Audiobooks

Dane S · #1 01-30-2006, 05:51 AM

There has probably been a thread about audiobooks already, but what are your feelings on them? I love them generally and feel as though it's a much less taxing way to "read" an extremely long book. A bad reader can destroy even the greatest piece, however, and they are very expensive, so there is always a bit of risk with buying them unless you are familiar with and trust the reader. There is also the issue of not being able to go at one's own pace, which I see as both a drawback and an advantage--it's bad to miss sections of the book because your mind wanders at times, but on the other hand this also makes it possible to get through large books in a much shorter timeframe (at least for myself). Do you feel like you retain better from reading or listening to a book? Would you ever take an audiobook in place of a real book when it wasn't necessitated by an action like driving that requires visual attention? I.E. would you ever sit at home and listen to a book instead of read it, just because that's your preference? Interested in your thoughts on the matter...

The Truth · #2 01-30-2006, 05:59 AM

www.audible.com

I am not an affilate, but i really like the site, i have been using it for ~year.

blake

Dane S · #3 01-30-2006, 06:15 AM

Thanks, seems like a cool site. This could be a reason to dust off my mp3 player.

SammyKid11 · #4 01-30-2006, 06:26 AM

I sometimes listen to Audiobooks when I get in bed...it helps me to fall asleep much better than having a light on and reading a regular book.

diebitter · #5 01-30-2006, 06:36 AM

I prefer to read if I'm in a place I can read (sitting down, for example!)

I think audiobooks are great if you do a lot of driving or walking. Really helps the time pass. I also like several podcasts - Mark Kermode's Film Reviews for the BBC is a pretty good show. More recently, I have been getting old comedy shows from the BBC site too - as they are short but very entertaining when I'm walking from the train station to the office I work in. Stuff like 'Just A Minute' and 'The Mark Steel Lectures' (yes it is comedy). These are very British though, but I'm sure there's more NA-centric stuff available LEGALLY on the internet.

MOD HAT ON: Just a reminder to all, no talk about file-swapping stuff, or talk of resources to download unless they are clearly and demonstrably legal.

Vavavoom · #6 01-30-2006, 08:46 AM

Has anyone here used Audiobooks for learning languages..

I did Spanish whilst at School, and worked in Spain for 4 summers up until 2003....

I would like to re-learn and improve my spanish vocabulary...

I know that you can get audiobooks that specialise in learning languages...Has anyone used them for this purpose...?

AncientPC · #7 01-30-2006, 09:09 AM

I can imagine that they would be great for learning languages, but I'm a visual person so I'd prefer a paperback. Even if it's on a monitor I'd prefer book form.

Franklin. · #8 04-02-2007, 01:18 PM

Thanks for the link. It's good. I'm good fan of audio books. I use to hear audiobooks on the go.. I found a site which is relevant. It really got a great stuff!!!

Listen-Here.Com

Franklin

EYEWHITES · #9 04-02-2007, 02:29 PM

i have a ton of these.
my wwifes family and all my friends live like 6 1/2 hours drive away. we buy atleast 2 every trip. Hastings has alot of them used, i have never spent more than 30 on one tho, and that was the bourne trilogy.

public libary has alot, we go there some times

RacersEdge · #10 04-02-2007, 03:06 PM

I've tried audio books a couple times, and my retention seemed to drop a lot compared to reading. I think it went beyond mind wandering - it was like a month after I heard the book, I couldn't remember basic details nearly as well as reading. So right now, I won't listen to a book I really am interested in - just one where I only have slight interest in the topic.