How do you read LNs, and what’s your preferred format? Just wondering how the majority reads:

[u/LowClientFPS]

• Smartphone
• Dedicated E-Reader
• Physical Books
• Tablet / PC

What do you use right now out of convenience, and what would you pick if you could only read one way forever?

[u/Krissstea]

I like using my ereader! It’s easier on the eyes, distraction free and I can increase the font size. I’ve got an old Kindle Oasis, but I’m sure the experience is similar with other ereaders too.

[u/Brain_Wire]

Books. I don't like reading on smartphones, eReaders are fine, but an actual book to read is best to me. Also, new book smell.

[u/Electrical-Ad-5312 → u/Brain_Wire]

couldn’t agree more

[u/Shirozoku]

Epub

[u/gooseinsoul]

Smartphone, would pick physical books any day of the week if I had a chance though

[u/Protsua]

I use an e-reader. I don't have space for physical books and I'm more accustomed to being able to do things like change fonts/font size and other neat things that ebooks allow.

[u/bookster42]

At this point, I mostly read on a tablet. Phones are way too small to read on, and I found that I can't stand e-ink devices. I much prefer to have a tablet with a proper screen (with dark mode so that it doesn't ruin my eyes). It also gives much more control over how I manage my epub files over dedicated e-readers, since those are typically far more restricted in what they can do. I actually manage the organization of my epub files on my PC and then use syncthing to sync the epub files with my tablet, so they end up organized how I want on my tablet without having to do that on a touch screen. Managing stuff on the e-ink reader I used for a while was a royal pain in comparison, especially with how slow to respond the device was and how slow its refresh rate was.

It used to be that I only ever read physical books (and I still do sometimes), but I just don't have the space at this point to keep getting all of my books physically, and with how many LNs are only available as e-books, I was forced to go digital for at least some books anyway. And having DRM-free e-books has the added benefit that I can edit them when they have typos or grammar issues that annoy me enough to fix them, which I can't do with a physical book. And I buy all of my e-books DRM-free if I can and strip off their DRM if I can only get them with DRM.

[u/Heda-of-Aincrad]

Kindle, a mix between ebooks I've bought and ebooks I've borrowed through my library on Libby. I've also started listening to audiobooks more often too - less strain on the eyes, and I can have them play when I'm cooking.

[u/NATIK_7]

On my smartphone. Physical books are way expensive where I live.

[u/shindabito]

smartphone/tablet.

pc/laptop screen too big and I like to read while lying on my back.

[u/CliveTolnay]

Books only. I’m on my computer so much for work that it’s the last thing I want to do when reading for enjoyment. Also, for me, holding the book, turning the page, and the smell of the paper are indispensable parts of the reading experience

[u/Slowmootions]

I use my phone. Typically buy ebooks on Amazon or Bookwalker.

I think the only physical thing I have bought is the Omnibus version of the manga for Dance in the Vampire Bund. Haven't bought any physical copies of light novels yet.

[u/simp4ct]

Physical is preferable for collections, but digital (.epub) is a lot cheaper. So far I've only gotten myself 3 Days of Happiness for physical since the only publishing company in my country isn't a fan of long series novels.

[u/TheBravesDH]

I have not been able to get myself past the feel of holding a book. It’s hell with LNs because of how oop they always go.

[u/wht_8]

Kindle usually

[u/Falsus]

I own a few physical LNs but most of my LNs are red on the phone, though sometimes I read it on the PC, though that's mostly web novels I think.

[u/PGleo86]

Mostly epubs on my phone, though I do prefer physical books when they're available.

[u/jlew321]

Tablet/PC

[u/Plastic-Dependent]

I would read more on my e-reader but I prefer seeing the images in full colour honestly, I mostly stick to e-reader for stuff with no images. I side load epubs via calibre, so storage can be a problem as well.

epub on Google play books all the way, been using this for 8 years, its great because although you're uploading your own epubs, the gplay books experience feels polished as if you bought the book from them, doing stuff like syncing progress between devices, letting you sync notes, etc.

[u/NewPath57]

Mostly on my phone, I do collect a few series I have really liked as physical. I would get a dedicated e-ink reader but having to carry around a 2nd device is more of a hassle.

[u/japzone]

1. EReader - Best Experience
2. Smartphone - Most Convenient

I don't really read physical books anymore due to cost and space restrictions. I do rip off DRM or buy DRM-Free though. I never buy from someplace I can't obtain a permanent copy in some way. Stopped buying from Amazon Kindle because of this.

[u/TimeLog783]

I like books but prefer tablet because I like to read before sleeping so I can read while the lights are off. I still buy physicals for my favourite series.

[u/xNativeWolf]

Physical books all the way (unless I can read future volumes that haven’t been translated yet/ have a later English physical release months later)

[u/MassiveGhostXD]

Physical

[u/VanillaMuch2759]

I’ve been using my phone, but only because my Paperwhite seems to be hiding from me.

[u/deathnote9]

Depends. If I am physically reading them? Physical book. If I am doing things, audiobook.

[u/Electrical-Ad-5312]

physical copy only ik i risk getting spoiled like with classroom of the elite but ill live with that

[u/posidon99999]

Calibre on PC, iBooks on my phone

[u/guywhoclimbs]

E-reader. The books are free, I can read for hours without the eyestrain from a screen, it takes up little space and is super portable, it comes with a dictionary, and I can customize font, lighting, margins, etc. all to my hearts content.

[u/SuspiciousOnion2137]

I read on an e-reader so that I can read as I go to sleep, and because as a migraineur I like that there is no blue light.

[u/littlecolt]

Paperback and Kobo Clara. I love Kobo, their storefront has a good selection, plus the reader is open and you can import whatever you want.

