Audiobooks discussion
Archives
>
Do You Think Listening to a Book is Cheating?
I'm interested in the story... whether it's a book that I read or an audiobook that I listen to, doesn't make a difference. I don't say that I've "read" a story though if I've listened to it but I will say that I "listened" to it. In Goodreads, I don't tend to mark them as read or give reviews.
John wrote: "Or on public transportation to save one's sanity with all the personal conversations going on (usually via cell phone) -- frankly, I don't really care that Tiffany left last night's party in tears ..."
LOL. Agree wholeheartedly. I truly believe audio books have saved lives - those of the other passengers who I would have strangled just to stop the sound of their inane, shouted mobile phone conversation about what they're having for dinner (and of course how Tiffany and Brad are getting on) but haven't had to because I can listen instead to a wonderful story.
LOL. Agree wholeheartedly. I truly believe audio books have saved lives - those of the other passengers who I would have strangled just to stop the sound of their inane, shouted mobile phone conversation about what they're having for dinner (and of course how Tiffany and Brad are getting on) but haven't had to because I can listen instead to a wonderful story.
Stef wrote: ""Cheating" implies that there are rules or promises being broken. I never promised anyone that I would only ever read books and not listen to them being read. (And in fact, my father loved readin..."
Yes I find that listening to audiobooks has most definitely increased my reading pleasure and ability. I speedread and reading that way you see a lot of images go by quickly and you have to digest it just as fast. I love that, but listening to someone read is just as rewarding, especially when the narration is on par with the writing. I sometimes get far more listening than I do reading or when I read again I find I'm engaged in ways I wasn't before.
I did have a beef with audiobooks. I did think they were a cheat, but as I read to my boys at night, I found myself immersed with the storyline of whatever I read and my kids always wanted to hear more. They were as immersed as I was. I discovered the paradigm. Listening aids greatly to one's ability to comprehend the written language. My sons developed an innate love for reading (and listening)--and I'm in heaven about it. I also developed a greater respect and love for the spoken language.
John wrote: "If that's "cheating", then are visually impaired folks "illiterate"?"I used to buy audio books for my grandfather who sadly lost his eyesight later in life - he was an avid reader all his life and a very intelligent man so it was devestating for him - he even let me continue to bring him paperbacks (as I worked in a library) for months before he finally admitted he couldn't read the words anymore - he was too proud to admit defeat - the audio books allowed him to continue to enjoy books in the last years of his life and to while away the hours on his own enjoyably and for that I am such a fan of audio books though I am yet to try them myself which is why I am here and why I joined this group - what would you recommend as a 'starter'?! And where is best/cheapest place to buy them?
Pam wrote: "The way I see it, authors write stories not books. The book is a device that houses the story so that it can be saved and shared with others. People are very busy these days, but they still want ..."Such good points, well made - I think I am convinced to try some audio books - sometimes I want the story but the 'effort' of reading after a very long day can be too much - not only that but once I am into a good book the housework goes on hold - I may end up living in a palace if I can combine the reading with the housework - Genius!
Before there were books there was storytelling - oral stories committed to memory and imparted from generation to generation, a tradition common to every culture. Audiobooks are just an updated modern version of the storyteller in my view!
Booksdingle wrote: "John wrote: "If that's "cheating", then are visually impaired folks "illiterate"?"I used to buy audio books for my grandfather who sadly lost his eyesight later in life - he was an avid reader ..."
I get all of my audiobooks from the library and ILL (interlibrary loan).
Booksdingle --Welcome to the group!
What kinds of books do you like in print? Try your public library to see what they have to offer.
Booksdingle wrote: "John wrote: "If that's "cheating", then are visually impaired folks "illiterate"?"I used to buy audio books for my grandfather who sadly lost his eyesight later in life - he was an avid reader ..."
I use two sources, but there are many others;
my local library is small but will order titles on CD format from around the whole county for a £1.20 fee. I can even order them on-line and I get an email when they arrive.
