CJ: I agree, I’ve been really impressed with audiobooks. What’s surprised me is that the books I’ve wanted to read for years but haven’t been able to find are available; I just bought PD James’ first novel unabridged and I’ve never seen it to buy as a book. I’ll have to have a look at some of the other services; Gutenberg’s another good one too. Thanks for stopping by.

I know what you mean about reader’s interpretations, but the only problem which I have with audiobooks is that they very much depend on the quality of the reader. My mum recently bought a copy of the Penguin Classics audio collection (which turned out to be abridged). Most of the books are all right, but the reading of Pride & Prejudice is rather irritating and off-putting, like an overly-condescending children’s story.

I’m quite fond of Stephen Fry’s readings of the Harry Potter novels, which are very well read. The only real problem with them is his tendancy to give certain characters (Susan Bones and Pansy Parkinson, if I remember correctly) unconvincing, exaggerated speech impediments that aren’t in the books. I don’t know why he does that, but it’s very annoying! o_o

CJ: For certain books I find that as well. Reading Tom Clancy is quite difficult sometimes, but I find I absorb it more through an audiobook… maybe it’s something to do with how we process information through different senses?

I’ve tried a few of those Penguin Classics. Some are okay but quite a few aren’t that great, so I’m not surprised about Pride & Prejudice. You just feel like the narrator is reading, not telling a story… some of those classics are on Lit2Go and they’re actually better! Who’d have thunk it?
Haven’t heard any of the Harry Potter ones, though… I’ll have to check them out, I love Stephen Fry. I’m not sure why he’d give them impediments like that, though… I guess JK Rowling must be okay with it. I wouldn’t want to be messing with her characters otherwise.

You always write nice things
CJ: Thanks, Dya. That’s a good point; they’re both telling the same story, so the images they’re putting in your head (whether listening or reading) are similar. I have several books in audio as well and they give me a slightly different image; one I “see” because it’s being described to me, the other I “sense” because I’m creating it in my mind. But it’s more a feeling and the scene is the same, so really they’re much the same, in the end.

The thing with an audiobook is that you tend to absorb what’s going on in the story; you can drift away from it more easily than reading without losing your place. That’s why people can multitask while they’re listening. But you’re right, they’re definitely not for everyone; some people find them relaxing, others boring as hell! I think a good narrator makes a difference; then you’re listening to Ian McKellen or Alfred Molina tell a story, rather than someone just reading a book. Unless of course you just go see them in the movie instead.

CJ: Ah, headphones make sense. I should have realised, LOL. They’d be good for you, particularly if you can find some which can cancel out noise as well. Then you’d have no distractions.

Two, and related, one’s not inherently “better” than the other. As CJ writes, our original storytelling was all oral. Another way to think of it is reading Shakespeare vs. seeing it performed. I defy anyone to say that one should only read it. Even just listening to a great performance brings something that the printed page simply cannot provide. (Of course, Shakespeare wrote plays, not novels, but it’s worth noting.)

Last, as Magik points out, you can listen to audiobooks in contexts where you simply cannot read. For me, it’s while commuting. This is time that is otherwise dead, useless, and audiobooks not only fill the time, they distract and entertain from an otherwise soul-sucking experience.

I wish that I had the time to read, like I did when I was younger. I can’t even manage to watch 2 hours of TV a week, though, so I’m pretty sure my available time is really gone. Finding that dead time, and making use of it, is like a gift of a few extra hours a day, that aren’t allocated to somebody else’s agenda. In that way, audiobooks are better than reading.

CJ: That’s a great way of looking at it, a performance. I’ve been thinking that an audiobook really complements the written form, the same story but a slightly different experience… if you think of it almost like an adaptation, then why it can feel different makes a lot of sense.

I tend to listen to a lot of classics as audiobooks. They’re a bit cheaper and I find that they seem to have dated less when you hear them narrated; like you said, they feel like more of a performance and while I’m not sure they’re better than reading, personally I prefer listening to them. I guess it’s personal choice, in the end. Thanks for stopping by.

Ok you wrote that in the post too but whatever. I missed that bit when I first read the post.
CJ: I actually didn’t try audiobooks myself for a long time; it wasn’t until I was near the end of school and had so much work that I realised they might be worth a try. Even then they took a while to get used to… so you never know, Bharat, one day you might try one and find it grows on you!
And it was a good point to bring up. I wish I’d developed it more in the post, actually, as I find that kind of thing very interesting… ah well, next time.

CJ: Thanks, MQ! I imagine listening to an audiobook (or music) makes a lot of sense when you’re quilting, as something to fill up the room and help you focus… the sewing machine’s an interesting one though. Wouldn’t it be so loud that you wouldn’t be able to hear the audio?

As long as they’re unabridged then I think audiobooks are a great way to go… it’s a different experience, but you’re still getting the story. I think it would be great for thrillers and crime books in particular as their pace is ideal for narration. And you’re not deaf, btw. Just auditorally-challenged.

CJ: An alternative’s a good way of looking at it, Muse. Like another version with a slightly different experience… interesting, though, because I’m the exact opposite in that I don’t like doing anything else while I’m listening; I just like sitting somewhere quiet and letting the story wash over me. It’s not why most people listen to audiobooks, but I guess my brain just doesn’t work that way.
That makes sense about our reading habits relating to whether we’re an auditory, visual or tactile learner… I wonder what that makes exceptions, though? If you enjoy reading a book as well as listening to one, just in different ways, does that mean you’re visually and auditorally balanced? Or maybe you always have some preference; if I had to choose I’d still prefer reading the book, in the end.

Thanks, Muse. Audible’s well worth a look; who knows, you might find something you like.

CJ: Nothing really beats the feel and smell of a good book, does it? Sometimes I miss that while I’m listening, and being able to go back and reread a juicy twist… overall, though, the experience is so different. An audiobook is really like another version of the same story… something which complements a written book but isn’t exactly the same. I think that’s probably the best way I can describe it.

I remember Stephen King said something in his autobiography that he always has an audiobook playing when he drives or has a free minute; it’s just become normal for him and he listens in spurts, so perhaps that’s one way to get past the transition… hope you enjoy one if you ever give it a try; I’d be interested to know what you think.

hmm, maybe it’s good to listen to an audiobook. i’ve been wanting to improve my enunciation and develop an accent. i love my malaysian accent, but if i can develop a ‘caucasian-sounding’ one it could lead to good job opportunities in my country.

CJ: That’s the main problem with audiobooks, the price! I was just looking at The Kite Runner which is well over $25 US but you could buy the book for $9 US. If the prices were more competitive I’m sure more people would consider trying audiobooks… right now it’s mainly just people with disposable incomes or who don’t have the time to read.

You certainly pick up a lot from audiobooks, so it might be worth you trying one, sulz. Who knows, you might surprise yourself and really enjoy it! Most libraries have a reasonable collection; that’d be a great place to start, or with short stories. They’d give you a sense of if it’s your kind of thing.