September 10, 2010

BlogFest 2010: Audiobooks vs. Hard Copies

Welcome to Musings of an All Purpose Monkey! Chances are if you’re here on September 10-12 you’re a book lover who got here via the BlogFest event.

BlogFest is a massive carnival of giveaways with a great collection of participating blogs. Each blog has a giveaway and the idea is to hop from blog to blog, entering all the giveaways your little heart desires. Hopefully you might even come across a few blogs you might want to bookmark and continue visiting.

I’m proud to be one of the over 250 bloggers participating in this celebration of books and book blogs. And while you’re here, I’d love to get your thoughts on something…

Audiobooks. I don’t like them, and I desperately want to. My TBR stack is so massive that I may catch up somewhere around the time I retire, and yet it seems like I have “wasted” time where I could be listening to books while I do other things (in the car, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc.). However, the few times I tried to listen to a book were less than satisfying experiences.

Maybe I’m just very particular about the way I read. I often find myself going back and rereading passages in a book, and it’s much easier to do that with a hard copy than an audiobook. I also want to go at my pace which, depending on my mood, may be faster or slower than what the reader has chosen.

And let’s talk about the reader. I know there are some fabulous audiobook readers out there, but what if I just don’t like the reader’s delivery? What if their voice is like nails on a chalk board to me? I wouldn’t want that to be such a distraction that I was turned off from what otherwise may be a book I’d enjoy reading in print. And so I’m stuck between the “rock” of my never-ending TBR stack and the “hard place” of not liking audiobooks, the one avenue that could actually help me get a leg up on things.

How do you feel about audiobooks? Love ’em, hate ’em or indifferent? Leave a comment with your thoughts and you’ll be entered to win the following prize pack:

An ivory/black striped canvas tote bag
Precious Blood by Jonathan Hayes (paperback)
Machete, third and most recent book in the Jake and Jouma series by Nick Brownlee (trade paperback)
The Godfather of Kathmandu, fourth and most recent book in the Sonchai Jitpleecheep series by John Burdett (hardcover)

Please be sure to include your email address or website link with your comment so I have a way to contact the winner. Contest is open to US/Canada and ends at midnight on September 12, 2010.

*** The contest is now closed.***

Thanks for stopping by. Please have a look around Musings of an All Purpose Monkey, and then be sure to go check out what’s going on over at The Nerd’s Wife for BlogFest!

153 Comments

Guin Huffle
September 12, 2010 - 10:58 PM

I prefer hard copies. But it’s cool that audio is available for those that like them.
Sheila (Bookjourney)
September 12, 2010 - 9:54 PM

LOVE audio and I am a huge supporter. I always have three going – one in my IPOD, one in the kitchen cd player and one in my car. No kidding! 🙂

journeythroughbooks@gmail.com
Sue A.
September 12, 2010 - 9:43 PM

The problem with audio books is with me. I’m a multitasker when given the chance so I’m not likely to be focussed enough to listen properly, whereas when it comes to reading that is one thing I can’t do while multitasking so the book gets my whole attention.

alternate email from blogger
magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com
Karen
September 12, 2010 - 9:32 PM

My husband loves them, but I prefer physical copies. I like to read at my own pace, imagining my own voices, etc for the characters.
Brittany
September 12, 2010 - 9:13 PM

I’ve never listened to one, I never thought I would enjoy them
BookSpot
September 12, 2010 - 8:55 PM

I’ve been listening to a bit more audiobooks lately–I find it’s good when I can’t sleep at night. I don’t have to have all of the lights on but it still lets me follow a story . . . and fall asleep 😉
They can also be great for long car drives.

book.splot [at] gmail [dot] com
Cynthia R
September 12, 2010 - 8:41 PM

I’ve never listened to an audtio book before, don’t think I want to either.
Shantal Mohammed
September 12, 2010 - 8:32 PM

Thank you for the giveaway!

I hate audio books… I like to have a physical book to hold, to read the words off of pages.

Jixnce[at]gmail[dot]com
Sarah Coulsey
September 12, 2010 - 8:09 PM

I like audiobooks in the car, except they make me tired!!

sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
Janet
September 12, 2010 - 8:04 PM

They’re alright on occasion. Really nice if you’re just relaxing in a park or something though. ^^
Lucious Lamour
September 12, 2010 - 7:56 PM

I prefer reading books. My attention gets distracted easily so I prefer being more engaged by reading than passively listening.
Charles Wingfield
September 12, 2010 - 7:54 PM

I love both audio books and hard copies. Anyway to read a good book. I am all for it! 🙂
Shahira
September 12, 2010 - 7:33 PM

Can’t stand audiobooks! I can’t concentrate with another person reading the book. Plus the voices of the people are never what I imagine!

