Audio Books...
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
May 28, 2009 10:14pm CST
Man! I should have discover audio books earlier!
These babies are like the best thing I have ever discovered since I got my library card.
Most of the time, I'd be borrowing books. And then struggle to try and finish reading them before the due date. And then renewing them one more time so that I can finish reading them.
Just the other day, I was browsing the catalogs to look for a book I wanted. Not realizing that the books were out, I stumbled upon the audio version of the book.
I was telling myself, I have been trying to get my hands on the book from the library for like weeks already, and I have yet to be successful.
And no one wants to borrow the audio version. (Partly because you have to pay extra to enjoy AV privileges 
)
I started browsing the AV shelf and found a whole host of books that I was looking for but could not get the physical books cause too many people are borrowing them and I am very far behind in the queue for those books.
I was thinking, it is a small fee to pay for the audio books. Why not?
And boy was I glad that I did. Now, I am "reading" more books than I did when I was borrowing the physical books.
When I listen to the audio book, and I find that it is good and worth reading the physical one, I go to the store and buy it.
Combining both audio books and the physical books, I am able to absorb and remember what I read better!
And for those books that I never bought, I could convert the audio files into something that I can carry in my mp3 player and listen to them whenever I want and make notes when necessary!
The best of all is, I can listen to the book while I am commuting to and from work, and I do not get a headache. Unlike in the past where I have to struggle to read the book on a moving train or bus and I get like a terrible headache when I get off.
Audio books are the best IMHO.
How about you? Do you listen to audio books?
Which do you prefer? Audio books or reading the physical book?
audio,books,great,physical,borrow,material,fantastic,ahgong
)
I started browsing the AV shelf and found a whole host of books that I was looking for but could not get the physical books cause too many people are borrowing them and I am very far behind in the queue for those books.
I was thinking, it is a small fee to pay for the audio books. Why not?
And boy was I glad that I did. Now, I am "reading" more books than I did when I was borrowing the physical books.
When I listen to the audio book, and I find that it is good and worth reading the physical one, I go to the store and buy it.
Combining both audio books and the physical books, I am able to absorb and remember what I read better!
And for those books that I never bought, I could convert the audio files into something that I can carry in my mp3 player and listen to them whenever I want and make notes when necessary!
The best of all is, I can listen to the book while I am commuting to and from work, and I do not get a headache. Unlike in the past where I have to struggle to read the book on a moving train or bus and I get like a terrible headache when I get off.
Audio books are the best IMHO.
How about you? Do you listen to audio books?
Which do you prefer? Audio books or reading the physical book?
audio,books,great,physical,borrow,material,fantastic,ahgong3 people like this
13 responses
@Miloque (130)
• Philippines
30 May 09
From what I recall, audiobooks came to vogue during the fifties and sixties and many of them were recorded in long play albums. I remember listening to peter rabbit and some other short stories for kids back then on my rich neighbor's record player.
After a while, my mom spent her bonus on buying me and my brother a whole set of phonics books.
The great advantage of listening while reading is that you not only enhance your comprehension but also it helps in improving both your grammatical skills, intonation, and diction (depending on what you are listening to).
One my best recommended book sets is the Harry Potter Series read by Jim Dale. I personally don't recommend Stephen Fry, though he is good in his own style.
Jim Dale, to let others know, has put himself in the Guiness Book of Records for having given life to more than a thousand voices in one reading. This he got in "The Deathly Hallows."
And another book reader I mostly love is Patrick Stewart's reading of "A Christmas Carol"
Man, Professor X did it again. I mean, being a great theater and film actor does him credit for his professionalism.
But there are other great novels out there that needs to be recorded of course.
Audiobooks are highly recommended but it must not supplement reading the book itself. It is best appreciated and enjoyed if done side-by-side with reading the text. Kids and young teens will love it once the Twilight Series is recorded.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
1 Jun 09
I saw the harry potter series on the shelf. But have yet to get to them.
