Audiobooks seem like such a big thing now! I see people talking about them on twitter, on their blogs, etc and the whole time, I just think to myself, “well, audiobooks just aren’t for me.” And guess who now listens to audiobooks in the car all the time? *raises hand* Let me tell you how I became an audiobook convert…
Before, I had many concerns about audiobooks. See, I love the reading “experience”. I love being wrapped up wholly in a book, turning the pages, being enveloped in the world and reading at my own speed. I’m a pretty fast reader. So how was I going to LISTEN to someone read me a book I could read in a quarter of the time? Also, I really like picturing and imagining things for myself, which is also why I always will read a book first before the movie. I don’t want something to color how I may see or hear things. And the thought of someone narrating voices to me just did not seem appealing.
A few weeks ago, I was getting off work. At work we have the radio playing in the office — all day, 8 hours a day. I got into my car and started to hear the SAME DAMN SONGS AGAIN ON ALL THE STATIONS.
Whenever I hear certain overplayed songs now, I just get mad. I can only hear Uptown Funk and Sam freaking Smith so many times a day before I want to tear my hair out. So on my way home I decided ENOUGH was enough. I couldn’t deal with the radio anymore. I needed to at least try an audiobook because it would be infinitely better than the hell of hearing a crooning voice say “stay with mee” one more time. I have a long-ish commute to and from work and traffic sucks here. I was so fired up about the radio business that I made a small detour to the library on my way home in hopes of snagging an audiobook there.
Turns out, the selection of physical CD audiobooks at my library is pretty small. Whomp whomp. Thankfully, Jessica, who I had been angrily texting about the iniquities of the radio, told me to download the Overdrive app — you can choose your library from it and download audiobooks from there to your phone or whatever device. This was PERFECT especially because I wasn’t sure I wanted to pay a monthly fee for Audible.
I got some lovely audio recs from people on twitter and listened to some samples before settling on the first book in the Night Huntress series, Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. Downloaded it to my phone and started listening to it on my way to work the very next morning. AND IT WAS AMAZING. My commute to work is at LEAST 30 minutes with no traffic and there’s always traffic coming home. This just made it seem such a good way to use that time because I could listen to a book while gridlocked! It made it so I looked forward to commuting back and forth!
So regarding my previous concerns with audiobooks — it didn’t matter that it would take me longer to listen to a book because I’ve been so busy, I haven’t gotten much time to read. Audiobooks make it so I can at least be going through SOMETHING. I went through two books in two weeks so I’d say that’s pretty good (um, wow, I spend a lot of time in the car). As for listening to different voices, it surprisingly didn’t bother me. In my audiobook review of Halfway to the Grave I’ll expound on my initial issues with one of the voices but long story short, it grew on me and didn’t even bother me after the first half.
I do sift through a lot of samples though. I think I’m extra picky about my narrators, maybe. I listened to some samples where I was like, okay I’m zoning out, or ugh, voice sounds flat and bored. Another thing… I don’t think I can do rereads via audio. I know a lot of people like doing this but for books I love enough to want to reread, I have an image of how I think everything is and I think listening to a new voice would disrupt that for me. But that is a weird minor thing that I have.
Anyway, all that to say, I am SO GLAD I am now a convert to audiobooks!! I probably won’t listen to ones I already own physical copies of, but it’s letting me get through ones I’ve been meaning to read for awhile. Plus, with how busy things are, audiobooks actually let me have time to “read”! And all that time I spend in the car, I’m putting to good use! I’m super excited about this whole new world that’s open to me now. 🙂 So even if you think they aren’t for you… MAYBE they are! Seriously, I was so adamantly against them before. All it took was 20 listens of Uptown Funk, Animals, Stay With Me and All About That Bass to get me mad enough to try. 😉
(I feel the need to mention that I do adore Adam Levine but seriously Animals is on ALL THE TIME)
Okay so I am not an audiobook person. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I honestly haven’t really tried them out. But I don’t have a super long commute to work. Going home can take me 30-40 minutes so I guess I could listen then. But I can’t be reading more than one book at a time. And I don’t want to sit on my couch and listen to an audiobook. So I guess that’s why I’ve never done it. Because I’d rather read at home and I’m not in the car enough to finish a book at the pace I want to finish the book at. I think if I had like an hour commute each way I would do it. Maybe. But I’m so glad it’s working for you! And yes to the stupid radio overplaying songs. It’s ridiculous!! There are songs that I loved when they first came out and now I can’t stand them!!! All bc of the stupid radio. Uptown Funk being one of them…
I use the overdrive app too! I just couldn’t see paying for the monthly audible fee. I’ve started listening to them during my commutes as well and it really does make it much more enjoyable. Your story is almost exactly like mine. I was so against them and then I tried and now I love it!
I’m so happy you’re listening to audiobooks now. I love them! Perfect for those busy days or long commutes. I don’t think I would’ve read half as much as I have in the last year w/o them.
Yes! THIS POST! I was like you- I never thought I would enjoy audiobooks and having someone read to me. Especially when I know I could a read a book so much faster. I really wish I had realized I liked them so much when I actually had a long commute to work! Now I drive 5 minutes, so it’s never worth it to plug my phone in. Still, whenever I’m running around town, working out, walking the dog, I’ve got my audiobook playing. I don’t know that I would like to listen to books I’ve already physically read though. I have too many others to get to!
Pretty sure I mentioned Overdrive too. Also, audible. – but that’s not here nor there.
You obviously know I am all over audios! So glad you (finally) joined the dark side!) Also, Sebastian York has a sexy voice – look for him.
I was exactly the same Wendy, I used to dismiss audiobooks as not for me until I tried them. By the end of my first book, I was hooked. I use audible and love it. Oh and watch out for http://www.audiobooksync.com, you can download 2 YA books for free every week in the summer during the program. I’ve used it for the last 2 years and there are some great books available.
I love this discussion, Wendy! I have yet to listen to my first audiobook because, like you, it didn’t appeal to me. I like to be able to read at my own pace (fast or slow) and be able to go backward and forward when I need to. Plus… voices talking at me. I don’t know if I could concentrate properly or if I’d zone out. BUT. It would be nice to have something to listen to whenever I’m driving or walking. I think I’m going to start with a book I’ve already read, that way if I zone I won’t worry too much. 😛 Plus I don’t do a lot of re-reading so it would be nice to return to some of my favorites!
I’m definitely one of those people who are hesitant to really get into audiobooks! I’ve only tried it once (Harry Potter), and while I did love the narrator’s voice, I easily get distracted and I ended up only listening to half a chapter before I gave up! 🙁 Maybe I’ll try again next time. I did love Halfway to the Grave, so maybe I’ll try rereading it via audio? 😉
I am so glad that you are a convert – I love audiobooks and listen to the when I am in the car, working out, laying in bed and even working!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
My conversion experience, and my doubts, are pretty much a mirror version of yours! I am in love with the Overdrive app (though it has its pitfalls). I’ve been listening to classics, which frees up my reading time for ARCs and other books that don’t have audio. I’m super happy with this arrangement.
[…] a year and a half ago. I never thought I would love audiobooks like I do now! (I talk about how I became a convert in this post.) If you’ve never tried audio, any of these on this list would be a great place to start! If […]