#Microblog Monday 188: Audio Books
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I still read aloud to the kids. At this point, it’s usually something I want to talk about as we read it.
But even though I love reading books aloud, I hate having books read to me. I am not a fan of audio books, even on long car rides. I probably would not have fared well in the time before the printing press, before consuming stories became a silent exercise.
Isn’t it strange to think that if I had been born only 100+ years ago, the norm would have been spoken stories? This piece in Quartz on the history of reading places silent reading as the norm only around the late 1800s. Would my brain be different if the only option I knew were stories read aloud?
Do you like people reading aloud to you or audio books, or do you prefer to always read silently?
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20 comments
I recently started listening to audiobooks when I walk. Prior to that, I enjoyed listening to books read aloud on national radio, especially when driving. I’ve become quite enamoured of it, as long as I have something else to do at the same time.
I enjoy audiobooks in the car but that’s the only time/place.
I had never thought of silent reading being a recent phenomenon. Wow!
I’m like you. I belong in this century on this.
And I often think about the oral traditions that prevailed during most of human history. Some of them have become scriptures of some sort. I often wonder about these stories, passed down countless times, what was the true, original story? Was it known as a story? Or intended as a truth?
I wonder about the truth behind legends too! And if we’d be surprised at what actually happened.
Silent for sure
I’ve never listened to audio books. I don’t often listen to podcasts either; I’m not sure why. Just never got into the habit. When I do, I feel like I have to sit & listen; if I try to do something else at the same time, I inevitably lose focus and miss something.
I’m like you – I hate having things read to me. In my case, I think it could be because I read much faster than someone speaks so I get impatient.
I loved my Mom reading to us aloud growing up, even when we were older and she was reading longer books. It was so special. I hope my future kids enjoy it too.
Audio books have transformed my literary life. I LOVE them! Pre-kids I was an avid reader, but parenting leaves me with little downtime to read a book. And I like to knit. Enter audio books. Now I can do both! At the same time! Most of my book club reads are audio. I’ve noticed that I actually get more insight into the story by interpreting the tone of the narration.
I recently tried a couple of audio books and liked them. I think I have to like the voice and style of the narrator. I think it’s scarier to hear a suspenseful book read as I feel less control as a reader. I have become one of those readers who will read the end of a book first to kill the suspense lol. But I enjoy the creepiness of it more in an audio book.
Some of my earliest memories are of my brothers telling stories on long summer evenings, while I listened perched on the bumper of the van. Arabian nights were a favourite, especially Sinbad and Ali Baba and the 40 thieves. We would take turns acting them out with only a stick as a prop. So hearing a story can take me back to that time of magic.
I can concentrate much better when I’m silently reading by myself, but I know there are times I read something out loud to clarify something. My husband has really been into audiobooks lately, so I think I will try some out.
I hate having things read to me. My mother wanted to read to me when I was a kid and it drove me insane. Totally ruined the book for me.
I would never inflict that on my kids once they were able to read by themselves.
I love Audiobooks.
Might I suggest books that you already enjoy. I loved the Harry Potter series on audio.
Echoing so many others: I like retreating to my own world, so audiobooks don’t work for me. But I read to the Beats nightly.
I love audiobooks in the car on long trips, and that’s about it. I love actually reading out loud, and right now we’re reading Harry Potter out loud (or rather I’m reading it to Bryce) because he never read them, he was saving them for our kids. So it’s bittersweet, and those are audiobooks I’ve heard are amazing, but it’s more personal doing it ourselves. I love silent reading though. I love reading a book where I am utterly transported and you could sneak up on me and likely give me a heart attack. I didn’t realize silent reading was a relatively new phenomenon! So fascinating.
I actually really like listening to audiobooks and podcasts and being read to. I didn’t use to feel like I could retain things I only heard, but now I probably take in more information that way than reading!
I love oral tales/stories, but as far as books are concerned, I prefer to sit and read. I do listen to audiobooks from time to time, particularly on long distance trips and just before bedtime…if my eyes are too tired for reading.
I’m not a fan of audio books. I’ve tried but my thoughts just wander when listening.
My kids– especially my one daughter- loves to read everything aloud to me. She also has vlogs she loves that she loves to make me watch. I still love to read alone, silently. It’s the greatest part of it: Disappearing into the book’s universe. I like to hear my kids read. I also like to hear stories. It’s a big mountain tradition in NC and I’m glad people still care enough to keep it going.
I read to the kid on occasion. She still enjoys it and wishes I would do it more often.
I am not a fan of the audiobook or the podcast. I guess I just need something in front of my eyes. When I’m doing boring paperwork, I will put on a video and just listen to it, with the occasional glance. But I seem to need something specific to focus my eyes on, or my mind will wander off somewhere else.