With a limitation of only 4 audio books each time I borrow, it may be a while before i get to them.
Now, I am working on more the self help books.
Thanks for sharing though. I would love to listen to some of the books you recommended.
Any more titles to share?
@Miloque (130)
• Philippines
6 Jun 09
You know, many years ago, I bought "Sophie's World" and forgot to read it? And to think this is one of those books that can be considered today as a classic.
Just two nights ago, when I was cleaning my closet, I found the copy still in good shape. But with lack of time to read, I researched around town and the internet for an audio book. Right now, I am waiting for my order to arrive from our local bookshop.
Good reading, too. If only I have time.
And, oh yeah... I heard there's the "Dr. Seuss Series" as read by celebrities. I'm still looking for those for my kids to enjoy while reading the books themselves.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
29 May 09
I listen to audio books everyday when going to and from work. This is the best way to use my time in the car. I listen to variety of books from fiction to non fiction...
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Jun 09
My local library has huge selection....
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
29 May 09
I don't think I could ever listen to an audio book. I think I would get distracted and stop listening as my thoughts wander. I accidentally purchased one on ebay thinking it was the "real" book. That was a couple of years ago and I have yet to listen to it.
I did purchase some Joyce Meyer CDs and I have listened to those while on the treadmill. I will try the audio book when I am finished the Joyce Meyer CDs. (Unfortunately, I haven't been on the treadmill in awhile). If I tried to sit down (like in a bus - I used to read when I was commuting by bus) and LISTEN to a book, I would probably fall asleep.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Jun 09
Joyce Meyer CDs are not audio books. They are tapes of her teachings, live, on stage. She is a Christian preacher, and a very good one. She is energetic, enthusiastic and humorous. I couldn't fall asleep listening to her because she says so much that makes sense and uses her own life experiences as examples and she's pretty funny too.
1 person likes this
@Valentine28 (121)
• United States
29 May 09
I've only listened to one audio book and it was great. I could "read" while driving and jogging and in places I normally wouldn't have been able to. I really like combining the book and the audio book because it just intensifies the reading experience. I definitely want to get some more audio books to go along with the physical books.
1 person likes this
@Valentine28 (121)
• United States
29 May 09
It was this book called Chasing Destiny. It was about this married man who was having an affair with a woman. The story revolves mainly around his daughter Destiny who gets into all sorts of trouble when she runs away, and the other woman dealing with all the drama in her life because of the affair. It was a pretty interesting story. It was just the thing I needed to wake me up on my way to work in the morning.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
1 Jun 09
Ebooks are good too!
I was reading those before I discovered the audio books.
But when commuting to and from work, it is impossible to read ebooks.
Loading them on the PDAs and reading on them tiny screens are very tiring.
Not to mention, battery draining.
So, comparing ebooks to audio books when commuting, I personally prefer audio books.
@getitok (278)
• China
1 Jun 09
I don't like to listen to audio books by an earphone. I guess you know the reason, it will damage my hearing. I suggest you not to listen by an earphone so often too.
Of course, I think it is a good idea to listen an audio book while lying on the bed, but not using an earphone.
1 person likes this
@xoxcharityxox (567)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I have to say I just can't get into audiobooks. I think I just can't pay attention to someone talking for that long. Anytime I've ever tried one I just end up spaced out or falling asleep. It would be convenient if I could, but they just get too boring for me.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
29 May 09
I have never tried audio books before... but i think that is the ideal one for me when traveling... since i get dizzy when i read while riding a moving vehicle... i hope i can get free ones... but before that... i need to borrow my fathers ipod first... since i don't have one of my own... and i also hope they have the classics that i have always wanted to read...like the Three Musketeers and Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility...
