Discussions Only We Know - Audiobooks

Discussions Only We Know

Audiobooks

Do you listen to audiobooks? Why or why not? And here's a question for you...when you do a review of a book, do you always disclose if it was an audiobook? Why or why not? Do you think it's unethical not to disclose that fact?

I do listen to audiobooks, though not as often as I'd like. Audiobooks are expensive and my book funds are tight as it is. I do occasionally come across some audiobooks from the library or the occasional source that offers free listens. And my sister lets me have access to her audiobook library.

I’ve discussed a good bit recently about how I’ve been in a bit of a reading funk. I’ve been annoyed with almost every book I’ve picked up lately. But I’ve found that I can tolerate and let things slide while listening to an audiobook that I might have been more critical about had I read the book myself. So I actually wish I were able to experience more audiobooks right now, and maybe that would help me get out of this funk.

I used to take issue with audiobook narrators. When I read I, obviously, hear my own mental voice reading the way that I talk. But audiobook readers obviously have a different voice. And they read the way that they talk. Often times I find that audiobook narrators will place the emphasis in a sentence on different word than the one I would have if I had been the reader, and sometimes this can change the meaning of the sentence. Take the following sentence as an example with emphasis placed on four different words. Each slightly changes the impact and feeling of the sentence.

I am not in control.
I am not in control.
I am not in control.
I am not in control.

Now there's nothing to say where I would have placed the emphasis is the "correct" place, but it's just something that I tend to notice, especially if I'm listening to an audio version of a book I'm very familiar with.

But I'm pretty much over that. Now I've found that audiobooks are an excellent way for me to experience books while MULTITASKING! I have a limited amount of time in my day available to read--trust me, I squeeze out every minute I have. But audiobooks allow me to listen to a book while doing something else. I used to be able to listen at work with no problems. Sometimes work requires more brainpower now and I must focus on thinking rather than listening. It just depends. But I can definitely do housework or vacuum the pool in the summer while listening. I painted the garage while listening to an audiobook once. I have purged my closet while listening to an audiobook. I've cooked dinner while listening to an audiobook. I’ve done the dishes while listening to an audiobook. You get the idea.

I've also found that I end up getting my all-time favorite series on audio in addition to paper/kindle copies because I like to re-read, and with the more blogging I do the less I find time for re-reading. Audiobooks allow me to re-experience books without taking away from my regular, limited reading time. You can tell which are my most beloved series by which ones I have on audio.

Occasionally, I'll find a series like the Stephanie Plum series where the audio narrator really improves the series. I can't imagine not hearing Lorelai King narrate the Stephanie Plum books. I actually read One for the Money, but instead of hearing my own mental voice, I actually heard Lorelai King—or at least my impression of her. Jim Dale does a good job with the Harry Potter series as well. And we all know that I’ve gone on and on about Carter Finally Gets It and how I probably wouldn’t have really liked the book without Nick Podehl. I actually checked book 2, Carter’s Big Break, out from the library hoping just to move along in the series, but I didn’t get past the first chapter because I wanted it on audio. It wasn’t that the writing wasn’t good…I just need Nick to make it better.

I'm not sure if I think it's unethical not to reveal that you listened to the audiobook versus actually reading the book. At some level I don’t see how that matters, but I think it's always wise for you to disclose it. It’s definitely 100% needed if you feel like the narrator influenced your overall opinion of the book for good or for bad. Besides that, you have the opportunity to not only critique the book itself but the audiobook, narration and set up as well.

But I’m fully aware that audiobooks aren’t for everyone. My sister-in-law has tried several times, and she just doesn’t enjoy them. But then again, I have friends who either don’t really enjoy reading or don’t feel like they have time to read who love audiobooks. As a matter of fact, at least three of my real life friends who enjoy books have found that audiobooks are just about the only way that they can find the time to experience the books that they always want to get around to but otherwise wouldn’t have the time. It’s totally a personal choice, much the same as physical book versus e-reader is a personal choice.

Are you an audiobook fan? Or not really? Do you multitask when listening? Or can you only focus on one thing at a time? Are there any awesome audiobook recommendations that you have for me? What is your audiobook source? What do you guys think? Let me know!