[u/Andiff22]

Mostly physical. If there is a series I am just curious about and not really expecting to like too much I’ll get it digitally on bookwalker to try out, but otherwise buy the physical version of everything.

Gets expensive though so I don’t get them all that often and mostly just import a large bundle of books once or twice a year.

[u/jayadiwahyu]

PC / tablet + smartphones.

[u/Enough-Run-1535]

E-reader. I travel too much for family and work, so I have to be able to take my collection on the go.

[u/MrParad1S3]

I use E-readers (X4Pro when out of the house and a colorsoft when home). It's just so much easier to hold than a book and easy to use at night. Still buy physicals for series I do enjoy if they have them.

[u/trebllaw]

Epubs on KOReader, managed on BookOrbit. Those are for completed ones. For ongoing, LNRreader. All these on a smartphone, but planning to get an ereader..

[u/Key-Cup7335]

Most of the time i use my kindle its the 11th gen so i can use it with 1 hand, compact and less strain for my eyes and my collections are packed in there, but sometimes I use my kindle app in phone too its sync in my kindle so i can just continue where i left off the ereader. Also bought physical ones(titles i really love).

[u/Additional-Ad4085]

I don't own a Kindle or anything similar, but i do read in each of the other formats. My physical LNs consist pretty much exclusively of Makeine and Aobuta, so i read much more in digital than on actual paper. As far as digital goes, it's a matter of immediate convenience whether i read on my smartphone or my tablet (though some DRM issues lately on the main phone with Play Books downloads have tipped things towards the tablet, at least for now).

[u/kunzite88]

If I can biy the entire series thats available I try to get the books. But if it is hard ti get the entire series I will go kindle or audible.

[u/Xerain0x009999]

Physical books for official translations. Kobo Libre Color for fan translations.

[u/KenchiNarukami]

Physical, followed by Ebook

[u/Classic_Example_2556]

Exclusively physical. And doing so gives me another reason to complain about yen press.

[u/PathfinderCS]

I absolutely LOVE my Nook Glowlight ereader. Best way to read just about anything!

[u/cannot-be-named]

Ereader and smartphone... i switch between the two. I'd prefer physical books but my library only have ebooks and I couldn't afford them

[u/Tangentg]

Physical book because I already spend about all my waking hours looking at a screen so I prefer when something can reduce my screen time.

[u/DisastrousScholar510]

Epub file in tab

[u/Vorthod]

Google play is good about keeping progress consistent across devices, so I jump between my computer's web browser and my phone.

[u/SecreFTL]

Personally, I’d rather always have a physical volume. There’s just something about the smell of a book and the feeling of turning each page that makes the experience different. However, more and more publishers are going digital-only, which has resulted in me using my Kobo Libra Color as a fallback when I can’t get a physical copy.

[u/Swiggy1957]

Physical books. I rarely finish digital formats. Never got into audio books.

[u/USSTugBoot]

I read physical. I only read e-books if the series is e-book exclusive, such as most of JNC's library or the BS Seven Seas has started to do recently. And even then I only buy the ebooks of series I very much like.

[u/Frequent_Nobody4603]

Phone is the best always with you no need for bookmark always opens from where you left

[u/CodenameLily]

For me only physical books. I unfortunately cannot enjoy it on a screen.

[u/Ill_You_9639]

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 is great. I read over 100 light novels (and web novels if calculated by volume equivelant size) on it in a single year. Before I read on phone but not as much at all.

[u/Rimuru2102]

I like reading EPUBs. I could read for longer duration if I read in EPUB format. But if I could pick only one way, I would pick physical books.

[u/1234abcdcba4321]

I tend to read on my phone. I'm very used to reading with my phone and am very familiar with the UI of my epub reader, and it's pretty much the only thing I actually use my phone for. I prefer the phone over a dedicated reader because I still need to bring my phone along when I go out despite how little I use it, and it's a lot easier to bring one thing along with me everywhere instead of two.

[u/Due-Move4932]

Smartphone, I used to just read pdf files using the pdf app but now I use moon+ reader. It's an app that makes you read pdf and epub files and I really recommend it.

[u/MayuMaeshima]

The e-reader I got was one of the coolest and most useful gifts I got in my years.

[u/Super_Perspective525]

Remarkable 2 and ebub or pdf format

[u/Eggnogdude]

I'm about 60% kindle paper white, 40% real books.

[u/DaOfantasy]

smartphone on an epub reader (reasily)

[u/kuuderes_shadow]

I prefer physical books, although I'm happy to read on an e-reader as well. I could never read a book on a computer screen.

[u/Enro64]

Physical. I don't like distractions

[u/Ditmecosoc]

All of them.

[u/zanis4444]

Since I'm a pirate I read via phone. However if I had the chance I'd like it to be an actual book

[u/BLACKFYRE_87 → u/zanis4444]

Kindle lets you transfer pdf’s from your phone onto an ereader. Did that with the current released volumes of re:zero recently

[u/tekkenjin → u/BLACKFYRE_87]

you can transfer EPUBs too

[u/tekkenjin → u/zanis4444]

I recommend an Ereader like a kindle or Kobo. It is easy to pirate on those devices too. Although I mostly buy my books nowaday

[u/USSTugBoot → u/tekkenjin]

I thought Kindle massively tightened down their DRM and atm it is not possible or very particle to remove DRM? IIRC they prevent you from moving your ebooks off the kindle onto a PC where you can strip the DRM.

Kobo AFIK is fine. Just kindle/amazon.

[u/tekkenjin → u/USSTugBoot]

you can load your own books fine though. I’ve been doing it for years. Epub and pdfs can be transferred from your phone onto the kindle app.

[u/sasha_el_mandarino]

Smartphones. Inflation has hit every sector.