What do you do while listening to audiobooks?

[Jeanie]

I stopped reading print during college--if I was going to read, there was always a neglected textbook truly needing to be read. I read Lord of the Rings during one Christmas break of graduate school, but there was no time after that. It took audiobooks to get me back into pleasure reading too.

[Chrizette]

I can't shop while listening to an audio book. The shelves distract me and I stop concentrating on the book.

[Laserone]

I listen while drawing in my sketchbook. It's so enjoyable.

Like others, I also do so while driving, doing laundry, getting ready to go out, etc.

[Robin P]

Just saw this thread. As someone in the Upper Midwest, I listen while snow shoveling! (hopefully done for the season) - while driving, even for 5 minutes, plus many of the other activities mentioned. However, I also read a lot in print so if I'm sitting down at home, I'll probably pick up a print book.

[Kristie]

Robin wrote: "Just saw this thread. As someone in the Upper Midwest, I listen while snow shoveling! (hopefully done for the season) - while driving, even for 5 minutes, plus many of the other activities mentione..."

Hi Robin, Fellow Upper Midwesterner here (MN). I hear you on hoping snow is done! Luckily, my husband is the primary shoveler at my house. :)

[Casseroll]

Play video games, clean, drive or just sit and listen-especially if it's non-fiction. I really like to just do nothing and listen though, much more relaxing.

[Larry]

I used to listen to audiobooks all day while working at a boring data entry job. Now, as a freelance writer, I can't listen and work at the same time. For now I mainly listen to them while doing nothing else or sometimes while doing some light exercising or simple chores around the house.

[Koeeoaddi]

I listen on my evening walk in the desert. A couple of weeks ago I was so involved in The Goldfinch that I came within 3 ft. of wandering straight into a herd of javalinas. About a dozen of them. Since then I've been rethinking the whole walking while listening routine. :)

[Alana]

Koeeoaddi wrote: "I listen on my evening walk in the desert. A couple of weeks ago I was so involved in The Goldfinch that I came within 3 ft. of wandering straight into a herd of javalinas. About a dozen of them. ..."

LOL! Where is the "like" button?

[Larry]

The Goldfinch is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to in years so I can understand how it could cause you to be distracted!

[Birgit]

Walking the dog, running, housework, laundry, driving, putting on make-up, doing my hair etc. For some reason I have to do something whilst listening, if I just sit and listen my mind wanders or I fall asleep.

[Birgit]

... and gardening (which I hate)

[Niki]

My two favorite passtimes are knitting and reading. With audiobooks I can combine the two. Pure heaven for me. I also listen while spinning (yarn not biking) During all housework and cooking. Anytime I don't have to engage with another person I am listening. I can also listen while shopping as long as it is routine shopping and not the more difficult decision making kind. In other words 'groceries'....Love my books

[Kelly]

Birgit wrote: "... and gardening (which I hate)"

This made me laugh, I'm glad there are others out there who hate gardening but still do it. I love having fresh veggies and herbs but hate the work. Audiobooks do make it better, but usually my kids are out with me, so I try to pretend I enjoy the work.

[Stephanie]

I mostly listen when I'm quilting, knitting or doing finishing work on crocheting. For complicated books, I just put my feet up and listen. I have trouble with focus these days and can only do limited multitasking.

I USED to try to wash dishes while listening or while doing some putzy work on the computer, but if you are in the kitchen, you are constantly interrupted and that just didn't work.

[Tim]

Audiobooks are background noise to me while I code for work.

[Cherie]

Forney_bill wrote: "One of the things I do when listening to audiobooks is miss my exit."

Oh, Bill, I do too! The other thing I do is drive 30 miles out of my way so that I can continue listening to my book without having to sit in the driveway with everyone looking out at me after I drive up.

[Cherie]

I find working on a jigsaw puzzle works really well for me. It keeps my eyes and hands busy and my ears tuned into the story.

The biggest problem I have now, is what to do with all of the puzzles I bought and put together.

[Janice]

Cherie wrote: "I find working on a jigsaw puzzle works really well for me. It keeps my eyes and hands busy and my ears tuned into the story.

The biggest problem I have now, is what to do with all of the puzzles..."

You don't want to shellac them and hang them on your wall as pictures? Hehehehe!

[Alana]

for me it's knitting scarves. .... at least I can give those away when I'm done with them!

[Jane]

DIY, cleaning, driving, actually just about everything that doesn't involve other people.
Blue tooth headphones are the way to go, believe me!!!! I have a couple of differnt types that I change when they start to hurt the ears etc, or run out of battery etc
I'm addicted, time for an intervention!!!!!!

[Sara ♥]

The real question is what do I NOT do while listening to an audiobook... okay nevermind.

Driving, cleaning, cooking, more cleaning, breastfeeding (tmi? sorry), playing EASY sudoku, did I mention the cleaning?, painting my nails... mindless stuff. I listen while grocery shopping, which isn't too bad, because I usually know exactly what I want, but I pause a LOT at the store.

My FAVORITE thing lately is Dr. Mario 64. Oh yeah, baby. Gonna go do that right now.

[Kristie]

Jane wrote: "DIY, cleaning, driving, actually just about everything that doesn't involve other people.
Blue tooth headphones are the way to go, believe me!!!! I have a couple of differnt types that I change wh..."

A strong second for bluetooth headphones. It's so great not to get the cords caught on everything. Mine were only about $30 on Amazon, and they were worth every penny.

[Ed]

I will definitely check that out!

[Kelly]

Sara ♥ wrote: "The real question is what do I NOT do while listening to an audiobook... okay nevermind.

