I noticed recently that I tend to rate books lower if I read them on my Kindle.
Now, I love my Kindle. I use it to read e-galleys for review, Amazon First Reads books, and books that are only available digitally. I can even “purchase” for free old books whose copyrights have expired. I love how it’s small and slim and can fit in almost all of my purses (the purses that really matter). It’s sturdy, especially with its hardshell case, so I can toss it in my backpack without worrying that it’ll damage. I take it with me to work and stand in line with it. Each “page” is so brief that I don’t have to worry about skimming a bunch of lines trying to find where I left off. It’s no big deal to reread it all. It contains a whole library in one. No more needing to worry about how many books I can cram into my suitcase when I travel!
Yet there’s something missing from this magical device. The smell of old books. The smell of new books. The bliss of turning the pages, and turning back. The look of black ink on crisp pages. The art of reading one extended story instead of brief page, after brief page, hungering for the next quick fix. The appreciation of how each line fits into the paragraph, each paragraph into the chapter, each chapter into the greater whole. The making of connections and the flipping back and forth; realizing how the author has laid each piece of the foundation to the greater plot, building up to this moment. The wonder of holding a book and admiring its beautiful cover, the carefully chosen words on the inside and back of the dust jacket, and reading it one page at a time. The finding of itβthe choosing of it, one out of many off the shelves to take home.
The mystery of going to the bookstore or library and not knowing what I’ll take home that day. The adventure of opening a new book to its first page not knowing what to expect. The physical reminder on my bookshelf that this is a book to love, treasure, reread, share (with great trepidation), cry over, laugh over, reread, remember.
Because at the end of the day I cannot read every book I add to my TBR list, nor will I browse through my Kindle daily to see what I’ve missed. Because I can’t have a relationship with a book left to collect virtual dust in my Kindle library. But a book that I’ve held over the course of the days or weeks it takes to finish it is a book whose weight I have felt, whose covers I have caressed, whose pages I have turned and turned again seeking remembrance. It is a book that I’ve grown to love and cherish and which has sat on my shelf for however brief a time.
Chat With Me
What is your favorite format to read in? Have you noticed if you rate books differently based on the format you read it in?
P.S. Hardcopy Edition
Even among hardcopies I’ve noticed that I have my favorites. Hardcovers are typically the best because the lines are spaced out, the font larger, and the covers don’t wear out as easily as those of paperbacks. I love Mass Market copies for their price markdowns and because many older books are hard to find in hardcovers, but sometimes the words are hard to read towards the center because of the way they’re bound. Trade paperbacks are wonderful for the compromise between quality and lower prices. I’ll purchase one or the other depending on (1) how much I love this book, (2) whether a specific edition has bonus content, and (3) the cover provided for this edition.
P.S. Audiobook Edition
I tend to enjoy audiobooks that are more active. If the voice is too soothing I’m at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which is where I do most of my audiobook listening. I also tend to prefer audiobooks with more opportunities for the narrator to demonstrate a large repertoire of voices. Take Brandson Sanderson’s Wax and Wayne (Mistborn Era 2) books for example. Wayne has a delightful range of voices and personalities, and Michael Kramer does a fantastic job of translating this to audio.
Malka @ Paper Procrastinators says
Oh, book formatting definitely impacts my reading experience! I’ve found that there are certain genres I just can’t read on my Kindle, for example! And as you mentioned there’s something wonderful about being able to flip back and forth between pages, which I frequently do when I read physical copies.
But even within physical books, I’m picky. If the book has a larger font, it’s easier for me to read than the ones with tinier print. And I like normal sized paperbacks over mass-market sized, and dislike the overly large hardbacks. I think sometimes these preferences subconsciously influence my enjoyment of a book, but I try to take format into account when I gather my thoughts to rate and review books! Great post!
Crystal says
I agree that there are certain genres that are harder to read on Kindles – such as longer fantasy works or works where I need to reference the glossary or index or map.
