Paper Books, Kindle, or Audiobooks: What’s the Best Way to Read?

Paper, digital, audio: which type of book is best? In this video, I look at which format has the edge depending on your reasons for reading.

🛠 COURSES AND RESOURCES:

🦙 SPONSOR:

📃 ARTICLE VERSION:

🐦 SOCIAL STUFF:

⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - 4 Reasons Why We Read
01:36 - Reading for Fun
03:29 - Reading for Knowledge
05:00 - Reading for Research and Reference
07:07 - Reading for Deep Understanding

🔗 VIDEO LINKS:

👐 BUSINESS:

🎞 SPECIAL THANKS
Video clips supplied by Getty Images

[stephen-finance]

I personally prefer physical paper books, but whatever is easiest for each person is the best for them. Reading what you love, and reading regularly is what’s most important here.

[EnigmaEarningsExpedition]

Can't believe the impact Making Money Your Reality Commanding Your Financial Destiny had on my mindset about wealth. It's a real shocker

[JephPlaysGames]

Nothing beats the feel, smell, and collection value of a physical book.

BUT... I find that I read a lot more when I have ebooks. Plus the portability of ebooks is nice.

You can also convert ebooks to pdfs and print them, which is really nice for workbooks.

[ricksondavi]

I just got a Kindle recently and man, it's never been easier to read. I managed to reach the goal of reading 12 books a year thanks to this device.

[bekarsaber]

I don't know if you are gonna read this comment or no, but your vedios actually changed my life starting from the way i wake up and the way i think to how i study ( with your amazing playlist that i just finished yesterday after 15 hours of studying through a whole week )
I'm really glad that I'm able to know about someone like you in my 20s
Keep going man 🔥

[srinathch]

Ebooks : For stuff that is *quick* to read.
Books(tangible) : For *slow* and **indepth**
Audiobook : For *stories*.
In the areas mentioned they are appropriate. Try it yourself and you'll have your answer.

[GibranEscobell]

You will make it. Yes YOU! It does not matter what everyone else told you, If you believe in yourself no one can stop you. I believe in you, you will make it. 2022 will be your best year. Your beliefs create your reality. *BELIEVE*

[RealJamieBarclay]

You can break down the pro's and con's of how to read, but ultimately it doesn't matter if you don't actually read consistently.

With this in mind, you should only read books that make you excited and you should read the type of book that makes you excited.

When you read in whatever way excites you, you'll read more and actually remember what you read.

[CJayJM]

Another great reason I use audiobooks is to "re-read" books I have already completed. I started doing this a few months ago and it has really changed the way I absorb books. I read my ebook and then I listen to the audiobook when I have something to do.

[johnnyede]

For me, no matter what; the order is: Physical, Audiobook, E-book but I must confess that E-book is far more flexible because I don't have to carry 20 books and most ebooks are cheaper than physical books!

[rykris]

Definitely recommend trying to read and listen to the audio book at the same time. For me, I had trouble reading consistently without the thoughts in my head taking over and distracting me. When I have the audiobook going while reading it silences my thoughts and allows me to focus more.

[TaylorMartinez]

I'm a huge reader and I find these types of videos really interesting. I like all 3 formats it honestly depends on my mood. I do wonder if there are non-readers who watch these types of videos or if Thomas is just preaching to a choir of people who like all the formats like me haha. Great video!

[romi.-]

As a spanish speaker that's trying to read more in english, the thing that works the best for me (for fiction at least) is listening to the audiobook at 1.80x speed and reading the physical book at the same time

[ImprovementGang]

Personally I like audiobooks/podcasts over reading. Yes, physical reading is fun, but thanks to audiobooks/podcast, I have been able to consume much more because it is easier to start.

[eli-shulga]

I got a Kindle couple months ago and (for me) its a life changer. The frictions to start reading and getting a new book are so small that
you just read in time slots during the day when you would have not read without it..
For me its a life changing. Im back to reading fictional on a daily basis.. I was blown way would recommend to anyone who wants to read more or at all and just cant find the time

[teddienelson]

Thanks for your insights on this topic. Recently I decided that I prefer to listen to novels. I started doing that because I speak French and wanted to improve my ability to comprehend oral French. Now I also listen to most English novels also. But I found that I prefer to read personal development and other more technical books on my Kindle. I hardly ever read paper books anymore.

[youssefhanna]

The Martian is probably one of the best fiction audiobooks, I remember reading the book and listening to the audiobook in complete awe of the voice acting and the way the story unfolds. Brilliant book and audiobook!

[jordanhoulker]

I'm planning on purchasing the book Atomic Habits but wasn't sure whether to read it or purchase an audiobook to listen to it.

I've found that listening to motivational/educational videos while cleaning or doing other tasks around the house helps me to stay focused on those tasks, but I do wonder how much of the benefit of the material is lost due to my focus being split.

I think based on your comments of acquiring deep understanding, I'll go with the paper format for this particular book. Thank you for your research and for this video Thomas 👍🏻

[catpaws]

I remembered a quote from a show I watched years ago and it really stuck with me
Books are not something you just read words in. They're also a tool to adjust your senses. When I'm not feeling well there are times that I can't take in what I read. When that happens, I try to think about what could be hindering my reading. There are books that I can take in smoothly even when I'm not feeling well. I try to think why. It might be something like mental tuning. What's important when you tune is the feeling of the paper that you're touching with your fingers and the momentary stimulation your brain receives when you turn pages..."

[esthereley]

I read most when I have the book on my Kindle or the Kindle app on my iPad. That’s because I always have it with me and fit some reading throughout the day. It also makes it easy to read when I eat lunch or breakfast, which is a time I like to read. Propping open a paperback needs a free hand. The books that take me the longest to read are in hardback. They are too bulky to take with me. Productivity books etc I tend to read as audible books as there is so much repetition and I give up in the Kindle or paperback form.