For this week's topic, I am discussion audio books. Some people love them and some people don't. I have always been in the second camp. I have read opinions that some people think audio books shouldn't be counted as "real" books. I don't really know how to respond when someone says that something is not a "real" book. People sometimes use that phrase when talking about ebooks. Unless the book is a figment of your imagination, it is definitely real. I don't think the book is any less real just because you are using a different format. I understand why some people do use audio books. If you have a long commute or even a lot of stuff to do around the house, audio books can be very convenient.
My reason for not liking audio books is more about my attention span than anything else. I have only tried an audio book once. It was Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes. I love her so I thought that an audio book of her book would be a great place to start. I also wanted to listen to it while I was exercising on the elliptical. I need something to focus on and I assumed an audio book would be better than television. However, I found myself a bit bored and distracted. Maybe it was the narrator or the book itself. The narrator kind of annoyed me. There were about five points of view and the narrator would of fake accents and voices, depending on who was speaking. Even though I was on the elliptical, I found my mind wondering. I would start thinking about other stuff and before I knew it, fifteen minutes had passed and I had no clue what was going on. Another reason why I just prefer my Kindle or a print book is because I don't like to multi task while reading. When I am reading a book, I like to bury myself in whatever world I am reading about and I think doing other stuff while reading would just distract from that experience.
This year, I am participating in Book Riot's Read Harder challenge. I am trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and read authors and genres that I would normally not read. Well task #16 is to read an audio book and I have no idea where to start. Maybe if I give it another shot, I will fall in love with it. I thought maybe I would ask for help from you guys since I have no clue where to start.
Do you have any good audio book recommendations? Do you read audio books at all? Do you think audio books are considered "real" books?
Ah don't worry Cynthia, I'm the same with audiobooks! I have a low attention span and with audiobooks, it just takes longer to get to the destination for me. I prefer to use my own reading voice when reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Jeann! I'm glad I am not the only one.
DeleteI've found that the length of an audio book can play a factor for me. While I can read and love an epic, doorstop sized fantasy novel, I find I can't necessarily listen to as an audio book. Part of that is that I can't easily flip back if I don't recall a certain character or plot thread.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think a good narrator makes all the difference. I have certain narrators who I like and enjoy their performance of an audio novel.
Good point nashvillebookworm. I will probably need a more simple plot to listen to. :)
DeleteI find it really hard to concentrate on audio books, even when the narrator/story is good my mind wanders which isn't a problem I have with reading. I think it is a different kind of skill and it'll improve with practice but I'm not sufficiently motivated to persevere. Here is my MM https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/musing-mondays-february-2/
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input Cleo. I'm glad I'm not the only one with that issue!
DeleteI like them when I drive. They make the trip go faster. I don't like them when I am home. I would rather read than listen.
ReplyDeleteThanks JC Jones, that does make a lot of sense. If I were driving, I would probably be able to focus more on what I'm hearing.
DeleteI love audiobooks! It's more convenient than ebooks, in my opinion. But I understand why you didn't have a good first time experience with them, though. I have the same experience with Silver Bay. I bought it a long time ago and have started and stopped listening to it. I can't get into it, either.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll find a much more enjoyable audiobook in the future.
Thanks Joyous Reads! I'm glad I'm not the only one to struggle with the Silver Bay audio book. Maybe that one wasn't the best to start out with.
DeleteI can see why SIlver Bay might not be the best on audiobook. I just read the print version, and I liked it a lot -- but the shifting voices might not appeal to me much if I were listening to it. I started listening to audiobooks about a year or so ago during my commute and when I exercise. I was also having problems staying focused and not letting my mind wander. Ultimately, I realized that audiobooks work best for me as a re-reading resource. I end up getting to enjoy books I loved all over again, and if I do let my mind wander (like while I'm looking for a parking space), I'm familiar enough with the story that it's okay. I've loved the Outlander series via audio, and also Code Name Verity. The only new-to-me book that I loved via audio was We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, which has an amazing narrator.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my suggestion, if you really want to give audiobooks a chance, is to pick something you've been wanting to re-read and see how it goes!
Thanks for the tip bookshelffantasies.com! That is a great idea. There are many books I have wanted to reread so perhaps I will look at those as a starting off point. Great idea!
