Audiobooks: Opinions?

 



 

I have never finished an audiobook. Ever. It's not that I haven't made the effort. I've tried quite a few times, thinking each time was going to be different, only to set my headphones aside each time and go pick up a paper copy.

Why?? It should be easy, right? Just sitting back, relaxing, let the words of a story wash over me, with absolutely no effort on my part. But, no. It's not.

What I lack is patience. I can't wait for that painstakingly slow voice* to tell me the story when I could just read it for myself, my own way.

(*Seriously. Why do they read so slow?)

It always bugged me the way the reader decided to tell the story. When I'm reading to myself I have my own ways of enunciating, my own pace, my own ideas of how the characters must speak. But listening to an audiobook I have to conform my imaginings to fit with what the narrator is presenting. It's stifling, I tell you.

I could give you a far more detailed list of things I've found wrong with audiobooks, but I won't. On the contrary, I've decided to give them another chance. Crazy, I know. It's just that my generous and merciful nature has been prompting me to do so.

So, a few weeks ago, audiobooks and I were reunited. There were tears and laughter; I gave my headphones a stern talking to(sometimes they cut out, which is NOT cool). And so it began. I plugged the headphones into my phone, fixed them over my ears, and pressed play.

And it was weird.

It's a huge transition, the visual to the oral. I'm not saying that I don't like it....yet. In fact, I think I may really grow to enjoy audiobooks. It can be a nice alternative to when you're doing something active(walking, cleaning your room, etc.) and don't feel like listening to music.

So, here's to my newfound relationship with audiobooks.

Source

Wish us luck.

(FUNNY STORY. I finish this post and, shortly after, I give up on the audiobook I was listening to. I PROMISE, however, that had more to do with crummy writing than any annoyance with the narrator. I was actually enjoying that aspect.

So. I need help in the form of RECOMMENDATIONS! Name some audiobooks and their narrators that you've listened to and really enjoyed! I'll check 'em out.)