While some readers refer to physical books as “real books,” many of us believe reading includes all of the following, each of which has its advantages:

Special Editions

I don’t know about you, but with all the newer releases with painted and sprayed edges, I’m tempted to buy several simply because of their appearance and how beautiful they would look on a shelf. To date, I have not succumbed to the temptation. However, if a special edition of a book I want to read is released, I may snatch it up.

Hardcovers

I have at least one “coffee table book.” It is large and includes lovely pictures. I have very few other hardcovers, but they often hold up better. So, if you want to read and reread these books several times, investing in the hardcover editions can be a good investment. My hubby, for example, has reread the entire Wheel of Time series three times. Few paperbacks would have held up as well as the hardcovers have.

Paperbacks

I would venture to say that the majority of books on our bookshelves are paperbacks of various sizes. They’re easier to hold (and don’t hurt as much if they fall on us if we’re reading in bed). They’re also fairly portable, and we likely don’t mind if we take them to the beach and we get sand on them. Plus, they are generally less expensive than special editions and hardcovers.

eBooks

I was an early adopter of eBooks. I typically have several books on the go at once, and carrying dozens, even hundreds, of them with me would be 100 percent impractical if I was taking along physical books. While I do have an eReader, I rely on the numerous apps on my phone to access my eBooks. It’s also handy to be able to adjust the font size, having 65-year-old eyes and all.

Audiobooks

While many who listen to audiobooks do so almost exclusively on their commute, I have come to appreciate then for a long list of reasons. Because of audiobooks, I can read 1) when I’m completing a task that doesn’t require my undivided attention, 2) when my eyes are too tired to read a physical or eBook, and 3) when I’m trying to fall back to sleep. (I just have to remember to set the snooze option so the book doesn’t continue through to the end after I’ve dozed off.) These are only three of the reasons I listen to novels. Typically, I don’t listen to nonfiction because I find it requires more of my attention. My mind can wander a little when I’m listening to fiction, and I’ll still get the gist of the story.

How about you? Which do you prefer: audiobooks, eBooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, and/or special editions?