Finally I found my perfect reading environment!

Every time i want to read a book, i always face a difficult question. Where i should read it, in terms of its media. Should i read it on kindle, because it’s cheaper or should i read it thru its hardcopy? Because it’s true my friend, when you have so many choices, it’ll be more difficult to make a decision 😂

But worry not bestie, because now i have found a reading environment or matrixes if you will, for the most comfortable reading experience that works for me.

So first of all, let’s breakdown the reading media that we can use in general :

1. Hard copy : traditional and regal way to read a book of course

2. Ebook : read a book thru your digital device of choice. I usually use kindle in my smartphone or ipad

3. Audio book : it’s proven to be one of the most efficient way to read book (with some notes)

For me personally, i am more comfortable to read a hardcopy or its ebook version, because i’m a visual learner so it’ll be faster for me to process new information by seeing it visually rather than only listen to it. I’m the embody of “If i don’t see it i don’t believe it” 😂

So with these 3 ways to read a book, i usually decide which media to use by the original language, detailed as follows :

1. If its original language is Indonesian > then almost 100% i’ll read its hardcopy, to support local authors of course

2. If its original language is English > then almost 100% i’ll read its ebook version, because it’s cheaper and I don’t have much space in my room anymore.

3. If the original language is none of the above > almost 100% i’ll read its ebook version in English translation.

With this condition, i’m not reading Indonesian book as much as i read in English (original or translation). Because reading Indonesian book means I have to purchase the hardcopy where i have no place to spare in my room anymore.

But everything changed when I found Storytel. Storytel is an audiobook platform with rich collection of Indonesian or English book, from popular edition to classic one. I first tried the apps to listen to a classic book from Buya Hamka titled “Tenggelamnya Kapal van Der Wijck”. I thought it’ll be hard for me to follow or concentrate, but because it’s an Indonesian book, i find it convenient and feel more productive as I listened to it while walking to a store.

Aside from classic collection, Storytel also have newer and popular books from my favorite authors like Dee Lestari, NH Dini, Hamka, A. Fuadi, and more. I’m currently reading a book from NH Dini called “Keberangkatan”.

Storytel pretty much my reading environment more complete, more perfect, and comfortable than before by giving me a chance to balance my book (Indonesia and English book).

So here are my current matrixes I implement to choose media to read :

Even though I feel so thankful to Storytel, if I may give one suggestion to improve their performance that is : I wish they can add highlight feature. So you know that when we find a great learning from the book we will highlight it, in physical book we can highlight it using a highlighter, in ebook we can use highlight and even can add a short note to it. If Storytel can also add highlight feature, for example we can enter the time stamps and using AI it translates to text then we can copy and paste it to our personal notes keeping like Readwise. If Storytel can add it in the future, well then it’ll settle I probably will never move to another platform 😂

To summarize, Storytel helps me to enrich my readings with its audiobook collection and I really recommend it for you 😊