I’m considering investing in a few audiobooks so I can finally get through some of the classics I’ve been meaning to read while I cook, travel, etc. I know the experience may be a bit different (e.g. I’ll be getting a bit of the reader’s interpretation of the text), but I’m also curious- when asked outright if I’ve read one of these works, will I have to explain myself? How do you all handle the situation? And what about those people with diminished eyesight who resort to these, should they feel like second-class citizens in literary circles simply because they’ve never learned braille? Also, any recommendations?
I had a co-worker who used to say “I read that on tape” and it made me nuts. Dunno why, since it is such a trivial thing, but it would drive me crazy. Reading and listening are two different experiences.
I currently listen to audiobooks while working out. When asked I simply say “Yeah, I’ve heard the audio version.”
My complaint regarding audiobooks is that too many of them are abridged. I usually buy the unabridged versions if I can find them.
I like to listen to audiobooks when I’m driving long distances, especially if it’s a route I travel a lot, like to my sainted mother’s house. I also tend to listen to books I’ve already read. That way, if I’m not paying perfect attention to the book because of driving requirements, I’m not completely lost when I tune back in.
You might want to do a search, we’ve covered this in the past few months.
Jim Dale’s Harry Potter readings are really excellent.
Border’s has a self published Jane Austen series out that I really enjoy, can’t remember the actress who does them.
The unabridged Lord of the Rings is good - and in my mind that book is much more enjoyable when someone else has to read the Elvish.
Likewise A.S. Byatt’s Possession - one of my favorite books - gained something on tape where a professional was reading the poetry. When I read I scan, so poetry doesn’t come through well - its much better read aloud.
Most of my audiobooks collection I’ve read in paper form originally - they are too expensive unless I know I love the book. I tend to “reread” in the car. But on the few occations I’ve listened to audiobooks where I haven’t actually read the book, I say “oh, yeah, I listened to that on tape.” Most people have me pegged as a reader, so they don’t think I’m cheating as much as they think I’m so much of a book geek I need to “read” while driving.
(There are a few books I could have never gotten through on paper - Oryx and Crake was one. Tried it three times on paper, and it was too intense and too much work. It was probably more intense read to me - but I wasn’t having to work to put myself through that. Wonderful book - very disturbing)
Tim Curry was Count Olaf in the Series of Unfortunate Adventures books on Tape. Jim carry couldn’t hold a candle to him. If you are a fan of this series and have not heard the books, than, yes, you do need an explination.
I passed the Bookears store near me, Orson Scott Card’s “Speaker of The Dead” (Enders Game 2 basically) was only 99 cents. I bought it.
I tried to follow along with my book. (And turn the page when I heard the chime play like this 
)
Lo and behold the Audio is abridged. they would say things that summed up no essential plots.
Case in point I think you need to state that you heard it, over read it. Much like the movie of the book is different, so the audio might be as well.
—The Bible on audio… I doubt this will exculpt anything, but then again, the Bible already has so many versions, and books that people argue should or should not be in the bible to begin with.
Scott_plaid, good to meet you. Speak that sweet sweet truth!
David Sedaris’s books on tape are wonderful as well. There is a multi CD set that has all of his books except his newest one.
Unabridged is the only way to go. I listen to tons of audiobooks on my commute and I have a bunch downloaded for our road trip.
I only listen to unabridged books. Audible.com is a good source, if you plan to listen to many books.
Audiobooks are great for long road trips. I wish I’d had them available as a kid. And with the good readers, I feel they add something to the experience. Of course a bad reader is going to be a pain in the arse, but I’ve not suffered that experience. Yet.
Books on Tape is another good source for unabridged books with excellent readers.
You know, I don’t always remember whether I read or heard a book. If I think it over I will remember but if someone asks me if I ever read such and such I just say yes or no. If I remember I say that I listened to it in the car. Sometimes I listen to half the book and read the rest. Sometime I listen to books I’ve already read. It’s all the same to me.
About bad readers, if a book is good but has a bad reader I just read the rest by myself. For the most part, I find if I give a reader a chance they’re usually reading professionally for a reason. My current favourite reader has to be Alfrie Woodard. She just has the most pleasing voice and her characterizations are just so cool.
Audiobooks are my commuting-time friends. If I’ve got a good one going, I actually get mad when I get to my destination
There are a number of mystery writers whose stuff I have only consumed that way - I find that their stuff is gripping enough to not lull me to sleep. But usually not so gripping that I find it distracts me too much. Tom Clancy books (abridged only, as the unabridged versions would be too long) are also good; for some reason I’ve never gotten into actually reading them though I’ve tried.
My kids have discovered audiobooks - our local library system has a decent selection of them, and it really cuts down on mid-trip squabbling. I haven’t tried any of the longer ones (Harry Potter etc.) on them yet, though they liked Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.
Some types of books just don’t seem to do well as audiobooks - at least, not while driving. I got a Bill Bryson travelogue, read by the author, and couldn’t listen to it - put me to sleep. I got the real book and loved it. I think the Bible as a driving-time audiobook would probably hasten my trip to meet its original author :eek: Bodice-ripper romances are a bit odd - I mean, there’s a juicy romance scene happening and it’s being read by some guy with a British accent, who is making the “Oh god!!!” sounds and it’s just weird, ya know?
I wouldn’t buy one, though. Always get them from the library. Just too darn expensive compared with the price of the real book.