I have a strong preference for audio when the narration is great (for most genres). Most of the time, regular speed narration sounds unnaturally, gratingly slow to me. My default speed these days is around 1.75x, but I alter the speed up or down depending on: the production, the accents, how tired I am, how much I want to savor the writing, or how quickly I want to get past parts I am not enjoying.
I wouldn’t be able to read nearly as much if I couldn’t listen to audiobooks on fast speed while my hands were occupied with other things. The biggest downside is that I rarely get around to giving books another try in other formats when I DNF audiobooks unless I hear reviewers (like you) mention that it makes a difference.
Thanks for encouraging me to try to be more self-aware about why I am DNFing audiobooks. I will try to at least sample ebook editions too more often in the future. Although sometimes it is hard to tell that a book may be better in another format when the narrator does not seem problematic. For example, I had not previously thought to try The Appeal visually when it did not work for me as an audiobook.
I tried twice to read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans as an eBook and just couldn't get into it. Crazy, because I usually love epistolary books. Then a friend recommended the audiobook, and I loved it. It is probably the first audiobook I've listened to that was recorded by an ensemble of narrators.
I read the paperback editions of the first four volumes of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, and I'll admit it took some time to read them. Then for volumes 5 through 8, I switched to the audiobooks, which were delightful. (I read these books after listening to your podcast where you recommended them. Thank you!)
At any given time, I like to have a physical book, an ebook, and an audiobook going, so wherever I find myself, a book is close at hand. I especially love audiobooks for when I'm working in my garden or mowing the lawn. (Currently, most of the books I'm reading were written in the early to mid 20th century.)
Loved your breakdown, Meredith. I usually check to see the narration first and if good, I’ll read on audio at 1x because I love the performance of it and I love not rushing. I also love non fiction on audio at 20-30 mins a day because I can process the concepts before the next day’s session. I almost never read print these days unless borrowed from a friend because I don’t like to strain my eyes, my Kindle can be adjusted for size and light.
Being in the season of life that I am (two toddlers under 3 years + FT job) I am currently almost consistently doing audiobooks. It’s a way I can listen while I’m doing laundry, dishes, or sweeping up whatever disaster is left behind from whatever they decided to play with and abandon five minutes later.
It’s hard for to find focus if I sit down to read when there is chaos, screaming and a tv playing some bright animated show in the background.
I read aloud to my wife as we lay in bed trying to get everyone to sleep. But once that happens, I am just too tired to read anything else.
There are definitely books I’ve done in audio that I plan to go back to in paper form because they just didn’t work well but I think I may enjoy them if I find time to read the paperback.
I have a strong preference for audio when the narration is great (for most genres). Most of the time, regular speed narration sounds unnaturally, gratingly slow to me. My default speed these days is around 1.75x, but I alter the speed up or down depending on: the production, the accents, how tired I am, how much I want to savor the writing, or how quickly I want to get past parts I am not enjoying.
I wouldn’t be able to read nearly as much if I couldn’t listen to audiobooks on fast speed while my hands were occupied with other things. The biggest downside is that I rarely get around to giving books another try in other formats when I DNF audiobooks unless I hear reviewers (like you) mention that it makes a difference.
Totally hear you. I wonder if there's a time of day you could grab 15 minutes to experiment with something in print or on an e-reader?
Thanks for encouraging me to try to be more self-aware about why I am DNFing audiobooks. I will try to at least sample ebook editions too more often in the future. Although sometimes it is hard to tell that a book may be better in another format when the narrator does not seem problematic. For example, I had not previously thought to try The Appeal visually when it did not work for me as an audiobook.
I tried twice to read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans as an eBook and just couldn't get into it. Crazy, because I usually love epistolary books. Then a friend recommended the audiobook, and I loved it. It is probably the first audiobook I've listened to that was recorded by an ensemble of narrators.
I read the paperback editions of the first four volumes of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, and I'll admit it took some time to read them. Then for volumes 5 through 8, I switched to the audiobooks, which were delightful. (I read these books after listening to your podcast where you recommended them. Thank you!)
At any given time, I like to have a physical book, an ebook, and an audiobook going, so wherever I find myself, a book is close at hand. I especially love audiobooks for when I'm working in my garden or mowing the lawn. (Currently, most of the books I'm reading were written in the early to mid 20th century.)
Loved your breakdown, Meredith. I usually check to see the narration first and if good, I’ll read on audio at 1x because I love the performance of it and I love not rushing. I also love non fiction on audio at 20-30 mins a day because I can process the concepts before the next day’s session. I almost never read print these days unless borrowed from a friend because I don’t like to strain my eyes, my Kindle can be adjusted for size and light.
Being in the season of life that I am (two toddlers under 3 years + FT job) I am currently almost consistently doing audiobooks. It’s a way I can listen while I’m doing laundry, dishes, or sweeping up whatever disaster is left behind from whatever they decided to play with and abandon five minutes later.
It’s hard for to find focus if I sit down to read when there is chaos, screaming and a tv playing some bright animated show in the background.
I read aloud to my wife as we lay in bed trying to get everyone to sleep. But once that happens, I am just too tired to read anything else.
There are definitely books I’ve done in audio that I plan to go back to in paper form because they just didn’t work well but I think I may enjoy them if I find time to read the paperback.