I originally thought I would like them, but I apparently don't multitask very well. I lose the thread if I'm doing something else and I also apparently read much faster than people speak and I can't as easily skip passages like I can when I'm reading. Because of this, it just seems strange to sit still and listen to a book for hours straight. It should probably also feel weird to just sit still and read a book for hours at a time, but I guess I've normalized that.
this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2023
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I've never heard of anyone actually just sitting on the couch and listening to an audiobook while doing nothing else. It's usually while doing some other mundane activity that doesn't require much thought. Or at least something that doesn't require the language part of your brain so you can do them at the same time. I can't work and listen because my work involves thinking about words.
But at all times I am in the middle of a paper book and an audiobook. I listen to the audiobook when driving, doing chores and am in the shower. All other times I will read the paper book I am in the middle of.
Yeah, I know it's strange, but I have a hard time, say, cleaning the dishes and listening to something I want to concentrate on (i.e. I don't want to miss story beats because I got caught up in what I was doing). I usually lose the thread if I don't listen to it, or I bounce off of listening to it because it goes so slow. Even chores that require no language processing. I would end up cleaning the same dish again or something.
I think it might be related to my having aphantasia. I can't visualize anything, and I don't have an audible internal monologue so I'm not really used to multitasking what I'm seeing internally with what's going on in the outside world. If I'm watching an youtube video, I'm just sitting there watching it and not doing something else on the computer at the same time. I've watched podcast videos where there's just a static picture, and I'm still just sitting there staring at the screen listening to it.
I'm weird, I guess.
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I love audiobooks. They're easy to fit into found time, mostly as bed time reading, I just set it going and fall asleep. It's a win-win, if I'm constantly re-reading the same chapter it's because I'm getting lots of sleep. If I can't sleep, at least I'm getting through the book.
Reading a physical/e book means I'm awake with energy and willingness to do something, sure I could read, but I could be doing something else. I read a lot more as a kid, but I also had fewer responsibilities. Also less access to motorcycles, games consoles, bars etc.
Apparently I got old enough to require reading glasses now (FML) - so reading before bed isn't as easy an option.
So I found audiobooks via my local library (in the U.S.) that I can just download - w00t!
I still PREFER the old "dead-tree" format, but audiobooks have become a replacement.
And don't forget - you can increase the speed of the narrator if you feel like their speaking-cadence is too slow.
For me, keeping my glasses on my bedside table while I'm sleeping works well.
But...but...if your glasses are on the bedside table WHILE you're sleeping - how to you get any reading accomplished?!? ;)
You've heard of sleepwalking. Why not sleepreading?
I like you...your humor sounds as twisted as mine! Don't ever change!
In general, I don't like people talking at me as entertainment, so audio books and podcasts are not my thing.
They're an every day thing for me. Doing housework, walking the dog, gardening, all wonderful times to take in a book when I'm doing things with my hands but not really my brain. I also keep a library of comfort books, podcasts, YouTube videos and other things it's okay to phase in and out of and listen to them as I'm drifting off to sleep.
I think listening to a book is inherently different than reading. With paper-reading, jumping back is easy, as is slowing down and speeding up. But that’s close to impossible for audiobooks. Thus books that work well with audiobooks are books that are written too be read at a constant pace and not require going back on. I think novels for that description, but I struggled to listen to non-fiction and I wouldn’t try to listen to “hard” books either.
Personally, I can only listen to audiobooks when I am performing a repetitive task (mainly driving around). Otherwise I get distracted, either by the task or by my own thoughts. So I don’t use audiobooks much.
I always wonder what exactly people like on them. (And I can't empathize with the experiences they describe.)
For me they are annoying, in that I need an empty room or headphones; way too slow; non-responsive in that I need to follow their rithym. They need as much concentration as reading (maybe more, depends on the narrator), specialized equipment (the headphones), and a lot more time.
Did you like being read to as a kid? I loved it and it’s a bit like that for me. With a good narrator at least.
When I listen to audiobooks it’s usually while driving or doing chores. I have my car stereo and my earbuds anyway so there’s no additional investment on that end.
I do thing some books and some narrators are more suitable than others but for me it’s a great way to enjoy books where I normally wouldn’t.
Did you like being read to as a kid?
For as long as I can remember, not a lot. Usually because of the rithym. Maybe I'm just weird.
Everybody’s a little weird.
If this is your particular brand of weirdness its a hell of a lot better than what some people have.
Keep on trucking you magnificent weirdo!
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Love them have one going anytime I am in the car comuting to work.
Useless since I don't remember what the narrator says a minute after he said something. Plus I take notes when reading so I tend to copy paste.
When I'm reading a book I can't remember what I read a minute after I read it, so it's much if a muchness to me, audio or reading.
Depends on what you like. Obviously they're easier to consume during commute and doing chores. And from being little kids, people like someone to read a book to them.
Requires it be both a good book and an awesome narrator. No fricking Wil Wheaton!!! Just shut up Wesley!!!