Useless since I don't remember what the narrator says a minute after he said something. Plus I take notes when reading so I tend to copy paste.
this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2023
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When I'm reading a book I can't remember what I read a minute after I read it, so it's much if a muchness to me, audio or reading.
Requires it be both a good book and an awesome narrator. No fricking Wil Wheaton!!! Just shut up Wesley!!!
I have always been an auditory learner. I get more information and can remember details easier by audio than i ever could by reading directly. Trying to physically read a book is a fantastic way for me to never finish it and quickly fall asleep.
They're an every day thing for me. Doing housework, walking the dog, gardening, all wonderful times to take in a book when I'm doing things with my hands but not really my brain. I also keep a library of comfort books, podcasts, YouTube videos and other things it's okay to phase in and out of and listen to them as I'm drifting off to sleep.
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.
Apparently I got old enough to require reading glasses now (FML) - so reading before bed isn't as easy an option.
So I found audiobooks via my local library (in the U.S.) that I can just download - w00t!
I still PREFER the old "dead-tree" format, but audiobooks have become a replacement.
And don't forget - you can increase the speed of the narrator if you feel like their speaking-cadence is too slow.
For me, keeping my glasses on my bedside table while I'm sleeping works well.
But...but...if your glasses are on the bedside table WHILE you're sleeping - how to you get any reading accomplished?!? ;)
You've heard of sleepwalking. Why not sleepreading?
I like you...your humor sounds as twisted as mine! Don't ever change!
I always wonder what exactly people like on them. (And I can't empathize with the experiences they describe.)
For me they are annoying, in that I need an empty room or headphones; way too slow; non-responsive in that I need to follow their rithym. They need as much concentration as reading (maybe more, depends on the narrator), specialized equipment (the headphones), and a lot more time.
I get that you feel this way, very occasionally I still feel that with some narrators or authors.
I had to put in conscious effort with my first audiobooks too though. All that I need now is to clearly understand the narrator and have nothing I need to actively focus on. So it's so easy to do while cleaning, cooking, driving, working in the garden etc.
I can also just put them on when going to bed and set the timer to 15 minutes. I accept that I might have to rewind a couple of minutes. I heavily prefer it over holding a real book in my hands and ruining it in my bed.
The biggest downside for me is that I dislike some narrators, which is annoying when you know you like the author's work.
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Did you like being read to as a kid? I loved it and it’s a bit like that for me. With a good narrator at least.
When I listen to audiobooks it’s usually while driving or doing chores. I have my car stereo and my earbuds anyway so there’s no additional investment on that end.
I do thing some books and some narrators are more suitable than others but for me it’s a great way to enjoy books where I normally wouldn’t.
Did you like being read to as a kid?
For as long as I can remember, not a lot. Usually because of the rithym. Maybe I'm just weird.
Everybody’s a little weird.
If this is your particular brand of weirdness its a hell of a lot better than what some people have.
Keep on trucking you magnificent weirdo!
Depends on what you like. Obviously they're easier to consume during commute and doing chores. And from being little kids, people like someone to read a book to them.
Love them have one going anytime I am in the car comuting to work.
In general, I don't like people talking at me as entertainment, so audio books and podcasts are not my thing.
I like the idea, I’m just not willing to pay for it. I’m happy listening to a decent text-to-speech output, and I wish companies would stop making it difficult to do that.
Libby or other apps your library uses are great for free audiobooks. They don't have everything though.
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Listen to Cyberpunk/science fiction novels nearly every morning on my walk. Have got through a few now.
Daemon 1 and 2
Difference engine
Snow crash
Nexus 1,2,3
Children of time
Altered Carbon
Dune
Cryotonomicon
I did read the Neuromancer novels but I do most of my "reading" audibly now.