Secondly, I have an audible account and download them into itunes for my ipod. I especially like the audible downloads since you can checkout the narrators voice before you commit to buy. There is nothing worse than a narrator with a grating voice.
As for what to choose, just go with whatever you would normally read.
What kinds of books do you like in print? Try your public library to see what they have to offer."
Hi and thanks all for your thoughts and suggestions - firstly I only have old school CD player - that could be problematic and somewhere an IPOD shuffle!!!! In terms of book genre I don't really mind - though I am not keen on horror, sci fi or romance - I did actually think I may use audio as a way of listening to books I would not read if that makes any sense. I don't, for instance, like really long books - if they have more than about 400 pages I avoid them - they just seem overwhelming especially when time is often not my own. I also would probably not read a book in very difficult language or one that is hard to concentrate on - something very complicated etc so I thought I could listen to those types of books! And also catch up on classics still to be read that I probably will not get around too. A stupid question now - are they literally a person reading the book or complete with sound effects etc?! lol, am sure that is a very stupid question!
If a book is listed as full cast yes there are sometimes full sound effects too. Mosty it is a very talented reader who does the different voices and really brings the book to life.I think you can listen to samples on audible.com even if your not a member I believe you can still browse and listen to samples.
Speaking of sound effects, someone once mentioned how they disliked intro music that continues with the narration "stepping over" it. I ran across that recently, and must agree.Books:
I would never have read Classics in print (Dickens, etc.), but on audio they are usually pretty good!
For books much over 10 hours (parts), I have to stop, read something different, and come back to the first one.
I hope to give it a test run and see how I get on though my equipment may not be up to sctrach - I wont ve able to run from room to room doing housework will I unless I can carry CD player with me....time to reassess the ipod situation I think! I am thinking maybe Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or even Oliver Twist....I bought that for my gramp but think we lost him before he listened to it - shall have to ask my father who now has it - that would be quite a nice tribute to him and a good one to start with I think! Thanks everyone you have been very helpful.
Books --If you can't locate that device, the Sansa Clip+ is often on sale for $30 or less, and handles library books very well, as well as books you rip from CD's, and Audible.com items (if you think that's a worthwhile expense).
Booksdingle wrote: "I hope to give it a test run and see how I get on though my equipment may not be up to sctrach - I wont ve able to run from room to room doing housework will I unless I can carry CD player with me...."I put CD's into my DVD Player and use a wireless headphone (Sennheiser brand)through our audio receiver to listen to while I clean that way I don't have wires. Everytime I try to vacume with wired headphones they get caught and it makes me crabby!
Booksdingle wrote: "I hope to give it a test run and see how I get on though my equipment may not be up to sctrach - I wont ve able to run from room to room doing housework will I unless I can carry CD player with me...."Rebecca is one of my all time favorites! I also agree with John audiobooks are the best way to read the classics I've gotten a new appreciation for them since I started listening to them on audio. I would also recommend The Woman in Whiteby, Wilkie Collins I listened to it on audio and loved it but was shocked at what a chunkster it was and that may have stopped me from reading it in print!Which wold have been a shame because its a great book!
FYI - I checked and Amazon has the Sansa Clip 2GB for $27.00, the 4GB for $34.99 and the 8GB for $47.00. Not sure how long they will be at this price though so I would hurry & get it if you want it. The 4GB is plenty big enough for audiobooks.
Not only is 4GB enough, but Clip+'s take micro SD storage cards.
Ok Maybe it is cheating a little but i love it and miss less. I read and listen. stared with books on tape in my car. Then got an audible account when that came out and started to put them on my Gps when I drive. Now I put them on my zune and listen to them at work. I listen to a couple of books a week right now and love it. I only have an hour or two to read if I am lucky but I spend 10 hours a day listening to them at work. Also I am getting more out of it because I will skim when I read, just the long boring descptions. and most of the time the narrator adds to the enjoyment. but there are a few that are horrible and can make a book painfull. but not often. Bottom line I enjoy six more times the books.
