Prompt 11
In terms of appeal factors for ebooks and audiobooks, it can
definitely change the way a reader responds to the book. With audiobooks, if
the narrator is not appealing, reads in an irritating way (to the reader), or
has troublesome background music, it can make the reader put the audiobook down
and be weary to pick up the ebook or physical book. I think the same could be
said for ebooks. With ebooks readers have to read from technology whether that
is a computer, tablet, phone, or reading device. This day in age when almost
every person has to use a computer, cell phone, or tablet to do their job, they
will most likely not want to read a book on the same technology they just used
for 8 hours that day. Also, for some, reading and using technology contributes
to eye strain, headaches, and even back and hand pain. If a person often gets
headaches from reading with technology, they will likely not use technology to
read ebooks. Many readers say they like being able to come home from work and
pick up a book and disconnect from technology and enjoy reading a physical
book.
On the other hand, having ebooks means readers will always
have access to titles when they are available. Also, for traveling purposes
ebooks and eAudiobooks are great to have so there is less to carry and travel
with. For those who need large print to be able to read, ebooks are nice
because they can adjust the size of the print to an easier font size without
the need to purchase or read from large prints (which usually have a lower
budget, are more expensive, and have a smaller selection than the regular
print-at least in my library).
Ebooks, eAudiobooks, and audiobooks affect the appeal factor
of a book in different ways. As mentioned above, audiobooks should have appeals
based on narrator type-such as reading style, voice acting, or accent. Ebook appeal
changes with the fact that it requires a computer screen to read and enjoy the
novel. Ebooks and audiobooks affects the way we see the genre too, for some,
reading online or listening to a book, makes it harder for them to truly absorb
and retain the information (like for me, it took me a while to get used to
reading online articles and journals for school). Thus, if a reader is less
likely to retain the information from the ebook versus the physical book they
may not have a full grasp of the genre as they would if they read the physical book.
I once got into a VERY SPIRITED debate about whether or not listening to an audio book counted as reading. It was both infuriating and fascinating. It was only when I could recall specific plot details and story lines that the other person finally accepted that maybe listening was reading, at least for me. I think there is a certain appeal to audio books. They truly are a case of you get out of them what you put into them!
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about the ability to change the size of the font and how useful it is for those who would normally read large print. That's something I use as a selling point for ereaders and ebooks at work when people complain about the lack and expense of large print books! I have also noticed how large print books normally lack a lot of the design work on the book itself, so it stinks for those who read them not only to pay more money but also not to get to appreciate the work that goes into the packaging of a book. Ebooks often don't have these either, but at least they're cheaper!
ReplyDeleteEye strain can be a big thing for people, too. I have a friend who simply doesn't read ebooks because prolonged time looking at a screen hurts her eyes a lot. On the flip side, she loves audiobooks!
Narrators can really make or break an audiobook. I have yet to re-try the "Inkheart" audiobook, despite loving the series, because the lady they got to read the book is HORRID. However, the "Rogue One" audiobook shows how great a narrator can be--the narrator literally mimics the voices of the characters like they were in the movie: I feel like I'm listening to the movie! I'm glad you mentioned that, since I forgot to in my prompt. #_#
ReplyDeleteFull points!
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