Physical vs Audio Books

Give me a physical book every time.

I know audio books are convenient. You can listen while you drive or while you walk. Hell, you can even multitask your way through a novel. I get the appeal of them. But my brain just doesn't work that way.

I have a hard time maintaining the attention needed to absorb information from audio. My mind wanders and I miss chunks. I end up rewinding trying to figure out what I missed. It can be frustrating. Reading a physical book is hard enough for me some days. Audio books just make it worse.

There's also something about holding a real book. The weight of it in my hands, turning and smelling the pages. Then there is placing a bookmark between the pages to mark my progress. Seeing how far I've come and how much is left.

I've thought about trying audio books for doctor appointment watiing rooms, walks and that kind of thing. Time I'm just sitting there staring at the walls or passing time anyway. Haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. Maybe I will someday. I do have a couple apps on my phone. So I'm one step closer.

When it comes to what I read I like action fiction and military history. Dean Koontz and Brad Thor are two of my favorite authors right now. I like stuff that moves fast, keeps me guessing and interested. Military history because I lived that life and it still fascinates me. Real stories about real people doing hard shit mostly.

I usually read in the morning when my brain is at its best. Those early hours are my prime time for anything that requires focus. I was reading recreationally every morning for a while. But with my current study schedule that's taken a back seat. Academic reading eats most of my reading time now. And let me tell you, academic reading is a fucking bore. Dry, dense and written by people who get paid by the word apparently. Nothing like cracking open that kind of thriller.🤣 But it's necessary so I push through it.

Eventually I'll get back to reading for fun more often. For now it's a treat when I can squeeze it in.

Physical book for me always. No contest.

Thanks for reading,
Joe

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