Thanks all - as I am in the U.K. I shall have to convert the $'s but I get the point - I am useles with technology! Roll on the day when I earn enough to have a huge house with audio facility piped thru into every room! Am thinking I would probably listen to biographies and autobiographies on audio too and wouldn't particular read them unless someone I am really interested in. It could open up a whole extra world of opportunity and of accquired knowledge and entertainment and I think that can only be good!! Could also be useful for listening to authors whose stories you like but whose style of writing you don't.....I don't like huge long winded descriptive books for instance...always eager to get to the point!
I love the old fashioned way… And I really like having a lot of books in my shelf, but I also enjoy hearing Audiobooks. I don’t think I’m cheating at all…
Susie,I recently listened to The Woman in White and I so enjoyed it! I, too, don't think I would have tackled it in print. My audiobook edition had the history of the book. It was originally published as a serial story in a magazine. The author then published the story as a book, and mads some minor changes based on the readers' feedback. In one of the prologues to the book the author explains how he made the changes.
So interesting!!
Most of those Victorian novels were serialized in magazines - readers didn't face the daunting tomes we do today!
weateallthepies wrote: "Some people are very attached to books as the delivery method, you can see this with the disdain ebooks are treated by some people. I'm a reader, I like the content, the delivery method isn't so im..."I'm going to use that last line when I get asked about this in the future. Very well put!
I never seem to have the time to sit and make it through an entire book. The 30 minutes each way to work is a great way to get some reading in, not to mention that it is way more interesting than listening to music. I've listened to 60+ books in the past year and a half, there is no way I could have sat and read all of those!
Nena wrote: "@Catie, I am with you 100%! I also get so much work done especially tedious boring jobs that I would never finish if it were not for being "plugged in". Cooking is a joy now and so is vacuuming. ..."Nena, I am curious, how do you listen and vacuum at the same time? I'm afraid to turn up the volume loud enough to hear over the noise of the vacuum cleaner because I'm worried about damaging my hearing. As a result, I don't vacuum as often as I should, because I always listen to my mp3 when I do housework!
Catie, now that is a very good suggestion! Don't know why I didn't think of that! Thanks!
Listening to a book is not cheating as authors such as Dickens, Eyre, etc. were meant to be read aloud. Reading to each other was a bit form of entertainment before t.v. and radio. My folks and I have started doing it instead of watching t.v. together. It makes for lively discussions. The Monte Christo cigar was named from the book " the Count of Monte Christo" Since traditionally someone reads to the workers while they make cigars and the workers particularly loved the story by Alexander Dumas that they named the cigar as such to honor him. I think reading aloud is art and activity that's under appreciated. I love it! And it helps with books that have tough passages often. There's pronunciations to be learned, but I sometimes wish I could follow along with a text so that I could see how somethings are spelled and if it's a bad narrator sometimes I hear mispronunciations and it's maddening. Though I find with the ability to hear a snipit of the book read I don't get burned too often.
Nena wrote: "@ John, I cannot agree with you more about audio books saving lives. And do I mean literally. Two weekends ago, we took a day trip from NJ to Connecticut. On the way home, we were exhausted and I..."
I drive home 70 miles from Manhattan often as late as 1 or 2 in the morning. Listening to an interesting book can keep me awake where coffee and music can't. But it has to be an interesting story and a lively narrator. There are some that make me sleepy - in a good way - so I can't listen to them. I love Clarissa Pinkola Estes, but her voice is so lovely that it relaxes me too much at the late hours I have to listen to something more aggressive.
Audiobooks = not cheating ..... I believe it only exhibits one's cabability of intrepeting literature on muliple levels.
Hello, new to group and been an audible.com member for the past 4 years now. Thanks to audiobooks, I can once again enjoy stories and literatures that I no longer have time for with my busy lifestyle. Listening has also trained me to become more focused, but I still love the experience of picking up and reading a book.
