I get it, and may end up having to give in to audiobooks-as it stands, I mostly have to use an e-reader so I can make the font large enough to read! The problem is, at 54 I already have hearing aids, so I don't know what I'm going to do if both my eyes and ears fail me!
I agree that a good narrator can really make the story come to life and a bad narrator can ruin a good story. I particularly enjoy autobiographies read by the author because it's like we're hanging out together and they're telling me stories about their life.
Both my sons have learning disabilities and during high school and college benefited tremendously from the combination of listening to the audio book while reading the print book for various assignments, particularly for their English classes/courses. Every now and then, though, the audio narration would be such that my oldest son, especially, just couldn't slog through it.
A notable example of this was "The Kite Runner", which had been assigned as a campus-wide read for one semester. Between the narrator's accent and his very, very slow-paced reading, my son ended up begging me to take over the reading, so he could do the multiple papers that had been assigned around this book. I of course agreed, and somehow we made it through, particularly given the huge amount of horrifying, not to mention triggering, graphic war-crime type of content contained within.
I like to think that these days that college administrators would be a little bit more selective in requiring such a campus-wide reading assignment.
I see your point about having singular focus on one thing at a time or letting the mind wander vs the constant need for stimulation or to multi-task. The same could be said for having the TV on all the time or even music. I think we do miss out on those moments of inspiration that happen when we give our brains the chance to work without outside input. On the other hand, I think that books in whatever form are valuable and I encourage people to consume them and for many, audiobooks are the answer.
I agree-if audiobooks are the only way for someone to enjoy reading, then we're lucky there's that option. I was just talking to another friend about it and she said that she thinks some people are visual learners (me) and some are auditory learners and that may play into a person's enjoyment of audiobooks.
I love audiobooks! I feel like I am a child again , being read a good story by an adult. That said, I only listen to them when I'm walking or on a road trip. Like you, I don't want to multi-task. I want to give my full attention to what I'm doing, so I've actually started to wonder if I need to "put my audiobook" down when I walk and focus more on what I'm seeing. I'm balking at the prospect...
I also have never listened to an audiobook, although I listen to podcasts all the time. It feels different to me. If I ever lose my sight or ability to read visually, then I can imagine audiobooks would be an incredible gift. But I am a pretty visual person, and the things I remember are the things I see, generally speaking, and so I do love a good book. I have a Kobo and love it for travel, but generally I also like the physical feel of turning pages and holding a book. I think you hit it perfectly here: "I don’t like the speed of life they represent, the lack of attention, the perceived need to multitask when doing anything these days." When I read, I just read, and that is time for me to just decompress.
Thank you. I also do not listen to audio books. I have tried. It's not the same feeling nor is it easy for me to really sink into the book. The idea of curling up with a book is my escapism. Your point about multitasking is SO much truth!
I much prefer a 'real' book any day of the week, but I do use audiobooks for insomnia. I like to listen to old favourites, where I'm already very familiar with the story, can dip in and out at any point, and don't have to focus on the plot. The narrator has to have the right voice though - for example, I tried various versions of Pride and Prejudice before arriving at Lindsay Duncan's which is understated and witty, like the book itself (the temptation to go over the top into caricature territory with Mrs Bennett is simply too great for others). My absolute favourite is Rachel McAdams' Anne of Green Gables. She really captures Anne's joie-de-vivre and her soft voice has a lovely Canadian twang. Jenny Agutter reading 'The Railway Children' is pretty good too!
That's a great idea-to use them for insomnia. I love The Railway Children, by the way and am, coincidentally, writing a post about children's literature right NOW! It will go out on Friday, I'll be interested to see what you think about it. It seems like we share a lot of favorites.
I get it, and may end up having to give in to audiobooks-as it stands, I mostly have to use an e-reader so I can make the font large enough to read! The problem is, at 54 I already have hearing aids, so I don't know what I'm going to do if both my eyes and ears fail me!
I agree that a good narrator can really make the story come to life and a bad narrator can ruin a good story. I particularly enjoy autobiographies read by the author because it's like we're hanging out together and they're telling me stories about their life.
"... and a bad narrator can ruin a good story."
This is so, so, SO TRUE!!
Both my sons have learning disabilities and during high school and college benefited tremendously from the combination of listening to the audio book while reading the print book for various assignments, particularly for their English classes/courses. Every now and then, though, the audio narration would be such that my oldest son, especially, just couldn't slog through it.
A notable example of this was "The Kite Runner", which had been assigned as a campus-wide read for one semester. Between the narrator's accent and his very, very slow-paced reading, my son ended up begging me to take over the reading, so he could do the multiple papers that had been assigned around this book. I of course agreed, and somehow we made it through, particularly given the huge amount of horrifying, not to mention triggering, graphic war-crime type of content contained within.
I like to think that these days that college administrators would be a little bit more selective in requiring such a campus-wide reading assignment.
I see your point about having singular focus on one thing at a time or letting the mind wander vs the constant need for stimulation or to multi-task. The same could be said for having the TV on all the time or even music. I think we do miss out on those moments of inspiration that happen when we give our brains the chance to work without outside input. On the other hand, I think that books in whatever form are valuable and I encourage people to consume them and for many, audiobooks are the answer.
I agree-if audiobooks are the only way for someone to enjoy reading, then we're lucky there's that option. I was just talking to another friend about it and she said that she thinks some people are visual learners (me) and some are auditory learners and that may play into a person's enjoyment of audiobooks.
I love audiobooks! I feel like I am a child again , being read a good story by an adult. That said, I only listen to them when I'm walking or on a road trip. Like you, I don't want to multi-task. I want to give my full attention to what I'm doing, so I've actually started to wonder if I need to "put my audiobook" down when I walk and focus more on what I'm seeing. I'm balking at the prospect...
I also have never listened to an audiobook, although I listen to podcasts all the time. It feels different to me. If I ever lose my sight or ability to read visually, then I can imagine audiobooks would be an incredible gift. But I am a pretty visual person, and the things I remember are the things I see, generally speaking, and so I do love a good book. I have a Kobo and love it for travel, but generally I also like the physical feel of turning pages and holding a book. I think you hit it perfectly here: "I don’t like the speed of life they represent, the lack of attention, the perceived need to multitask when doing anything these days." When I read, I just read, and that is time for me to just decompress.
Thank you. I also do not listen to audio books. I have tried. It's not the same feeling nor is it easy for me to really sink into the book. The idea of curling up with a book is my escapism. Your point about multitasking is SO much truth!
Glad to hear from kindred spirit!
I much prefer a 'real' book any day of the week, but I do use audiobooks for insomnia. I like to listen to old favourites, where I'm already very familiar with the story, can dip in and out at any point, and don't have to focus on the plot. The narrator has to have the right voice though - for example, I tried various versions of Pride and Prejudice before arriving at Lindsay Duncan's which is understated and witty, like the book itself (the temptation to go over the top into caricature territory with Mrs Bennett is simply too great for others). My absolute favourite is Rachel McAdams' Anne of Green Gables. She really captures Anne's joie-de-vivre and her soft voice has a lovely Canadian twang. Jenny Agutter reading 'The Railway Children' is pretty good too!
That's a great idea-to use them for insomnia. I love The Railway Children, by the way and am, coincidentally, writing a post about children's literature right NOW! It will go out on Friday, I'll be interested to see what you think about it. It seems like we share a lot of favorites.