The sun is shining, school is out - time to pack the car up and head to the seaside!
One of life’s greatest treats is laying down on a beach towel or a sun lounger, under a hat or an umbrella, with a crisp new paperback in hand. People always say that “they should read more” but very rarely back-up their words with effective actions - until they’re out on holiday and have no schedule to adhere to.
In the olden days - even though at the age of 22, I have no idea what those are - readers would pick up their new reads from airport shops. Normally a fast-paced, easily grasped crime thriller or romance flick - or a book by Jeremy Clarkson. Now though, readers are always ready; they’ve pre-downloaded books onto their Kindle or their phone; some even have their books already playing on their headphones as they pass through duty free.
Now we’ve got a debate on our hands! What’s the best format to enjoy your new novel whilst away on holiday?
Fighter One: the Physical Copy
First of all, let’s be real here. Nobody in their right mind is taking a hardback on holiday with them. The only acceptable reason to take one is if that’s the only physical edition available. It wastes valuable luggage space and is a bulky item to casually stroll down to the beach with - and on holiday, casual strolling is the only way to walk anywhere.
A paperback, preferably one that is slim and condensed, is in my eyes, the ideal summer companion. It’s not gonna overheat like an electronic will, it’s lightweight and easy to hold, and let’s face it: it’s great for the Gram. Aesthetically pleasing? Absolutely! A summer fit is always better when complimented with a trusty PB of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends. It makes you look suave and intelligent, somebody who holidays to rest their body, but knows to spend that time enriching their mind.
Wow! What a great addition to your luggage!
What I’ve just done is exposed to you all my crippling need for attention and appreciation, even from complete strangers who you’ll almost certainly never see again. “But they think I’m smart!” On holiday, nobody cares what other people are. They care what food is available from the all-inclusive buffet, and whether you can take your bowl of shrimp poolside.
So a paperback is an excellent choice, but maybe you’re flaunting too much? Maybe your ‘superiority’ over the other pool-dwellers, the ones who’ve bought their Nintendos and their speakers instead of some printed literature, will feel lesser because of you and your ‘book’.
Again, this is only further exposing the complex mental gymnastics I pole-vault through as I walk past a fellow human being, but maybe you should give it a thought? Or just be normal?
Final point: a paperback is at risk to the elements. You’re going to be more protective of your £1000 Samsung than your £10 romantasy.
Fighter Two: the Digital Copy
Now this is the smart pick. A digital book is for readers who worry they might exceed all expectations and demolish novel after novel whilst away on vacation. I love to read at least two books at any one time (normally a fiction and a non-fiction, but when I’ve got a story on the mind, I’ll read anything and everything) but taking two paperbacks away with you feels like an even grosser restriction of luggage space than a bulky hardback. “You think you’re so smart? You think you’re gonna read TWO BOOKS on holiday?” It’s a calculated risk at best.
You think a paperback is slim and condensed? How about an eReader that boffins in Silicon Valley have compressed until it’s as thin as a piece of paper? Some eReaders even fit snugly into the trouser pocket - you can walk as casually as you want with that sort of luggage!
It’s easy to use, easy to carry and handles the endless library of books one may want to get away with, well, easily. At around £150, you may think, “Not for me! I could get at least 15 paperbacks for that kinda money.” To that, I’d have to say that you’re making an investment - a larger up-front cost - that once made allows you to get books for as little as 99p. When you’ve brought your 15 paperbacks, where are you gonna put them? A bookcase is… checks IKEA… at least £35.
I’m just making clear that wherever you look in the world of books, someone is waiting to pinch your money. Capitalism rules the world!
A drawback for the humble Kindle? It has a battery. It has a charge which will deplete. A book does not have a charge - you can’t not open a book if it’s run out of “juice”. Just make sure to pack your travel plugs!
Fighter Three: the Audiobook
A recent new entry into the arena, one I’ve just familiarised myself with thanks to Spotify’s recent addition to its Premium services. Think 99p is cheap for a book? How about it’s already included in a service you’re already paying for? Now you can listen to Chappell Roan and Dostoevsky with a simple flick of the finger - it’s what the Russian would have wanted.
If you wholeheartedly commit to the world’s leading audiobook service and pay for an Audible unlimited account, guess what? You’ve got unlimited audiobooks! And just the kind of books that you used to get back in your airport shops!
You get access to one-free book a month, as well as a simple and meditative collection of ‘okay’ listens. And when you’re away on holiday, who cares that it’s just an ‘okay’ listen? You’re on holiday! Everything is immediately 10x better!
Another super lazy reason why an audiobook could prove the more attractive option: it’s completely hands-free. Sometimes holding a book above you means you’ve got to lay a certain way and be a little less comfortable than you probably could be. This is a break from the uncomforts of your everyday life, so maximum relaxation is a must.
With two (probably wireless) earphones in each ear, you can have your hands by your side, your back properly supported and your legs fully extended. Imagine this: the sun is beating down, you’re just the right temperature, the sunnies are on and you feel yourself drifting off to sleep. The sultry tones of Stephen Fry’s voice guide you calmly to the point of unconsciousness. When you awake again, he’s still talking about boy wizards. Bliss.
The same drawback exists from the eReader and the audiobook means you are dictated to complete a book in a carefully designed portion of time. You can play audiobooks on 2x speed, but that’s gonna sound a little funny isn’t it? A book you read with your eyes can be read at whichever speed you choose - nobody tells Stephen Fry to rush his words.
Conclusion(?)
You’re on holiday. Do whatever you want.
Article written by David, Social Media
