my tiny trip into the world of eBooks where I completely wrote them off, seeing so many Kindles and Kobos on Bookstagram had me rethinking my snap judgment. This summer, some of the publishers we work with sent us PDF versions of ARCs (advanced reading copies) that we were doing episodes on and I read them on my laptop. Not the best option as you can’t really get cozy with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a laptop. I DID notice that I was reading them faster than I would have read a physical book. This pushed me over the edge and I started researching eReaders.
Listen to Episode 51:Coach House Books 2020 Fall Releases & Episode 52:Wattpad Books New Releases
Kindle and Kobo are the biggest competitors in the marketplace. Apple is up there too but I no longer have an iPad and didn’t want to get one. I wanted something that was like a book and a book alone: no notifications to distract me, no apps, no multitasking.
After comparing different options, versions, and prices, I decided on the Kobo Libra H2O. Kobo is a Toronto company (while I think owned by Rakuten now) but I felt better supporting something Canadian over Amazon. The biggest selling point was its integration with OverDrive–the online library borrowing system. I use my Toronto Public Library card and can request books right from the Kobo!
The second I opened the box, I fell in love with it. I read at night before bed again. It has a night mode that makes it easy on the eyes and I can blaze through books. I even end up having a better sleep at night since my eyes don’t get bothered, as compared to the backlit iPad. Gen ended up getting one for her birthday as well so we’re #TeamKobo now.
Speaking of accessibility in reading, eBooks also open doors for people with different print disabilities. You can customize fonts, size, and brightness. Depending on the eReader you get, they also don’t weigh much, which is great for someone who may have difficulty holding a large book.
Your eBook Options
- Kindle has an unlimited subscription for $9.99 a month. The library available is vast and it’s easy to download and buy new books right on the eReader. One con to the Kindle is that you can only load Kindle books onto the reader. If you are in the US, you can access library books on your Kindle.
- Kobo also has an unlimited subscription for $9.99 a month. There are even models you can get that are waterproof, so you can read by the pool and never worry about it. Kobo also allows you to upload PDFs and other forms of eBooks which is a huge plus.
Audiobooks and eReaders Make Reading Easier for All
As I learned, having options for reading makes it easier. Accessibility can be better on these platforms, and it brings books to the reader in a convenient format for all.
On top of that, audiobooks and eReaders offer a sustainable approach to reading, especially if you are voraciously reading and consuming print books like us. Keep your eyes peeled next month for a deeper dive into how to read with the environment’s best interests in mind.
Do you use eReaders or listen to audiobooks? Tell us your favourite alternate modes of reading in the comments below or email us at hello@anotherbookontheshelf.com
