Interact: Discussions: Audiobooks?

So i was just wondering if anybody here actually enjoys Audiobooks.

My problem is quite simple; i always fall asleep. I cannot listen to an audiobook without dozing off within minutes of pressing play. Even when i'm not tired at all. I would love to be able to listen to them - and have tried to dozens of times - i just can't seem to do it!

I know a few people who listen to audiobooks whilst driving. I wouldnt even consider doing that, as i can see getting charged with Vehicular Manslaughter being the only result.

But yeah, are you a fan of Audiobooks?

Leah F

Currently reading: The Mists of Avalon
Friends (6)
Send message

I feel like an idiot just sitting and listening but if I do somthing else while they are on I don't pay attention. That could be down to my manish inability to multitask though.

Sam Smith

Currently reading: The Illearth War
Friends (3)
Location: Isle of Skye
Send message

I think the accent/tone/'acting' of the audiobook plays a part in polarising views if it's viewed as a 'book'. 

When viewed as 'media' it's not quite fully fledged as a movie soundtrack and is a halfway house.

Arguably the propensity to cause vehicular manslaughter is higher when reading and driving, than with the former

Prefer reading than audio as you can't 'speed up'

Kwen Wan

Currently reading: Nothing
Friends (29)
Location: Reading - seriously, *Reading*
Send message

they're great for long car journeys. Terry Pratchett read by Tony Robinson, doesn't get much better than that.

charles denton

Currently reading: The Noodle Maker
Friends (14)
Location: London
Send message

I have an audiobook of "Pride & Prejudice" that I enjoy, although being so famliiar with the book, I keep spotting where it's been abridged.  For some reason it's considered impolite to mention abridgement on the packaging you're using to decide whether to buy the thing in the first place.

Personally I get a lot out of listening to readings and dramatisations on BBC Seven.  They don't interfere with other activities, and if you miss a bit, there's always the repeats!  Also a very cheap and easy way of discovering what books you might (or might not!) like.

Buffy Squirrel

Currently reading: Middle Sea: A...
Friends (13)
Location: Kent
Send message Read blog

I have some on my ipod but I always read the book first and I would try to make sure I download the complete unabridged version (if possible) I prefer to read but sometimes (maybe if unwell) it is good to have an audio book to listen to in the dark. I really like podcast as they are not in book format anyway I follow quite a lot of these. Audio books definitely need a good narrator.

Beverley S

Currently reading: Mac OS X Leopard...
Friends (4)
Send message

I'd prefer reading a book over an audio book anytime, but then again I haven't actually tried one. Would something read by Vincent Price, like 'The Raven' or 'Fall of the House of Usher' count?

I'm more partial to narrated horror stories.

K Wan

Currently reading: Never Let Me Go
Friends (12)
Location: Worthing
Send message

I remember listening to 'The Northern Lights' by Phillip Pullman on audio books whilst on a long car journey back when i was younger.  For me that was good as i used to get car-sick alot and so it kept my mind occupied.

I , inevitably, didn't finish it and so had to carry on listening when i was going to bed, but that resulted in my falling asleep without pushing stop and so i had to keep rewinding the tapes to get to the point where i left off.

Personally I prefer a good Hardcopy book.

James Coogan

Currently reading: Dreamsongs: A...
Friends (1)
Location: Isle of Skye
Send message

My first audiobook was Engleby http://www.bookrabbit.com/catalogue/detail/bookid/3118646/Engleby - which I found myself listening to after my daily commute changed from a train journey to driving. It is beautifully ready by Michael Maloney.

I prefer reading a phyical book, but if you're stuck in a car then I couldn't recommend it more.

Will Jones

Currently reading: On Green Dolphin...
Friends (34)
Location: London
Send message

I always think that non-fiction and comedy find a more natural, happy home in audio format.

Maybe it's because you can pick up either at any point and still make sense of the content without necessarilly needing to know the preceeding issues - making them great for the car because of the broken nature of many journeys.

Adam Le Dieu

Currently reading: The Shrinking Man
Friends (42)
Location: London
Send message Read blog