Reading (051)

I started to write about a very heavy topic earlier and thought about posting it on my blog for number 51. I decided against it, and likely I will save it for the book. I've been reading more lately than I have in quite a few years. It still takes me a long time to finish books, and I skip around between a few at a time when listening to their audio version. It's the same with podcasts.

I have not read much fiction, but I am slowly getting into it more thanks to some people I follow online doing book clubs and recommending some good stories. I like to read fiction on my kindle. The level of desire to soak in the material directly corresponds to the medium in which I consume written content. If I buy a physical book, I really want to remember the content and see the evidence of reading it on my bookshelves so that it’s more difficult to forget. Same goes for reading the kindle version, but I don't feel the need for colorful underlines and notes in the margins, so the kindle copy will do. If I know that I can consume the content while doing other things and still get meaning, information, and entertainment out of it, I will listen to the audio version. I most enjoy audiobooks read by their authors. The inflection and tone meant by the author makes the work that much better. 

There is overlap in mediums for quite a few books that I've purchased lately. I have a physical and kindle copy of a fellow Michigander's book, The Art of Being Human by Andrew L. Hicks. The Bloggess, Jenny Lawson, released her third long form book recently and I have a physical signed copy on the way, plus I've been enjoying her reading it to me since it came out last week. Her animals make appearances also, which makes the audio that much better. Deborah Mourey sent me a free link to her audiobook recently after having a discussion about finding meaningful work. I also own a physical copy that I plan to take notes in, but I've been listening to her read because it's nice to hear the passion in her voice about the topic. Sometimes tone is important to me when absorbing information, so I am thankful for how accessible audio books have become.