If you’re a WWW Wednesday-er, you might have heard me mention this before. I’ve recently made a really hard book-nerd decision and I still have mixed feelings about it but I will go on. Let me explain.
I love buying books as I’m sure many of you reading this do as well. I have an entire shelf devoted to these books that I have bought and not yet read. It’s almost full. As in this is a problem. The compounding factor is that for so long, I would buy books that were on my Goodreads TBR that also had audiobook copies available at my local library. For a long time, that was no problem as there were so many audiobooks at the library I didn’t own physical copies of. That’s ended. I’m out of easily available audiobooks that are on my TBR. I’m starting to listen to books I hadn’t planned on reading and some of the books on my TBR are sinking farther and farther away from me as they drift down the pile.
I got sick of this. I’ve listened to three books this summer I never intended to listen to (I won’t say which) and while two were good, one wasn’t and the whole time, I kept wishing I was going through my shelf books instead. So, I’ve decided to do that.
Unless there’s a very good reason I want to read a physical copy of the book (some are rather visually put together), I’m going to listen to the audiobook if I can get to it first. eaudio is the easiest by far, but some physical audiobooks can be good as well. I’m looking forward to getting through these books in one form or another so I can start with those I’ve been putting off because my TBR is just so big!
I’m still iffy on this decision. It feels wrong, like I’m betraying my books! What do you think? Is it wrong to listen to an audiobook when you own the physical copy as well? What about if it was ebook and book? Is that different? Leave a comment and let me know how you’d feel!
You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!
Taking On a World of Words 
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with listening to audiobooks when you have a physical copy on your shelf. I’ve done it before and would totally recommend it 😀
LikeLike
I’m glad. I’ve been hesitant to because I love physical books so much but at this point in my life, it makes the most sense. Thanks and happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it’s wrong to listen to an audiobook if you own the physical copy too. Not at all! I see nothing wrong with that. There may be a time when you wanna read the book but can’t, like driving, so you could listen. Or cleaning the house, etc. I mean, I’ve even bought ebooks of books I own physical copies of. Because I’d prefer to have certain books on my iPad so I can read them whenever I don’t have the physical book with me. I dunno… in my opinion, I see nothing at all wrong with that. But maybe I’m wrong.
LikeLike
I hope not haha. I’m not sure how much I’ll flip between audio and physical in a single book. I guess I’ve bought physical books of ones I’ve listened to so I shouldn’t have an issue but this still seems to bother me. Thanks for commenting and happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t let it bother you 😉 Happy Reading to you, too!
LikeLike
It’s a different experience to be read to – rather than to read. It can be more like listening to a play on the radio and you can do other things while listening. Perhaps the one drawback is you can get distracted by other things while doing so! Both are valid and enjoyable ways of reading, so don’t feel bad about one versus the other 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! I do enjoy being read to, it’s very comforting! I’ll still try to read as many titles as I can but listening will be a nice option. Happy reading!
LikeLike
I find audiobooks very useful, especially when hayfever season hits and I find it difficult to read words off a page. Sometimes as well I can more enjoyment from an audiobook due to the way the narrator is performing the text. It can also irritate me at times but I think it brings something new to the book, even if it is one you’ve read quite a few times before.
LikeLike
That’s a great point. I’ve read Harry Potter loads of times but I listened to it with my husband this summer and I felt differently about some characters because of how the narrator read them. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol girl I do this ALL THE TIME. Don’t feel bad.
LikeLike
Haha, thanks! This will get me through my TBR so much faster! Happy reading!
LikeLike
I don’t think it’s about ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ – it’s about getting through books! If it’s easier for you to listen, then do that. And you’ll still have the physical copies, too, so if you lose the audio hold, you don’t necessarily have to wait to get it back. Provided you have the time to crack open a physical book. 🙂
LikeLike
Haha that would be nice in my current problem with World Without End! Very true, I can always switch between the two if I need to. Happy reading!
LikeLike