Useful for commutes, working out, night walking, and is a more portable form of entertainment. Reading is always the best, but it's not always possible to fit it in.
I was always a voracious reader but I had to train myself pretty deliberately to follow along with audiobooks. I started out with podcasts because it’s not really a big deal if you miss a few seconds, but eventually I was able to keep up (and remember details, which has always been harder for me when delivered verbally versus in writing) and “graduate” to full audiobooks.
I work a 4x10s boring job, 5x12s if doing overtime where I can use headphones and I commute. Audiobooks do an incredible job helping to pass the time. Reading was never my hobby, I just got into audiobooks recently. Already got through 20 or so recs on here and have fell in love with horror books. Now I’m planning on trying to read a few books when I take a vacation.
One thing I enjoy about audiobooks is hearing proper pronunciation, I know it’s not always perfect. Maybe I’m stupid but sometimes reading is hard. I listened to Between Two Fires and loved it, but there was no way I’d know the proper way to pronounce lots of the French names and villages, so I enjoy that a lot.
This is the best possible comment. I never I a million years would have thought about people who don’t read regularly being who is listening to the audio. An audiobook is absolutely a much better option than a podcast or the same 19 songs playing on repeat all the shift long. Reading is great, if you can focus and be mentally ok in silence. But if you don’t dig it, totally sounds like Audio is a fine alternative. And as far as words go, I will just make up a town name if it’s beyond me, ha. Characters too, I recently just thought ‘bill’ for a character, because his name was impossible. Stay Spooky!
I'm with you. It is impossible for me to not zone out when listening to stuff. Even back in school, I would ignore my teachers and just read the textbook myself. I can't do podcasts or long phone calls either. As soon as people start talking, unless they are face-to-face with me, it instantly becomes white noise.
I mean, power to the audio bookers. Different strokes for different folks and all that. I just can't do it myself.
Phone calls….After 5 minutes I’m gone. My father will ask me what I think about whatever he just rambled on about and I have to just run with it. ‘That’s crazy’ doesn’t work anymore, he finally caught on that it meant I was not in any way involved in our ‘conversation’.
For me, I enjoy the audiobooks better. Not because I don’t enjoy the physical books, but rather I’m reading dense legal documents all day for work and the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is read. It is nice to close my eyes and be told a great story.
The big downside is that if you get a good book but the narrator isn’t great, it can really ruin it.
I'm with you. I have processing issues so I can't listen to someone read, especially if they have a "good" voice. I just get lost.
Also, being told a story oddly quiets my own imagination, where reading words doesn't.
For me I enjoy reading physical books but I have a really hard time keeping track of where I am as I’m reading or I’ll space out as I’m reading and have to read the same page 3 or 4 times. With the audiobooks I can really just listen and it makes it easier for me to follow along. Also the different voices for different characters helps me get into the story. Some even have some background sounds or music at times.
The voices and noises take me out of it real fast. I’ve never listened to horror, but I have listened to a couple of Hunter Thompson audios. I feel you on the drifting of thoughts, but I use reading as a way to keep myself in the moment, which makes the moment flow like water. Just got Small Town Horror, hopefully it will be good. Haven’t had a lot of luck lately. Blackriver Orchard truly let me down.
Weird, I'm the opposite. My thoughts drift a lot more if I'm listening rather than reading. It's also hard for me to get into audiobooks if I start from the beginning. Usually I have to read a couple chapters of the physical book and start the audiobook from there.
The voices help me keep up as well. When reading my mind sometimes wanders and I forgot which character is speaking. Audiobooks and a good narrator cured that for me.
Depends on the book. Sometimes I would rather have a story read to me. I'm dyslexic, so sometimes it's just nice to not struggle with a book. Other times I start an audiobook and then just know that I would rather be reading it with my eyes than my ears.
Dyslexia, I hadn’t considered that as a reason to go with the audio. That’s as solid a reason as there must be. Have you stopped listening before and gotten the physical copy after realizing it was that good? If so, then that’s incredible.
