“I just like to hold a book. There’s something about turn ing the page.”
I’ve heard that statement or a variation of it countless times over the past few years. I get it. I’m a book nerd from way back, and going into bookstores and libraries were not only a normal part of my life but also a special part. I never got tired of it, and seeing all the books available piqued my curiosity. I loved magazines as well, with their glossy pictures and interesting articles, and yes, when I was younger, I was into the Archie comic books.
So please understand, if you are one of those people resisting e-books and audiobooks, that I’m not criticizing you. I am, however, hoping to open your mind to new possibilities as I see them.
Remember when audiobooks were available on a CD, and you could get one at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, listen to it in the car while you traveled, and then turn it in at another Cracker Barrel? At least, that’s what my impression was. I never participated in that program, but when audiobooks became available to download on my phone, I jumped at the chance to listen to something besides the radio or a CD.
After all, I did, and do, love books much more than music. I like music, but to listen to it for hours at a time? Nah. Listen to book for several hours? Yep!
I listened to books on my commute back and forth to work and even listened while running errands in town. I listen to books now while walking my dog, putting in treadmill time, cleaning house, or resting at night before going to sleep. I can listen to books and fold laundry, cook meals, work on arts and crafts projects, and more. I don’t have to set aside time to sit down and read.
The narrators have gotten much better over the years, and many books have more than one narrator for each main character’s point of view. Have you ever read “A Gentleman in Moscow?” If so, you likely struggled with the Russian names. If you listen to the audiobook, that struggle is removed, and you can focus on the story, not the names.
Prior to audiobooks, though, I discovered e-books with the purchase of a Kindle reader. Yes, you had to purchase the books, which ranged in price from free (usually not the best books) to an average of $2.99 or so. They’re higher these days, but you can still find books on sale for very little. “I don’t want to spend money on books,” you say. “I just go to the library and check them out.”
Well, you can check out e-books AND audiobooks on an app through your local library. The one I use is called Libby. All you need is a valid library card. You download the app, find the name of your library, and enter your card number. Search for books by title or author, and narrow the search to e-books or audiobooks. You will have the book for two weeks. If you fail to initiate the return, the app will remove it automatically. I think there is a way to renew the book but can’t be sure. I haven’t used the app for quite some time because the vision loss prevents me from being able to read an e-book (unless it is on my iPad and purchased through Kindle–I can enlarge the font so much, there are only about ten words per screen, but since my reading speed is now about the same as a first or second grader, I can’t read an entire book).
For those considered low-vision, legally blind, or blind (remember only about 10to 15 percent of people considered to be blind have no light perception at all, the rest have some vision), an app called BARD is available. The patron must be certified by an appropriate agency or doctor to get access to the app, and audiobooks as well as Braille books (shipped from the Library for Accessible Media) are provided for free to the visually-impaired community.
Side note: the definition of legally blind is if you cannot see the large “E” with your better eye while wearing glasses or contact lenses, you are considered legally blind. If you CAN see the “E” while wearing glasses or contact lenses, no matter how bad your vision is without them, you are NOT legally blind.
To me, there are multiple advantage to e-books. You don’t have to store them. You can purchase them (Kindle app) and have them forever, or you can check them out on Libby. Less expense to purchase, and no need to run to the library to return a book. It’s all handled on your phone, reader, or tablet. If you find yourself struggling to read normal print, if you purchase the e-book, you can enlarge the print as much as you’d like. You can also switch it to dark mode meaning the background is black and the letters are white, so the screen doesn’t glare. You can adjust the brightness and contrast. Your book is always available, whether you’re sitting in a doctor’s office waiting room or sitting in the living room while your family watches something you don’t enjoy. Also, if you have Alexa and don’t mind the Alexa voice, she will read an e-book purchased on Kindle to you. Kind of a cheap audiobook, right?
I’m not suggesting that you switch to those formats and abandon paperback and hardback books. I am suggesting using those formats from time to time can give you more opportunities to indulge in your love of reading.
Believe me, I get the whole “I just want to hold the book.” There is something about seeing the printed word that is special to me. Whether it’s a newspaper, magazine, or book, there’s just something about the printed word that speaks to me. One of the hurts I have due to vision loss is my inability to read stories to my granddaughters, something I truly long to do. Maybe someday, though, they will be the ones reading to me, and we can enjoy books together that way.I realize I may not have convinced you to try other formats, and that’s okay. My goal was to open your mind to new possibilities. But whatever you decide, if you love to read as I do, know that we are kindred spirits.
Life As I know it 