I am a fast and voracious reader (I have been known to finish 3-4 books in a single weekend). I also have family on the East Coast, so I take a fair number of cross-country trips. The end result being that I have been known to devote more space to books than clothes when traveling.
As I have written previously, I have a Nook Color that I have turned into an Android Tablet. But, it still functions perfectly well as an e-reader. Last year I tried traveling with only my Nook and some magazines (to read in the early portion of the flight when electronics are prohibited). It worked really well. I had tens of books with me and my suitcase was significantly lighter.
While I really enjoy reading magazines and web articles on my Nook, I prefer reading paper books. I like the feeling of turning a page more than sliding my finger across a screen. I like looking at the worn pages that are a testament to how much a book is loved. I have also discovered that I rely pretty heavily on visual cues when trying to find a quote or passage in a book. So, while I can search for a passage electronically on my Nook, I often find it easier to do so manually.
But, this is not just another post on the tragic decline of the paper book. Instead it is a reminder that electronic books are not just for reading, they can be for listening as well. Like many people, I relegated audio books to long drives. Even though I had a portable CD player, hauling CDs around on walks was a pain. At home, I didn’t want to disturb my husband, so I had to burn the batteries on my CD player or tether myself to a stereo or laptop to listen to books. But my Nook changed all that.
Now I can download an audio book from the library or upload a series of CDs and read while I craft. I have even been known to listen to the same audio book as I am reading so I don’t have to choose only one activity. I have listened to books I have already read and discovered that the aural experience is different enough that it almost feels like a new book to me.
As long as audio books are part of the e-book revolution, sign me on! But just don’t expect me to give up my paper books any time soon.