Listening to Audio Books...versus...reading the book...
By Feona1962
@Feona1962 (7526)
United States
September 10, 2008 7:35pm CST
While I crocheted two baby blankets I listened to 3 different stories on Audiotape...All of them had a woman reading the story...I love to read but when I crochet I can't read and crochet at the same time....*smiles*...so I listen to the Audiobooks..
Anyway...I can't say I didn't like them..but sometimes it was confusing with all the different characters..Because the woman was reading it the voice she used for the men characters didn't seem real..Understandable though...and there were a few times I thought the women's voices sounded alike..
I love to read and prefer to read the book myself instead of listening to audiotapes...but they do come in handy when I am crocheting...
How do you feel about audiotapes? Do you like listening or reading? Does it matter to you?
9 people like this
33 responses
@dark4eyes (161)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Since I'm legally blind, I grew up "reading" audio books - first from the talking book program and "graduated" to the "pro" books. I have a very boring data entry job and audio books are my lifeline. I can be traveling in the TARDIS, fighting Weevils with Captain Jack, exploring with Lewis and Clark, fighting Dracula, etc. and still doing copy/paste all day. Music can be fun, but this way I'm learning too.
My roommate spends a lot of time in her car. She takes me to work, then drives from one job to another, then to bring me home and listens to books while she drives - she says it makes the trip faster.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Hi dark4eyes...
Then audio books are a great asset to your life...I think that is wonderful...I took care of a lady that is legally blind and she too listens to audiobooks..She would get them sent in the mail to her and when she finished would send them back and get more...
I love to listen when I am crocheting..Times flys when I'm having fun....
Oh yes!
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Sep 08
It doesn't matter to me, though with audio I would have to be doing something like you do with the crocheting because I find it hard to just sit still..I have tried getting my son to also listen to stories, but he prefers the book version with pictures at this time..
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I only had 3 audiobook stories so until I get more I am watching movies while I crochet....
I have a couple of childrens books that my grandsons love to listen too!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
11 Sep 08
i prefer to read the book. i have never listened to an audio book but i never did like to be read to. lol use to have a friend that listened to them in her car. said she didn't have time to sit down at home & read.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Me too! I don't like to be read to either but when I crochet I don't want to lose my reading time...
@ganda8831 (816)
• Philippines
11 Sep 08
I prefer reading a book than listening to it because i love to keep my mind busy by visualizing the characters and the events that happen in the story. Maybe for some audio books work but for me, i dont like it much.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Hi ganda...
Such a cute avatar...I have to agree with you...I really get into my stories and sometimes I feel like I know the characters so well....
@abdulhaseeb86 (145)
• Pakistan
11 Sep 08
Yes, I do like the audio books. As I don't have English as a native language, the audio books really help you with some of the pronunciations. It can become very boring if every now and then you have to consult a dictionary for the correct pronunciation.
Moreover, the audio books are fun listening to because you can get the feel of the emotions attached with the different dialogues, especially if it is a novel.
So, final word, audio books are awesome.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Hi abdulhaseeb..
That is a great way to learn a language....and a dictionary doesn't actually tell you how to pronounce it...You still have to figure it out...But with someone actually saying it to you makes it easier....
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I like to listen to the book and read it, this way I know exactly what I am reading. I have a slight reading disorder, so it works for me.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Now that would be a great idea...never thought of doing it that way..I'm glad that it helps you...
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I have not listened to an audio book in a long time. I feel like I have a lot of projects going on and this might be a good way to take some of the work out of it. I have listened to my kids books on cd's and they were fun.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I listen when I crochet blankets and it does help pass the time...and I don't want to lose any valuable reading time..I love to read...
@daryljane (3406)
• Philippines
11 Sep 08
I haven't really tried listening to Audio book. But my officemates has got lots of them and she usually listens to it when she's at home and doing household chores...she said its giving her more energy when shes cleaning the house at the same time listening to the story. I'm even borrowing one of her Audio book but haven't really tried listening to it yet. I'll try to find time on it maybe this weekend because she keeps telling me its a nice story and she doesn't want to tell me whats its all about, and thats whats making me look forward to it.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
It's nice she doesn't tell you..that way if you want to know you have to listen to it...
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
11 Sep 08
My husband loves to listen to audiobooks in the car on long trips. They put me right to sleep. He would rather I read to him but after awhile it gives me a stomach ache. I have read him two full books on car trips.
