Audio books vs page books vs screen reading

Hey,
I was wondering what you guys think of audio books, and how they are compared to regular books with pages. Actually let's throw book reading off a computer screen into that. Which do you prefer? Are some books better than others on a certain medium? Are we getting closer to having those digital books they have in Star Trek (I'm talking proper antialiased text now).

Personally I went through The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy as an audiobook, well, it was the radio show. It was really entertaining and I think there is an added value when they make the effort of somewhat voice acting the characters. I also tried The Da Vinci Code, and again with the french accents, it had some atmospheric value.

On screen I've read the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit and I didn't think it was the most comfortable ever, but I definitely think that computer books where you buy the device and then can add more books onto it (a limited amount) will become a reality. But compared to real books, I just don't know if it will sterilize the whole experience.

There's something special about books.

raep

I prefer to have a book in my hands, it almost feels as if I am cheating when I download an e-book and reads it, it doesn't give me the same pleasure.

E-books on your PDA is the way to go; i agree with you on audio books, if the reader is good it adds alot of atmosphere. I hate reader on my normal computer with a passion but when i upload it to my PDA its almost as good as the real thing

I have a habit of sniffing my books, so it's unlikely that I would convert to anything other in the near future. Even in the possible future where PDA systems are the main, I'd gladly pay a hefty extra if it meant I'd get a real book to read.

defintely like regular book reading the best, though i'm willing to try the new digi books.

I'm sure I've read many more books on my computer screen than on paper.  Just as long as you set up your desk so that you can sit and stare at the monitor for long periods of time you should be fine.  Make sure your monitor is at eye level.  A lot of people have their monitor elevated at little bit, and your neck starts to feel strained after a while if it's like that.

And make sure your eyes aren't too close to the monitor... but that is good advice for reading paper also.

As for audio books... I dunno.  I'd rather just read because it's faster.

#4, I've actually been thinking about getting a Palm TX for college work (fuck dragging a laptop to classes daily). I'll definitely have a go at reading books on it now =)

i just got the Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgeman from Itunes for free and I must say it has considerably swayed my views toward   audiobooks. I can only hope that other audiobooks are this enjoyable.