Kindle vs Physical vs Audio

Every book lover has their preference! Kindle, physical or audio. In this episode, we’re discussing our preference and when we reach towards each option! 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hey book lovers, it's TNT Book Awen.

SPEAKER_02 0:03

Where Tyra is chaotic and free-spirited. Tabitha is organized in Taipei. And our TBRs are totally out of control. So today we are talking about the Eternal Reader Debate Kindle versus physical books versus audiobooks.

SPEAKER_01 0:27

Which one do you choose? Which one do you not choose? Which one do you hate? Which one do you love?

SPEAKER_02 0:31

Yeah, pros and cons of each. What do we like? Um, and what do we use each format for? So let's just get on into it.

SPEAKER_01 0:40

So yeah, I I just to kind of mention beforehand, I do love all three. I have a favorite, but I love all three. I will do all three. All three is reading in and of itself.

SPEAKER_02 1:00

So, what is your favorite overall?

SPEAKER_01 1:04

My Kindle. I love that damn thing. I love my Kindle.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

I take it everywhere. I feel like it's just so funny because I feel like my Kindle is my least used format, which is kind of shocking because I feel like it's the most easily accessible. But I am usually reading a physical book and then at least one book on audio. Um, and so I can't I I have to say that physical is my favorite. I there's just something about a good book, like the grabbing an actual book. Yeah, so that's probably I love it.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

I love the feel.

SPEAKER_02 1:49

Yes, and like seeing all my books on my bookshelf, and there's just yeah, there's just something about the physical book, but I think like there's a there's a time and place for each of them. Um so for Kindle, like e-reading specifically, what is it that you like about the Kindle part of it?

SPEAKER_01 2:09

I think the biggest reason why I reach for my Kindle um versus a physical or an audiobook is the convenience for sure. It is so convenient, and that is why like because I don't have I think I don't know if you do, but I don't have a night light on my nightstand.

SPEAKER_02 2:30

I do.

SPEAKER_01 2:31

Yeah, I don't. So like when our lights are off, our lights are off. So I love my Kindle then. I love my Kindle for going on walks. I love my Kindle for uh when you know little man is playing and I just want to be reading. Or yeah, I just my Kindle the convenience is the biggest piece for me.

SPEAKER_02 2:55

Oh yeah, you can take it anywhere. You can um, like you said, reading at night is so much easier. It's reading in bed, it's lightweight, like you can literally take it wherever you're going. Um, I do think that one of the biggest perks is when you have a because like um for uh like Quicksilver and Brimstone, when you have that physical book and it's like, oh my gosh, this is so daunting, but then you get it on Kindle, and even if you see how much is left in the book, it's something like mentally where it's like it's so much easier to finish books faster because it it takes away like that mental block piece of it. Um and a lot of times obviously on Kindle you're not spending as much money as you would if you're going and getting physical books. It's just uh it's cheaper. Um yeah. So with all of those positives, what are some things that you don't like about Kindles? Or like e-reading, I should say.

SPEAKER_01 3:54

I think the biggest thing is I because I truly I do love physical books. I love having a physical book. I love the feel of a physical book. Um, so I think like I miss that piece of it.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

But the pros outweigh the cons.

SPEAKER_01 4:14

Oh, absolutely. I, you know, if I didn't have my Kindle, I wouldn't be able to read as much as I do.

SPEAKER_02 4:20

Oh yeah, for sure. I think that especially in the stage of life that we're in right now, you have to have the convenience piece of it. Um, because one of the biggest things um is the the what is it, like the ability to, it's like one hand, it you're it's just so much easier. I don't know what other word to use. Um because obviously when you have a physical book, you're having to hold it, you have to turn the pages. And if you're like trying to put a kid to bed or you're whatever, anything, it just it takes up so much more effort to read a physical book. Um but I will say the the biggest thing is the the feel of it, like it just doesn't feel as cozy as reading an actual book. But yeah, like you said, the the pros outweigh the cons for sure. Exactly. Is there anything particular that you read the best on Kindle, like a a specific type of book that you feel like is the best on there?

