The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Most I know would agree reading a book is more preferable than listening to a book. This makes me wonder why? What is it about audiobooks that isn't as enjoyable?

I find it is easy to let your mind wonder to different things causing me to lose track of what is going on with the audiobook.
If st all possible I read along with the audio version especially when it comes to the classics. It makes some of them easier to understand.

Reading a book for me... :D

I've never really tried audiobooks. I think because when I read it feels like I'm actually *doing* something, whereas if I was listening to one I'd begin to get restless. I suppose I could listen to them while I'm walking or travelling, but then I'd prefer to listen to music.

Reading a book is easier for me, as a person whose first language is not English, I can learn lots of new words by reading but with listening it'll be quite difficult.

I have been trying to listen to World War Z in audio format, I just cant get into it though.....my mind keeps wondering. I have given up on it and now focusing on physically reading

I have been trying to listen to World War Z in audio format, I just cant get into it though.....my mind keeps wondering. I have given up on it and now focusing on physically reading

I like reading books more than listening. Unless it is a book like Seriously I'm Kidding ( by Ellen Degenerous) which you can laugh till you cry while listening and not mess up the pages/ get blurry Vision (when listening).
But other than funny books, Reading them is the way to go!

I understand the mind wandering comments and completely agree. Which got me thinking, what is it about audio books that makes the mind wander?

I think it must be the way the narrator takes a neutral tone that is devoid of all the emotions, I at least, envision should be occurring. Would a more engaging reader make it better, more engaging?

I definitely like reading books better because even if the author is the one reading on the audiobook, I can't insert my own voices into the story, and that's what I prefer to do.

reading the book!! im not a pretty good listener

I find it easier to listen to an audio book if Im doing something like gardening or housework otherwise i zone out especially if i don't like the narrator

i too prefer reading than listening... cuz it doesnt give the feeling of actual reading... :)

Treasure Island on Audiobooks the free one is AWESOME - Stephen Fry doing Harry Potter is AWESOME as are lots of other actors reading book. Michael MacIntyre reading his autobiography was so funnny I had to stop listening to it whilst out walking. I love reading more than listening but sometimes it makes a nice change.

Reading definately. I get distracted and let my mind wander. I need to digest each word by looking at it. listening is useless, it is why my mother and i collide.

I have only listened to one audiobook and I had to have the book in front of me but I still really liked it.

I prefer reading books over listening. And oh! Over films as well.

Definitely reading.

READING!! what's the point of listening? you can't picture what's happening in the book that well if you listen to it.

If i listen to something I can't get a clear picture of what's going on in my head and then my mind wanders and I end up not even listenng because I get too distracted with my own thought

Someone recently asked "What is it about audiobooks that isn't as enjoyable (as reading)?

Certainly, reading vs. listening to a book is a very personal choice dependent upon many factors. It is surprising that audio books are not enjoyed by most people. Think back to your earliest enjoyment of a book. It was likely when your mom or dad read to you just before going to sleep. Your mom or dad’s voice, intonation and even facial expressions enhanced your enjoyment of the book and gently encouraged you to sleep, feeling safe and loved. Soon after we learned to read, the audio experience was replaced almost entirely with reading. This is unfortunate as a portion of our imaginations that was exercised audibly has surely been atrophied a bit.

Listening to a book is a entirely different experience than reading a book. When reading a book your eyes and imagination work together to experience the author’s words. When listening to an audiobook the voice, diction, intonation and pace of the performance work with your imagination and for many provides an almost 3-D encounter with the story.

"Enjoy Books - No Reading Required"

Well said @Larry :)

I agree Brooke, Larry defined the listening experience in a quintessential way.

When my son was a baby and I a new stay-at-home mom, I didn't know how to entertain him. Reading seemed like a good way, but storybooks are so short. I quickly lost interest my self. Since I don't like letting him watch much TV, I went to something longer and more entertaining. I started reading books, complete with inflections and voices; the first couple Harry Potter's and the Chronicles of Narnia along with a few other classics.

When he was finally able to communicate which stories he wanted to hear for nap/bed time, he would always want Narnia. If I put Dr. Suess in the stack he would cry and beg to got to bed early, "Not The Lorax, Mom! Not The Lorax!"

He has an engineers disposition already. In fact, he is still on his first box of crayons, but has taken his toddler bed apart so many times we had to get him a new bed. I am working to encourage his imagination as best I can, and it seems the only thing that works is having him listen to novels.

So once again, well said Larry!

For me, personally, I can't concentrate with an audiobook, I have to see the words. Plus listening to a book being read out loud makes me sleepy, I don't know why.

Reading I don't get as into the book if I listen and I fall asleep!

I am not much for listening, *sigh* not intentionally anyways. I easily lose concentration, and when that happens while reading, you can keep reading one sentence again and again. You can keep reading a sentence again and again. You can keep reading a sentence again and again. But when I miss it in audiobooks I have to rewind it back over and over, that's not something I'd prefer. And I can always use my imagination more, you read a word and you take it in slowly, if you listen, you are sure to miss one or two things you otherwise wouldn't while reading.
Just today I was trying that Natural Reader thingie and that was a bit monotonous, I once tried Pride and Prejudice audiobook, and wasn't all bad, more to add, I really liked it. It gives a chance to listen to books while being engaged in some other work and that's really cool. But when it comes to preference, I'd choose reading to listening, anyday!

Joyce, I love the repeating sentence in the middle of your post. Hilarious.

Lol I read it in The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket.I loved this little fun trick :D

And, umm, Joyee* .-.
:)

Sorry Joyee.
And I get Anne Shirley mad when people don't spell my name with an 'h'.

I would say both y love to read but when im driving there is nothing better than listening to a great clasic book ;)

OHMYGOD SARAH WITH A DISTINGUISHED 'H', I LOVE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES!

I TOTALLY GET THE FEELING, RIGHT!

PLEASE DON'T MIND THE CAPS, NOT EVERYDAY YOU MEET A RANDOM PERSON WHO LIKES ANNE OF GREEN GABLES :')

I love Anne like she loves puffed sleeves!

I LOVE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES!!!!!!!!!

Anne Shirley has got me into imagining more. I mean, look at her, she tops the level of imaginations. The world goes wherever the hell it wants, she imagines her way out. She has hugely influnenced me. :D

P.S. Sorry for diverting the discussion .-.

Typically...I read, but I have an hour and a half commute for work, and that's just too much time to not be "reading", so I definitely do audio books!

I like the idea of audio books. And whenever I can get my hands on one I'm interested in, I enjoy listening to it (if it is done well). But I prefer to buy them individually when and if I choose, rather than to have to join a club, where I am expected to spend a certain amount each month, as with Audible.

I love holding a book in my hands and reading it, smelling it, feeling it but I adore listening to audiobooks when driving anywhere and also when I'm stuck in my bedroom doing the ironing.

If I am going to listen to a book I will be reading it at the same time either in e-pub or book form.

Recently I read with Anne Hathaway, reading it. It was all kinds of wonderful. =)

Also when the book is a comedy or biography I like to listen to author read the book such as the new David Sedaris,

And last guilty pleasure .. I love listing to Neil Gaiman,
his voice is just awesome. =)