I don't care much for audiobooks but I never really did like being read to. I have always preferred reading to myself.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I haven't ever read a book aloud.....except for my grandkids....but not one that is 400 pages long which are the ones I like to read...
@kisanchhantyal (420)
• Nepal
11 Sep 08
listening to audio music is not so good then the reading books . Listiening to audio make mind disturbed and make to think anyother things.
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
11 Sep 08
Hi there!
Yes! I have been listening to audiotapes. It's advantageous in a way cause you can still do other things while listening. Like what you did, you crocheted while listening. Me, I listen to it whenever I travel. It keeps me entertained even if I'm travelling alone.
But when I'm at home, I prefer to read a book. It's how I spend some quiet time by myself sitting on a sofa. With books I can also take notes on the book itself or highlight some important facts and you can't do that with audiotapes.
Both are good for me. It just depends on what situation I maybe.
Ciao!
Yes! I have been listening to audiotapes. It's advantageous in a way cause you can still do other things while listening. Like what you did, you crocheted while listening. Me, I listen to it whenever I travel. It keeps me entertained even if I'm travelling alone.
But when I'm at home, I prefer to read a book. It's how I spend some quiet time by myself sitting on a sofa. With books I can also take notes on the book itself or highlight some important facts and you can't do that with audiotapes.
Both are good for me. It just depends on what situation I maybe.
Ciao!@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I never travel alone so I don't use them then...always have my hubby to talk too!
But if I ever did that would be a great way to pass the time...I prefer to read them myself...
@auntiedis (165)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I can't wrap my head around audio books. I love to read, although I don't get to do it as much as I like to, but for some reason, the thought of having someone read to me just doesn't excite me. Maybe I should borrow one from the library and take a listen, perhaps I don't know what I'm missing.
I too can imagine that it's kind of confusing when one person reads the whole story. When I read to myself, somehow all the characters take on voices of their own inside my head.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I have a different voice in my head for all the characters in my book and I think they sound better to me than the ones on audio...
@likaes (496)
• Singapore
11 Sep 08
I recently listened to part of an audiobook and find it quite hard to concentrate. Reading books is a lot easier as you can return to whatever you were reading immediately, irregardless of what interrupted you.
If you were listening to an audiobook then it'd be harder cause then you have to rewind and try to find which part sounds familiar, and resume at that point.
Some audiobooks also sound awfully drab and monotonous. It might be good for instruction books, but as far as story books go, paper is much more immersive.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I agree with you..I would rather read it myself...I feel more a part of the story when I do read it...
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I haven't tried listening to an audio book before. I have tried reading an e-book but found it hard on my eyes.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Hi Maddysmommy...
My husband reads e-books everyday..He is reading Harry Potter fan-fiction..People write what they think happens in the Potter stories and they send them to him to critique...
I haven't read any e-books...
@snowy22315 (182343)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I like audiobooks once in awhile if you are on a long stretch in the car. We listened to some one time when we drove like two thousand miles or so from Wash DC to Yellowstone. The last time I was listening to one I got kind of disinterested in it in parts. It was OK, but I still couldnt tell you completely what happened.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I know what you mean..I was wondering where the story was going and it seemed to go on and on...LOL
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Ah I love to read, my life is pretty hectic. Audiobooks have been a joy for me, since I can "read" whie driving. I want the news on the way to work, but most other times, I love to hear a good book! 
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
11 Sep 08
They definitely come in handy for you then...I do like them but prefer to read it myself..
@bubblyapple (2653)
• Philippines
15 Sep 08
for me i preferred reading books than listening to audio tapes, I've tried listening to audiotapes before, but i do not enjoy it, and most i do not understand it. actually i would stand to read ebooks over the net instead of audiotapes though I would have a painful eyes after,heheheh but still i enjoy it.
@kel1483 (986)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I haven't listened to any audio books since I was a kid...you know the ones you read along to and there is a chime to tell you to turn the page, lol.
I have an aunt who downloads audio books and puts them on her iPod to listen to while she runs and stuff. I've never really gotten into audio books. I just like the actual sensation of reading than hearing a story.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I remember those books...LOL...I am like you, I like to read it and it makes me feel like I am actually there..*smiles*
@henry140468 (323)
• India
11 Sep 08
I think reading books is much more fun.When listening all our attention is on the teller.We have to concentrate on whatthe person is saying.When reading we can read at our own pace.Also while reading we can imagine a lot,think a lot.So reading is preferable.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Hi henry...
I have to agree with you that reading the book is actually better for me too! But the audio tapes are great for those that don't read..