Smaller font is definitely a no-go with physical books for me as well. I’ve been switching out the my mass markets of my favorite books for hardbacks because of the small, densely packed font; sometimes, I get a headache trying to make out the words. But the overly large hardbacks can be a problem too. I bought the Sword of Shannara trilogy hardback omnibus, but I’ve been procrastinating reading it because it’s so heavy!
Thanks for chiming into the discussion, Malka π
Molly @ Molly's Book Nook says
I don’t think I’ve ever actually taken a look at how format might affect my rating. I do know I prefer a physical copy over ebook but I don’t think it changes my rating of a book – just maybe how quickly I read. I tend to take longer for ebooks. Frankly, because I forget about them. My ipad is usually put away, then the app is in a folder – whereas a physical book is always in front of me. So, in that sense, it could indirectly affect it because I’m taking longer? Love this discussion!
Crystal says
I also prefer physical copies. It’s true that they’re more visible, especially since I tend to carry my book from room to room. And I am less likely to skim a book when I’m reading a physical copy (or audio since I can’t speed-listen lol). If I go out more frequently in a given week, however, it’s my Kindle that I carry around with me. Thanks so much for chiming into the discussion, Molly!
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
I don’t think the format influences my review. That being said, I love paperback vs digital. But I’m growing more fond of audiobooks, if they’re narrated well. Great post!
Crystal says
Thanks, Aleen. I agree that a great narrator makes the audiobook. While I prefer hardcopies, I’ve been getting more into audiobooks with my long commute, so I’m looking forward to exploring more audiobook narrators.
Sam@wlabb says
I am all about the ebook, but when the pub gives me a galley in PDF format, I have to do everything in my power to not make the tedious reading experience affect my rating. I also have found that not all books work for me in audio format, and think some might have rated higher for me had I read them versus listening to them.
Crystal says
I agree. I do my best not to let the book format influence my rating of a book, especially when I received it from a publisher. There are also books that I’ve enjoyed more in audiobook than another format (and vice versa).
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I find that I have a higher tolerance for slower books in audiobook format, for some reason. So I’ve definitely felt that I rate books higher when I listen to them vs. if I’d read them. I don’t think I’ve noticed any difference between Kindle and physical books, but now I’m curious about that.
Crystal says
That’s interesting to hear. I typically enjoy audiobooks with more action or humor, but it may be because I listen during my commute. Slower reads or soft-spoken narrators tend to put me to sleep (at least, while driving). It’d be interesting to try listening to a slower read when I’m doing some other activity.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Yes, sleeping while driving is never a good thing. Best to avoid anything that causes that. LOL!
Crystal says
Haha…yeah, it’d be terrible to fall asleep in the car! Especially with work-hour traffic.
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight says
This is funny because I am the exact opposite! I find I rate books that I read on my Kindle higher and I have no idea why! Especially because if I think I will love a book (if it’s by a favorite author, or a sequel, or whatever) I usually buy a physical copy! I still can’t wrap my head around this, and it may just be a coincidence? Though also worth noting, the books I have rated really LOW have also been books I have read on my Kindle, so… who knows what that is all about! Love this, so thought provoking!
Crystal says
That’s funny! Maybe reading on your Kindle polarizes your thinking? So that you perceive good books as better and bad books as worse?
I also purchase physical copies of I love or think I’ll love. Recently I purchased Girl Against the Universe because I’ve heard such great things about it π
Melliane says
I don’t think it does change something for me I confess. But when I love a book I prefer to have it in paper
Crystal says
Same. I love to collect my favorite books (and read them) in paper π
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
Actually I prefer digital books because I can mark them up to my hearts content and yet my OCD doesn’t spike out of control. I can do searches and find the quote I want. I do love paper books for many reasons, its just they aren’t that convenient. β€οΈ Love this love letter to books!!
Crystal says
It’s neat how you’re able to make full use of e-book functions, Dani! I hadn’t thought to try the search function for quotes. I’m super old school and usually flip the pages (of hardcopies) till I find the quote I want, and I take notes in my bullet journal. I might have to start exploring the functions on my Kindle since I get so many e-books for review.