My brother tells me it's "cheating" that I've listened to War and Peace. But he hasn't read or listened to it! I've listened to War and Peace, Les Misérables, The Bible Experience: Old Testament - three books with long stretches of "boring bits" - but because I was listening instead of reading, I couldn't skim ahead. I listened to every word - and because the narrators were excellent, mostly enjoyed those boring bits, too!
Does anybody ask if "skimming" a book while reading is cheating?
Carol wrote: "My brother tells me it's "cheating" that I've listened to War and Peace. But he hasn't read or listened to it! I've listened to War and Peace, [book:Les Misérables|24280..."
I don't think it's cheating per se. I think it's more impatience with having to shovel through drivel or sometimes it's just a need for better editing on the writing/publishing end of things.
When a narrator reads it (the boring parts), you "hear the difference" because they have to find e meaning in what they read and make it accessible to the listener or it won't make sense, but as we're reading it, sometimes we just want to move to where the action is, which is our choice, so we "do it".
Skimming does have its merits. If someone drones on and on about a matter, they lose me until they get back on point. Then they have my full attention. I use an Ipod when I listen to my books so I can speed up the narrator when "it" happens too.
I'm looking forward to listening to Les Mis aussi>
Books, whether listened to or read to oneself, are absorbed so I fail to see how that is cheating. Cliffnotes are cheating. Many Books before radio and television were meant to be read out loud and shared by people listening. It's only in the 20th Century that reading became almost consistantly a private matter.
You get a whole new experience when you listen to a book. I know I get a very different feel than when I read to myself quietly. While I do enjoy doing that as well, I love being read/told a story or information. It gives it a bit more life esp. with a good reader.
John – I agree with your comment about intro music! I wish the audio books producers would figure out that we just don't need that annoying music. For that matter I don't need any sound effects either. Maybe others like them but I just really like to get into the story.
The most important thing is a good reader, especially one whose voice is nimble enough to do different voices for different characters. I am currently listening to Ken Follett's Fall of Giants and there are so many characters that I could never keep them straight. The reader is absolutely brilliant doing multiple accents and voices. Welsh accents, upper-class English, Russian, German, and American. Just amazing. I feel fortunate that I was able to download such a wonderful book from our libraries media service.
The most important thing is a good reader, especially one whose voice is nimble enough to do different voices for different characters. I am currently listening to Ken Follett's Fall of Giants and there are so many characters that I could never keep them straight. The reader is absolutely brilliant doing multiple accents and voices. Welsh accents, upper-class English, Russian, German, and American. Just amazing. I feel fortunate that I was able to download such a wonderful book from our libraries media service.
I started listening to audio books about 20 years ago when my son was diagnosed with ADD. He was then allowed to receive Library of Congress Books on Tape. I remember the first book I ever listened to - Larry Niven's Ring World. My son and I listened to this together as we drove from VA to FL. It made the trip go so much faster. Since then, I have used his player a few times to catch a popular title. In Feb of this year I bought my first smart phone. Of course it will play mp3s. I started to listen to audio books via my phone. Since Feb, I have listened to 77 books! I could have never read that many books in that time.
No, I don't think listening to audio books is cheating.
@Brian - wow, 77 books since Feb is impressive. Obviously people actually let you alone to listen. For some reason, having my earbuds in my ears causes people to need to talk to me.
Lori, I listen just about any time that does not require full attention. Cutting the grass, shoveling snow and doing house chores. I am shooting for 100 in 2011.
Lori wrote: "@Brian - wow, 77 books since Feb is impressive. Obviously people actually let you alone to listen. For some reason, having my earbuds in my ears causes people to need to talk to me."Hi Lori, your comment about having earbuds causing people to talk to you made me laugh. I used to have exactly the same problem. I use my ipod loaded with audiobooks when doing the housework and cooking etc. Now my family know that if they intrude whilst I'm listening to a book, they have to give me 10 minutes of chores! They soon got fed up with folding washing, hoovering and cleaning the bath!