Driving, cleaning, cooking, more cleaning, breastfeeding (tmi? sorry), playing EASY sudoku, did I mention t..."

You sound like my kinda mom. I wish I would've listened to books when my kids were nursing rather than what I did, watch mindless reality tv.

[Mejix]

I'm doing my artwork or I'm on the train to/from work.

[Margaret]

Mostly, I walk the dog. Sometimes when he's finished, we'll sit on the patio so I can continue to listen if I'm really enjoying the book.

[Angelica]

I haven't had a chance to look at all of the posts on here, but I tend to listen to audio books when doing light cleaning or items that really do not require my concentration. I can easily get into them if I'm knitting or spinning on my wheel. Driving is also an excellent time for listening to them.

But the absolute best and I repeat best time for me is when I am at the dentist office. I have recently had a root canal and there is a lot of drilling/follow up work. The actual root canal is not as bad as it used to be. But I find I prefer listening to audio books as opposed to music. I get so into the story, it actually lessens the drilling noise for me. It surprised me. I always heard music was good to listen to in the dentist chair, but I actually prefer audio books.

[Mari]

I drive back and forth to work, while listening. If I have a really great book, I find all kinds of trips to make to and fro to get my audiobook fix, :-) !

[Margaret]

I second listening at the dentist's. It definitely eases the drilling, etc.

[Julie]

I usually only listen when I drive. Once in a while I listen while I fold laundry.

[[deleted user]]

I commute while listening, used to be on the bus but my most recent job was only an hour's walk each way so perfect for audio books! I heard A Tale for the Time Being and Orlando. Next job is 10 weeks further afield though so probably back on the bus.

[Greg]

Like so many others... I listen while walking the dog, driving the car, and doing housework. If I am doing something mindless at work sometimes I will listen there but that doesn't happen all that often.

[[deleted user]]

Angelica- Woman of Many Dogs wrote: "I haven't had a chance to look at all of the posts on here, but I tend to listen to audio books when doing light cleaning or items that really do not require my concentration. I can easily get int..."

I'd never thought of listening at the dentist. I had loads of work done a year or so ago and got very nervous. It would have helped to distract my mind. I'll know for next time!

[[deleted user]]

I listen while folding laundry, weeding the garden and doing dishes. I find the mundane chores move along more quickly when I am listening to a good book.

[Chrizette]

Winter has arrived in South Africa - so I like to soak in a hot bubble bath and listen for 15 minutes or so.

[Ezi]

When I am cleaning or doing laundry, or on my hour commute each way to work

[Albin]

Sometimes I listen while driving the car. More often, at home, I doze off and fall asleep (on the chaise in the sun, the couch, or in bed), which has led me to think that audiobooks ought to include an etext version with the price, since navigating and catching up on slept-through segments on etext is quicker than trying to do it on the audio file.

[Ezi]

Albin wrote: "Sometimes I listen while driving the car. More often, at home, I doze off and fall asleep (on the chaise in the sun, the couch, or in bed), which has led me to think that audiobooks ought to inclu..."

If I am about to sit on my comfy sofa or my bed, I automatically set the 8min timer and look to see where I am. So If I fall asleep, I know it was 8 mins that lapsed since I went to sleep :D

[Sunnyand71]

I listen when I do housework, waiting in the car for my son and while on the computer.

[Scott S.]

The Smart Audiobook player has a neat sleep feature. You turn it on and once the phone has been still for 10 minutes or so it fades and stops the audiobook.

I have found myself more willing to do housework so that I can listen to a few more minutes of a book. I'm sure my wife doesn't have a problem with that.

[Sara ♥]

I can't listen at the dentist! Well ok, I listen while I'm in the waiting room or when I'm waiting for the numbing agent to kick in or for the dentist to come in... But my dentist is really cool and always has really interesting things to say! It's quite difficult to talk back, but I'd hate to miss his restaurant recommendations... The last one we tried (Chinese) was fantastic! :)

[Jonathan]

I walk with my baby boy. He sleeps in the stroller, and I listen. Great way to get exercise.

[Pauline]

I just can't sit still and read. So audiobooks follow me wherever I go, whatever I do. Housework, gardening, driving, walking, building things out of wood in the backyard although my insanely loud sander sometimes interferes.

[Emily]

run six miles to distract me from any discomfort :)

[Kelly]

I love listening to books while driving, walking, exercising, housework, and laundry. Anything that requires concentration will not do. I will only have to keep hitting "rewind."

[Karima]

While driving.
While knitting.

[Valyssia]

Margaret wrote: "I second listening at the dentist's. It definitely eases the drilling, etc."

I tried that and the dentist is the one place I can't listen to audiobooks. Pretty much everything everyone lists here works out great for me. I don't knit, but I do walk for exercise, drive, wash dishes, do laundry, play games, shop for groceries and household needs, do mindless odd jobs...all while listening. I even listen while I'm in the tub. Bath and book are a great combo. But for the dentist I stick to music. I can't concentrate on a narrative while some stranger is scraping and grinding my teeth. I tip my hat to you if you can.

[Erica]

I only listen while at work. The 8 hour days go by really quickly. Thank goodness for whispersync it has saved me tons. I only listen while at home on that rare occasion where I can’t stop listening to a book I was listening to at work. It has never crossed my mind to listen while doing chores or gardening. I can imagine how that would make the tasks much easier to complete.

[Abby]

I draw and animate for work, and I listen to audiobooks while doing that! It requires a different part of my brain than the verbal part, so it's fine.