Audiobooks vs Reading

[Iridesence22]

I have been an avid reader for many years but i've never downloaded an Audiobook before. I was just wondering if anyone prefers Audiobooks to reading? I can imagine some people might be in favor of Audiobooks for its convenience (listening while driving or taking public transportation, while cooking, while working out, etc.) however I personally feel as though when I read a book, I can focus on the storyline better and bring life to each character that's introduced by assigning them different voices in my head. I'm afraid if I listen Audiobooks, I wouldn't be able to focus as much and constantly have to play back certain scenes if i've missed something. Also, because there's one person narrating the story, you're limited to only their voice.

Does anyone have a preference?

 

[pmmg]

I used to have much longer commutes to work, and during those times I used to listen to audiobooks, and I found it useful to do. I would also set them to 1.5 1.75x speed cause my brain goes faster than they can say the words.

In doing so, I got a feel for a number of books I would never have read otherwise. If I have a choice, I prefer the audiobook, but....I don't drive as much anymore. My latest audio book has been lingering at 50% done for almost a year.

 

[skip.knox]

Audiobooks for fiction works okay for me, especially as my eyes are letting me down (cataracts, but repairs some time this year). For me, the hierarchy is ebook, physical book, audiobook, for ficiton. For non-fiction, physical books move to the front because it's far easier to browse, scan, and read non-sequentially.

FTR, plenty of audiobooks (shall they some day be called abooks?) have more than one narrator. Only well-established authors can cover those costs, but for the reader, don't just assume there's only one voice. OTOH, it's a shame when a good book finds a poor narrator. Not only does it do an injustice to the author, it is also a waste of the consumer's money, because the very same text read by another might turn out just fine. It's like having a musical performance ruined by lousy acoustics. It's unfair to the art.

For myself, I find it difficult to divide my attention. If I'm listening to the book, I'm listening to the book. I'm not listening to the book AND driving to work or mopping floors or minding the kids or even walking the dog. I'm a big advocate for mono-tasking.

There are, however, a very great number of situations where the audiobooks is a true benefit. As just one example, my son-in-law is dyslexic and English is not his first language. Reading a book is out of reach for him. But he'll listen to a book. There was a time, decades ago, when the only option was books on records. Not very convenient! IIRC, William Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich clocked in at twenty-four LPs.

 

[Finchbearer]

I used to love cassette tapes as a child. Now I prefer to read words on the page. Words in audio form just don’t go into my brain in the same way and I lose focus easily. Sitting down to read a book (and I try get paperbacks these days not kindle books) forces me to do nothing else. It meditative and more immersive than listening to something. Music is something I listen to often but that’s totally different. According to my brain, anyway.

 

[pmmg]

Words in audio form just don’t go into my brain in the same way and I lose focus easily.

This happened to me initially. I had to train myself on how to give it due attention. It took a short while.

 

[CupofJoe]

I like the BBC Radio adaptations. But I find the narration of audiobooks too hit and miss for me to get invested.
I have Neverwhere read by Neil Gaimen and it is [for me] unlistenable. No doubt he is reading it correctly, but it is not the sounds I heard when reading the book.
And a version of Mice and Men with Gary Sinise, that is almost as unlistenable.
On the other hand I have Dr No read by Hugh Quarshie and it feels almost perfect.

 

[El_d_ray]

I absolutely LOVE audiobooks. They actually helps me immerse more and often let me read while doing chores or walks.
But there are books that can only exist in a physical format, and not only House of leaves, but something that requires going back and force, or with quick jumps between the scenes. They could work in audio, but needed good direction that is sometimes lacking. And I found that narrator can put me off. Not that they did a bad job, they might sound unpleasant for me specifically and it reflects on a book.

Interestingly, I prefer books with one narrator doing the voices rather than audio drama type of stuff. Multiple actors and actresses helps with dialogues, but I just like descriptions done in one voice throughout. Don't know if anyone thinks the same.