SPEAKER_01 5:21

Not really. I just feel like I'm like I I honestly I just anytime I'm about to get a book or anything, it's always on my Kindle. Like I just everything is on my Kindle.

SPEAKER_02 5:37

No, that's awesome. Is there a specific Kindle feature that you use the most?

SPEAKER_01 5:44

Um the dark versus light mode. Like if I yeah, if I'm reading during the day, I have that light mode on. Um because it just seems brighter, it seems easier to read. But then at night I definitely turn that dark mode on. So that way it's it's just more cozier.

SPEAKER_02 6:04

Yep. Yeah, and it's not so much bringing into the room like you're saying, like if your husband's trying to sleep and you have that all glowing in the in the dark, it's like maybe not the the best thing.

SPEAKER_01 6:15

Yeah, or maybe even like Kindle Unlimited, it's very nice having Kindle Unlimited. Yeah. Uh what about you though?

SPEAKER_02 6:25

I honestly I I I'm trying to like rack my brain because I can't remember the last book that I read on Kindle. Um, but I think the ability to um I don't even know what the feature is called, but like seeing where you are um like in the book and in the chapter and being able to change, okay, I'm like a percentage through the book, or I'm like how you can go to like the I think it's the bottom left and like change what the what you're seeing as far as your progress. I really like that because there's sometimes where I'm like, I want to see how much longer I have in the book. I want to see how much longer I have in this chapter, um, how many pages are left, that kind of thing. So that's probably the one thing that I use the most.

SPEAKER_01 7:05

Yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_02 7:07

So for physical books, what do we like? They're beautiful. They really are. There's the smell, the sound, but just feel, yeah, they're beautiful. Yep, and being able to get the pretty books, like the special editions, oh sprayed edges, and I just love them so much. I there's just something about a physical book, you can't beat it.

SPEAKER_01 7:38

Oh, I know. I love it.

SPEAKER_02 7:41

The uh cons on that, I think we've already touched on it a little bit, but obviously, much more expensive.

SPEAKER_01 7:48

Yeah, they're more expensive. Um I have a toddler, so I'm always scared about the book getting ruined. Yes. Um, and honestly, I mean, we do have a house and everything, but I don't have a library, so I think the space piece of it currently.

SPEAKER_02 8:08

Oh, yeah, they definitely take up space. I already we have two bookshelves in our office, and we already need another one because we have books. Yeah, too many books that they just don't fit on the shelves anymore. So it's like it does, it just takes up a lot of space, it's expensive.

SPEAKER_01 8:21

Um that was the biggest thing with my husband, too. My husband is just like, you need a Kindle. You cannot, we can't keep on storing these books. And I'm like, but I'm preparing to have a library someday. And he's like, Well, you don't have one now.

SPEAKER_02 8:37

So this is the deal that we're coming up with. Yeah, but it really is. It does take up a lot of space. And the convenience piece that we talked about with Kindle, the flip side of that, it is not convenient to do pretty much anything. Like if you're going on a trip and you want, like, let's say you're going on vacation, you're like, I think I'll probably read a book or two while I'm there. It's like, are you gonna take multiple books like with you while you're traveling? Yeah. Or are you just gonna take your Kindle and have your Kindle with you? So um, yeah, it's just it's there are some definite negatives to the physical, but um, I guess for physical books, I think honestly, the the biggest things is if it's a book that I for sure want to have, like I know that I have like, for example, I know I mentioned this in previous episodes. I am obsessed with Nicholas Sparks. I want all of his books. I have books that are signed by him, I have special editions of his, like I there's just something like almost like sentimental about having his books. Um, and so that's the thing is like once I start a collection, I need all of them. Um then obviously the special editions. I just Oh my gosh. I just I can't get enough. The there's gotta be something about like I think it's a millennial thing. I really do, where like they got us on the sprayed edges and oh they did. Oh, they really hooked us with that. I just love them. I and there are different levels of uh sprayed edge, like what I want. If they just go and spray the edges with a color, I'm like that's not good enough. I think you could have done better, but then you see the ones where it's like actual images and stuff like um remarkably bright creatures. That book that I have it has sprayed edges and it has like fish and sea stuff on it. It's just so beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 10:33

Um, they're really starting to hook everybody with that. Even just like the like, for example, with Fourth Wing, even just the different covers.

