Audiobooks are awesome, and a totally valid way to consume lit. My only “gatekeeper” opinion is that it’s not reading if you are listening to an audiobook while distracted. Listening to Moby Dick on 2.5x speed while playing video games doesn’t count to me, sorry. But during routine tasks that don’t require thinking such as doing the dishes, or commuting where you can actually think about what you’re consuming and engage with it, and it’s amazing.
If I’m reading something particularly dense, I’ll also listen to the audiobook while reading along with a physical book. It really helps me keep my concentration.
I can go to 1.75x if it’s a really slow narrator, or a really easy book to follow. But even then, it’s a bit too quick for me and if I’m distracted for even a second I have to rewind a bunch. 1.3-1.5 is usually my sweetspot.
Depends on the narrator. I love me an accent, but an accent generally means I have to cut the pace by 20-25%. Highly technical stuff as well. Otherwise, 2-2.5 is a pretty comfortable pace for me. I occasionally pause to take notes on nonfiction when there’s something I really want to make sure I retain, but I can comfortably discuss the content of all the stuff I read that I way. You just bump it a little over time when it starts to feel slow.
It’s distraction that gets you, though. If you start to pay attention to something else, you can very easily lose the plot.
I kind of agree with this. I listen to audiobooks while doing house tasks or driving, but find that I can’t follow it if I’m doing anything that requires thought. Distraction makes it not worth while.
Yeah. Even thinking about something while driving home from work “ruins” an audiobook for me and I absorb nothing. Which I guess is similar to reading a physical book. The only difference is with a physical book, if you aren’t paying attention you usually don’t make any progress (though occasionally I’ll find myself reading on autopilot and have to go back a few pages when I catch myself).
lol I mention audiobooks as 90% of my reading (because I’m working through different stuff on my ereader) and no one has said anything yet.
I think there’s value in reading with your eyes, but at the end of the day I have 50+ hours a week I can listen to audiobooks while doing other shit, and that’s a lot more content. For most (nonfiction), my retention is pretty comparable with audio, too.
If you haven’t tried adjusting the speed, it’s surprising how quickly you adapt to it as a new normal.
I’m on my second read/listen of the Bobiverse series, currently on Book 4: Heavens River. (Dennis E. Taylor). Mid way isn’t as strong as the other books IMO but the narrator (Ray Porter) does a fantastic job.
It’s a sci-fi series, can’t wait for the next book :)
Y’all aren’t gonna gatekeep me cause I do audiobooks are ya?
How dare you still you enjoy the same narrative in a different medium, or be blind!
I like that perspective
Audiobooks are awesome, and a totally valid way to consume lit. My only “gatekeeper” opinion is that it’s not reading if you are listening to an audiobook while distracted. Listening to Moby Dick on 2.5x speed while playing video games doesn’t count to me, sorry. But during routine tasks that don’t require thinking such as doing the dishes, or commuting where you can actually think about what you’re consuming and engage with it, and it’s amazing.
If I’m reading something particularly dense, I’ll also listen to the audiobook while reading along with a physical book. It really helps me keep my concentration.
How would you enjoy a book at 2.5x speed. I think I’m with ya there
I can go to 1.75x if it’s a really slow narrator, or a really easy book to follow. But even then, it’s a bit too quick for me and if I’m distracted for even a second I have to rewind a bunch. 1.3-1.5 is usually my sweetspot.
Depends on the narrator. I love me an accent, but an accent generally means I have to cut the pace by 20-25%. Highly technical stuff as well. Otherwise, 2-2.5 is a pretty comfortable pace for me. I occasionally pause to take notes on nonfiction when there’s something I really want to make sure I retain, but I can comfortably discuss the content of all the stuff I read that I way. You just bump it a little over time when it starts to feel slow.
It’s distraction that gets you, though. If you start to pay attention to something else, you can very easily lose the plot.
I kind of agree with this. I listen to audiobooks while doing house tasks or driving, but find that I can’t follow it if I’m doing anything that requires thought. Distraction makes it not worth while.
Yeah. Even thinking about something while driving home from work “ruins” an audiobook for me and I absorb nothing. Which I guess is similar to reading a physical book. The only difference is with a physical book, if you aren’t paying attention you usually don’t make any progress (though occasionally I’ll find myself reading on autopilot and have to go back a few pages when I catch myself).
lol I mention audiobooks as 90% of my reading (because I’m working through different stuff on my ereader) and no one has said anything yet.
I think there’s value in reading with your eyes, but at the end of the day I have 50+ hours a week I can listen to audiobooks while doing other shit, and that’s a lot more content. For most (nonfiction), my retention is pretty comparable with audio, too.
If you haven’t tried adjusting the speed, it’s surprising how quickly you adapt to it as a new normal.
Nope. Do people do that?
You still get the story. I like to hear the story in another person voice sometimes.
The murderbot books narrator is great!
Some reading communities unfortunately do :(
I’m on my second read/listen of the Bobiverse series, currently on Book 4: Heavens River. (Dennis E. Taylor). Mid way isn’t as strong as the other books IMO but the narrator (Ray Porter) does a fantastic job.
It’s a sci-fi series, can’t wait for the next book :)