Six Reasons I Would Choose an Audio Book Over Traditional Books
Listening to an audio book is a different experience than reading written text. Although I love reading written books, there are some reasons I might choose an audio book instead. Here are six of them.
- I can multitask by listening while washing dishes, driving, excercising, or other tasks that don’t require the same type of attention as listening to a book.
- I can enjoy the accent of the narrator.
- Some groups of words were designed to be heard rather than seen. Shakespeare’s plays were written for the stage not the page, and there is a poetic quality to Marilynne Robinson’s prose that would be missed without pronouncing the words.
- Audio books are read at a constant pace. While I read more quickly than narrators narrate, my reading is frequently interrupted by my contemplation, so if I really need to just get something read, the steady pace of an audio book may help me finish it.
- It can be more convenient to download an audio book than to go to a library or wait for shipping. If I buy a Nook, this factor will be less of a motivation as I will also be able to conveniently read text that is avaialable for download.
- Michael and I can both listen at the same time and then interact with what we both heard (and he apparently likes that reason too as he suggested it).
What are your thoughts on audio books?
Related:
You can download free public domain audio books at Librivox.
Comment from Bethany Ekstrand on August 27, 2010 at 4:19 PM CDT
I am a fan of audio books. I listen to them as I drive, spin, knit or do other things that do not demand my entire attention. I would never have tried to get through The Hunchback of Notre Dame if it had not been for listening to it. :-)
I would not want to listen to theological books, because I would tend to rewind and listen again as I try to ponder and digest the information.
I do love those British readers!
So now that I'm done commenting, I need to go download my next book.
Comment from Deb E on August 27, 2010 at 9:34 PM CDT
Audiobooks are my friends!! With all the miles I put on, traveling to Arkansas and Chicago, they make the miles go faster and keep me alert.
I also enjoy them while I am walking or biking. I love a good story, and sometimes continuing the story is a good motivator to get out and walk or bike.
You forgot to list folding laundry as a task that is made more enjoyable by listening to a book. :)
The only downside to an audio book is that it takes much longer to listen to it than it would for me to read it. But for the purposes I have listed above, they are wonderful.
Comment from Jennifer Ekstrand on August 31, 2010 at 9:22 AM CDT
British readers are generally great fun to hear.
Laundry would also qualify, but I prefer folding laundry to washing dishes and driving, so it doesn't take quite as much motivation.
Thanks for commenting.
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