Audiobooks or the real thing?

Winter · Post by **Winter** » 02 Mar 2014, 18:05

I like listening to an audiobook every now and then just because its nice to be "read to" sometimes - it's comforting. I tend to get annoyed, though, when the reader tries to give different characters different voices. It shouldn't bother me, but it does. Generally, I much prefer reading books myself.

Kaki69 · Post by **Kaki69** » 02 Mar 2014, 20:05

Audiobooks are the only way I can get away with reading at work...at least while working on something that doesn't require my full concentration. I've been listening to audiobooks for a few years now and have found I can only listen to certain genres such as mystery/thrillers or contemporary fiction. Forget about classics or biographies. Some non-fiction is okay depending on the level of detail. I also like to listen to audiobooks while doing housework. I HATE to vacuum and listening to an audiobook really makes it bearable!

samuyama · Post by **samuyama** » 02 Mar 2014, 22:01

Winter wrote:I like listening to an audiobook every now and then just because its nice to be "read to" sometimes - it's comforting. I tend to get annoyed, though, when the reader tries to give different characters different voices. It shouldn't bother me, but it does. Generally, I much prefer reading books myself.

Yea, the quality of the reader is super important

Kelly Christine · Post by **Kelly Christine** » 02 Mar 2014, 23:23

I like the option of audiobooks when traditional reading isn't feasible. It does change the way I paint the picture in my head because of the voices. Therefore, it ruins a little bit of the imaginative aspect of reading for me. I most certainly prefer having the book in my hands.

S dot Lennon · Post by **S dot Lennon** » 02 Mar 2014, 23:52

I would like to give audiobooks a chance. I know plenty of people who love them, but I have never listened to an audiobook. Does anyone have any recommendations for a great book to listen too?

dhomespot · Post by **dhomespot** » 03 Mar 2014, 00:28

I have never tried and actual audio book. I learned the hard way not to use the text to speech on my kindle. Not only does not know what a period is, there is just no emotion displayed to convey the action of the story.

zuli · Post by **zuli** » 03 Mar 2014, 08:58

The real thing, any time, any day!

I feel like reading engages a bigger part of the brain - each word I actually read gives more color to the story. I've tried audio books too but while i find the idea appealing (value of convenience), i found that my attention wavers and i'd miss entire paragraphs at a time. Holding and reading an actual book is way better as you can easily mark where you stopped reading and pick up again where you left off.

samuyama · Post by **samuyama** » 03 Mar 2014, 11:24

Stacie_C wrote:I would like to give audiobooks a chance. I know plenty of people who love them, but I have never listened to an audiobook. Does anyone have any recommendations for a great book to listen too?

I was very satisfied with the person who read all the Harry Potter books. I had read them all several times before I listened to them, and he did pronounce some things different than what I imagined (to my chagrin), but I accepted it and got used to it.

Ashley Hiddles · Post by **Ashley Hiddles** » 03 Mar 2014, 11:35

I have nothing against audiobooks, but it's so easy for my mind to wander, then I get really confused when I go back to listening to it. They're really great for jogging or other working out though. I still prefer the feeling of a book in my hand.

jechamer · Post by **jechamer** » 03 Mar 2014, 11:41

I've thought about getting audiobooks for in traffic, but I want to also have the book to read and don't want to buy it twice. To get around that, I've thought about getting some on audio and others on books, but haven't been able to figure out what I want on audio.

samuyama · Post by **samuyama** » 03 Mar 2014, 12:47

jechamer wrote:I've thought about getting audiobooks for in traffic, but I want to also have the book to read and don't want to buy it twice. To get around that, I've thought about getting some on audio and others on books, but haven't been able to figure out what I want on audio.

The library usually has a huge collection of audiobook on CD. I used to play them in my car, but recently started ripping them in itunes so I could take them with me anywhere. Thought free audiobooks might solve you're problem

alanatucker · Post by **alanatucker** » 03 Mar 2014, 12:58

Prefer the real thing.

krichardson · Post by **krichardson** » 03 Mar 2014, 13:01

I do not mind audiobooks but I have to concentrate on the story, I can't do any other activity while listen. Well, I guess you can't really do that with books either

ITnker · Post by **ITnker** » 03 Mar 2014, 22:27

I was wondering how the audiobook would work for me to make up for time when I cannot sit and read. I still haven't decided if the audiobook would be worth trying though. I am worried if the narrator will deter me from completing a book, or give a different impression than I would come up with reading a book for myself.

samuyama · Post by **samuyama** » 04 Mar 2014, 09:11

ITnker wrote:I was wondering how the audiobook would work for me to make up for time when I cannot sit and read. I still haven't decided if the audiobook would be worth trying though. I am worried if the narrator will deter me from completing a book, or give a different impression than I would come up with reading a book for myself.

in my experience the reader always falls short, what it takes is being able to accept that's the way it is