The Next Best Book Club discussion
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To audio or not? That is the question.
WOW!!! Where to begin...Comparing Lori to Sarah Palin for stating her opinion on audiobooks isn't just insulting, it's absurd.
My opinions regarding audiobooks have been made known in post #5. As you can see, I offer nothing but respect to people who can enjoy audiobooks and can retain the information relayed in that medium. However, in addition to those reasons, I am drawn away from audiobooks because:
* The pace is too slow. I can read a book silently at 4 times the rate, allowing me to get to many more books.
* I frequently flip back and forth in my books and would find it frustrating to have to change or back up discs to get to where I wanted to be, as Lori mentioned. (P.S. Not everyone has MP3 players.)
* I dislike having a narrator use a specific tone that contrasts with one the author may have intended or the one that I may have used in my head.
* And finally, audiobooks don't really mesh well with my lifestyle. I am a stay-at-home-mom of two small children and I don't have the opportunities to just tune them out to listen to audiobooks. Other people have posted about using audiobooks when they are commuting to work and/or going on business trips. As I said, I'm a SAHM and my commute is about as long as the distance from my bedroom to the living room. As for business trips, I don't think I'd get more than a few sentences in during my 1/2 mile trek to the grocery store, which is about as much of a business trip as I get. So none of that is applicable to my life.
I don't think you need to chastise anyone for their opinions on the subject matter...something that I've noticed getting more and more apparent as your posting goes on. I don't appreciate the gross generalizations you offer up about people who do not enjoy audiobooks...that we have preconceived negative attitudes, that we are fearful of trying new things, that we are insecure.
You are allowed to like audiobooks and other people are allowed to dislike them. There is no reason to continue to bully people for their opinions.
Charity how funny!! and how different being a SAHM is for us moms! (and SAH Dads) The only time I get to "read" is on the way to the grocery store! but soon I think that might change too. as mine are starting to request my attention!
LOL, Sarah! I completely understand. Sometimes I begin to think that the school years can't come soon enough. Isn't that evil? Ha ha.
OK, some people like to audio, some don't. It's okay. No need to insult people for disagreeing with you, S.G. Wow. What ever happened to respecting others' right to be different?
S.G., another lesser known benefit of reading books is that they improve your own writing skills (spelling, grammar) in ways that I don't think an audiobook can accomplish. Try it, you'd find that "Insecurity's" is actually insecurities, loser is not spelled looser and "many people feel to re-read a work they like" could be constructed in such a way as to actually make sense.Just a thought. Take it as you will...
I think audio books are good for two things: keeping the kids quiet when you're car-pooling (we've just finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) or keeping the driver awake on an endless road trip. But a narrator's personal idiosyncracies can begin to seem like speech impediments after a while.
Sarah thanks; I’m glad someone caught on. I guess the word insecure was too strong … unsure? I’m sure many have re-read a book for other reason than that they simply love the story, and that was all I was trying to probe. I have been working on Ulysses forever.You ask; “is not reading everything by one author somewhat the same as re-reading specific books?” Good point, have not thought of it that way. It is easy to fall into a writer you really like, even easier with a great narration to boot… There is no right /wrong. But I think your mind might like some variation? Like Monty Python say, “and now for something completely ….”
We do seem to have many anti audiobooks “not wanting to try it at any cost” members. What keeps me going is the simple pleasure I hear back from someone that started using the medium. So, march on you lonely audiobook souls don’t “listen” to these tree choppers.
“ To audio or not? That is the question”.
So, march on you lonely audiobook souls don’t “listen” to these tree choppers. Disregarding the fact that it's totally a false comparison, creating new tech gadgets upon which we listen to audiobooks has a far greater impact on the environment than printing books on paper. Environmental advocacy is never as simple as "stop cutting down trees." You have to look at the environmental cost of the alternative you're advocating.