SPEAKER_02 10:42

It's just and they do, and it's like, okay, now I need all of the editions because I need them. Yeah. Yeah. Yep, it's a it's an obsession. Um when you do have your physical books, do you keep all of those or do you ever end up like getting rid of and donating ones that you've already read?

SPEAKER_01 11:00

No. I do not get rid of them.

SPEAKER_02 11:08

We are on the same page. I'm like, nope, they are mine forever. Don't don't look at them, don't touch them, don't think about touching them.

SPEAKER_01 11:16

Yeah, no. I no, no, I'm not getting rid of my books.

SPEAKER_02 11:22

I agree. They are mine forever and ever. And I'm sorry for when I pass away and someone has to sift through the mess of books that I have because this is just the beginning.

SPEAKER_01 11:32

It's just gonna, it's just gonna go to your sweet little girl.

SPEAKER_02 11:35

She's gonna inherit that she's inheriting my library. Um so yeah, now with the the last option, so audiobooks. The most um divisive of all of the reading types.

SPEAKER_01 11:49

So, what do we like about audiobooks? I think what I like about audiobooks is um, say, for example, I'm reading a book and I'm not fully invested into the book, but I do want to finish the book and I do want to know what happens, um, I'll reach for an audiobook. Uh that way, you know, I'm just not putting in as much effort, I guess. Um but also just like chores.

SPEAKER_02 12:20

Oh, for sure. Multitasking. It is so nice to be able to be like doing laundry and listening to a book. Because there's no way, obviously, you're not gonna be able to be doing laundry using your hands and read a book at the same time. So um, we've talked about this before in previous episodes of us pretty much being against audiobooks um before we became moms. It was like at some point uh that shifted because, like, uh otherwise, there's there's we just can't read as much as we want to read. And um yeah, so being able to, I think one of my biggest things is in the car. When I'm driving to and from work, I love being able to listen to a book. Um, so it's pretty much any time where I wouldn't actually be able to read. I really like to have that option of I'm still quote unquote reading and getting that story in without having to do it with my eyeballs.

SPEAKER_01 13:18

Exactly. Exactly. Um, well, kind of touching off of audiobooks. What do you not like?

SPEAKER_02 13:30

What do I not like? Ooh. Um, I will say it's sometimes harder to focus.

SPEAKER_01 13:39

Yes, it is.

SPEAKER_02 13:40

It is. So you have to like actually be engaged because otherwise I feel like, especially in the day and age that we are in, there's so much like stimulation happening everywhere. So unless you're like really zoned in on it, it's very easy to zone out. And it's like I listened to that whole channel. Yes, like all the details and um all of that. And I know again, we've touched on this, but the uh narrator on an audiobook is a makeup. They have to be good. They have to be there's no option. Yep. It if you I guess at that point it's like if you really want to read that story and the narrator is bad, you go to Kindle or Physical. Um, but it really it'll it'll ruin a good book, that's for sure. Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 14:27

Um, but kind of like uh, you know, we kind of went through all three of them. So let's do a little bit of rapid fire questions. So uh this or that?

SPEAKER_00 14:41

Um are you ready? Yes. Kindle in bed or physical by pull.

SPEAKER_02 14:51

Oh, physical by the pool. No, Kindle in bed, kindle in bed. I'm changing my mind. Annotating or untouched books. I don't annotate anything. I feel like that's I don't I don't know if you do that. I maybe that's something I need to get into. Untouched books for sure. Uh, one giant bookshelf or unlimited Kindle library. Oh, giant bookshelf. I want a Beauty and the Beast giant bookshelf. That's my dream. I'm going to have it eventually with the whole ladder thing around the room.

SPEAKER_01 15:22

Audiobook at one or audiobook at 1.75.

SPEAKER_02 15:29

I feel like this is probably unpopular opinion, but depending on the book, I like it sped up.

