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I'm talking about audiobooks.
Now, I didn't neglect to mention them because I consider them somehow inferior to their print & e-book counterparts (I don't). Truth be told, while writing the post, I forgot about audiobooks altogether because I don't listen to them.
I'll admit it's been an extraordinarily long time (years) since I've attempted to listen to an audiobook, but the reason I never really got into it was because I found that I'm too ADD to get the most out of the experience. I tend to daydream while listening, and before I know it, it's been ten minutes and I have no idea what just happened, or how the characters ended up in a new setting, or—how did I get to chapter eighteen?
I do this with TV shows all the time, particularly if I'm multitasking, so I'm well acquainted with the rewind button, but that's besides the point. For me, when I read, I really like to focus on the book—which is what makes reading (versus listening) work so well for me. While I do occasionally catch myself daydreaming while reading (usually a sign that I'm getting bored with the section), it doesn't happen nearly as often as when I am listening to something, regardless of how interesting it is.
The other issue I have with audiobooks is the voice of the narrator—while reading, I develop my own voices for every character in my head (I know I'm not the only one), so occasionally when I hear a book being read aloud, I'll catch myself thinking, "That's not how I imagined that character to sound" or "That character sounds weird" or something that otherwise distracts me from listening to the narration and I start to miss things.
Now. I'd like to clarify that while I've yet to have audiobooks click with me (and I'm certainly not saying they never will!), I don't think by any means that there's anything inherently wrong with them. I understand the advantages to audiobooks—like being able to read (or listen) to a book while driving, or exercising, or a variety of other tasks that would be impossible to do with a print or e-book. I've heard many people say that the main reason they're able to read half as much as they do is because they listen to audiobooks, and I think that's entirely fantastic.
As for now, at least, audiobooks aren't my top choice, but I do intend to try again with the hopes that an audiobook will steal my heart. Books are books, after all.
Do you listen to audiobooks? Why or why not? If so, any recommendations?
24 comments:
I see what you mean about wanting to develop character voices. I do feel I connect more closely with books when I read them myself rather than listening to them. However, I will say I found audiobooks great for commuting and for long books that don't hold my attention as well. Specifically, Lord of the Rings is wonderful, but they are slow books. Being able to tune in out and multi-task while taking in those stories works well for me :)
Thanks for sharing!
www.anythingimagined.blogspot.com
Good for long classics, especially when doing housework.
I love audio Books. As a person who is blind, audio books provide me hours of entertainment. While I agree that some readers can be jarring, some are also utterly amazing. Some readers will let the characters emotions show in their voice. I would recommend anything read by Dick Hill. He's one of the best commercial readers out there!
I like audiobooks...but only if I've read the print book before. I find it too difficult to keep the thread of the plot when someone else is reading to me unless I already know the story.
That's interesting--I'm not sure I'd be able to focus on both the book and extra work... You must be a talented multi-tasker. :)
I definitely understand the pros to audiobooks, and thanks for the recommendation! I imagine that the reader makes a huge difference in the experience of listening to an audiobook. Out of curiosity, is there a way to look up audiobooks by the reader?
Huh. You know, I hadn't really thought of that, but it would solve the "did I miss something?" problem...
This is the second comment I've read that mentioned listening to more difficult reads rather than attempting the print version. I hadn't really thought about the difference before, but I suppose the ability to tune in and out might make it go a little easier. Very interesting.
I really enjoy listening to audiobooks. I usually listen to middle grade or young adult books while working around the house so that if my kids listen it, I don't have to worry about what they are hearing. I also just love those books! In fact, I can't think of any adult books I've listened to in a while. So some I recommend are Hugo, the Harry Potter series (even if you've read them, the audiobook reader is fantastic!), and the Fablehaven series.
I definitely understand the pros to audiobooks, and thanks for the
recommendation! I imagine that the reader makes a huge difference in the
experience of listening to an audiobook. Out of curiosity, is there a
way to look up audiobooks by the reader?
Well I don't usually listen to audiobooks, but sometimes when I for example know that I am going to travel in a car for a long time I think it's great. One of the things that makes audiobooks so great for me is that I'm not a native english speaker and instead of just learning how to write and read words I get to learn how to prononce them. Since most of the english I come in contact with is in written form, I sometimes find myself able to say something if I'm writing but not when I'm speaking since I just can't prononce the words.
I never used to listen to them till my wife got me hooked. The key is to find good narrators. There are a few of them out there that use different accents and voices for the characters. When in doubt you can always hear a clip at audible.com to check if you like the narrator.
Another cool thing about audiobooks is that you can listen to them at double-speed. Makes for a faster read.
It's interesting, because I've had more than one person recommend MG audiobooks and not many adult recommendations. I wonder if the narration styles are different? Or maybe it's just a coincidence. Regardless, thanks for the recommendations!
I could see how audiobooks would be particularly helpful during long road trips. You also make an interesting point about it's usefulness for learning new languages. I can definitely see how the ability to hear pronunciations would be a large advantage to audiobooks. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tinnis!
Great tip about audible--thanks, Peter. I also didn't know that about the double-speed feature. Does that distort the sound of the narration?
Interesting. I'll have to try that out when I find a test audiobook to trial run.
I'm not a huge audiobooker - partly because of the narration issue and also, like you because of the distraction thing =D
I've gotten a few audiobooks through my library and there (they use Overdrive) you can click on the narrator's name and see all the other books they've narrated. It's a great feature, as I've particularly enjoyed books narrated by Rebecca Soler, Julia Whelan and Carla Mercer-Meyer.
Very interesting. I'll have to keep those names in mind when/if I finally give audiobooks another try.
I am an audiobook fan. They are great companions when doing housework and other chores. They truly pass the time for long distance driving and I have made good use of my IPod on long walks.
As you suggest, the narrator can make or break your audiobook experience.
I have purchased a number of history audiobooks and there is nothing more annoying than a narrator of questionable talent dramatizing the narration when the author quotes a character. Recently, I listened to a thoughtful and beautifully written history of the Second World War in which the major players of the pivotal event of the Twentieth Century (Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt) were apparently performed by Bullwinkle & Friends. In the chapter on the Holocaust, the narrator chose Colonel Klink of HOGAN'S HEROES as his inspiration to portray a death camp commandant. I cannot imagine the renowned historian who wrote the original had these funny voices in mind during his research.
As for recommendations - most of historian David McCullough's wonderful books are now audiobooks and he provides his own flawless narration. As for novels, listen to anything read by Will Patton.
Thank you for your great site.
Yes, I definitely understand the perils of a poor narrator (although I can't imagine why anyone would use funny voices for a historical retelling), and I can also see how they'd be useful for multi-tasking purposes. I suspect if/when I decide to try audiobooks again, it'll be so I can listen to a book while working on something else. Thanks for the recommendations and the kind words!
Not really. I have always considered them as cheating. Like, I can't mark those books as books I read because, well I didn't exactly read them.. I listened to them. So no, hehe I don't listen to audiobooks
xx
Dany
bluebellsandowls.blogspot.com
I'm not sure I'd say it counts as cheating, per say--I mean...I suppose you haven't absorbed it by reading, but you've still listened and digested the whole book. I think if I did listen to audiobooks, I'd still probably count them as reading. Books are books. :)
Do you read professional books or autobiographies? I've found that those work best for me in audiobooks - where the author reads the entire book. Stories I want to read page by page...
I have to admit, I rarely read autobiographies. I do read books on the writing craft, however, so those might be interesting to experiment with audiobook-wise...
Then again, my writing books are one of the few books I actually highlight, so maybe not. :)
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