Audio Books: Do you listen to them? Are you tempted?

swordsandspectres

Audio books have been a massive part of my bookish life for the last 8 years or so. They’ve also been been a big part of my blogging life.

Personally I’m not a very fast reader compared to the vast majority of bloggers which, considering the huge array of books I WANT to get to, is frustrating. Audio books help massively there for me.

There’s just something about chilling in bed, listening to a book that I love. After all, ever since ancient times, we are naturally a race of storytellers. Reading will always be fantastic, but spoken word stories will always predate that. And will always hold a special place for me. Especially listening to a good horror in the dark.

I’m happy to see so many more people getting into audio books across the blogging world in the past few years.

Are audio books something you’ve used for a while now? Or are you new to the audio hype? Are you tempted (literally nothing to lose if you’re curious as Audible has a month free trial). Have you tried and just don’t enjoy?

For those that do enjoy; what are some of your favourite audio books? Do you have any favourite narrators? When/where do you prefer to listen?

On the subject of narrators, I recently got in touch with one who very kindly agreed to take part in an interview (that’ll be up in the future when we finalise it) and I’m hoping for more industry interviews in the future (be it publishers, narrators, audio book publishers etc …).

Happy reading/listening!

47 thoughts on “Audio Books: Do you listen to them? Are you tempted?”

  1. I have tried audio books multiple times and they simply don’t work for me. If I had a long commute, I might fill that time with an audio book, but while at home, I simply can’t sit on the couch and listen, while I can sit on the couch and read…

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  2. I’ve never really given them a chance, mostly cause I prefer to curl up and read a book.
    But I completely understand their merit. I think they’re fantastic for bringing stories to people that – for one reason or another – can’t read a physical book.

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    1. I’m lucky enough to be obe of those that loves both. At work … when there’s not a pandemic on, we’re allowed headphones. So they keep me going through the dull days. You can’t beat curling up with a good book and a hot drink, though.

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  4. I’m fairly new to the audiobook bandwagon, but I love it! Frankly though, I never really just lie down on my bed and listen, I mostly listen to my audiobook when I’m doing something else, like when I’m on the train or crocheting.

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  5. Never tried to listen to an audiobook. I love physical books and especially if they have a cool cover. Would save space to just listen to books, but I love coming to someones home and go through their books and see what they read 🙂 Kind of like snooping around hahahaaa…

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  6. I love audiobook! I’ve been listening to them for the last 3 years I think!
    I love listening when commuting to school, when working out and doing other chores! For school I have to work in the lab, here I also am sometimes able to listen, if I’m doing something that doesn’t require brain work, makes the work more fun!

    (www.evelynreads.com)

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      1. The name of the wind, Harry Potter (Stephen Fry), and currently I’m listening to Robin Hobb’s books, which I’m absolutely loving, the narrator is very good!
        These are the first ones coming to mind haha

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      2. May try Hobbs audio books. I’ve read them all, but have been tempted by a re-read.

        Name of the wind is wonderful … just a shame he never seems to get on with publishing the 3rd book …

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  7. I hoped to discuss about this at some point as well. I never were a fan of audiobooks and only got around to completing my first one (a poetry collection) last year and then listened to one full novel a little after but nothing more. I’m currently going through one audiobook just to see if my opinion on them has changed but I feel like it’s not the right fit for me. Then again, I am, however, really glad that there are so many people who enjoy them a lot, like you sir, and I hope people will try this medium out if reading isn’t their cup of tea!

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    1. Yea, it’s certainly not a medium for everyone. As much as oral storytelling was the original way, there’s no denying that, with the vast majority of people gaining literacy skills, reading has certainly taken on a life all if its own and cemented itself as the favourite.

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  8. I used to listen to audio books a lot years ago when I was a long haul trucker. Don’t much anymore, now that I’m not a trucker, but I remember Melville and others helping me get through the Maine to Florida and back again via Ohio or Michigan more than once!

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  9. I love audiobooks. I’ve only gotten into them over the past couple of years. I’m a slow reader but when I’m listening to an audiobook I can listen at 2X speed no problem which helps me to get through books quicker.

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      1. Yeah it’s definitely not for everybody but luckily it has worked for me. Sometimes I have to slow it down a little depending on how fast the narrator it talking. A lot of the times I will also follow along in the book while listening to the audiobook.

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      2. Never tried that, but then there aren’t a great many where I own both. Was going to do it with the Joe Abercrombie novels, but the narrator is an absolute genius. Brilliant to the level where the ‘reading in my head’ voice is like ‘nah, I can’t compete with that’.😂

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  10. I love audiobooks… but only under certain conditions. I can’t just sit and listen to them, I have to do some mindless task to be able to concentrate on them. Like cleaning, cooking or when I’m on my commute/going for a walk.
    Some of my favourite narrators are actors, so no surprises there. David Tennant, Andrew Scott, Wil Wheaton, Zachary Quinto, Christopher Lee… but I also very much enjoy Stephen Briggs and Tim Reynolds. Oh and Stephen Fry obviously. Prob not a good thing that all my favourites are man 🙈 I like Kate Reading… but most other female narrates sound the same to me.
    I would love to pick up an audiobook by David Attenborough. He has done some, but not the one I really want to read.

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    1. Gender isn’t an issue for me. I pick a book up based on the story rather than who’s wrote or narrated it. Nothing wrong with liking what you like 🙂

      If you enjoy fantasy and want a wonderful female narrator though, Helen Duff, narrator of Mark Lawrence’s ‘Book of the Ancestor’ trilogy is phenomenal. She stands for joint first place in my eyes … to my ears, I suppose, along with R.C. Bray.

