Audiobooks discussion
What do you do while listening to audiobooks?
I don't have enough time/patience to sit down and read as much as I would like to so audiobooks are my savior! I put them on when I'm at work (mall cop, so I drive around most of the time and these books help me pass my hours of property checks), I'll listen to them as I do my crafts (knitting, painting), and also while I fall asleep. Especially on those nights when nothing good is on television, or I don't want to sit in front of the tube watching stuff I won't enjoy.
I normally listen to my audiobooks on my insanely long commute.
I am normally running, or working out. But I've managed to carve out an hour or so on weekends to enjoy an audiobook while my kids play.
Usually driving and walking are my mainstays. But I also listen while working on art projects or crocheting. If it is a book I can't put down, I just listen everywhere.
Maxine - I'm with you. I listen to audiobooks during the day - walking or driving, etc. When I'm at home winding down I like to lay in bed and read on the iPad or a printed book. I do listen when I'm home cleaning....
I commute an hour each way for work. I love that I can get two hours a day in. I sometimes find myself sitting in the car in my garage once I'm home because I just can't turn the book off!
i'm usually at work, listening to books :)
Hi, I'm brand new to this group. I didn't see an "Introduce Yourself" thread so I guess I'll respond here. I read my first audiobook in 2004 and I was hooked. I have small children, so I don't have time to pick up a book and read, so I do audio. When they're in school, I can do dishes, laundry, sweep & mop, iron clothes, do dishes, cook, and do my grocery shopping (with headphones on my iPod). I can listen in my car if my children are not present. Usually I love the narrators. I love horror, classical fiction, historical fiction, thrillers/suspense. Not really into romance, YA, or chick lit. I do have an audible account, but I also utilize the libraries & networks we have in the area. I live in the Metrowest area of Boston.
I think we do have an "introduce yourself" somewhere, who knows where though. If you want a book you can listen to with your small children look up A Heroes Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. It's very cute and fun.
Thanks, J! I do have a few Dr. Suess audiobooks and Neil Gaiman's "Chu 's Day" which is totally adorable. We've read that book several times! Nice to "meet" you!
I listen to them in the car and at work. I work in an office and I do have to turn it off and on throughout the day to answer the phones. But it's not bad enough for me to stop listening to them.
Thank you, Ed! Does anyone find that audiobooks have great replay value? I re-read books all the time!
I'm re-listening to a book right now. I love listening to them a second or third time if it's a really good book.
I re-listen to books all the time. I'm re-listening to 4-hour work week now and I have a few others I would definitely re-listen to!
I'm on my like 15th re-read of BLACK HOUSE by King & Straub (sequel to THE TALISMAN). Amazing read, and Frank Mueller (RIP) did an amazing job with all of the characters - he brought them to life so vividly just using his talented voice. He was an amazing reader!
Jonathan - that's so sweet!! My "babies" (boys) are five now, so most of the books I like are not appropriate for them. I read when they are sleeping or at preschool.
Welcome Lanie! I'm happy to hear you like Black House so much. I listened to The Talisman for the first time a few months ago, and I loved it. I bought Black House right after but haven't listened to it yet.
Kristie - OMG. I loved THE TALISMAN too, but the characters in BLACK HOUSE I adore!! I always thought Sharon Stone would be a wonderful Lily Cavanaugh (the Queen of the Bees). So I've always pictured Jack Sawyer with blonde hair. I loved Speedy Parker. Frank is so amazing - such a huge range of great characters in this book. It takes place in Wisconsin - and I just love reading it. I'd love to hear what you think of it once you do read it. One of my most favorite characters from the Stephen King universe is in this book: Henry Leyden. I just love him so much. The perfect gentleman, great friend to Jack, and a man with many personas. I won't spoil it for you, but I just LOOOOOOVE this book!
Good to hear! The narrator was amazing, for sure. I forgot Black House takes place in Wisconsin. I live in Minnesota, so that will be fun. :-)
I'm re-listening to a book right now... that I re-listened to last month as well... haha!
I never relisten or reread a book. I wish I could but even if the book is amazing without the surprise factor I can't listen again.
Erica wrote: "I never relisten or reread a book. I wish I could but even if the book is amazing without the surprise factor I can't listen again."I'm with you, Erica. I never re-listen. And if I've read/listened to the book, I almost never watch the movie (or vice versa). My resources (time, energy) for consuming stories is limited, so I choose to spend that time discovering new stories.
Relistens are rare for me, but I do have a "would like to listen again" goodreads shelf. If I relisten to a book it is usually because the next book in the series is about to release and I need a refresher.I'm currently working my way back through the MHI series in anticipation of book 5's release.
I generally listen while I'm at work. My job is mostly not on the phone, so I can usually get through 2 books a week. Plus it makes the workday pass much more quickly!At home I usually do Kindle books. This is why I'll have 2 books on my currently reading shelf. One is an audiobook for work, and one is a regular book for home.
Natalie wrote: "I generally listen while I'm at work. My job is mostly not on the phone, so I can usually get through 2 books a week. Plus it makes the workday pass much more quickly!At home I usually do Kindl..."
How can you read/listen to 2 books at once? I've tried 2 books at a time and it drives me crazy, no matter how much I try I can't comprehend more than one. I guess my brain can only focus on one book at a time.
Erica wrote: "How can you read/listen to 2 books at once? I've tried 2 books at a time and it drives me crazy, no matter how much I try I can't comprehend more than one. I guess my brain can only focus on one book at a time."
