Book Formats. Choose Wisely.

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It’s a grand time for readers. We have various ways of consuming books. There are print books, e-books, and audio books. Through the ages, each format has had its heights and lows along with its advantages and its flaws.

So let’s examine each format.

Naturally, I will start with the oldest format—Print books. This format engages all the senses. The weight of the book whether its a trade paperback, a hardcover or a mass-market book is the first sensation to be experienced. The crack of the spine pronounces the beginning of the new adventure awaiting in the pages. The paper’s texture is a unique feel that fires up the fingertips as the paper suck in the fingers’ heat. The special scent of paper and ink is a fragrance that lights up the brain. That’s all before reaching the first line. The black print hooks the brain and doesn’t release its hold until the last word. The body and brain are engaged in the reading process in a way that e-books and audio books fail to rouse.

The flaw with print books is one—storage. Books eat up the bookcases, hover in corners of rooms, and any other bit of space those square objects of wonder can fit. In this age of the Marie Kondo method, storage and organization are important.
Nevertheless, nothing beats print. Johannes Gutenberg was a genius and my hero.

With the electronic readers, the publishing world and readers’ lives changed. There are a two great aspects of e-books. First is the instant gratification. All that is required is a reader or app, a credit or debit card then hit buy and the book is delivered to you in seconds. The second benefit of e-books are that the library is portable. All the books are just a couple taps away.

As for the flaws of e-books, there are a two as well. First, one is readers and smart phones need charging. So, the access to a book could be withheld. Another one is that electronic devices lack the warmth that print books possess.

Now audio books. This format has been around for a time and at this moment, they are centered stage. Audio books have an ease that many busy people find beneficial. The books can be read while in the car or preparing dinner or any other task. Audio books also rouse the memories of being read to by parents. And when the audiobook’s narrator can bring the story to life in a way that stimulates the mind like Stephen Fry does with the Harry Potter series.

But all isn’t rosy for this format. It can be easy to block out the audio and then whole parts of the book are missed. Another minus is the audiobook’s narrator could be bad. The voice may be unpleasant or grating even too dramatic that it pulls the listener from the tale. Another defect is that taking notes are not possible unless you want to feel like you are at a college lecture again.

How do you rank the book formats? Did I forget a benefit or flaw?