Physical all the way!

Depends on the narrator and/or production of the audiobook. My default state is physical but there are some audiobooks that are undeniably better.

Physical. Because I want to be able to re-read stuff when I didn't understand it well.

Sometimes it's just one sentence, sometimes whole paragraph.

I have an hour commute each day and Audible has been a real treat for me. Currently listening to Project Hail Mary and it is superb!

I can't get into Audible because of ADHD. It's annoying to constantly rewind what's been said because you can't remember. Rereading the same sentence for the fifth time is more convenient. That being said, never tried the Audible versions, only free audiobooks on the internet. Also, I've found that ebooks on the phone are helping with "life being too fast". You can open the open, read a bit, and close it really fast. 🙂

I've had a broadly similar journey. I used to consume books non-stop but as I've moved out of education and my work/life commitments increased I ended up at pretty much zero reading if I wanted to relax in any other way. Plus, by the end of the day, my eyes are often just too tired to concentrate for too long.

Audiobooks allowed me to enjoy books again in times when I'm doing menial tasks such as cleaning and cooking. Add in plenty of available traveling time, then listening in bed to relax without having to use my eyes, and I easily find about 2 hours a day (sometimes a little less, often much more). I love them

Edit: I should add, it's broadly been made possible through my bone conduction head phones as well!

I like audiobooks (I use Libby and Hoopla), but I still prefer physical books as my go to.

Audio books also have one massive advantage over the printed page. Apart from enjoying some top notch voice performances that are out there these days*, you also get the feel of the language in your ears and brain. In English this may not be all that important for many of us, who speak it daily, but if one wants to learn some other language -- Italian, Greek, German, Turkish -- having that daily earful of the living language is absolutely crucial.

And if one listens to a story that he already knows and likes, not only does it stimulate his brain, by remembering how the story goes in English, while making mental notes, "oh, this word probably means something related to travelling .." and so on.. it also refreshes his enjoyment of the story itself, while nudging the brain to "Learn the new language already, damn you!"

Not to mention, that in some circumstances in a bus for instance, for many people - me included - reading a book would make me physically sick, from the page shaking along with the bus.

All in all, audiobooks have their massive benefits. I like 'em.

*Looking at You, new edition of Discworld!!

I'm nearly entirely audiobooks these days. Mostly via one of my local libraries and occasionally through Audible for the stuff the libraries don't have. I listen during slow periods at work, while running errands, doing chores, and when going to bed.

I read news, articles, etc., but for my fiction stuff - I'd never get stuff done because I'd just want to sit and read. Been there done that.

I can only enjoy audio books after I’ve physically read it. I prefer physical copies to digital, but then again, I’m nearly out of room on my bookshelves.

At the same time, my commute is about an hour. So, I really should get into audiobooks. Generally though I listen to YouTubers or Critical Role.

I've been trying audio books on and off for years, but unfortunately I can't concentrate on them at all. Even at school, I lost my concentration when another child read a book out loud. That's why I prefer to read books. I have no problem listening to podcasts though. I can probably follow a conversation easier than a structured story.

Almost always physical. Podcasts or music for the car. Reading is very much a priority in my life so no matter what modernity gets up to I’ve always found sitting with a book to be my preference. For people who have a million things going on or for other reasons I totally understand the audiobook appeal but I haven’t been converted myself.

I prefer physical books even when studying. I do not like reading pdfs or powerpoint slides on any devices especially if they are too long to read.

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I consume more books through audible than I do physical books right now. But I usually go in waves, switching back and forth between physical and audiobooks.

I love both, but due to the fact that i have lots of hobbies i usually listen to audiobooks while drawing ,crocheting etc. and also as you said lately i dont have the time for physical bookss, but like in the summer i love readingg a book rather that listening to it

I like both!

Because of life, I've also made the change to audiobook. I still try to read a physical book, but if I can't, its nice to fill in the blanks with the audiobook.

Plus, depending on the narrator(s) I love gotten through books I don't think I would've trad physically.

A mix of both, audible for on the run, reader app on the phone for leisure. Honestly, the reader app on the phone is a godsend, I started reading again because of it. Got sucked in to the Wandering Inn in the last few months, didn’t realize the whole thing is like 18 million words, so yeah… not feasible with physical.

I like physical books as well, as I like to actively be aware of the prose and the art of it. I feel I don’t appreciate the prose as much if it’s an Audio book. That being said, I don’t mind audible for some non fiction- such a pop history or pop science books- as I view it in a similar manner to a podcast.

My default is physical or An ebook. I love audiobooks but I'm super picky about narrators. Plus I find that I have to also seat still to concentrate on an audiobook or crunch numbers while listening

I typically do physical for fiction and non-fiction I'll do audio. I also find I can digest most classics (most recently Camille by Sheridan Le Fanu) better in audio format.

Physical or ebook. I can't get into audio books. It just doesn't feel right.

Both. Usually have one of each going at the same time. Physical at home (literature), audible on the go (contemporary or shorter things, advisement/self-help books, etc)

I have nothing against audiobooks but I struggle to follow them. I listen to my favourites each night as I fall asleep. But I’m a physical book reader because I zone out and if I do that while reading it is easier to backtrack.

My preference is physical or an ebook. My recall is so much better with the written word. With audiobooks, sometimes I get distracted and have to rewind. But audiobooks are good for when I'm battling migraine attacks and need to lie down in the dark for a while. I guess it depends on what my needs are.

I go through phases where I legit can’t sit and read for very long and I get antsy, audio books have been my go to since I can do them while driving or playing games.

Both but I spend more time on Audible because of commuting. I’ve also found Audible a game changer for some genres and Authors. I could never get into Steven King but I found I love his writing if I’m listening to it rather than reading it - I’m a huge fan now.

Similarly, I greatly prefer non fiction on Audible rather than physical books.

For me I find that physical books immerse me more in the story if I'm actually sitting down to read (not to mention I remember more details), but audiobooks are great if you're in the middle of something such as cleaning or driving.

My normal go-to is physical books when you're waiting or have free time, audiobooks if you're driving or doing chores (yay Bluetooth speaker).

It also depends on the narrator they pick for the audiobook.

Example, True Grit as read by Donna Tartt was a fantastic audiobook because both she and the main character are from the South (U.S.), and her reading combined with Charles Portis' writing was so natural-sounding that it literally sounded like I was listening to a firsthand historical account instead of some fictional retelling (the book is written in first-person).

My suggestion, play around a bit and see what you like best.

My cousin has ADHD so audiobooks works better for him. I prefer physical books because once my brain gets into it after 10 or 20 pages, I can't put the book down.

Whatever works for you.

I have a job that includes a lot of travel. It's paid travel time, not commute, but I use audiobooks to soak up that time because it allows me to enjoy many more books than I could otherwise. However, I can't stand listening to an audiobook if I'm not doing anything else so I still read physical or ebooks a lot.

I listen to mostly audiobooks after being a voracious reader for my entire life. I don’t have time to sit with a book for hours like I used to. Being able to get through a book while driving, doing housework, etc. has been a godsend 🥰

I have transitioned to that as well because the only time I have to consume literature is at work or while driving. I am honestly grateful I can plug away 30hours into an audio book every week at work because it has brought my love for literature back into my life when I wasn’t consuming it for years.

Hi there. This subject has been very popular in the past. Please use reddit search and/or check the /r/books/wiki/faq.

Physical.. I love the feel and smell