The Bookworm Challenge discussion

How do people feel about audio books? I've never listened to one, but today for the first time I listened to a preview. It was weird haha, not because it was a bad recording or something. Anyway I wanted to hear how others felt! I feel like I'm cheating on my books!

I have tried audio books but I just don't have the right mind-set for them. I am easily distracted and can't follow the story. The only time I can really focus on an audio book is when I'm driving and since I no longer commute to work my time for listening is no longer there. I find that I really have to have the book (or e-reader) in my hands to stay focused. Audio just doesn't suit me, I guess it's because I'm a "visual" person...

I like audio books because they allow me to do other things and make it easier to do tedious things like cleaning house or walking for exercise. The narrator makes a big difference. I sometimes look for a book based on the narrator, which is not always easy to do.

I listen a lot to audio books! In the car, when walking, when cleaning, when knitting, well whenever... However not every book is a good audio book. It can't be too complicated or demanding a lot of concentration, because as Stephanie writes it´s easy to unfocus and the get lost, but you can always rewind!

Ann-Marie wrote: "I listen a lot to audio books! In the car, when walking, when cleaning, when knitting, well whenever... However not every book is a good audio book. It can't be too complicated or demanding a lot o..."

Is it actually easy to rewind? i dont even know yet what device i would use...i was planning on trying this while at work but i was thinking it would be difficult to rewind! not as easy as old fashioned cassette tapes lol

I love audiobooks. Out of the 140 books I read last year, 48 were audiobooks. I listen in the car, while doing housework, cooking dinner... I also enjoy jigsaw puzzles and will listen while I work on them. I have favorite narrators. Not every audiobook is good, but there are some truly amazing ones.

Michelle wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "I listen a lot to audio books! In the car, when walking, when cleaning, when knitting, well whenever... However not every book is a good audio book. It can't be too complicated or..."

Depends on how you're listening. Overdrive can be "rewound" 30 seconds at a time or from a menu you can go back to any chapter. Kindle has "immersion reading" which let's you go back and forth between listening and reading. If you miss something you can just switch to the book form and turn back a page or two.

I like to listen to audio books when I am scrapbooking or colouring in my adult colouring books. I find it relaxing. However, I do also feel like I'm "cheating" if I use them in the various challenges.

Connie wrote: "I like to listen to audio books when I am scrapbooking or colouring in my adult colouring books. I find it relaxing. However, I do also feel like I'm "cheating" if I use them in the various challen..."

Cheating? Nah. They are allowed, so definitely not cheating. No guilt here! :)

Michelle wrote: "How do people feel about audio books? I've never listened to one, but today for the first time I listened to a preview. It was weird haha, not because it was a bad recording or something. Anyway I ..."
Michelle,
Yes, I agree!
I think I listened to maybe a book or two via audio until last summer. I always felt I would miss something or I wouldn't get the intent or quality of reading. It also seemed like "cheating" (I guess I'm a snob?) ? Anyway, my library had a biography I was interested in but only via CD, "Maude". I enjoyed it immensely and if they offered it in another form, I would probably read it as well because it was so intriguing.
Since the beginning of the year, I have listened to three books. One of which I was also reading (so I was getting my fix in bigger doses). For me, I listen when doing housekeeping tasks or driving (I live in a large city with lots of traffic lights).
My conclusion is that if I want to "study" the book such as a classic work of fiction or I am wanting to learn a subject that is non-fiction books, I would probably stick with the paper version. I have enjoyed some books just as much listening as much as reading.
So, cheat away (I will keep your secret if you keep mine).

Wanda wrote: "I like audio books because they allow me to do other things and make it easier to do tedious things like cleaning house or walking for exercise. The narrator makes a big difference. I sometimes loo..."
Yes! I listen to a lot of audio books, because I like them better than music for things that don't occupy much of my mind, but must be done (like housework).

Rhonda--I'm another fan of jigsaws, and love to listen to a book while I do them!

Michelle wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "I listen a lot to audio books! In the car, when walking, when cleaning, when knitting, well whenever... However not every book is a good audio book. It can't be too complicated or..."

I listen to audiobooks from Audible (in the app) and there it is very easy to rewind or go back one or two chapters. I also listen to audio books with the Swedish app Storytel.

I just finished listening to my first audio book today. I listened during my drive to work and found I was able to stay focused. It was an autobiography narrated by the author, so it was pretty cool to hear them tell me about their life story. When I've tried other books in the past I would get distracted and forget to listen. Can I count this one for the challenge since i didn't technically read it?

You may hear from Stephanie on this, but absolutely you can count it. I do and I know others do as well.

Rhonda wrote: "I just finished listening to my first audio book today. I listened during my drive to work and found I was able to stay focused. It was an autobiography narrated by the author, so it was pretty coo..."

You absolutely can count it! I'm not normally an audio book person but the exception to this is memoirs or autobiographies read by the author. One of my favorites from last year was Rob Lowe's memoir. I really connected to his story, mostly because he was reading it to me. I also like to listen to any fiction that is read by the author, particularly if it's Neil Gaiman... I love that guy!