Audiobooks or the real thing?

Bookgirl2324 · Post by **Bookgirl2324** » 20 Mar 2014, 14:08

I prefer to read the actual book. I like to turn the pages and re-read pages if I can't believe what happens in the book at that time.

samuyama · Post by **samuyama** » 20 Mar 2014, 14:23

Bookgirl2324 wrote:I prefer to read the actual book. I like to turn the pages and re-read pages if I can't believe what happens in the book at that time.

that's true! I've reread parts of books before and that's definitely harder with audiobooks, never thought of that...

Chzoma · Post by **Chzoma** » 20 Mar 2014, 15:32

My first audio book was in 7th grade to Harry Potter and the Sorcerers stone. Our language arts teach played it for us it was really magical to me. Audiobook is good for class read. But I like to read to myself mostly. If I bought "book on cd" I don't think I'd pay attention to it while driving. If my eyes are too tired but I'm in the listening mood I guess I'd get a good one for a road trip

Technosaur · Post by **Technosaur** » 20 Mar 2014, 15:37

If I had to choose, I would probably choose a real book, but both have pros and cons. With audiobooks, I like to listen to them while doing things where it would be uncomfortable to hold a real book, like walking or in a tight area. With real books, however, I like to be sitting down or laying down reading them. I just prefer the feel of a book.

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 20 Mar 2014, 16:11

Audiobooks don't work for me. I find my mind starts to wander after only a minute or two. I much prefer to have the words in front of me. Plus, I enjoy the actual physical process of reading, and audiobooks take that pleasure away.

GypsySpirit · Post by **GypsySpirit** » 21 Mar 2014, 03:10

I used to dislike audiobooks but they are actually really nice in the car (best if it's some inspirational things early morning) or while crafting or when you want to experience a story with someone else. I also enjoyed "Don't tell mum I work on the rigs, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whore house" from Paul Carter when I was driving a tractor all day at a farm; so good ^^
Other than that I usually prefer the real thing.

kelsmercer · Post by **kelsmercer** » 21 Mar 2014, 07:35

I really love the idea of audiobooks, but I guess I'll have to go with the real thing. I have a long commute to both work and school and it can get a little tedious, so I would love to listen to them in the car. However, I just don't have the attention span; I easily drift off to other thoughts. Plus, I like to reread things that I like, go back to earlier pages, and pause and reflect about what I read. It's just too difficult for me to use them, although I can definitely see why people love them.

Mr Big Deal · Post by **Mr Big Deal** » 21 Mar 2014, 14:03

I prefer real books.

Zade · Post by **Zade** » 21 Mar 2014, 16:52

I am definitely a "book in the hand" kind of person. I love the feel and smell of books, both old and new. Now that I commute nearly an hour a day, though, I have started listening to audiobooks in the car. (I live in a rural area, so there's little traffic--only deer to watch out for late at night.)

I have a rule about audio books. I only buy audio books that are brain-candy. I can neither listen carefully, nor understand well the heavier books I have tried to "read" via audio. Even familiar Shakespeare plays are no-go for me as they require too much thought. The books I listen to must not suffer terribly if I quit paying attention for a few seconds when the driving situation requires it. So I save the serious reading for home and physical books; in the car I listen to thrillers. The other good thing about listening to thrillers this way is that there is no book cover so I don't have to worry about being embarrassed if someone sees that I'm reading junk!

MollyMoo · Post by **MollyMoo** » 21 Mar 2014, 16:53

I love reading the real thing- that's very much my preference. But, about two or three times a year my dad drives us from Melbourne to Adelaide to go visit my Grandparents- that's at least an eight hour car trip. During those trips my dad will borrow an audio book and I really get into it... Last one was like a Mid Western kind of book, with the red neck kind of voices to match (not my style at all), but I found when I closed my eyes I could spend all my energy visualising the scene and I surprisingly enjoyed the whole thing a lot! I think the voices that read the audio books make it feel like a movie experience in your head, maybe its because all the characters don't have the same voice anymore (its not all me, lol).

Lucyrichmond · Post by **Lucyrichmond** » 21 Mar 2014, 17:35

I love audiobooks, and love particular readers. The best "act" the book, putting on different voices. I can't drive, but they're perfect for ironing, cooking, housework and craft!

Bookworm0266 · Post by **Bookworm0266** » 21 Mar 2014, 20:49

If the narrator has a good voice and can animate the story well I love audiobooks. Otherwise, I just stick to the real thing.

Zade · Post by **Zade** » 22 Mar 2014, 10:08

I agree with Bookworm0266: the narrator can make or break an audio book. There have been some series that I read in "real" book form and then tried to listen to in the car, but just couldn't stand the narrator. Conversely, I can think of one book that I know was fairly poorly written, but the narrator made it seem much better than it was simply by his skill. As a rule, authors should not narrate their own work unless they are also professional actors. Also, sound effects have no place in audiobooks. They come across as cheesy and unprofessional no matter how good the book may be (and who needs to be startled by gunfire or an explosion while driving?).