For example, most cell phones/PDAs/iPods use rare precious minerals that have to be extracted from mountains in Africa. These mountains also happen to be the last existing habitat for critically endangered mountain gorillas. Increased demand for these minerals puts pressure on the gorillas, brings them into closer contact with humans, leads to increased poaching, toxic waste from the mines mixes with the water supply which weakens the already weak animals, etc. etc. So you have to measure the costs of both books and audio-players.
Should old-growth forests be cut down for the next James Patterson novel? No. But they're not. Most paper is made from post-consumer product recycling and the small amount of virgin wood that is used comes from new forests that are planted and overseen by the logging companies, not from the spotted owl's habitat.
Ugh. Just, ugh.
Dude, audiobooks have their place, but comparing them to real books is just not comparing papayas to papayas. Listening to somebody read to you is NOT the same as reading to yourself. PERIOD. End of story.
As far as reading multiple books by the same author, I guess it can be discussed and pondered over, but I don't get the point of really liking a book or what an author has to say and then never going back to them. The initial reason I started reading was for pure enjoyment. If I didn't get the enjoyment, I would not be the compulsive reader I am today. As time went on I found that, at least from my own perspective, reading expands my horizons and provides self education, yet I still don't think I would constantly read if it were not for enjoyment. Thus being the reason for reading multiple books by the authors of my choice. In fact, I would venture to guess that most people have read an author more than once but at the same time I haven't seen anybody's booklist that has only one author.
As far as reading multiple books by the same author, I guess it can be discussed and pondered over, but I don't get the point of really liking a book or what an author has to say and then never going back to them. The initial reason I started reading was for pure enjoyment. If I didn't get the enjoyment, I would not be the compulsive reader I am today. As time went on I found that, at least from my own perspective, reading expands my horizons and provides self education, yet I still don't think I would constantly read if it were not for enjoyment. Thus being the reason for reading multiple books by the authors of my choice. In fact, I would venture to guess that most people have read an author more than once but at the same time I haven't seen anybody's booklist that has only one author.
Re: Ug. Just, ugh."tree choppers",... tongue in cheek, download able audiofiles not.
Nah, I'll pass. I listen to audio books but cannot be convinced they should replace reading or are better than reading. It is really a useless argument for myself. It is fantastic that you feel the way you do, but you just can't convince some people of some things by arguing.
In no way do I think that anyone should read only one work by any one author!! The only way to examine a writer's point of view is by reading multiple exams of his/her work. I was suggesting that when a reader picks up the 14th book by said writer, when is it time to move on? I know that (as a teen) I could only read so many Christopher Pike books until finally I got bored. and the only reason I kept going back was either laziness or fear of newness. (not sure which as that was over 15 years ago) and as an adult (post-college), James Patterson could only entice me to his books a handful of times until I realized I was reading the same story over again (maybe in a different setting or a new set of circumstances but the same none the less). I think that if you enjoy a novel/book enough to re-read it, have at it!! Read it as many times as you enjoy it. I firmly believe you should read a book until you no longer gain something or learn something from it. And scoop up as many novels, poetry collections, short stories etc. that your fav author publishes! I agree with you Jeremy. Read for pleasure! or for class if you must.
Mod
what the heck is wrong with stating that an audiobook is not my cup of tea? Since when does my statement that audiobooks tend to cause me to zone out INSULT other audiobook listeners?
I DO NOT accept your appology.
I will ask you to cease and desist ASAP or you will be reported and booted from the group.
You picked the wrong time to attack me and my members. This has got to STOP.
I WILL NOT tolerate poor behavior in these threads. The way you have behaved is UNACCEPTABLE!
HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR????????????????
Mod
I try so hard to keep these threads clean of things like this, and yet, every now and then, some creep or self-serving pompous ass slides in under my radar.
And then you see what happens... the usually well posed, and normally calm and respectful moderator must drop down to thier level to spell things out loud and clear so there are no miscommunications in the future.
I am truely sorry. It should not come to this. Please do not let SG or my reaction to his nasty posts ruin your posting pleasures here at TNBBC.
Wow. Comparing Lori to Sarah Palin is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Good god, take a joke.
