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 use audiobooks to fill in time when I can’t read, like driving and what not.
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 read hundreds of books since my ‘discovery’ of audio books about 15 years ago.
I have read books of genres I would never ever be able to physically read.
They have helped save my sanity - possibly my life.
I am a better human now because of them.
I suggest them to everyone.
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.