Reading without Limits: Exploring the Benefits of Physical, Digital, and Audiobooks.

By: Melissa Lee  

5:30 p.m., April 3, 2024

There is no one way or correct way to read. Maybe you love holding physical books, maybe you don’t have the space for physical books and digital is more convenient, or maybe you have a neurodivergent brain. Any of these reasons are reasons to pick which way you prefer to read. 

No matter which format you chose, reading provides us with a healthy lifestyle. Reading enhances concentration and retention and it improves comprehension. Reading increases the brains intelligence and builds our vocabulary. Being able to read or listen to books increases our imagination. There are multiple health benefits that come from reading. According to medical professionals, reading can reduce stress, improve sleep, keep your mind sharp, and it can also help improve your relationships (Piedmont Healthcare, n.d.). Looking at the different formats of reading, you will gain different benefits.

Physical Books

Reading physical books can be preferred by people due to having an actual item in their hands. Sometimes, when an object is present it can help motivate that person to do the activity, i.e. reading. Being able to turn pages can be a settling feeling to some people. With physical books, you are also able to see the progress you have made in a visual representation, which can help encourage the reader. One reason that physical books can be chosen over E-Books is that the text is easier on the eyes. With electronics we see them on a screen which if we are on technology all day, it can strain our eyes. Having physical books can lead to a joy of reading by starting a collection or a library in your own home. Academic advancements have shown to increase when people have libraries in their own home (Paper & Packaging, n.d.). When you have a library in your own house, this gives access to literature which can encourage children/teens/adults to want to read at their own leisure.

E-Books

The next format of reading is digital books or E-Books. E-books are a new and high rising way to read. Being able to have a library in your hand makes the exposure to literature easy and fast. This convince helps make books more accessible to the public. Most libraries, have an online library now where you can check out e-books and download them to your preferred device. E-books are also easy to travel with, the only space it takes us is the size of the device that you have the books stored on. Generally, e-books are less expensive than physical books and they can be downloaded instantly. Halifax Public Libraries gave seven reasons why e-books are beneficial. “Saves a trip to the library, avoids late fees, read anywhere, one device, dictionary is at your fingertips, search in seconds, and you can customize the way you read. (DidYouKnow, 2020.).       

Audiobooks

The last format is the Audiobook. Audiobooks can be very helpful if you live a busy life and you don’t have time to sit down. It gives you the opportunity to keep working and still receiving reading time. Some people don’t like to sit down and read; this gives them an opportunity to be a reader. Audiobooks are helpful when pronunciation is an issue, and they can also help improve your language skills. Audiobooks are helpful for people with neurotypical and neurodivergent issues. People on the autism spectrum use audiobooks to help them comprehend reading and quiet negative thinking (Cat Patrick, n.d.). People with dyslexia will find comfort and be relaxed while reading and listening to audiobooks to help with confusion. Audiobooks make reading easier to follow. Also, people with ADHD use audiobooks to help them concentrate and audiobooks give them the ability to speed up the person reading (Cat Patrick, n.d.).            

Happy Reading!

Literature can be seen and heard through these different formats. The range we have as people to be able to obtain knowledge is incredible. With these three formats, reads have opportunities for any circumstance. Happy Reading!