Shahira
Kristi
September 12, 2010 - 6:56 PM

I like audio books – but I can’t just be sitting listening to them – I am either cleaning, crafting or driving! I do find my mind wandering from time to time. My daughter and I used to listen to YA books as I drove her to school and that was a lot of fun – cuz then we could talk about them. She has graduated now though 🙁

kherbrand at comcast dot net
Flufferwuffer
September 12, 2010 - 6:48 PM

I’m not an audiobook fan. I prefer to imagine the characters’ voices myself. Audiobooks to me are kind of like a movie made from a book that’s really NOT what you imagined.
Melanie L
September 12, 2010 - 6:35 PM

I have never listened to an audio book before. I might try it one day, but I think I will always prefer a book in print.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
Arceli
September 12, 2010 - 6:29 PM

I’m not the biggest fan of audiobooks. Too often, I don’t like the narrator’s voice.

a (dot) long (at) tcu (dot) edu
Izzy G.
September 12, 2010 - 6:27 PM

silverfalcon42@gmail.com

Audiobooks sound interesting, but I don’t actually spend a lot of time in the car, etc., while I DO spend a lot of time waiting in, for instance, doctor offices and other places where I can snag some reading time. As someone else said, audiobooks just take too long to listen to.
Cherry Mischievous
September 12, 2010 - 6:15 PM

I came from the BlogFest 2010 event.

**waves** 🙂

Cherry Mischievous
nicole langan
September 12, 2010 - 6:06 PM

Audio books just take too long to listen to – 10+ hours, and I don’t like one narrator being the voice of all of the characters.

Thanks,
Nicole
info@tribute-books.com
Cindy Woolard
September 12, 2010 - 5:54 PM

I enjoy audio books when traveling but if I am a home give me an old fashioned paperback or hardback!

Smiles,
Cindy W.
Katie
September 12, 2010 - 5:40 PM

i like audio-books if the person reading does a really good job. But i like books better. It helps me get more into the book because then I’m making my own connection and seeing the characters and making their voices be how i like it. therefore making a better connection.
MarthaE
September 12, 2010 - 5:39 PM

I love audiobooks and listen to a lot of books from Audible. It is rare that a narrator spoils a book for me but it has happened. I will always give the author another chance though.
Thanks for the giveaway.
mesreadsATgmail.com
Tiffany Harkleroad
September 12, 2010 - 5:23 PM

I like them if they are done well, but nothing is like the feel of a book in your hands!
Lisa Richards
September 12, 2010 - 5:06 PM

After I had surgery, I did listen to an audio book while I was recovering. My problem is that my hands still have to be doing something while my ears are listening.

Thanks for the fabulous giveaway. I follow on twitter@alterlisa and Facebook-Lisa Ann Richards.
(\___/)
(=’.’=)
(“)_(“)

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com
suzquiz
September 12, 2010 - 5:05 PM

I have never tried an audio book but I love to hold the book in my hand & like you to go back to certain places & reread
9oofusATgmailDOTcom
Tara W
September 12, 2010 - 5:05 PM

I like audio books, but I prefer print.
mizztuts AT bellsouth DOT net
Karen
September 12, 2010 - 5:03 PM

I don’t really like audiobooks, because I think they talk too slow..But it reminds me of storytime as a child, so they’re nice sometimes.

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com
Pam Keener
September 12, 2010 - 4:56 PM

I have tried an audio book in the car and loved it. I think that the reader may given off nuances that perhaps this feeble mind would not catch but since I never read the book I can’t be sure.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
Brooke
September 12, 2010 - 4:32 PM

It’s a case by case basis for me between audiobooks and hard copies. It’s completely dependent on the book and who’s reading it.

