Audiobooks are convenient. Listening to an audiobook on my commute to and from work is the reason I’ve been able to “read” more. And with a reading goal, it makes me feel less guilty choosing not to pick up a book later at night.
But language isn’t transferred the same way. When you read a beautiful sentence you’re more likely to remember it, underline it, come back to it later. And as a writer, it’s important to see the way sentences are structured and how plots are developed (on the page.)
For the most part I do think this is just me–but I have a hard time listening to fiction. I tend to zone out while driving (not dangerously) for a moment and when that moment is lost it’s always a scramble to catch up with fiction. Whereas with nonfiction, I can get distracted and come back easily into the narrative. But again, I think it’s because I can’t concentrate on a plot line and drive at the same time! With nonfiction I have a general idea of what happens because I mostly listen to historical novels.
(I recently finished listening to The Wright Brothers by [and narrated by] David McCullough and I’m tempted to choose another of his for my next book.)
And so to answer my own question, yes they do count, but I don’t think you should try to listen to the classics (I say that as I talk about McCullough, but again–nonfiction seems different to me). Because you get the story by listening, but when it comes to most novels you’ll learn, understand, and appreciate more by reading the words on the page.
Do you like audiobooks? Tell me why or why not. (And any recommendations?)
I often can’t hold a kindle let alone a book but I’ve found whispersync which combines ebook and audio to be really helpful in learning how to listen to audiobooks. If you’re new to them, finding a good narrator really helps. Be patient, audio is different to reading but no less valid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I somewhat agree with this, though perhaps it’s different for everybody. I also have listened to non-fiction (mostly funny, memoir types a la Bossypants). The only fiction I’ve gone through entire audiobooks for are children’s/YA books I never got to as a kid (either I lost interest at one point and never continued at the time or never read it in the first place and wanted to revisit). I listened to Eragon and Eldest as audiobooks. The reader was really good and I listened when I had a long commute. But yeah, tangible books ftw!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only fiction novels I was able to listen through well were ones I’d read before. Lol the reason I “reread” them was because I was excites about the narrator!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think audiobooks do “count” (otherwise my Goodreads is a damned lie!) but I totally get what you mean about drifting off. I listened to Frankenstein over a few morning commutes and I loved it a lot. But there were mornings where I’d be distracted by things and zone out from the story for long periods. Whereas, with a physical book, if you get distracted you just stop reading for a while, with an audiobook you keep ‘reading’ even if you’re paying no attention!
Also, I can’t sniff audiobooks and then sigh like I can with IRL books.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yeah the last few books I’ve finished are mostly audio.
I listened to Dracula and everytime I’d stop paying attention i’d get so lost. And trying to rewind while driving doesn’t work out.
They sell candles that smell like books now, you could always try that. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they made an old book perfume too! Would wear
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy audiobooks, but, like you, it depends on the genre. Nonfiction is definitely better as an audiobook, whereas with fiction I’ll skim a lot (and you can’t skim audiobooks). I will say that I have a friend that cannot stand reading books, so the only books he ‘reads’ are audiobooks. In that case, audiobooks are important because some people just don’t like literally reading and wouldn’t read without audiobooks. So for each person, it depends.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Huh I always assumed people who listened to audiobooks were also readers, but that’s interesting!
I’m always telling my dad to listen to audiobooks because his eyesight is so bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me and my friend discuss this all the time because I’m a firm believer in ‘proper’ books whereas he listens to audiobooks (at warp speed which makes it worse!) I can see their appeal- but personally I think a book is a luxury not a convenience.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree with you for the most part. But I once o tried them, I can’t help appreciate that Im learning more😊
LikeLike
I’m right there with you when it comes to audiobooks, though for me it’s not just fiction that I zone out on. I need to read the printed words, oh and smell the glorious smell of the book (which is my argument against ebooks).
Thanks for the post
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love audio books and will listen to most genres but it has to be a good reader who can do ‘voices’ well. Even better, a full cast. I find audio books restful for my eyes and great when doing domestic chores. My recommendation would be The Final Confession of Mabel Stark written by Robert Hough and read by Betty Bobbitt. Quite absorbing retelling of a bygone era.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yes a good reader is so important! I can’t listen to a book if the reader sounds robotic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, audio books do count. I like both. Sometimes, I just want to relax and just sit back and listen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can sit down and read a book, but I can’t do that with audio or I’ll really zone out. I’m not multitasking, but when I’m doing something that requires not a lot of thought (getting ready, washing the dishes) then I can listen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like audiobooks and it’s been helpful to me in my reading goals. But, I agree that fiction is hard. I prefer autobiographical pieces, especially if the author is reading it (I listened to Trevor Noah and Tiffany Haddish), because it feels more like they’re telling me their story rather than me listening to a book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! Like someone’s in the car telling a story. That’s why I prefer those genres more on audio.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I answered an emphatic “Yes!” to the title/question before I read your post, and after having read (and enjoyed) it, my answer is a slightly-more-metered “Yes!” I also tend to lose the thread of Fiction in audio form, but for me, that kind of thing happens more frequently with non-fiction. I feel a pressure or obligation to pay attention to nonfiction more, as if it’s more important, or as if I’m going to miss a crucial life lesson? I don’t know; I just know that I tend to rewind more with nonfiction. I will say that while I agree with your observation about seeing a nicely-constructed sentence, I have also benefited from hearing good writing read out loud, and I find that it sometimes (and somehow) informs how I write (especially if the narrator is good).
Sorry for the long comment – the answer is Yes 🙂
And, The Wright Brothers book is great; it is one I also “read” in audiobook form.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I listen to audio books a lot. It counts. There are only so many hours in a day. I believe it’s 24. Multitasking is the only way to get through most of what I need to get done.
I also zone out a lot, dangerously. Whete the hell is my mind going? Why’s it going there? I often wonder if it’s the book, the reader, or if it’s me. I zone out when I read, too. In that case it’s definitely the reader.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I zone out all the time. I have to reread paragraphs all the time. That’s probably on me. Hah. But I zone out during tv shows, too. I just starting thinking about other stuff.
LikeLike
One of my top five favorite authors, Orson Scott Card, deliberately writes his stories to be read aloud. You can tell, especially when you listen to the audio books of his stories, that he puts a lot of thought into how his prose actually sounds.
I like audio books because I can listen to them and do other things at the same time, like the dishes or laundry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that most classics are meant to be read out loud. I mean that’s what they use to do back in the day! Hah. I think both are good, and I think writers should use both.
LikeLike
I couldn’t imaging life with out audiobooks. I can finally read and do other things. Plus I spend a good amount of time in traffic though I love music I love reading more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of the books I finish nowadays are audiobooks. Without them it would take me forever to finish a book. I just don’t have as much time to read right now, so I feel less guilty with (at least) listening to books! ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah no kidding. When I was younger I would tear through books. But now there is just not enough free time.
LikeLiked by 1 person