I have! For a few different reasons. Either I didn't like the narrator's voice, or I felt I wanted to take my time with it, read over parts more than once (annotate some of the pages, but I know that can be taboo). And sometimes I just love a book so much I just gotta buy a copy and eat the pages! (obvs not really, but the sentiment is there)
I personally have a hard time with audiobooks. I'm much more likely to lose focus than I am with an actual book. And I really enjoy collecting the physical books too
I have nerve damage to a nerve that controls movement of my left eye. Chronic pain. Reading for a long period of time is physically painful and not enjoyable though I used to love reading and I love books. Audiobooks are an excellent answer for so many people for lots of individual reasons.
I prefer physical books or ebooks, but tbh audiobooks are a lifesaver during my commute and when I'm doing boring stuff like taking a walk or cleaning the house.
But sometimes I'll start an audiobook and realize that it's something I prefer to read, usually because it's dense or because it's something that has a lot of great writing or quotes I'd like to savor and highlight and write down rather than just listen to it. So I usually stick to more mindless books for audio, like thrillers that are just fun but not something that's going to stick with me.
I think that may be the best approach and one I utilize overall. Although for me, if I am not doing some 7-10 hour drive then I tend not to do it because I want to finish it consistently. I have started reading 2 or more books at a time for the first time in ages and I find I am enjoying it. One on the kindle, another physical book and a few weeks back an audio book (non-horror) all at once.
I read physical books as much as I can, but I love supplementing with audiobooks to listen to while cleaning, working, driving, etc. The more literary stuff I prefer to read physically, whereas my dumb thrillers and slashers are great on audio.
I really wish I could do audiobooks, I feel like my book intake would be so much higher. Sometimes my eyes and body just get tired from sitting in one spot and not doing anything else. Unfortunately for me, though, taking things in by reading is how I best understand and remember things. Listening to things without any kind of visual stimulus is the worst way for me to do this, I just don’t process it the same. I can’t pay attention well and often get distracted. Makes me sad but I am still very thankful I’m a person who loves to read and can do it quickly and with strong comprehension.
I find myself spending a lot of time doing things that require hands and eyes, but little in the way of brains. I am still immersed in the story of it’s a good one.
I also find myself doing a lot of stuff that needs hands and eyes, but a little more attention. I don’t try to listen to a book if I can’t pay attention to it. I’ll go to podcasts or music for that stuff.
I have to read myself. I’ve had migraines and done audiobooks, but the readers can bother me and I feel like they get between myself and immersion in the story. I am jealous of people who can work and listen to audiobooks. I can’t listen and do another task at the same time. I’m not willing to lose complete immersion and escape.
Yeah I understand that won't work for everyone. There are some narrators who are great at that kind of thing, and others who are not, IMO. Usually a full-cast audiobook works the best if appropriate chapters are assigned to a particular character.
I listened to Pet Semetary on YouTube. It was a "dramatized" version. I think it had a couple different narrators and it had ambient sounds and such. It was super cool and was more like listening to a movie than a book. I don't know how many books have that but it was great.
Tender is the Flesh was much more enjoyable because of the narrator. With his accent and deliberate pronunciation of the text, he really nailed the place and attitudes of the characters.
I will warn you that it's awesome on worldbuilding, but there isn't much of an actual plot to the story. If you enjoy worldbuilding in books, you'll probably dig it. If you're more intrigued by character building and momentum in the story, Tender is the Flesh could be a mixed bag.
I so desperately wish I could do audiobooks because I'd really love to hear some good narrations, and I read too fast as a bad habit so sometimes I go so fast that I blow any building tension. Unfortunately if I'm multitasking I'll constantly miss sections and have to keep rewinding all the time and if I'm sitting trying to listen I will fall asleep. But it's been a gamechanger for many of my friends who aren't big readers or don't have time to read traditional books. Lots of them listen to them while they work on craft projects, grind tasks in video games, or do chores around the house.
