I happened upon a dilemma recently:
If I start a series in one form, can I satisfactorily complete it in another?
Let me explain.
Say there is a series I started in paperback. Then the ebook for #2 goes on sale. Do I break format to read the book? Or do I wait and finish the whole series in paperback?
I know this might sound a little crazy to some of you, but I’ve run into some serious issues here!
For example, I started a series as ebook. Got book #2 on Audible. But I hated it! Not the book, just listening to it. (It was a mostly epistolary novel and I discovered I don’t like listening to type of story. For me, the “letters” (or emails or texts, etc) need to be experienced on the page. Recently, with that same series, I found a good deal on the paperback of book #3. Ack! What’s a reader to do?
Or perhaps there’s the flip side. I’ve read a book one, and then hear that the audiobook is fabulous. Will switching formats midstream in a series muddle my “feeling” of the series?
Of course, sometimes things work out.
Late last year I listened to a book one in which I loved both the story and the narrator! But then I fell into the conundrum about books two and three. My husband and I share an Audible account, so we take turns with the monthly credit (although, truth be told, he uses most of them!). And I couldn’t find either book in audio in my library apps.
I was about to break down and get book two as an ebook, but then I got an email from Audible telling me that all my wish list titles were on sale! I didn’t get too excited at first. I’ve seen those emails before only to discover the book is discounted to $11 but I can get it for less than that in paper or ebook. But I clicked over just to be sure.
Lo, and behold, the books two & three I wanted were both on sale—under $5 each! Now I can finish Pepper Basham’s wonderful Freddie and Grace Mysteries series all in the same format. Which makes me happy.
And then sometimes, like with Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series, I start in paperback and know from then on I will read that format simply because I wanted the whole series on my shelf!
Of course, there are many series I’ve started in paper and finished as ebooks—and vice versa—and enjoyed the whole thing. But there is a part of me that likes to experience a series of stories in the same format.
What about you? Does format matter in a series or do you switch seamlessly in series reading from ebook to paper to audio? Inquiring minds want to know!
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I often switch. I too started Pepper’s book on Izzy on audio. Switched to kindle. LOVED it. Sometimes one format or another just works better. With long historical or fantasy, I often use both, just leaping to which ever chapter I left off in one format on the other. And there is always the wonderful book but I just can’t endure something about the narrator’s delivery so switch to print.
I do love it when I can switch from audio to ebook seamlessly. But yes, it so depends on the book as to which format is best!
It depends partly on the story and partly what format is available for what price. I don’t have qualms about switching formats generally. Sometimes the narrator of an audiobook adds so much with their expression and inflection. But audiobooks often don’t contain the author’s notes at the end, which I love to read. I agree, epistolary novels are better read than listened to.
I just tried an audiobook with a “Virtual Voice.” I didn’t like it. It sounded human and had some variance of inflection, but it didn’t bring out any emotion. Plus it was funny that it stumbled on words like “Tsk.”
I haven’t listened to a virtual voice book yet, so it’s interesting to hear your thoughts! I agree that sometimes a book is greatly enhanced by the narrator in the audio version.
I’m totally an ebook person, so I can’t really help with your dilemma. I’ve tried Audible and get distracted, so I feel like I miss a lot. As for paperbacks or book-books – well, they just aren’t good for my neck. The main thing is to read the entire series of authors/books you like. Sorry I couldn’t be more help. 🙁
I totally understand your reading preference! Honestly, it’s mine too. I can just see an ebook more easily with my bad eyesight and less stress on neck and shoulders. Yet I love owning some books so much that I stick a real book in there at least once a month. I’ve found I can do audio but only where there is literally noting to distract me. Like in the car or on an airplane! Ha! But yes, finishing a series is the main thing!
I agree, an epistolary novel needs to be seen. I have listened to one on audio, but that was because it was the only version my library had available. I prefer every book in written form: paperback or ebook. The layout of the words and breaks in the paragraph are artwork and are as much part of the story to me as the words, if that makes sense. I have read a few ARC books that haven’t been formatted yet, and they are definitely a challenge to understand and enjoy.
I will read a book in any format: ebook, paperback, or audio. As a busy momma and businesswoman, I sometimes bounce between versions as I don’t always have time to sit and read, though that is my preference. 🙂
That totally makes sense. I think that’s why sometimes I enjoy a paper book–the words laid out on the page. I miss that sometimes in ebook because my font is too large, lol!
Funny you should ask! Right now I am in the process of reading a series that started out as eBooks and I just purchased a hardback copy of the last in series. I personally prefer actual books to eBooks, but Cost is a factor.
Definitely a factor! My series find in audio was so exciting for just that reason!
I love listening to audiobooks, but have found that I like it best when I can follow along in a paperback or e-book. For some reason, the trick seems to be engaging both the auditory as well as the visual. My library card collection helps make that happen a lot!
I haven’t done that although I do like when I have a whispersync book, where it will keep my place as I read both ebook and audio. If I tried ot read and listen at the same time, I’m afraid my eyes would read the words faster on the page than the narrator speaks them! 😉
I generally read in all three formats. When new books come out, if it is a favourite author I preorder the paperback. As I live in Australia it often takes a while for the book to arrive. We have a fantastic city library which get many new books in ebook and audiobook on the day they are released. As I am impatient I will usually borrow them and read them before my copy arrives.
The library is also how I have tried new authors. I generally buy the paperback version of the books that I enjoy and know will want to share with others.
Ebooks are the most accessible books in Australia. Sometimes the cost of a paperback is way too high, like $40-50 or more. You have to watch for sales. So in some cases the choice of format is made for me.
I like paperbacks to share as well. And if I start a series in paperback it makes me crazy not to have the whole series on my shelf!
I started Pepper Basham’s Edgewood siblings series on audiobook, listening to them through Hoopla. Loved listening to the first two. Then I decided I really wanted permanent copies of these books. But when I want permanent, I want physical copies that I can touch and see on a bookshelf. So I started collecting the paperbacks. I got the third book in print for my birthday and will probably only read it instead of listening to it as I did the other two. Though, who knows. I might listen to it, too. 🙂
That was the series I just couldn’t do in audio. I need to see the emails and texts on the page. But since I read the first in ebook, I’ll get the last one in ebook as well, I imagine. On the other hand, I also started Jocelyn Green’s Windy City Saga in audio and since all three books are in the Audible library, I’ll do the whole series there.
I am happy to read a series in either ebook or print. I have several series partly on my reader and partly on the shelf. Sorry, I have not started audible yet. In my old car I had a dvd player and would listen to books on trips but am behind on the audible thing.
I think it’s much easier to combine print and ebook to read a series than to add in audio. Somehow the experience feels different.
I like mine in the same format too. It’s hard finding time to actually read so I’m listening to a lot of audiobooks right now.
Yes! And for me, finding time to read a print book is harder than an ebook, so there’s that to consider in a series too!
I almost always read in print. Only if we’re traveling might I listen to an audiobook or read an e-book. I think holding an actual book in my hands brings comforting memories of reading in my childhood and early adult life. It just doesn’t feel like actual reading unless I have the print book. But it WOULD bug me to read a series in different formats with each book. Even though I like asymmetry in decorating and design, I prefer consistency in my reading methods. 🙂
Yep. I think there’s a bit of OCD in me to want my series reading to be consistent. If I had better eyes, I would prefer print. But ebooks have saved me with the ability to change the font size!
I’d be okay with switching formats.
I read one series where my library had the first book in hardcover, the second only in ebook, and the third only in audio book. The switch from hardcopy to ebook didn’t bother me, but switching to audio felt weird after reading the first two books instead of hearing them.