Since starting my job at the library, I've seen MANY audiobooks in circulation and wanted to see what the buzz was all about. I figured they would be useful for me since I have a long commute to school everyday... so I decided to try one.
I... didn't like it! I listened for about 15 minutes in my car then took it out. While the story was something I was interested in, I could NOT get into being read to. It was hard to concentrate and I thought it was boring.
I guess audiobooks seem like cheating to me in a way since I am perfectly capable of reading books myself. I know they are just complete wonders to some people and they serve an excellent purpose, but maybe they are just not right for me. I get satisfaction only from actually physically reading myself, I guess. It's really a shame because I know I could go through a lot more books if I listened in the car on my 30 minute drive to school... but I just don't know! And when I think about the books I am dying to read, I can only imagine actually reading them myself, and not listening to them.
What are your thoughts on audiobooks? Do you have any pointers or tips for people like myself who are trying to get into them?
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My advice? Start with the audiobook version of a book you already like. I find that with a few exceptions, I tend to seek out the books I've already read because I'm more familiar with the story so I don't feel bad paying attention to other things (traffic, GPS mostly because I listen to audiobooks mostly when I drive too.) Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI have only recently started listening to audiobooks. I tried one several years ago and I HATED it. Fast Forward about 12 years and I thought I'd give it another try. I really enjoyed that one and have enjoyed the few I've listened to since then.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator makes a huge difference. The one that really convinced me to give them another try was Back Seat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson. She narrated it herself. I think that the expressiveness in her voice made a huge difference.
I think the second thing to consider is what you are doing when you are listening. I don't think I could listen while driving. I tend to listen while doing menial tasks such as filing while at work, or cleaning the kitchen. Things that I don't need to think about at all.
What you might do is try to get a book that you really enjoyed reading and try it on audio book. That way you can determine what it is about the experience that you don't like. If you don't like being read to, then you don't like it. If you know you like the story, but don't like the narrators voice, then that helps as well.
I hope that helps.
The reader makes the audio book. I'm not sure what book you tried listening to, but see if you can get a copy of The Help, or Cutting for Stone -- these 2 stay with me as having excellent readers.
ReplyDeleteI love them and always have one going. I don't see how it is cheating??
I haven't actually tried audio books yet, but am incredibly curious about them. That aside, I do think that the voice of the narrator is a major factor to consider when making the audio book as that could definitely be the make or break factor of the book. I'll be trying one soon and will be sure to also post my experience up. I definitely think it's either one of those things you love or hate.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the book. I remember loving Call of the Wild on audio.
ReplyDeleteI listen to more audiobooks than read them. I agree that not all audiobooks are created equal. Harry Potter is really good as is the Hunger Games. Some readers just suck. (the vampire academy - ugh)
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I enjoy listening to audio books on long trips. But it does depend on who is reading them and what their tone is like. I would highly suggest trying a different book read by someone else. It can really help pass the time and is a great way to multitask and get more books read!
ReplyDeleteI listen to audio books in the car, when I'm by myself and if I'm doing some major cleaning job at home, but only if the kids aren't around to interrupt. I enjoy them, but only if the reader's voice isn't extremely annoying! I only listen to re-reads on audio or books that I do not already own that I don't care if I read them in print. Certain books I have to read in print only. I have strict guidelines. =O)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this one - I'm not a huge fan of audiobooks either. Something about them makes me so sleepy. I can listen to maybe 15 minutes without passing out - including when I'm driving! I've been thinking about giving them another try while I'm refinishing furniture though.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried audio books, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately since I spend some of my time on the car, I thought an audio book would help me keep up with my reading and reviews, lately I haven't got much time left, also believe is a question of narrator, will see what happens I let you know :)
ReplyDeleteI can't do them either Steph. The last one I tried the author read it so slowly it put me to sleep. I even tried following along with a print book for awhile and I couldn't do it. Maybe I just pick the wrong audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to a lot of audiobooks when I was younger. I think the enjoyment of an audiobook, depends on who is reading on the CD. If their voice is boring and slow, then it just makes listening a chore. However, if you get an audiobook with a great narrator, then listening to literature can be great.
ReplyDeleteThese are some really great tips, Steph. Me, I'm the same way as you. I prefer to actually hold a book in my hand and read. I don't like being read to. The only good thing about audio books, I'd have to say, is the maybe the voices, especially if the book is a horror or thriller. In that case, audio books may be good for Halloween. Bwa-ha-ha!
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I still have some on CD - and even more on cassette! (Yeah, what the heck to do with those now?) The fiction is good for really long road trips and non-fiction good for normal driving around town. Haven't listened to one in a while though. The ones with the author reading are the best, because he/she really gets into the story! (And sometimes cries.)
ReplyDeleteI love audiobooks, but I have to be in the right mood for the book that I'm listening to and the narrator has to be good. Which means that I'm far more picky about my audiobooks than about my other books.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorites are the Harry Potter books, but I've enjoyed listening to others as well (Water For Elephants and People of the Book were both enjoyable).
I don't see it as cheating either. I think it's just another form of reading, one that we are fortunate to have. Working at the library, i see so many elderly people checking them out and that makes me happy! because they are continuing their love for reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Diane (Bibliophile by the Sea) that it depends on the reader. Harry Potter on audio is super fun because of Jim dale, the reader but others can really damper it. I don't do audio books much because I get distracted and leave the room. I am not in one place for long to appreciate them. If I had a long commute maybe but even then, i get distracted.
I've been thinking of starting to listen to audiobooks...I went from having a 30 minute train commute (perfect for reading) to a 20 minute drive. I'd love to get that "reading" time back. From the comments, it seems like the reader completely makes a difference. I've also heard the suggestion to start with a book you've already read to get the feel for listening. I'll have to try it soon and I'll def. blog about my experience!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Binghamton NY I used to drive back to my parents' house on the weekends in PA...an hour or so..I took some audiobooks with me to help the time fly...and fly it did, usually without me noticing I drove past my exit. I gave up after awhile, either I couldn't get into them at all, or I'd get so into them that my driving was impacted haha. I do use them for when I am at the gym though
ReplyDeleteI tend to only like audio books for non-fiction. Don't care to listen to them when it is fiction.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried audio books years ago - I either got distracted when I see something else and the audio became background noise, or I fall asleep if I close my eyes (so I won't get distracted by something I see). And I don't have ADD :)
ReplyDeleteI am going to give it another try at some point - I can't read while I'm on the elliptical. And I'd been avoiding using the elliptical because, well if I only have 30 minutes, I'd rather read, then exercise :) So I thought I could try to listen to an audio book while on the elliptical. Have to motivate myself to get started first!