A pretty vague question I know, but I’m not looking for any specific answer. I’m just curious what peoples thoughts are on audiobooks. Perhaps how you think they compare to paper books or how listening compares to reading. Any thoughts you have on the subject is welcome.
I think listening to a book is inherently different than reading. With paper-reading, jumping back is easy, as is slowing down and speeding up. But that’s close to impossible for audiobooks. Thus books that work well with audiobooks are books that are written too be read at a constant pace and not require going back on. I think novels for that description, but I struggled to listen to non-fiction and I wouldn’t try to listen to “hard” books either.
Personally, I can only listen to audiobooks when I am performing a repetitive task (mainly driving around). Otherwise I get distracted, either by the task or by my own thoughts. So I don’t use audiobooks much.
I have found that I cannot concentrate on content if I am only listening to it. I think this is probably because I am not good at multi-tasking. So I listen to audiobooks of books which I have already read before, so that if I miss some point it won’t make a lot of difference. In my case listening to audiobooks is particularly helpful when I have a headache accompanied by eye strain. I just close my eyes and listen to any of my favourite books.
I love audiobooks. They’re easy to fit into found time, mostly as bed time reading, I just set it going and fall asleep. It’s a win-win, if I’m constantly re-reading the same chapter it’s because I’m getting lots of sleep. If I can’t sleep, at least I’m getting through the book.
Reading a physical/e book means I’m awake with energy and willingness to do something, sure I could read, but I could be doing something else. I read a lot more as a kid, but I also had fewer responsibilities. Also less access to motorcycles, games consoles, bars etc.
As someone with aphantasia (can’t visualize) and no inner voice, I prefer audiobooks, if the narrator is even mediocre. They also work well with my ADHD, since I struggle with mental tasks without multitasking - audiobooks help me do the chores and commute - even if I don’t remember the audiobook lol. I frequently have to rewind.
With the right narrator, I absolutely love them. The lady and I listen to them after work most nights. It lets us both do our own thing, but also have some shared experience. Better than TV, anyway.
Honestly I’m more of an ebook guy. However, there is something you can do with audiobooks that you can’t really do with ebooks — experience them together with a small group of other people.
My first time listening to a book together with friends was over a car ride. But then, me and my friends got into this book series, and we listened to it together over Discord.
There’s probably a neat parallel to be made with listening to a story around a campfire.
Nonetheless, mostly I stick to ebooks. There is something to be said for reading at your own pace, not the pace of the narrator.
When I was a kid we used to have audiobooks in the car on long car journeys and that was brilliant.
But at some point I lost that part of my brain which can retain information like that because even if I know I'm finding the story interesting, these days I'm more likely to find my mind wandering and thinking about what to cook, other things that need doing and I just can't get it. I think maybe because I'm quite a fast reader it's a bit of a slower pace and my brain is waiting for them to hurry up.
What I do like though on audible is there's lots of dramas and comedies, usually from BBC but not always. So on commutes I'll listen to that sort of thing and it keeps me engaged.
But different things work for different people. I am definitely someone who takes in written information better whether it's reading for pleasure or work stuff
Yeah I’m similar, I can’t really get into them if it’s just someone reading, then I’d rather just be reading, but these audio-drama things with multiple actors and sound effects are great.
I listen to audiobooks a lot, but mostly (like 95% of the time) I`m only listening to books that I’ve read as book previously. I love to dive back into these beloved stories again without needing to put in the extra time for reading them again. I hear them for example when I’m walking my dog (which is already like 1,5h each day).
My wife and I are both devoted readers and read dozens of books every year. However, about 7 years ago I took a job that made me commute 50 miles a day.
I also love to listen to music, but the 30 minute to 1 plus hour drive each way was boring as hell. So I decided to look into audio books and the first one I listened to was “Leviathan Wakes” book 1 of “The Expanse.” I went from hating my commute every day, to actually slowing down and taking more time to consume more books.
I love audio books now and have listened to hundreds over the last several years. I still read books of course and my wife has not listened to audio books with any consistency, unless we are traveling. Audio books are excellent at keeping the kids entertained on those long trips to see family.
My wife and I often read the same books and series and we discuss them at length. I have not found any difference in my ability to understand and debate the material, whether I’ve read or listened to it. I do find it a bit easier to remember smaller details if I’ve read it, other than that there is little difference. At least for me.
I used to have a boring data entry job and I listened to audiobooks every day. It was great. Now I mostly listen in the car or while doing chores. I kind of miss having those long lengths of time to listen.
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