Reading flexibility

Last year, I read the Murderbot series by Martha Wells via audiobook. I decided I wanted to re-read it this year, but chose to purchase printed books and to read it "with my eyes" instead of "with my ears."  I found that for this series, reading the printed versions meant that I took my time. The slower pace meant that I followed the plot more closely and enjoyed the books more.

Last year, I started listening to the book Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies via audiobook. I found the narrator to be monotone (to my ears) and I couldn't finish the book - and I tried twice.  I purchased the kindle book version, and it was vastly different. I sped through the book.  I bought print versions of the other two in the trilogy, and enjoyed them.

This year, I started reading the printed version (kindle) of Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare. I slogged through the first half of the book (630 pages) until I finally gave up and bought the audiobook. The print was just too slow for me; the audiobook sped it up, thank goodness.

All this to say that I think the version of a book I want to read depends on the book. I didn't really realize that earlier. I normally don't buy a lot of printed books because I don't have any more storage space for them on my bookshelves.  I make exceptions to that rule for books I need to highlight or read for spiritual or educational purposes. That said, I altered the rule lately to include a few print books - ones that are beautifully designed or that I think I would enjoy more reading as a print copy. 

Reading flexibility - it's what I want.