The relationship that I have with a book depends on the type of book it is, and at times, the purpose of my reading that particular book. For instance, when I am reading for leisure, I am usually so engrossed in the story that is unfolding before me that I don’t want to put the book down until I know how the story ends. In this type of reading, the act of reading registers to me as enjoyment, and allows me to finish the book effortlessly.
When reading for work or school, however, the relationship can change drastically. When reading for work or school, the act of reading registers as work, and unless I actually find enjoyment in the story or content, getting past every page becomes a struggle. To help to counteract this hang-up, when reading a book I don’t particularly enjoy, I try to find value in the content other than the story.
Similar to how the purpose of my reading affects my enjoyment of a particular book, the purpose of my reading also affects my preference of media. When reading for leisure, I prefer the tactile feel of a physical book. I believe the physical interaction with the material object adds to the engagement with the material and enhances the overall experience. Another reason that I prefer physical books for leisurely reading is the sense of permanence and ownership that accompanies the physical object.
When reading for work/school, I prefer electronic forms of books. Ebooks are, in my opinion, easier to navigate and much easier to annotate. There are also very useful tools one can employ when using an ebook, such as finding out how many times the author used a word or phrase in the entire book. This data might prove beneficial because it allows the reader to get a sense of how important some words/phrases may be to the author and how important they may be to the book itself.
It may sound as if I am a somewhat finicky reader, but in reality, I am a sucker for a story. Whether for leisure or otherwise, if a book can get me engaged in an even mildly interesting storyline, my curiosity will compel me to stick with it until I know the entire story.
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Very interesting reflections on purpose and format here, Dan! The question of whether one is better served by “profit or pleasure” when it comes to reading is an old one. I wonder if the fact that there is a specific deadline for books for class makes them also less engaging automatically.
I’m also really interested in the idea that there is a “sense of permanence and ownership that accompanies the physical object.” I think this is true! Digital objects feel ephemeral even when we “own” them. Do you think this is something that also has to do with humans being visual animals and needing to see or visually account for our objects?