For this post I really wanted to dive into the different formats and ways of reading. These may be obvious but I wanted to put this list together to remind people to try new things! If you’ve never tried any of these before I say seize the day and give it a go!

Disclaimer

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Comic books

I know that this might throw novel readers a little off but please don’t knock this until you try it! I’ve gotten into the comic book world in the past year or two and I haven’t looked back since. Comics are a great way to also help you get out of a reading slump! If you want more of those tips, check out this blog where I discuss all the ways to get out of a reading slump!

Back to my point. Comic books are a fun way to diversify your reading and consume a story that may not play as well in a regular book. You don’t even have to be a big fan of superheroes, Marvel, or DC! I found that I love indie comics a lot more actually. I’ve listed some of my favorite comics down below for you to check out if you’re interested. Be warned, most of the comics I’ve started loving are in the horror/thriller genre so if you’re squeamish, tread with caution!

1. Something is Killing the Children
2. House of Slaughter (in the same world as Something is Killing the Children)
3. Blue Book

Graphic novels

If you’re not quite ready to fully dive into the comic book world, then trying graphic novels would be a good segway! I know it can feel weird reading such short snippets of stories, so a graphic novel provides the feel of a full story in a comic book format. So not only do you get the cool beginning to end story, but you also get beautiful artwork! I’ve recommended one down below that I think is a great one to start with. It’s an epic adventure in space with an underlying love story, you can’t go wrong!

1. On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

Audio books

Audiobooks are a great way to squeeze some reading time in! I love to listen to them in my car on the way to work and on the way home. When life gets way too crazy and I’m going from morning to night and there’s no time to sit down and read, I turn to audiobooks. 

Not only can you listen to them in the car but I sometimes turn them on when I’m doing mundane chores around the house or even cooking. It’s a great way to pass the time while getting things done.

Here are my two favorite apps to listen to audiobooks. Both of these are on a subscription based platform but pretty affordable!

1. Audible
2. Everand (formerly Scribd)

If you’re in a position where you can’t afford to purchase one audiobook or subscription, I’ve got you covered! All you have to do is go to your local library and get a library card. Then download one or both of these apps listed below and boom! You’ll be able to check out audiobooks for free! Be sure to speak with your local library and see which app they utilize as it may not be one of the two below!

1. Libby
2. Hoopla

E-books

Ah, good ole fashioned ebooks. Not as old fashioned as regular paperback or hardbacks but you get my drift. It’s taken me a while to come around to ebooks. I love to physically hold the book in my hand, be able to smell the pages, and see how far I’ve read in the book and how much more there is to go. It’s like an accomplishment when you can slam the pages together and announce, “I finished the book!” I equate this to hanging up on someone with an old flip cell phone versus an iPhone nowadays. 

But I’ve come around to ebooks. They’re a great way to store everything (especially when you’re running out of space on your bookshelves) and take them along with you when you travel! You also don’t have to sit and decide which books to take on your trip when you’ve got them all right there together!

My amazing husband got me a Kindle for my birthday this year and I can officially say I’ve come around to ebooks! The apps I mentioned above, Hoopla and Libby, are also great apps to use to check out ebooks. If you’d like to get a wider collection and new releases, be sure to check out Kindle Unlimited! It’s a monthly subscription and you’re able to download SO MANY ebooks.

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I hope this list was helpful in helping you to diversify your reading formats! Let me know down in the comments if there’s anything you think I missed or if you enjoy certain formats over others! Also be sure to check out my YouTube video down below where I go into detail about all of the above. Happy reading!