Truly goony stuff. Truly. I just wish you didn't have to come home from work and see it, Lori, but alas...Cheer up, the weekend's here!! Time to read!
Now, that was all just ridiculous. I agree -- don't push your opinions on everyone else and call them insecure or all that, just because they don't want to listen to a book being read. They're not the ones going out and "chopping down trees." Anyways, I prefer to read a book. Can't remember who said it, but I do have trouble focusing on an audiobook, if I'm on the train to work (which is most of my commute). It's easy to get caught up in the actual words I'm reading, than it is to block out the background noises over my iPod. I don't know, I'm weird like that. I guess my first audiobook experience wasn't the best. It was The Notebook and the narrator (the boss from Seinfeld, I can't think of his name!) was just weird for the part. I'm not writing off giving it another try at some point, though.
Audio books have a spot on my shelves, but not for every day. Long road trips are the only time I really listen to them. There's nothing like the weight of a book in my hands, or the smell of a new book. I know I have too many but I can't stop buying new ones.Audios I recommend...
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - read by Stephen Fry (almost too funny to listen to while driving)
Harry Potter (american version read by Jim Dale, brit version by Stephen Fry - really like them both)
And for what it's worth...the only Plain worthy of any attention is Monty Python's Michael Palin. Send the rest of them back to Alaska and seal the borders.
Way to go laying down the law, Lori. You rock!
I can not hold back and refrain from making a comment.There is nothing wrong with expressing opinions about things you feel passionate about. I do it all the time.
However, it saddens me to see these threads go down a path of negative tone....be it audio or politics.
But sometimes people in this group feel their passion is the end all and if you don't agree with their opinion, they feel the need to insult you.
This is not the place for this type of banter. I have been a member of this group since this summer and I have really enjoyed it. There are some really great people on here. Especially the moderator! She makes this group what it is.
To all:Like Stephanie and others, I'm gonna jump this back into the audio discussion. I'm "reading" Shopgirl: A Novella by Steve Martin, read by Steve Martin. So far (not quite half way through) Martin is a great narrator, but the dialogue (little that there is) has fallen flat. Unless, his point is to convey how boring the conversations are by sliding quickly past them with little emotion.
I've had a few dud narrators, but I've had some phenomenal ones, too. I would say I probably "read" 2-3 audios a month, and 4-7 paper books a month. This gives me a nice total each month, and with audios I'm always working on a book.
I LOVE MY PAPER BOOKS! AND I LOVE REREADING MY FAVORITE BOOKS!
I do like some audio but I like having a book. I haven't listened to a ton of audio. Usually road trips. I like it that way.
I do like some audio but I like having a book. I haven't listened to a ton of audio. Usually road trips. I like it that way.
LOL Stephanie!! I do the same thing! I'm always dividing the pages read and to be read by quarters and halves. I'm compelled to do this every time I read and love the sense of accomplishment I get when I make it to a third or a half of the book. Another pleasurable reason why I prefer books to audio!As to S.G. and remarks made to our moderator,not cool dude!
I have never listened to an Audio book and I don't plan on it.Love my books!!!
Would rather learn by sight than by sound. I'm not a good listener anyway.
Mod
I don't think I will be giving audiobooks a try any time soon, for several reasons:1) Some have said that they like them because audiobooks allow them to do several things at once. I, on the other hand, prefer to do ONE thing at a time. When I read, I give the book my undivided attention, and I want it to stay that way :) (also, I am a TERRIBLE multitasker despite the usual generalisation that women excel at it. I literally SUCK at multitasking. Walking + chewing gum at the same time is where I draw the line...)
2) Related to #1, I have a very short attention span, and my audio memory/concentration skills are sorely lacking (people have different memory/concentration skills... mine are mainly visual), so chances are I would zone out in 10 minutes tops.
3) I prefer to imagine the characters' voices, tones, reactions, etc. on my own, instead of having the narrator's interpretation handed to me in a silver platter.
4) My commute consists of a 30-minute bus-ride, so I prefer to take a short-story book with me and block out everything else.
