Do You READ Audiobooks?

United States
February 24, 2009 11:59am CST
I love audiobooks, I listen to them in the car while commuting. But is it really the same as reading the book? What do you think?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@wayz12 (2059)
• United States
24 Feb 09
I love audiobooks. I always have an book CD playing in my car everytime I'm driving. I've finished several books by doing this, thus helping me make a dent in my ever-increasing TBR pile. Coupled that with books I read at home, and books I listened to during my commute, I can pretty much accomplished a lot. Some people don't like audiobooks, thinking that it doesn't constitute reading. Of course, listening is a different skill, but it doesn't make it less important. It does require some focus on your part, because it is easy to get distracted and you can lose the thread of the storyline. I also believe that the reader can help make an audiobook better. Great readers can really make the book come to life. There are times I would catch myself sitting in the garage or driving another block so I can finish a chapter...LOL..
• United States
24 Feb 09
I like your analysis, I too can get lost in a book, and have many times sat in my car waiting for the end of a chapter!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I think it depends on the person too. A lot of people tell me that they get distracted too easily when reading an audiobook. For me it is the complete opposite. Reading on paper is extremely distracting, so much so that I can realistically only read for 5 minutes or less or I will become nauseous and or have a horrible headache. For me, the distractions are too much. The white paper sparkles, the words move, and it is nearly impossible to read like that. And until recently, I thought that was how everyone read and I couldn't understand why some people could possibly enjoy reading so much.
@wayz12 (2059)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Pigglies,You might have some mild form of dyslexia (a reading disorder) that prevents you from focusing. Most dyslexics have great memories and can absord information through audio better. That might explain why you can't enjoy reading..Just a thought.
@HansonFan (1653)
• United States
24 Feb 09
I listen to them a lot. It's sometimes better than books, depending on the narrator. Some of them can make the characters come alive with their different voices and I absolutely love it. I really like that you can do other things while listening to them. I am a college student so when I can't find the time to read, I pop one in and turn it on while working on a project or something. Audiobooks are great.
• United States
24 Feb 09
Wow, I am impressed that a college student reads more than just the academic requirements! Keep up the good work!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I love reading the audiobooks with different voices. I don't have any college projects I can do while I am reading, but I do often read audiobooks at work. I also read my college textbooks on audio. Love your username by the way!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Yes, I read audiobooks almost all the time. I also have a computer program that will turn regular books into audiobooks. According to current research, reading on audio is actually pretty much the same as reading the book visually. Just like reading by Braille is also still reading (and I did consider learning Braille before too, but my sense of touch just isn't that good since I'm not blind).
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Feb 09
Interesting about the research. I wonder if I could learn to read by Braille? Nice input!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I do listen to audiobooks. I use them as motivation to get me to the gym, but I don't enjoy them as much as reading a book. I can't read while exercising so they serve my purposes.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Feb 09
That is how I feel about commute time, the audiobooks fill an empty time!
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I am a huge fan of audio books. I listen to them all the time when I am in my car. If I don't have an audio book playing while I am in the car I feel empty. Sure I think it is the same as reading book, of course you are not actually doing the reading, but the book is being read to you essentially. You still get the feel for the story, and perhaps even more than if you were reading it yourself.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Feb 09
Yea, a spirit after my own heart! I would rather have an audiobook on than listen to the radio! And I do engage in the story as much as if I were reading!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
24 Feb 09
I know as a child we had a set of audiobooks for my age. I think that they were fun and I enjoyed changing them. Now as for that I am older I am not quite sure if I like it more then I like reading the books myself. Reading the books feels more personalized. Although I'll be honest in saying I've never done audiobooks now that I am older, I have tried to learn a different language on audio so I guess that is different in it's own right.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 09
I know what you mean about it being more personal, it has a feel to it that audiobooks can't match.
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
7 Mar 09
*what? O_o" read audiobooks?* ^_^ well i kinda got into the audiobook thingy because i didn't have money to buy the actual books and i don't have time to read the books so i got some harry potter audiobooks somewhere and bam! i can actually do 2 things at a time. Listen to the book and know about the story and also work at the office. Haha. What fun. =)
• United States
7 Mar 09
fun indeed, and helps in your productivity quotient as well.
• India
25 Feb 09
when i was 6 years old, i got a story book as a gift from my uncle. it is a mini story book and it also had an audio cassette attached with the book. That cassette had every lines which is in the story book.during that age, i run that audio cassette, again and again to check whether the audio in cassette and book are same. thats the only time in my life where i ever listened to stories through audio. Herein India, it is very rare to find audio books. it is still unpopular here. even though it is possible to buy one, i choose book. because that will be convenient for me than hearing. Have a nice time!
• India
25 Feb 09
when i was 6 years old, i got a story book as a gift from my uncle. it is a mini story book and it also had an audio cassette attached with the book. That cassette had every lines which is in the story book.during that age, i run that audio cassette, again and again to check whether the audio in cassette and book are same. thats the only time in my life where i ever listened to stories through audio. Herein India, it is very rare to find audio books. it is still unpopular here. even though it is possible to buy one, i choose book. because that will be convenient for me than hearing. Have a nice time!
• United States
25 Feb 09
it is not a problem,raghul. It happens from time to time and hurts nothing. My kids also had such books when they were kids, and they wore them out playing them so much. I think it encouraged them to love to read!
• India
25 Feb 09
oh my goodness.. sorry erroll.. dont mistake me.. some prob with my net connection. my last posting was never been posted due to my net prob. i never got any display in my screen. when i gave refresh, i resend again. but that too.. keep on loading for mins.. finally i lost patience and check my profile.. i am shocked, i posted 2 times.. I feel bad for this..
1 person likes this
• India
25 Feb 09
naw i do listen to them but i cant read them btu imight read the same title as of hte audio book happy lottin and have a nice day
• United States
26 Feb 09
I have done that a few times, listened to and read the same title.
• India
27 Feb 09
but did u read it first or did u listen to it first?
@B3lla86 (101)
• United States
24 Feb 09
Well I don't think you can "read" an audiobook, lol, but I've listened to a few good ones. Although, I think it depends on the narrator. Some of them sound so dull that I could just scream if I don't turn it off. I prefer reading better though because then you let your mind make the voices of the characters and it also helps you picture the scene. Everyone is different though. My mom likes the audiobooks because as she is getting older, she is having more problems seeing, so to enjoy the books that she used to love to read she uses the audiobooks.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 09
I "read" audiobooks the same way as I read a book, in that I can picture the story as it unfolds. I think it is a comfort to have a book for you mom to hear now that her sight is diminished.