Bookish Thoughts: Reading Fast Asleep
For me, reading a book involves holding a physical copy (preferably a hardcover) whilst sitting in my cozy window-side lounger or pillow plumped in bed. First preference is lounging in my hammock on an agreeable summer’s day.
The point here is I’m doing the work of assimilating the words, turning the pages, creating character voices as I progress through the book.
I’m not a fan of e-books as they are not as friendly when there is a need to flip back to consult a passage. All that flipping and scrolling feels like I need to hurry. Admittedly they are useful on trips as they are device ready and more convenient than packing two or three books.
The option of audio books is popular and a form I’m trying out as a sleep aid. Many readers I know gush about the book they are listening to, discussing the reader’s narrative brilliance (or complaining of their incompetence).
I’ve relied on audio books on long car trips and to me that’s their best use. Lately though I’ve taken to downloading audiobooks through Libby because, true confession, they lull me to sleep. No worries, I don’t sleep if I’m driving. It’s that time of year when sleep routine is disturbed.
Waking too early due to time changes means staring into the dark hoping to back to sleep. My soothing sounds app of ocean, wind, or bird song sometimes works.
Yet, the best solution so far to drift off to sleep is downloading an audio book. It must be that ingrained childhood somnolent of being read to, that conditioned reflex to relax into sleep land.
One problem is waking up and realizing I have no idea what is happening in the plot, creating some concern and confusion. Another problem is taking a liking to the story and wanting to read it, only to discover the library does not carry a physical copy.
I tend to download children’s books as they are brief, usually clocking in at five hours. I spent on weekend afternoon listening to the Penderwicks at Last, having read the other books in print.
But unless I’m driving, or trying to fall back asleep, I can’t just sit and listen to the story—I need to be active. I know some people do housework while listening, or they plug in while exercising. Those activities aren’t on my first-pick list. My solution is to take up crocheting. One needle is about all I can manage.
I still prefer my books in print, yet a good story being read to me is a win win situation—I either get some shut eye or get a few more rows done.
Thoughts on audio books?
Pam Webb 
I can listen to a podcast (like Writers on Writing) while I’m driving, but even then, my mind goes elsewhere. I really cannot listen to audio because I’m too distractible. My husband listens to audio books, podcasts, and other forms of information gathering all of the time. It keeps him awake, unless he’s using a book to get himself ready to sleep at night. In the morning, he often finds that he’s slept through half the book. I just like the paper version. I have never read an entire novel digitally. My son reads them all digitally, but he, too, cannot listen to audio. That said, we loved reading novels together aloud when he was in elementary school, so there’s a qualitative different between listening to a live reader and one that’s recorded.
Being read to as a kid is a lovely (and essential part of childhood), yet as an adult I find I need to be in the present with my book in hand to fully enjoy the experience.
My mind tends to wander during audiobooks. Like you, I prefer to hold a print book in my hand.
A book in hand is engaging the mind—I agree.
Right!