I admit, though, if I ever find myself in the position of having to deal with a long, daily commute in which I had to drive, I might rethink my position. But I do not foresee that in my near future :)
I found the same thing Fiona.Audio books here in Canada run you about 40 dollars or more,almost more then double the price of a good quality trade paperback,and still more than a hardback copy which can run anywhere from 27 to 36 dollars. Pretty expensive overall.
I'm with you guys, I could never afford to buy them. I'm lucky though in that my library has a good selection. Esp. of the really popular stuff like HP, Twilight, all the classics, etc. I agree they are much too expensive.
I get my audios at audible.com. For your monthly fee you get 1 credit per month which will get you most books. Then after that if you choose to buy more they are discounted.
Since I only do the audio books when I travel, I use my public library to check them out. I agree that they are awfully expensive to buy.
Kristie Faye - I was doing audible.com as well. It's a pretty good program. Recently, I quit to try to save money and have been getting my audio books from the library. It has been great and I've been amazed at how many titles they have. You do have to wait for some of the new releases, but there are always others to listen to in the meantime.
Wow, Lori, a firm hand... I like it! As for S.G... haven't seen any more posts from him... or her? But someone had made a comment about how reading books improves your spelling and grammar skills. I completely agree! Perhaps S.G should pick up a book snd put down the audio books for a while. Really not trying to be insulting but did anyone else really understand what S.G was saying? Poor sentence structure, poor grammar etc... I had a hard time following... many of his/her posts did not really make sense.
Not to mention that audio books are not more environmentally friendly and are also more expensive.
I never had a desire for audiobooks until a couple years back when I had a spat of REALLY BORING temp jobs (re: filing 8 hours a day.) The only thing that kept me sane were audiobooks I checked out from the library, and I was converted. They are also great for very long drives, but I'm sure a few people have mentioned that here already.I experienced most of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" via the audiobooks. I highly recommend the ones narrated by Tim Curry. They are incredibly entertaining. Curry does a great job of doing different voices and capturing the story. Daniel Handler narrates several of the books as well, and I'm sorry to say - though he is the creator of a marvelous book series - he does not do as good of a job narrating the story as Curry does.
I listened to some David Sedaris, too, and I actually enjoyed it more than reading his books. He's a great storyteller. Robert Baer's "See No Evil" and Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" also very enjoyable on audiobook.
For me, nothing will ever replace the pleasure of holding a book in my hands and getting lost in the pages, but I think audiobooks have their place. I think the storytelling is a big part of it. Sometimes you just want someone to tell you a really good story. And sometimes it provides a welcome distraction, like driving long distances or doing an immense amount of filing.
Sorry, I rambled.
I wonder if it has anything to do with our learning styles? I know some people are auditory learners, but that's not me at all. If I'm going to really learn something I have to write it down, re-read it, and sometimes even re-write it. I think that's how the majority of people learn. But for that smaller percentage of auditory learners, it seems like audiobooks would absolutely make sense.
JG, That is one of the main reasons why I realized audiobooks weren't for me. I tried it and honestly didn't retain much of what I had read. I have known my learning style for quite some time, so had avoided audio for a long time. I am glad I tried it, but it really isn't for me. I have to actually see and hold the book and sometimes even write in my book in order to retain the information.
I just remembered. Audios helped with Shakespeare in college. I'd read along with the audio and I would be able to retain more.
When I was a sophomore in high school, we read Othello and my teacher just put the audio version on and we were supposed to follow along in the book. Well at 15 years old and at 7:30 in the morning, that put me right to sleep.
JG-Funny you should mention about learning styles, b/c I am not an auditory learner (I'm read/write and kinesthetic). I know I won't retain so the books in the car are purely for enjoyment purposes.
I have found that mysteries are frustrating for me in audio form, b/c when something sounds familiar or suspicious I like to flip backwards in my book to double-check my memory. Can't do that with an audiobook.
