Audiobooks or the real thing?

A_D_Winch · Post by **A_D_Winch** » 25 Mar 2014, 02:43

Audiobooks while you are driving are great. I tried reading at the wheel but the police took a dim view

TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 25 Mar 2014, 11:43

We used to have to listen to audiobooks in middle school. I always found I couldn't really concentrate on it and it made me rather sleepy so I obviously never took as much from the books as I would have if I had been reading the actual book. I stick with traditional books and mostly ebooks now.

01phoenix · Post by **01phoenix** » 25 Mar 2014, 13:17

I utilize both depending on the situation. Audiobooks are great when you are working on a project like cleaning out a closet, or on a long drive, or cooking. To enjoy the audiobook I have to like the sound of the narrator and the pacing has to be at a speed that is similar to how I read. One of my favorite ways to relax is in the tub with candles and bubbles and a good audiobook to take me to a different time and place, especially if I have had a stressful day. However, I do love the feel of a book in my hand.

APoohW · Post by **APoohW** » 25 Mar 2014, 14:30

I mainly use audio books on big series like "Wheel of Time" Robert Jordan or "North and South" by John Jakes where it is a long story I listen to them with my husband at bedtime also when I am sick, which is a lot of the time. But I prefer reading them of my tablet. My daughter uses them on the way to college or work but she also uses them in between her classes or on work breaks she has a audio program on her phone.

tennent10 · Post by **tennent10** » 25 Mar 2014, 15:44

I prefer the real thing. Audio books just never sound right to me, and I find a true library super impressive.

lkcz4 · Post by **lkcz4** » 25 Mar 2014, 16:08

Nothing quite replaces the book in hand - but if that's not possible, audiobooks are okay. I'm not an auditory learner, so I find that I remember less when I'm just listening to a book.

mansala · Post by **mansala** » 25 Mar 2014, 23:55

To me an audiobook is just plain distracting. The narrator often has a voice that I would't associate with the characters at all and goes way to slow for my reading pace. I prefer to have a book in my hands, if I'm doing something that requires both hands then I really just prefer to just listen to music.

pandabear120991 · Post by **pandabear120991** » 26 Mar 2014, 02:29

i personally prefer the real thing. i like how a book feels in my hand. plus when listening to a book i feel like i do not concentrate enough on the actual book, my mind wanders to much.

bearreader1234 · Post by **bearreader1234** » 26 Mar 2014, 11:37

The paper of books is warm in your hands, it feels friendly, even, at times, all-knowing. But audio books are fun. A long, dull ride in the car transforms into a story experience. Hard to beat.

clarkw123 · Post by **clarkw123** » 26 Mar 2014, 17:48

I loooove real books. I love the feel of the crisp pages in my hand, and I love looking at the beautiful covers, and mostly I LOVE the smell of the pages! Also, I have this theory, that just like all technology, eventually will be outdated and useless. However, my books will always be available and wonderful. I can pass them on the my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren, and they will still be just as good. Audiobooks are useful for long drives and such, however, I find their voices irritating.

wendyj · Post by **wendyj** » 29 Mar 2014, 15:15

I'd much rather read a book for myself but nothing makes a long car trip fly by better than a good audiobook!

shinjiblue · Post by **shinjiblue** » 31 Mar 2014, 15:51

I always have high hopes for bringing audiobooks along on long drives but usually what ends up happening is I zone out and start thinking about other things and have to rewind repeatedly. Kind of loses the flow of the story that way. My concentration is much better when I read the actual book myself.

Userhorse102 · Post by **Userhorse102** » 31 Mar 2014, 20:05

I tried listening to audiobooks before but have found that they are just not for me. When I read hard copy books I can visualize so easy and that makes it so easy to focus. When I am listening to audiobooks I have trouble focusing in and am easily distracted.

Jbessy · Post by **Jbessy** » 01 Apr 2014, 13:46

I think audio books can be the real thing. I use both, audio books for when I can't devote my hands and eyes to reading, and hard copy for when I have the opportunity to devote everything.

pallycat · Post by **pallycat** » 01 Apr 2014, 16:10

Audio books are convenient to listen to while doing other things, such as driving or personally, cross stitching. However, nothing beats just holding a book in your hands and reading that.