I’ve been using apps like Headway and Blinkist for a couple of months to consume book summaries, and I’m at a crossroads in my reading journey. These platforms offer the convenience of absorbing the essence of a book in just a few minutes, which initially felt rewarding. However, over time, I’ve started to feel as if I haven’t truly “read” anything. It’s akin to watching a movie trailer that presents many ideas but lacks depth.
This realization has led me to reconsider the role of these summary apps in my reading routine. I’m now contemplating using them solely as a tool to gauge my interest in a book before committing to reading it in full.
On a related note, I’ve been pondering the differences between audiobooks and traditional reading. While personal preference plays a significant role, I wonder if there’s any scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of one format over the other. In my experience, traditional books seem more suitable for content that I can apply to my life, such as Tiago Forte’s PARA method. Conversely, for adventure stories like “Fourth Wing,” I prefer audiobooks, as they allow me to use my cognitive resources to visualize the characters and environments.
My main interests in books and summaries revolve around productivity and self-help. Given this context, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the following:
– What’s your opinion on using apps like Headway or Blinkist for book summaries? Do you see them as a mere preview to gauge interest, or can they serve as a standalone reading experience?
– Is there any scientific evidence or consensus on the benefits of audiobooks versus traditional reading, especially concerning retention and application of information?
– For those who enjoy productivity, fantasy and self-help content, do you have a preferred format (audiobooks, traditional books, summaries) for different types of material?
by Lluvia4D
2 Comments
If you think reading summaries is even similar to reading an actual book then you’ve never actually enjoyed reading and should maybe look into other hobbies.
Self-help isn’t actual “reading” though, so I guess it’s fine for that since they’re basically just 500 words of self-evident stuff stretched out over enough pages to make money.
Reading literature isn’t about checking a book off a list and “knowing” its content. It’s about the experience provided by language. Can’t get that from a summary.