On audiobooks

[Letho]

So, I was just wondering, what are your thoughts on audiobooks? I have to admit that the last time I listened to something like that, I was like 5-ish or something and I think it was "Little Prince" I listened to. Which I found very very spooky back then. At any rate, since then I don't think I listened to a single one.

Partially it's because I didn't have access to any and partially it's because it seldom crossed my mind. I mean, when I started to read (and consequently write) things in English, books were much easier to find and the few times I actually considered audiobooks I found myself looking skeptically at it. In a way, I still do. Mostly it's because nowadays I look at it as a writer (mediocre though I might be, but still a writer), and I find that I can learn much more from reading the book then from listening to someone reading it.

On the flip side, English is not my native language, so I could probably learn a thing or two from listening someone read a book as well. Because while I can write decently, my speech probably sounds like something a Russian character would speak in a B movie. :P

At any rate, what are your feelings on audiobooks, Althanas?

[Taskmienster]

I'd rather read books, personally. I've never really liked sitting and listening to someone else read, not even when I was a kid, always wanted my own book and to be left alone. Though, that's partly ADD and partly SAD I'm pretty sure. lol.

anyway, that's just my take. Though, I could understand your idea about listening to the language. Off Topic... What do you speak? How'd you learn English? And how often do other people around you speak it?

Also, you write really well and have a diverse vocabulary when writing... I'm sure that anyone that talked to you might have a little bit of trouble at first, but after a little bit of getting used to the accent I doubt there would be any problem understanding after that.

[Amaril Torrun]

I get more out of reading books than listening to them, maybe because it is so much easier to reread a missed sentence than to rewind the tape. I've listened to a few on tape though and enjoyed them. They can come in handy for long road trips as well.

[Amen]

I've personally never tried to listen to an audio book, but I'm not against the idea. I think there's probably something lost for us as writers in just listening to someone read, but I think there's plenty to gain as well. I'm sure it has value in improving us as speakers, for example, and a story is a story no matter how it gets in your head.

On the language/accent note: I've actually found that non-native speakers of English, when they really put their minds to it, can become absolutely incredible writers. I had a Dutch friend a few years ago who basically taught himself English, and he had some of the densest, tightest writing you can imagine. And don't worry about having an accent. Chicks dig accents.

[Slavegirl]

I grew up having books read to me, and as strange as it may sound, I still love it. Now I read out loud to my son all the time (he's six) and he loves it that I do all the voices for the different characters. Honestly I think I have this weird thing of reading everything sort of out loud to myself - it's how I proofread and it's the books that I can't enjoyably read out loud that I usually dislike. I'm sure audiobooks would have some allure for me, but I guess I still prefer reading them out loud to myself rather than listening to someone else do it.

[Revenant]

The few times I have had to drive across the United States, Audio Books were a godsend. But I do prefer having a real live book to deal with.

[The International]

It depends on the situation. Nowadays I'm on the road alot, and it works because I'm fully awake and I can really listen to the book being read. However, when my lifestyle becomes more sedentary (soon to come), I'll only be able to listen to audiobooks when I'm going to sleep. That's when I fall asleep before I get to the chapter I want to get to, and that's why it took me a YEAR to finish the Da Vinci Code... damnit!

[Letho]

anyway, that's just my take. Though, I could understand your idea about listening to the language. Off Topic... What do you speak? How'd you learn English? And how often do other people around you speak it?I'm Croatian, so naturally Croatian is my native language, and it's significantly different from English. I started picking up English from movies and such when I was a wee kid, then I continued learning it in school, but I ironed out a lot of the creases in my writing here on Althanas. Because, while I think my teachers were adequate, you don't get to understand the intricacies of a language unless you're in constant contact with it. That's basically the problem with my speech. Nobody around me speaks it.

I've personally never tried to listen to an audio book, but I'm not against the idea. I think there's probably something lost for us as writers in just listening to someone read, but I think there's plenty to gain as well. I'm sure it has value in improving us as speakers, for example, and a story is a story no matter how it gets in your head.The problem I see is that listening to a language isn't nearly as effective as actually communicating (or trying to) using that language. However, at least for me, there's still something to gain from listening to audiobooks. For one, on the TV mostly what you hear is dialogue, while in the audiobooks you listen to everything. On top of that, listening to someone else reading the story has a different touch, almost returns one to the olden days when stories were told around fires by someone with a gift of eloquence.

The few times I have had to drive across the United States, Audio Books were a godsend. But I do prefer having a real live book to deal with.I was thinking along the same lines. There is a number of jobs or chores or activities that require little or no thinking, but still keep your hands busy. Like washing the dishes. And if it piles up like it does in my place, you can listen for a couple of chapters for sure before you're done. :P


The thing that bugs be a bit about audiobooks is that it can easily be associated with laziness. I mean, it's so much easier to just pop in a tape, kick back and listen to someone tell the story then reading every word of it. And then soon enough you get used to it and use books to keep your table balanced or your doors from shutting.

[Saxon]

I read the transcripts from audio books.

[Esmerelda]

I'd listen to audiobooks, if they did Voice acting with different actors for the parts. You know, make it interesting.

[Zook Murnig]

I read the transcripts from audio books.

Heh, I remember when that was what got me to read my first Harry Potter book. But personally, I can't stand audiobooks. My mom likes them, but I can't focus on someone reading constantly on a tape.

As for listening on road trips, I'd rather have some NPR or other non-pundit talk radio. There's learnin' in them there public radio stations!