What do you think about audio books?

bookbandit

I have been contemplating doing an audio book. The only one I have done so far is Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. While audiobooks work for self-help and especially when you are driving - and more importantly - there's no else in the car, I think it's way too slow for anything else. I like the intonation of some readers like Jonathan Cecil reading out Wodehouse. But other than that, they don't really work for me. What do you think?

rentpeproperty

The book, if read at leisure, should be allowed to engage in a dialogue with our thoughts. And therein lies the value of text as opposed to relying on auditory senses.

jhsurti

I tried once. Sapiens. But soon switched over to reading. May be I picked up the wrong book for the format. Haven't since tried another and may be may not try another. Reading is more engrossing to me. And I can go back to a particular point if I didn't grasp what I read easily.

cynic

I know someone who listens to audio books in the gym. How that works is beyond me.

It depends on the quality of narration. I have picked audio books but switched to reading format due to this. Then there is the retention bit. Like jhsurti said, sometimes you want to re-read a point. Going back and forth is tough on audio books.

Meself

Don't judge me for this.




So I picked up The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner. A very bad decision because it was narrated by Tom Hiddleston and all the while I could only think of how deviously sexy he sounds.




Yes a woman needs to be shallow at times. So unless and until I get a narrator with a very plain voice I am not doing it again.

bookbandit

Meself 2-5-2018 12:19 PM
Don't judge me for this.

HAHAHAHAHA! No, won't judge.

I agree. The voice is hugely important in an audio book.

I am a try putting something on the old iPod and tell you how it goes. Watch this space.

Mousetrap

I have never had the patience for watching movies, listening to lectures (even interesting ones) or short TED talks/videos. I either get distracted by the person's voice or drift into my own world all the time, so audio books won't work for me.

bookbandit

Mousetrap 2-5-2018 03:46 PM
I have never had the patience for watching movies, listening to lectures (even interesting ones) or  ...

hahaha! I hear you. Especially about TED talks. I am sure they are interesting, but for the ADHD (like yours truly), it takes not a little effort. It is work and sometimes it pays off, so one tries one's damndest to sit through it. lately, movies have become a chore too! I am not sure if it is me or the movies. maybe a little bit of both. our attention spans are shrinking man!

jhsurti

Meself 2-5-2018 12:19 PM
Don't judge me for this.

Ha! Ha! Ha! May be I should try a female voice book! Just kiddding. No audio books for me.

cynic

Meself 2-5-2018 12:19 PM
Don't judge me for this.

Not judging at all. We all have our guilty pleasures.

I do watch TED talks, but only if they are short and the topic interests me.

Meself

I really enjoy TED talks. Even the TEDex are great, so long as we don't have a pretty face speaking. LOL.