topic Re: Audibles in Book Club

Audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 19:30:27 GMT

I just finished The Dry by Jane Harper. I don't think audibles are for me. I believe I would have enjoyed this much more as an ebook or a book.

The following are my observations about audibles...

1. I didn't realize how important the narrator was. I have listened to two audibles. One was good, one not so much.

2. My attention wanders while listening and I find myself easily distracted. That makes me have to backtrack to make sure I didn't miss something.

The Dry was ten hours long... could that be too long? I finished my quilt before I started this audio book so maybe it would be good while doing that.

Comments welcome.

Re: Audibles

Etoile308 — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 19:41:30 GMT

Yes, the narrator can make a world of difference.

I personally don't mind a 10 plus hour book, since I detest anything abridged.

My suggestion is to not give up on them entirely. Perhaps try some short stories from a favorite author and see how that goes.

You could always explore listening to podcasts.

Re: Audibles

Dusty1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 03:04:15 GMT

@Lilysmom1 I love listening to audible books, but I can't do things that I have to figure things out while I listen.

I listen when I am cleaning, showering, driving, when I can't sleep at night...but I can't craft & listen.

If I am just sewing straight lines, maybe, but nothing that I have to think about.

Then narrator makes a huge difference & you can look up books by the narrator.

Re: Audibles

Desertdi — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:10:47 GMT

My parents took turns reading the newspaper OUT LOUD to each other. It drove me NUTZ.

Re: Audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 11:16:05 GMT

@Dusty1 Thanks for the tip about searching for the narrator.

Re: Audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 11:16:32 GMT

@Desertdi Lol that would drive me crazy too!

Re: Audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 11:18:12 GMT

@Etoile308I will keep trying! I will be travelling soon...a day in airports...so maybe I can try on the trip.

Re: Audibles

tansy — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:45:47 GMT

It might help to try some simpler books at first, too, until your brain gets used to listening, rather than reading.

Re: Audibles

KailaS — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 02:27:21 GMT

I am losing my vision. A former educstor, I was a voracious reader. Listening to novels started for me about six years ago. At first my attention span was awful. However, now I can listen well while cooking, dusting, organizing, and doing many other tasks.

So, don't beat yourself up or give up with audio books. Determine the type of narrator (s) you enjoy. I dislike certain kinds of narrators, accents, and voices. Often, you will have the option of listening to a brief excerpt by the narrator. Speed, enunciation, tone, etc. may be a plus or minus while listening. After a time, you will know almost immediately if a narrator will " connect" with you. Good luck.

Re: Audibles

Carmie — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 03:11:28 GMT

I don't like audibles. I learn and love by reading myself. Even as a child, I never liked anyone reading to me.

Re: Audibles

PamBeesley — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 03:22:57 GMT

Audible has a "preview" option, so that you can listen to a few minutes and see if the narration is for you.

Also, you can return a book if youre not into it after a few chapters. Ive done that a time or two, you get your credit back immediately, and the title is removed from your library.

Re: Audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 12:31:20 GMT

@PamBeesley @Carmie @KailaS @tansy et al thank you for your comments. I will stick with it.

Re: Audibles

okaywitheasypay — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 15:35:25 GMT

@KailaS ITA with you (well I am not a former educator) but my vision is dimming a bit . I appreciate audible. Some book programs can be read by Alexa--but to me that takes some getting used to.

Many autobiographies are narrated by the author. I have recently listened to Viola Davis,Matthew Mc--??? (sp?),Whoppi Goldberg,some of Barbara Striesand(sp?)--it is long, and " I know why the caged bird sings" by Maya Angelou. --love her voice! Also, Melody Thomas- the soap opera diva. Her life was very interesting.

I am currently listening to Cher the memoir part one She shares narration with one of the actreses that portrayed her on broadway. This as she explains at the start is because of her learning challenges. I am just getting to the part where she meets Bob Mackie.

Re: Audibles

Runner26 — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:52:49 GMT

@Lilysmom1 Play around with the Audible app. Try the tab "Discover" and "Profile". I listen to a lot of the free contents in The Plus Catalog. Use the timer function as well as play around with different speeds; I like listening at 1.2x vs the default 1.0.

I do have Hoopla and Libby but I mainly use Audible.

Re: Audibles

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:50:50 GMT

@Runner26 Thank you for this. I will take your advice.