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
30 May 09
OH no!! I hate the libraray!! lol =D My last visit was about a decade ago, i guess.. haha =D But i do know about the existence of audio books quite sometime ago, but it's true, not many ple wanna borrow that as it's more expensive.. hehe ^_^
While the other reason is, some might only be borrowing books to pass time, and thus they prefer to read slowly.. That's why audio books are not really suitable for them ^_^ As for myself, if ever i were to visit a library again, i will definitely go for audio books because i'm too lazy to really read them.. haha =D
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
1 Jun 09
Long time ago, you can borrow audio books for free. But the usage must be within the library.
SO I never really bothered. Cos I want to get the books home to read in the comforts of my own domain.
Now that I have paid the fee to get the "privilege" of borrowing audio books, I am making full use of whatever materials that I need from the audio section.
And audio books are one of my favorites right now.
I can be working and waiting for some results during my work, and still be listening to books at the same time!
Better usage of my time. And learning something new as well. Cos most of the books I am listening to now are self help books.
1 person likes this
@CRSunrise (2981)
• United States
29 May 09
I definitely enjoy listening to audio books. You can listen to them while you're doing other things, and yet you'll be getting the story. I listen to these books when I'm driving because I don't always have time to sit down and read. When you spend alot of time in your car, this is definitely an advantage.
1 person likes this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
29 May 09
I have trouble using Audio books because I feel like Im missing out on the real experience of reading it and don't allow myself to listen to them. Im my own worst critic you see. But i have been able to finish Wally Lamb's 'She's Come Undone.' I did get over eager and try to finish even one chapter of Withering Heights but that was tough, I couldn't do it. Another problem was that I really love public radio (NPR) and prefer listening to every show if I can when I running around with my kids but now my radio is having electrical problems. I do want to start listening to comedians on audio because I really enjoy the comedians on Showtime and laughing more cant hurt me.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
29 May 09
You know, you may have just solved a dilemma I've had for quite awhile now. I've always loved reading and have bought several books that I haven't found the time to read yet. Something always seems to crop up that interferes with my reading.
I'm going to look into these audiobooks! They sound like they're exactly what I need but had never thought about looking into them before now.
THANK YOU for writing this discussion! This is great! I don't have a library card where I'm living now because I've always looked up whatever I needed on the internet but I think it's time I got one.
Cool! I'll see you at the library! 
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
1 Jun 09
Yeah, I find audio books especially useful to remember what I read when I have the physical book too.
What ever thoughts I have when listening to the book, I can write down in the relevant pages of the physical book too.
And in the event I cannot understand or grasp the concept of what is being read to me, I can always affirm it by reading the book itself.
I find this combination of listening and reading plenty useful to remember the material of the book better.
And the bonus is? The audio books are free when you borrow it from the library!
If I have doubts about whether a book is good or not, I borrow the audio version first. Listen to it, then decide to see of the book is worth keeping or not before I head to the store to get a copy!
@maxilimian (3099)
• Indonesia
13 Jun 09
Wow, i never heard of this, audio book, i guess it's one of the new trend to read a book but can it record our self voices? so we can fill it with our voices anytime we like, i think it's better to let our child to hear our own voices, especially when they are still a little child, it gives them some closer relationship, you know
but can it record our self voices? so we can fill it with our voices anytime we like, i think it's better to let our child to hear our own voices, especially when they are still a little child, it gives them some closer relationship, you know 
@BlueGoblin (1829)
• United States
29 May 09
I like listening to audio books when I'm doing things online. They're great when you're on Ebay waiting for an auction to end. Why waste all that time refreshing the page? I can't listen to audio books in my car because I'm never in my car long enough to listen to a whole book. Sometimes I listen to an audio book while I rest in bed. I don't know if that's such a good idea. I wouldn't recommend listening to a book if you're tired. I have a habit of doing that sometimes and need to replay a chapter twice.
I read physical books but I get very distracted. I can't stand to read when people are discussing things. I can never seem to find a quiet room. The quietest room in the house is the bathroom. I just have something against reading a book on the toilet. I reserve magazines for that. lol
1 person likes this