DeleteThere's definitely a learning curve when it comes to audibooks; it took me some trial & error to discover what types of listens worked for me. The narrator can make a HUGE difference, as can the length (10-ish hours is my sweet spot). I'm strongly in the YAY column on this one.
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
Thanks for the input Carmel! I think I just need to give it another shot and try again. :)
DeleteI had thought that I might consider audio books while exercising, but I suspect I would also get lost...I like the way you described why you prefer reading: you don't like to multi-task while reading, and I couldn't agree more! I also love being able to move back and forth between pages to check things....
ReplyDeletePlus...I can read much faster than I can listen.
Interesting post...and here is my MUSING MONDAYS POST
Thanks Creations! I am a very fast reader so I am sure listening would take a little bit longer.
DeleteMy sister, a bookworm as I am, took to audio 20 years ago when her sight went. She loves them but, the narrator is so important, some of the books, even old favs. she can't read because of that problem.
DeleteI am a fast reader also and don't on the whole want to listen as no one can narrate at the pace bmy brain does, however i noticed when caring for my mother, she would have them on, I would liten while I fed her, and I found I was finding another layer in the books especially the classics, having to listen slowly, descriptions became more vivid. I couldn't keep it up for long tho!
I listen sometimes on a long journey but I find the best way to listen to - say a text book (I have quite a few non fiction) is to do something mechanical with the hands such as weeding or crocheting.
Happy reading:)
albertaross, I do think maybe that's why I couldn't get into Silver Bay: the narrator.
DeleteI believe the wrong narrator can definitely turn you off audio books. I used to feel the same way you did, but I've listened to two audio books over the past couple of years that had superb narrators and that made all the difference to me.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll check out my answer to this week's random question at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2015/02/musing-mondays-february-2.html
Thanks for stopping by Cheryl!
DeleteI believe the wrong narrator can definitely turn you off audio books. I used to feel the same way you did, but I've listened to two audio books over the past couple of years that had superb narrators and that made all the difference to me.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll check out my answer to this week's random question at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2015/02/musing-mondays-february-2.html
I don't listen to many audiobooks because a lot of them are lengthy, and are much longer than it would take me to actually read the book. Though, I do have the Cress by Marissa Meyer audiobook, but I've yet to actually get to it. Its like 13 CDs long so I don't know when I'm going to get to it.
ReplyDeleteYeah Breana, audiobooks can take up to 10 hours or more (some of them anyway). I can finish a print book in half the time. Ha
DeleteI kind of felt like you when I first began, and actual sat with head phones and my eyes closed the first audio book, eventually I began doing things like chore and exercise while listening. I find ear-buds work best for me. I love that I can listen at times when holding a book or e-reader is impossible. Narrator is key, as is genre it is just a matter of finding what works for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks kimba, I just need to find one with a better narrator. :)
DeleteI'm new to audiobooks and have been using them while cleaning and they are nice for that. But some are definitely better than others even if you love the author. One of my first attempts was an author I adore but I just couldn't do the narrator. I've found a couple since that I've really enjoyed. It's much harder to listen when doing something other than driving or cleaning for me still. One day maybe it'll get easier when doing other things.
ReplyDeleteHope you're able to find a good one one day :)
Thanks Anna! Yeah I love Jojo Moyes so I will probably enjoy that book in print. I am beginning to realize that the narrator makes all the difference. :)
DeleteI've gotten into audio books in the past couple of years. I like listening as I knit. Mostly I've been listening to memoirs that are read by their authors (like Carol Burnette and Tina Fey).
ReplyDeleteThanks Kwizgiver. I think Tina Fey as a narrator would be awesome. Ha
DeleteI just can't focus on the story while listening to an audio book.
ReplyDeleteStorytreasury, yeah that is my problem. I need the print to focus on the story.
Deletelol "Unless the book is a figment of your imagination, it is definitely real."
ReplyDeleteI just thought about this but people who are blind might primarily listen to books and to say it's not a book makes no sense to me now.
Your experience probably influenced your decision greatly. My first audio book experience wasn't so great. My second audio book went really well because the narrators were excellent - The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. I could not multitask either. The book felt like it took a really long time which it did but if you listened to a book on the side and read another book regularly you might feel differently.
Thanks Adriana! Yeah I know blind people take advantage of audio books quite a bit. I feel it's silly to say it's not real. I mean, you are still internalizing the author's work. I am glad you had better luck with your next audio book. It seems like a good narrator is just as important as a good story!
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