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Audio vs Paper Books

Not so long ago I had a coffee chat with my colleague (Vitor Gurgel) about books. He mentioned that he prefers audiobooks to paper books. I was surprised because I always thought that paper books are better. I decided to give audiobooks a try and see if I like them.

Table of contents

Open Table of contents

Why Books

My grandmother programmed me from my childhood to read books. She had a big library at home, and she always encouraged me to read books.

I stayed at her place every day after school, and spent many nights too and countless school holidays/vacations.

I remember that I read a lot of books during my childhood. I read books from different genres, and I mostly enjoyed adventure (looking at you Jack London) and science fiction books.

I remember traveling with my grandmother to multiple bookstores, book fairs, and libraries, and we always returned with a few new books.

I will be honest with you, I didn’t like reading books at first. I was more into playing video games, and playing outside with my friends. But my grandmother was persistent, and she always found a way to make me read books.

I’m a slow reader, I don’t rush to finish a book. I like to take my time and enjoy the book. I reread some books multiple times, and I always find something new.

I read many books, many ahead of my age, and this is actually a problem. I have fun chats with my wife about books, time to time, she mentions some books, and I say, “I read it, but I don’t remember all the details.” She doubts it, and we start chatting about a book, once I get a bit more details, I start remembering the book, and then she believes me.

My grandmother recently gifted me a notebook where she recorded all the books I’ve read while staying at her place. My wife was surprised to see the list, and I was surprised to see how many books I’ve read too :)

My thoughts on Paper Books

Let me capture my thoughts on paper books first. I have been reading paper books for a long time. I like the feeling of holding a book in my hands, turning pages, and seeing the progress I make.

Why I like paper books

Why I don’t like paper books

Okay, let’s move to the audiobooks now.

My experience with Audiobooks

Occasionally I listen to audiobooks when traveling with my kids in the car, but I never followed a narrative, ‘cause it was for my kids, and I was driving.

I listen to many podcasts, and I like them. I listen to podcasts while driving, while working out, doing groceries, and while doing chores around the house.

I built a good range of podcasts I can listen to, learn and enjoy (it’s challenging to find a right “voice”). I listen to podcasts about technology, software development, personal development, history, astronomy, and many more.

Recently I bought The Toyota Way paper book. I started reading it before this experiment, and I thought it would be a good book to try audiobook.

I enabled my subscription to Audible, and I started listening to the audiobook version of The Toyota Way.

I listened to overall 2.5 hours of the audiobook, and I have mixed feelings about it.

Why I like audiobooks

Why I don’t like audiobooks

Conclusion

I will continue listening to The Toyota Way audiobook, but I will also read the paper version. I will see which one I like more after finishing the book.

I can see where audiobooks can be beneficial, but I can’t see myself switching to audiobooks completely. I like paper books more, and I will continue reading them.

I may start listening to audiobooks more, but I will be selective about the books I listen to (less professional, more for soul).

I can see also audiobook as a tool or way to get a quick understanding of some content I don’t want to invest full time by reading a book.

I may end in a hybrid mode, where I will read paper books most of the time and listen to audiobooks occasionally when I can’t read a book.

What about e-book?.. |_|>