SPEAKER_00 15:36

Uh buy immediately or wait for I don't know what that is. What is Libby?

SPEAKER_02 15:52

Somebody help us. I don't know what that is. Um it's gotta be something where it like comes out on Kindle, maybe. I don't know. Um, but I'm like it right away.

SPEAKER_01 16:02

It gets on Kindle too. Yeah, what is who knows?

SPEAKER_02 16:07

Who knows what that is?

SPEAKER_01 16:08

Hardcover or paperback?

SPEAKER_02 16:10

Paperback for sure.

SPEAKER_01 16:12

Reading one format at a time or mixed formats?

SPEAKER_02 16:17

Mixed formats. I like all the things. I want to read something on each of them. So rapid fire back to you. Kindle and bed or physical by the pool.

SPEAKER_01 16:30

Kindle and bed. I am not going to let water touch a book for that's exactly why I changed my mind because I'm like, I would love to be by a pool reading a book, and I'm like, nope.

SPEAKER_02 16:41

Nope. Um, annotating or untouched books. Untouched books? I don't want to ruin the book. One giant bookshelf or unlimited Kindle library. One giant bookshelf if it was possible. Audiobook at one or 1.75 times speed.

SPEAKER_01 17:00

I if I I'm a speed. I I speed it up. I'm a speed up person. So 1.75.

SPEAKER_02 17:08

Yeah. Yep. And on some books, it really does ruin the like flow of the story, so I do just go back to regular speed. But a lot of some books it's worth it.

SPEAKER_01 17:17

They are reading slow, anyways, to help you. Um, and yeah, I don't need that slowness.

SPEAKER_02 17:24

Right, let's let's get to it. Let's recover a paperback. Paperback. Reading one format at a time or mixing formats.

SPEAKER_01 17:36

I go back and forth. I go back and forth. Uh um, yeah, I go back and forth. I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 17:46

So if you could only keep one format forever, what would it be? My Kindle. I'm telling you, physical all the way. I if I had to get rid of my physical books, I think I would literally cry.

SPEAKER_01 18:02

I would definitely cry. Um, I just I would cry losing my Kindle for the fact that I wouldn't be able to read as often.

SPEAKER_02 18:14

Yeah, that is very true.

SPEAKER_01 18:16

I wouldn't be able to get through books.

SPEAKER_02 18:18

If you were in a reading slump, what format would you recommend for getting out of that reading slump?

SPEAKER_01 18:26

Getting out of a reading slump, um if you're trying to get out of a reading slump and trying to get something to pull you back in, maybe the best thing to do would be to reach for an audiobook. Maybe yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:46

I guess just depending on what your preference is, because I really feel like physical books are um physical books are see toddler, toddler life. The the interruptions by the toddler. Um, but I do feel like honestly, I feel like with a reading slump, I I think you have to have a physical book. I feel like you need to find something that you really are excited about reading and like touch the pages.

SPEAKER_01 19:17

Yeah, I get what you mean by that. By like just like seeing something beautiful, smelling it here.

SPEAKER_02 19:26

Actual like senses piece of it, I think, is really important. So if you're in a reading slump, find a book that you're really excited about and go and buy it, buy the physical copy. Um, but we would love to know what your preferred preferred formats are. Are you one or the other? Do you do all of them like we do? Um, are you loyal to one thing? Um, or are you more fluid? Um so yeah. And then and then I guess it if you have an example of what you think is best on each format, because I think I know we didn't really touch on it, but on audio, I think like the self-help inspirational reads are usually so, so good on Audible. Um, so yeah, maybe there's certain books that you like one way versus the other. So we would love to hear all of your input. But that is it for this mini episode of TNT Bookhaven. Make sure you're following the show so you never miss a bookish moment.

SPEAKER_01 20:24

Also, come chat with us over on social. We're on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook as TNT Bookhaven. Um, we also have our TNT Bookhaven book club on the Fable app. So please join that. Um, and by the time you're listening to this one, you'll we're probably going to be jumping into our July book. But um, we'll see you in the next one. Happy reading, book lovers. Yay! Bye. Bye.