Thanks!!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
I guess for me this is hard to answer because there’s no way to know for sure whether I would’ve liked a book more had I tried a different format. But I don’t think physical vs. ebook affects my rating or enjoyment. The one that I do know can affect my rating is audiobooks. I’m super picky about audiobooks, and I don’t tend to get into them and get lost in them the same way I do with books I read with my eyes. So, as weird as it sounds, I avoid listening to the audiobook if I think it’s a book I might really love because I don’t want to ruin it, although I have on occasion come across books that I’m pretty sure I enjoyed more as audio because of how great a job the narrator did.
Crystal says
It’s true we usually don’t read books in multiple formats. I mostly noticed this because I recently reread some books in a different format.
I actually don’t listen to books I think I’ll love in audiobooks either. The only exceptions are when I know a narrator will do a good job and when a book has good dialogue, such as the Mistborn: Era 2 books (hearing Wayne’s different voices in audio was an entertaining experience). It’s easier for me to get into hardcopy books, and I love being able to reread passages or go back to fact check.
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says
I adore my hardcover collection, but after 50+ years only the most cherished find space in my home. Now audio and eBook are my faves. I love a book in any format, really. I no longer read mass market because the font is too small and the books are too difficult to hold.
Crystal says
I have a love-hate relationship with mass markets. It’s difficult to find older books in formats other than mass markets (and more pricey when I do). But I agree that mass markets are difficult to read because of the font, and they’re hard to hold. I find they get beat up more easily because of this. I purchase my favorite books in hardback.
ShootingStarsMag says
Interesting question. I’ve definitely grown to really love my Kindle over the years because it’s easier to carry around, I can read at night because it lights up, and it does make getting certain books (especially review books) easier. However, I’m always going to prefer physical books – hardback OR paperback. There’s definitely a magic to a book you can really hold in your hands. However, I don’t think I rate books differently based on the format! There are some books I’d rather read in a physical format though. π
-Lauren
Crystal says
It is convenient how Kindles provide additional light while reading at night! And it’s been great for ARCs.
It’s great format doesn’t affect your rating. It’s a struggle for me since I find hardcopies so much more enjoyable. (That said, I do believe that a great book will be great regardless of format.)
Sophia Rose says
Great question and I enjoyed getting your take on it, Crystal.
Personally, my preferences are partially due to circumstance and partly come down to variables that make my answer complicated.
In the end, I prefer some books on audio to other formats due to narrator, I can only see (vision deterioration over the years) to read hardcover physical copy print much of the time, and most of the ARCs, novellas, indie books, sales and freebies are only available in e-book.
Crystal says
A good narrator really brings a book to life through audio! I haven’t listened to enough audiobooks to have narrator preferences, but I hope to find more. Do you have any recommendations?
I agree that many books are only accessible through e-books, which is why I have a Kindle!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I’m jumping in here with a recommendation. π I LOVE Rebecca Soler’s narration–she’s fabulous at multiple voices and accents. She narrates pretty much all of Marissa Meyer’s books and she’s done lots of others too! (I first heard her do Heartless, and her rendition of all the Wonderland characters was fantastic!)
Crystal says
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Nicole. I enjoyed Marissa Meyer’s Heartless. I’d love to hear Rebecca Soler’s rendition of the Wonderland characters! (Plus, it’s been long enough that it’ll be nice to “reread” the book.) I’ll also check out what else Soler has narrated.
Sophia Rose says
I love so many and I’ve learned to like them for specific genres or dominately-gendered casts of characters. I like Lorelei King and Amanda Ronconi for urban fantasy and sci-f with a female heroine. I like Amy Melissa Bradley for YA contemporary, I like Michael Crouch for YA or NA male voices particularly. I like George Guidall and Gildart Jackson for mature male characters. I like Janet Metzger for women’s fic and Davina Porter, too. There are tons more and some are great for specific ethnic voices that I’ve only heard once. I find listening to the samples on Audible or Amazon help me decide if I want to try a book on audio.
Crystal says
Thanks for the recommendations, Sophia, and for the tip to listen to audio samples! It’ll be fun to explore more of what audiobooks have to offer π