Thanks so much!
texas_gal45(at)hotmail(dot)com
lindsay j
September 12, 2010 - 3:47 PM

i love audio books, esp when its a novel with someone foreign. I love hearing the accents and how they help bring the story alive
Joani S
September 12, 2010 - 3:20 PM

I love audiobooks. I work outside all day long, so it’s perfect for me, I listen to books all day, then I read books on my breaks, or at home in the evenings. I have no problem “listening” to books over again, or even ones I’ve read, it helps me catch anything I missed the first time. I do agree tho, sometimes the voices can be anoying. Rare for me tho. Artesia[at]comcast[dot]net Thanks!!
Stephanie M
September 12, 2010 - 3:00 PM

I do not mind audiobooks but I prefer printed books. I am a visual learner and would have a hard time listening to a book for hours. I can also read a book faster than I can listen to someone else reading it. I know that it is easier for some people, but I prefer to read than listen to a story.
Thanks for the great giveaway.
smccar1@hotmail.com
polly
September 12, 2010 - 2:46 PM

not too crazy about audio books.
LB
September 12, 2010 - 2:23 PM

Audio books are all right. I like them for when I’m traveling long distances – which i rarely do!

petrellinyc-blog at yahoo dot com
Patsy Hagen
September 12, 2010 - 2:07 PM

Audio books are good, but physical books are better. I listen to the audio while I work around the house or in the yard. I read physical books while I relax. I looove books.
mom1248(at)att(dot)net
lulilut
September 12, 2010 - 1:45 PM

My daughter and I listen to audio books while I drive her to school. It allows her to learn about things she might not otherwise because she might not read the book.
Rebekah
September 12, 2010 - 1:06 PM

I love audio books. We always check them out from the library for long trips. It makes the ride go so much quicker!
Julie Swaney
September 12, 2010 - 12:56 PM

I like audiobooks. I listen to them while I cross stitch or do housework. I also listen to them when I am driving by myself

jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
Anne
September 12, 2010 - 12:40 PM

I read fast, so an audio book actually slows me down a fair bit. But they are great for long car trips.
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
Ivy D.
September 12, 2010 - 12:32 PM

I’m indifferent. I’ve never listened to an audio book so I have no feelings. I think I’d rather read it myself. What if the actor’s voice doesn’t match the one in my head? Mess the whole thing up for me..
Ria (Tea and Tomes)
September 12, 2010 - 11:32 AM

I personally am not that fond of audiobooks, since I find actually reading the books to be a much more enjoyable and worthwhile experience. That being said, audiobooks do have their good sides, in that you can listen to them on the go and they provide good content access to the visually-impaired. But personally, I’d rather just pick up the paper copy and start reading.

jazriyah@gmail.com
Chet Hanifan
September 12, 2010 - 11:17 AM

You know, I never liked them. Like Cassie Clare said, I don’t like how people pronounce some words, because part of reading Made Up or foriegn words is to find out how it’s comfertable for you to pronounce them. AndI always read at a fast pace, not quite skimming, but not going that slow, so when they read I always end up going ahead and, eventually, turning it off. And I hate how some try to change their voice for other characters, but I’m like, “Come on, either read normally, or get someone to do the other Characters voice. Duh.” Overall, I like to turn on my bed side lamp in the middle of the night and just…read. Not listen…read.
Sharon
September 12, 2010 - 10:23 AM

thanks for the chance

sstogner1@triad.rr.com
Doreen Riopel
September 12, 2010 - 9:54 AM

I love audio books. At first I didn’t until I tried it out. Thanks for being involved.
Saba M.
September 12, 2010 - 8:21 AM

I don’t like audio books. I don’t like someone else reading it b/c some people don’t read it properly. maybe that’s just me!

vokalchick@gmail.com
Allana
September 12, 2010 - 7:41 AM

I don’t really have an opinion on audio books because I have never actually listened to one fully. They seem quite interesting and i would love the chance to try it for the 1st time.

Aly890(at)hotmail.com
Cathy Wallace
September 12, 2010 - 6:52 AM

I can take them or leave them
Sierra
September 12, 2010 - 6:43 AM

Wow! What great prizes! Too bad I live in New Zealand, I would have loved to enter! Lol.

I’ve never experianced an audio book before. But i’m unsure if I’ll like it. When I read, I like to hear my own voice in my head, it helps me imagen the characters… But with someone elses voice, I odn’t think it’d be the same.

But I think they’d come in handy when your reading a book while in bed and getting tired. That way you can just lay in your warm bed and close your eyes…

Well, thats my input… Good luck to all.
Kirsten
September 12, 2010 - 6:33 AM

I’ve never actually tried an audiobook, but I have a feeling I wouldn’t like them. I feel like it would take away from the experience, and I know in school when we would read out loud as a class, I always got less out of the book and often had to re-read it on my own anyway.
Thanks for the opportunity 🙂