It's really no different than watching tv. We constantly switch from one program to the next without problems. We may watch an episode of Walking Dead or Under the Dome, then after the hour is over, we watch the next program. How many times have we seen "to be continued" at the end of a program? A week later, when the next episode airs, we switch back easily to the continuation of the story.
I always have more than one book on the go.
Janice wrote: "Erica wrote: "How can you read/listen to 2 books at once? I've tried 2 books at a time and it drives me crazy, no matter how much I try I can't comprehend more than one. I guess my brain can only ..."
Valid point!
I love relistening/rereading books! I usually discover layers that I didn't catch the first time. It makes the story a richer experience for me. I have to really love the book to do this though, as I'm mostly interested in new books. I try to revisit one or two a year.I also usually have an audiobook and physical book in progress at the same time. And right now I have 2 audiobooks going, as I'm reading a book with my husband, but he doesn't have as much time as I do. So I need another book to listen to while I'm taking our book slowly. I have no problem switching, Janice's comparison to TV shows is right on.
There are too many books to out there to re-listen to the same one more than once. I just can't make myself do it.
Sara ♥ wrote: "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 an..."Haha, and you know the food isn't going to rot your teeth if he recommends it, right? :) My dentist was just always full of how great he was at his job, but he was so humorous in his own self-worship that it was just amusing and didn't bother me too much. I do think I'd have a hard time listening to a book, though, unless I was getting some major work done that is time consuming (which is bound to happen again this year, I'm afraid, sigh).
Janice wrote: "Erica wrote: "How can you read/listen to 2 books at once? I've tried 2 books at a time and it drives me crazy, no matter how much I try I can't comprehend more than one. I guess my brain can only ..."
Good way of putting it. Yes, it's very much like that for me. The only struggle I have is if the storylines are too similar or the narrator is the same or similar. Other than that, just like with DTBs, I always have at least 3 going at any given time.
As for re-listening, I only do this with classics or with books I read to fall asleep, such as Harry Potter or LOTR. Anything else just doesn't have the appeal to re-listen.
I usually listen to audio books while on long drives as a passenger.
I just started listening to audiobooks and love doing chores around the house and even some work while listening. 1Q84 was a good book to start out with because it's so long! hehe
Coral wrote: "I just started listening to audiobooks and love doing chores around the house and even some work while listening. 1Q84 was a good book to start out with because it's so long! hehe"
Holy crow!! looked that up and 46 hours!! yeah that's long haha
Holy crow!! looked that up and 46 hours!! yeah that's long haha
Kristie wrote: "Erica wrote: "I never relisten or reread a book. I wish I could but even if the book is amazing without the surprise factor I can't listen again."I'm with you, Erica. I never re-listen. And if I'..."
J, what is MHI series?
Thanks
Doris wrote: "J, what is MHI series?..."Monster Hunter International, my favorite guilty pleasure series. If you can get past the uber cheese name, the series offers good action & humor. To top it off the narration is done by the greatest of all narrators, Oliver Wyman.
I listen while I'm driving and getting ready in the morning. Sometimes I listen while cleaning or doing laundry, but usually I listen to upbeat music for that. Ditto working out (sometimes I listen to books, sometimes I listen to music). I also have a retinal condition which requires lots of eye doctor appoinments, and while I'm sitting there for 20 minutes waiting for my eyes to dilate, I listen.
I didn't think k about doctor offices--that would be a great place.
I like to digest audiobooks on a long flight, on a road trip (if I'm solo), and in my hammock. Ultimately I like to commit to listening in the same way I commit to reading a book. I think full, non-scattered attention to the material is the best way to get the most out of the content. -Adam Longnecker
Because of this posting, I just tried sitting in the waiting area of the doctor's office listening to my book! Good stuff. Thank you to everyone who recommended it!!
HAHA! That gave me the funniest thought.Are we justified in assuming you were going to the doctors office anyway?
I can just see it, dozens of audiobookers answering inquisitive doctor's office staff with "oh no, I'm just here to listen to my book."
Haha... Glad to be of service. When I go to the eye doctor, I can't read a book or even flip through a magazine because my vision is distorted. So I always have my audiobook on my iPhone and take my earbuds with me.
Or taking a road trip just to listen. Great idea!
I'm one of those people who talk to strangers in line at the grocery store. My husband whines about it... thinks it's embarrassing or whatever. But what I get an even BIGGER kick out of is listening to an audiobook in any sort of public place, getting to a funny part, and laughing out loud! When people look at me like I'm a loon, I just grin, point to my earbud, and say, "Book." Seriously. I love doing that.
Natalie wrote: "I generally listen while I'm at work. My job is mostly not on the phone, so I can usually get through 2 books a week. Plus it makes the workday pass much more quickly!At home I usually do Kindl..."
I do the same thing, my boring mindless job is much improved while listening to a book. I carry my Nook with me wherever I go too. I've learned to try to have different genres with my two books I have going at once so my addled brain doesn't get confused.
I listen while I gaze out of the window when riding Amtrak on my monthly 2 1/2 hour trip to Portland, OR. I am also planning to buy a waterproof iPod Shuffle so that I can listen as I swim/exercise at the YMCA.
I almost always listen to books when I'm taking a little "rest" in the afternoon. I tend to listen to a lot of historical fiction which can get pretty heavy and I need to concentrate. If it's something lighter I might listen while I make dinner or as above, folding clothes, etc. Never when I'm driving or walking outside (I want to hear the birds!!)
Audiobooks
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Me too. Also washing dishes,going to the bathroom. Audiobooks are a kind of addiction. I find it hard to stop. But I can't listen and drive because I end up toggling back and forth between the GPS and my book, and swerving all over the road.