      Ooh Stephen Fry is just a treasure, isn’t he? As is Attenborough. I might see what Attenborough has done. Thanks for making me think of him 🙂

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      1. Oh yeah, I for sure pick up a book based on the story… though I might opt for the audiobook instead of the physical/ebook based on the narrator. And I don’t dislike female narrators, they just don’t tend to stand out to me. I will give Helen Duff a try for sure though, thank you 😁

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  11. Audiobooks are great, I listen to them, and podcasts, a lot – but mostly while doing something. Commute, chores, sometimes when work allows me to… if I have time to simply sit down, I choose written word.

    I mostly listen to books that don’t require undivided attention, light reading, books I already know – Discworld, recently LotR and Dune. My company also gave me access to a sizeable audio-library, mostly in Polish, so I listened to some local stuff, and later I discovered it also has some classics in English, now I’m going through Nostromo 🙂 I’m also subscribing to Audible for a few months each year, to build up my library, then I cancel and wait for them to offer me half-priced membership again 😉

    My grandfather used to listen to audiobooks a lot, when his eyesight worsened, and he had to use magnetic tapes, that was annoying, multiple cassettes you had to rewind… Until I convinced him to but mp3 player… we are lucky to have all this technology 🙂

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    1. Absolutely, I’m thrilled to know that if my own eyesight fails I’ll not lose reading as a hobby.

      That audible tactic is very shrewd. I get a fair few little gems via their offers and daily deals that, up to now, has made continued subscription worth it. When that dries up I may take your lead and try that 😉

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      1. Well, I do also have this local service where I can always find something interesting, and I listen to a lot of podcasts… but now I’m waiting for Sandman to arrive at Audible, I’m not cancelling before I get that 🙂

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  12. I started listening to audiobooks out of necessity — when you spend two hours a day in the car, or three in the car and on the train, you need something to occupy the time more than the depressing news on the radio. So along with my music, I started getting audiobooks. I wouldn’t have ever experienced the massive Count of Monte Cristo if I didn’t have this godawful commute, and I’ve gotten through a few big histories and other novels because of it. Same for podcasts, which have the added bonus of being free (at least the ones I listen to, no paywalls for me.)

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  13. I agree, audiobooks does help to get through a book faster. I recently reread the Dragon Reborn and was struggling reading the physical book, so I switched to the audio version to get through it faster. I started using audiobooks about 2 or so years ago because I reread a lot and prefer doing so by audio, which works for me. Audio isn’t my preferred format though for new-to-me books. I find it hard to keep track of story details sometimes depending on the book. However, the more I use audiobooks the more my listening skills have developed. When I just started, I couldn’t listen to new-to-me books on audio at all. I wouldn’t have remembered much. I think listening to podcasts helped prepare me for audiobooks.

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    1. Totally get where you’re coming from with re-reads. I’m really enjoying my re-read, via audio book, of The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. I find I’m getting so much out of it. The narrator really is bringing it to life.

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  14. Audiobooks are my favorite!! I actually get through them a bit slower because I read them while I drive/work/clean etc. but they’re a great way to pass the time and many of the narrators just bring books to life.

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  15. I want to try audio books, one of the reasons being that, like you, I’m not actually that fast a reader! I listen to a lot of podcasts, so I should maybe try switching it up and try an audio book instead.

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    1. I sink so many hours into podcasts, one of them I think I grabbed off a recommendation on one of your posts (Astonishing Legends). Eternally grateful for that.

      Well worth trying Audible if you don’t mind a monthly subscription (about £7.99). Your first month is free. You get 1 credit a month (to use on any audio book of any length). They also do credit deals so you can buy them for cheaper. Plus there’s the daily deal.

      You can also get any audio book far cheaper if you own the kindle copy.

      Ps

      Sorry, I could probably natter on for ages. Be thankful you’re not in the same room as me 😂

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      1. Which episodes have you listened to so far? Highly recommend Dyatlov Pass and Mothman if you haven’t listened to them already!

        £7.99 a month isn’t too bad at all. I’m currently working from home so I’ve been saving loads of money on commuting. I might as well put the extra money into something I’ll enjoy! I’ll look into it tomorrow 😁 Plus I do actually have a Kindle so thanks for the heads up about the cheaper audio versions!

        Haha don’t worry, I’m exactly the same 😂

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      2. I’m on episode 30. Loved Dyatlov Pass. Its one of my favourite mysteries. Bought the book ‘Dead Mountain’ by Donnie Eichar that was suggested on the ep.

        Did I see on your about me page that you’re writing a novel? What genre are you writing?

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      3. Well, I’m trying to write a novel. It’s a horror novel set on a broken down subway train. I started it back in December and was doing a fantastic job in the sense that I was writing every single day. Lockdown began and I told myself that I’d come out on the other side with a completed first draft…and it just hasn’t happened 😒 Really annoyed with myself because I reached 20,000 words, the furthest I’ve ever gotten with a longer project! I really need to get back to it. I see you’re an author? Have you been working on anything lately?

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      4. Well, I find that having people give feedback on your work keeps you pushing on to provide more. I really like the sound of that. If ever you want a pair of eyes checking it out, give me a call 🙂

        Yea, I finished a fantasy novel (the most fun I’ve had writing a novel) and rediscovered a horror that I wrote about five years ago. I’m about 16,000 words into a horror novel that I’ve started during lockdown as well 🙂

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