I listened to Stephen King's On Writing as an audiobook, which was awesome b/c he narrated. But, I immediately went online when I was done and bought the hardback version. I knew King was trying to teach me things I wouldn't possibly remember, and like a reference text I needed it there to refer to again and again. If someone asked me which format I would prefer for this book, I think the first and third portions(his "memoirs") better in audio, and the middle third in paper version.
I'm about 72/25 (paper/audio). The nicest thing about audio is it's consistent. No matter how busy my home life is (precluding me from being able to read), every time I commute to work I'm still working on a book. So, I'm consistently completing a book at all times. Silly, but that makes me feel good!
I love listening to audio books during my commute to work; sometimes an hour depending on traffic. Now I feel lost if I don't have one to listen to! I have tried to listen to them during other times; brought them in the house when I'm almost finished...just wasn't the same! Couldn't get into it at all, even if I was just messing with pictures, on the computer, etc. Thanks for recommending "The Thirteenth Tale"!
The Thirteenth Tale is great now matter how you "read" it. And a good one for this time of year, too!
Jeremy, it is funny that you say that. While I didn't listen to Shakespeare while reading, I did read it aloud and did find that it really helped.I do that with Olde English as well.
Thanks to Angela I have to read Playing for pizza. The story doesn't really seem original and I don't think I would care for it much if Angela wouldn't have typed: italian league team (actually just italian)and northern Italy.....I know..it's a lame reason to want to read a book.
I have a question for the people who read audio books, or better said listen to them. I never read audio books and aren't really thinking about it but this is my question....when you are listening to the book, do you go and sit down and just listen. Or do you do other things while listening? If you do other things, do you really manage to get completely absorbed by the story like when you would be reading the book yourself?
I hadn't checked on this thread in a while-WOW! It's funny what somepeople will argue about. I love books, I love audio books, I would probably love books in any format (except maybe reading on the computer-don't think I'd get into that)
I usually only listen to an audiobook in the car but if I'm really into the book or trying to get through it quickly I will listen in the house too. I don't ever just sit there and listen-when I have the time to sit I prefer to read, not listen. If I do listen in the house I listen while I cook dinner, do dishes, fold laundry, etc. It's harder to concentrate in the house because I have a husband and a two year old but it does make chores less aversive.
Right now I'm listening to The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison which is narrated by the fabulous Lynn Thigpen. She's wonderful.
I always do something while listening to a book - or else I would be reading. Sometimes I do lose track of it, then I just rewind. If I find I'm losing track too much, I give up and play music. But depending on the performance of the reader(s), it can actually be more absorbing (for me, at least).I think they both have their place.
I like audio books for those books that I am mildly interested in, but don't necessarily want to invest a lot of time reading.I used to have an hour commute to work each morning and I would listen to them on the drive. It was wonderful.
While I wouldn't say it is the same as "reading the book," you do know what it is about and can participate in a discussion, which is the important thing.
I have never ever read an audio book but i can attraction and why people enjoy them.In fact, I've been considering it myself recently. I'm about to finally embark on the buying of a car (shock! horror!) after many months of deliberation and I must admit the lure of listening to someone reading to me whilst I drive is very appealing. The only problem is I hope it's a good narrator and not a drony one or someone who sends you to sleep (that wouldn't be too good in a car...!)
Good idea Jeremy!"Audios helped with Shakespeare in college. I'd read along with the audio and I would be able to retain more. "
The Next Best Book Club
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There were and are times in my life that I can and cannnot listen to books. Now is a time in which listening is the only way I can "read" books. With two toddlers running around, a husband who is gone more than half the year, and being pregnant to boot, the only time I have to read is driving time. Because come bed-time I am exhausted!!
as for the re-reading of books,
There are many books that NEED to be re-read!! Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, Gulliver's Travels. are just three books that can be read purely for the fun by adventure loving children and again by adults for the social commentary they provide.
but to play devil's advocate (as I think SG might have been attempting to do) is not reading everything by one author somewhat the same as re-reading specific books? Do you think sometimes it is because as readers, we too get stuck in "writers block" type ruts? Again just asking (because I myself have been known to stick to a few select authors..JC Oates to name one).