Week Eleven Prompt Response

This week's topic and readings were a lot of fun for me. For me personally as a reader, whenever a new way to experience reading comes along I am ALL in. I think as a Reader's Advisor, whatever way I can introduce readers to the joy of books I should look into it. That being said, I can remember when e-readers were becoming a thing. The idea that I could have an entire library on a device - THRILLED me. My only dilemma was which one. I opted not to get the Kindle at the time because I wanted to see and handle one before purchase. So I purchased a Nook. Now with Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, I mostly use my phone.  Of course when I became a library employee I had to familiarize myself with both, along with other devices our readers may bring in. I love being able to travel without taking my beloved physical books that could get damaged or be left behind. My device is always loaded with books (and I aways have at least one physical book - just in case, right?) A couple of the drawbacks I think are while some devices tell you what page you are on, or what percentage you have read, that is not quite the same as actually having the physical book and being able to gauge how long this book will take me to complete. I do like the highlighting and bookmarking function of ebooks - but it is not the same, for those of us who like to highlight and take notes in the margins of our books. Another thing, I know many people feel like it's cheating to peek ahead - (I've never had that issue). For those of us that like to flip ahead a couple chapters to see what's going to happen, ebooks don't lend themselves to that so well. Or being able to go back and see where a particular quote or spot in the story is. Another advantage to ebooks is the ability to change font size and background lighting. I have facilitated book discussions for several years now and am seeing an increasing number of individuals using ebooks rather than physical books.  Which is great! I used to have to make sure the library had plenty of copies of each title, and possibly order through ILL and provide Large Print and audiobooks, so everyone had a copy of their choice. But having the option of ebooks not only enlarges the options for types of reads, but increases the number of copies available. I love being able to introduce people to ebooks. Some patrons would balk thinking they couldn't handle the technology, but as soon as I hear they have a smartphone or iPad, I tell them how easy it is and have had many converts. With the situation we are in at the moment with Coronavirus, I am SOOOO thankful for ebooks, e-audiobooks and libraries that provide these resources for free!
Audiobooks have been my friend since my children were young. Then it was books on tape (remember those cassette tapes?). I've seen the progression from cassettes to discs to playaways and now e-audiobooks. Audiobooks are wonderful for traveling, housecleaning (one of my patrons swears this is the only way she cleans) and for those of us who craft -a good audiobook can get you through whatever project you are working on. I once attended a book discussion that was knitting while the group listened to an audiobook. I like e- audiobooks better than the predecessors because I can bookmark and go back in the book. I can also change the speed. (I rarely listen to any audiobook at normal speed. Depending on the voice of the narrator, I usually will listen at 1.5 - 1.75. Sometimes 2x). I agree with Erin - there are some authors that are very good at reading their own works. Tina Fey is great, David Sedaris, Malcolm Gladwell and if you have not read Lisa Scottoline's nonfiction, she is very funny. She sometimes reads with her daughter.