A lot of times, listening to a book takes longer than reading one, and you're less likely to skim. So it is definitely not cheating, especially if you also read other books the old fashioned way. Oh, and Chris, I love your idea about the chores. I do the same thing with my mp3 and people are always interrupting me. I don't think they'd take kindly to your idea, though. It seems they think they have a right to interrupt me. After all, I am the omnipotent wife and mother; I must know where everything and anything is.
Vanessa wrote: "A lot of times, listening to a book takes longer than reading one, and you're less likely to skim. So it is definitely not cheating, especially if you also read other books the old fashioned way. ..."
Vanessa: It taking longer was the initial reason I had a problem with audiobooks. I read pretty quickly. Nowadays, I've learned to love the pace of the narrator (provided he or she reads well) and get to enjoy all the nuances of the writing.
I still enjoy reading quickly, but I reserve that more for non fiction. Also with an IPOD I can speed up the narrator if the reading becomes tooooo slow. In the long run though I have found I can listen to far more books than I can read simply because I just can't read everywhere.
The only downfall I've discovered is that my ears begin to ache after a while. Anyone have that problem and know what to do about it?
@Brian and Chris - I had to go back and count. I may have missed one or two, but I can only come up with 35. Which is still almost 3 a month. It's also way more than I can read with my eyes. I also listen when I'm cleaning, mowing, gardening, exercising etc. However, if I don't have the lawn mower running to fend people off, they still feel the need to talk to me.
For me it's been 93 and counting (combo audio and visual books).
Joe wrote: "The only downfall I've discovered is that my ears begin to ache after a while. Anyone have that problem and know what to do about it? "What do you use - headphones, earphones (flat and sit on the inside of the outer ear), or earbuds (conical and fit into the ear canal)? I find earphones the most comfortable. If it's sound waves causing you problems, you may be more sensitive to the bass and need a earphone that reduces the vibration.
Janice wrote: "Joe wrote: "The only downfall I've discovered is that my ears begin to ache after a while. Anyone have that problem and know what to do about it? "What do you use - headphones, earphones (flat ..."
Janice: I use earphones, the ones that sit inside the ear. I tried earbuds, but they don't stay put for very long and they hurt and while I like headphones, they are cumbersome and I lose touch with the world around me (smile), but you just reminded me of something. There's a EQ on my IPOD that I can set for the spoken word that might make a difference.
Errrmmm... I've listened to 65 books this year, which is more than one per week! Shocking! I've read/listened to a total of 231, including the one I finished just a few minutes ago! Of course, that includes a few really short kids books and a couple of cookbooks and the like, but still... That's more than I'd like to admit to!
John wrote: "I guess there's a presumption that audiobooks are always abridged by definition among those who feel it's an "inferior" experience?"I guess it would depend on the genre. I listened to a Sophie Kinsella book, "Twenties Girl" as abridged and I don't feel like I missed anything, I considered it "fluff" anyhow. I, however, also listened to the abridged version of my favourite of the Outlander series "Voyager" by Diana Gabaldon and they left out a lot that I liked about the story and characters too.
Shoshanapnw wrote: ""Cheating" seems to imply that that there's a way to win."That is the BEST answer, hands down!
I think as long as you listen to the unabridged version it's the same as if you'd read the book.
I don't give a hoot if it is cheating or not. I have my self-help books on CD and I can just vacuum tons of information very quickly especially when I am riding the metro! I am more knowlegdeable and just a better person for it! I dare anyone to confront me about listening to my CD's and I am sure I will out smart them!
Audiobooks
Books mentioned in this topic
To Kill a Mockingbird (other topics)Earthly Pleasures (other topics)
Elsewhere (other topics)
Elsewhere (other topics)
Earthly Pleasures (other topics)
More...
I'm a bookkeeper and I work from home. Typing in all the receipts and doing reconciliations just uses a different part of brain. I find listening to an audio book helps me focus and not be distracted by the outside world.