As always seems to happen in times of trouble, people are reading more in lockdown. In Canberra people are reading longer books, classics and series.
Local bookstores have been taking phone and online orders and mailing the books.
It seems the longer length and classic books are being read because with the extra time on their hands, people are taking on books which might have been daunting before.
For entertainment and comfort people are reading fiction, especially series so they can read one after the other. The big spikes have been in historical fiction and crime and thrillers.
It’s nice to see children’s book and YA have also been selling like crazy. And adult colouring-in books have also made a comeback.
Interestingly, the increase in book sales is in both physical and digital books.
Have you been reading more? What have you been reading? And do you prefer a physical or an e-book?
May 13, 2020 at 9:34 pm
I’m reading more! Currently working through the Harry Potter series again (4th time I think?) once I’m done I might try audible for a little bit. I want to read a book but it’s free if I do the audio version with a free trial in audible! Lol so I might see what it’s all about, listen and crochet at the same time.
I have tried audio books before, and e-books, but I prefer hard copy. I love the feel of it in my hands and the smell of pages as I read. Its just so much better!
May 14, 2020 at 9:16 am
I’m not a fan of audio books. I think it’s because I don’t stay in one place long enough to keep listening. I rarely drive anywhere in the car long enough to listen there, and if I am in bed I’d rather read. Be interested to see what you think of audio?
May 13, 2020 at 11:07 pm
I think I’ve been reading about the same amount. We have a longtime local bookstore that is doing very well with mail orders and curbside pickups. Our libraries have been closed but two branches are going to reopen with limited services. I prefer a physical book, but I don’t mind an ebook. So glad to know that people are reading more!
May 14, 2020 at 10:47 am
I definitely prefer a physical book, but because I don’t need a nightlight for my kindle it doesn’t disturb the Hub, so I often find myself reading from the kindle more – but all my favourite books I buy in print.
May 14, 2020 at 7:29 am
I’ve been rereading a lot. I have new-to-me books, but I like the comfort of old favorites.
May 14, 2020 at 10:52 am
I love the comfort of old books too, but I have been reading new books in series that I love. I guess it’s a little bit of a mix, characters I know so well, but a new story to go with them.
May 14, 2020 at 11:38 am
Im not a fan of audio books. I’ve tried them and podcasts before and I just get too distracted. Always want to be doing something. I tried audio books before when working on a baby blanket….might take this time? Not sure haha
May 14, 2020 at 11:31 pm
I read audio books while commuting. Currently my commute takes 35 minutes [yay!] but before pandemic it was an hour. So i’m reading less because my time in the car is less. I’ve discovered several books that I tried reading as a hardcover and got bored so never finished, but when I tried again on audio I loved them. I know a lot depends on the narrator, but the audio format does work well for me.
May 18, 2020 at 9:39 am
That’s really interesting that books you struggled with in print you like in audio. I guess if I had a long commute I might try audio, but I don’t have that at the moment (with everyone shunning public transport who knows what our roads will be like when we get to stage 3 and everyone allowed back to work).
May 15, 2020 at 10:06 am
I love all ways of enjoying books. And during my library’s closure I have discovered the joys of borrowing ebooks and audiobooks. Right now, I’m listening to two Kerry Greenwood novels and reading an Agatha Raisin book.
May 18, 2020 at 9:40 am
Maybe one day I’ll be able to enjoy audio books. I think the biggest hurdle for me at the moment is that I don’t get enough block time to listen. As I usually only get to read in bed it isn’t the best place for an audio book (I could see myself falling asleep to it and it continuing on its merry way).