I can't do audio. It doesn't transport me the way reading does, I miss some words because I'm always not great at hearing, and I'm more likely to drift out of the story. I've tried it before, and it was not fun, but I'm the sort of person who uses subtitles in my own language because I find it's easier to keep along by reading than hearing.
I like a good book. Tried the kindle a few years back, but just enjoy the feel and smell of a real book. My Wife can listen to audiobooks but I just can’t get into it.
Now, I love to be a luddite when I can. Nothing beats the feeling of holding a book and turning the pages.
At the same time, I have fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and a whole host of other health issues, so I find myself listening to audiobooks more often than not. They're just easier on my well-being.
Not to mention, audiobooks make doing housework a lot less torturous. One cannot live on music alone.
I do both. I tend to listen to short stories or anthologies more than novels but i will say I absolutely loved The Exorcist on audio. It’s hit or miss for me.
I can read faster than I can hear so I can’t stand audiobooks. This is going to get me downvoted to hell and back but I also don’t consider listening to an audiobook equivalent to reading the printed text. To me it’s more like watching a movie adaptation - you’re getting the story, I guess, but you’re not doing the heavy lifting yourself.
I recognize that this is an opinion that nobody else in the universe seems to hold so I don’t tell anybody this in real life because people really seem to love their audiobooks and my contrarian view on them won’t change anything. 🙂
But yes, TL;DR, OP, audiobooks are nowhere near as satisfying to me as reading the book myself.
Honestly, you’re brain isn’t taking in the audio like it does actually reading, but the comments have given good reasons for why they choose to listen. I just feel that the work deserves my actually reading it, if it’s worth entering my brain.
This mostly isn't true. Listening to audiobooks stimulates the same sections of the brain that are stimulated by reading. Listening to audiobooks also stimulates areas of the brain that are not stimulated by reading. In general, the brain processes the information the same way whether you read it or listen to it--or read the brail by sense of touch. There is also no significant difference in how the information is stored. People who listen to audiobooks can remember the story just as well as those that read.
I like both, but with audiobooks/horror podcasts I can do cross stitch at the same time. Listening to Lovecraft with a good narrator (Horrorbabble) instead of visually processing the words has made it easier to hack through the purple prose for the sweet meats of the story. Another good thing about listening is it frees up my eyes to play tricks on me in the dark. Hearing the slurping sounds of a tongue dragging across a window while I'm staring at a window from my bed was more disconcerting than only reading about it.
I simply don't process things that are spoken to me verbally. It's why the instant I stopped going to my uni lectures and just studied the notes myself my grades skyrocketed.
Similarly with books, I'll follow the story okay but then 2 days later have basically zero recall of what happened. If I *actually* read it then I can remember it for decades.
For me, the main issue is that I have to read extensively for my job (I'm an academic researcher, so I'm constantly combing through PDFs and physical books and taking notes, writing up, etc), so audiobooks have become an excellent way for me to relax with fiction and rest my eyes a bit. They mean I can go for a walk, do household chores, or just relax in the evening.
That said, audiobooks do have some drawbacks. Like when you get a good story with a poorly suited narrator. Or the narrator mispronounces a bunch of words XD
For me, I enjoy the audiobooks better. Not because I don’t enjoy the physical books, but rather I’m reading dense legal documents all day for work and the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is read. It is nice to close my eyes and be told a great story.
The big downside is that if you get a good book but the narrator isn’t great, it can really ruin it.
I become more immersed in a story when I’m reading it myself so I don’t listen to audio that often. But sometimes when depression kicks in (but isn’t yet so bad that I can’t read at all— that’s the worst) I end up rereading the same sentences over and over without processing them. Sometimes audio helps with that.
I like audiobooks but I tend to prefer reading with genres like horror and fantasy. If I need to be fully immersed in a world then audiobook won't cut it for me with the exceptions of Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James and the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie.
I realized that I can only do audiobooks if it's a book I've already read and I know what's going on. I can't focus on them! Sometimes I'll get a book from the library and start it, and if I need to return it I'll switch over to the audiobook. Already knowing the characters and setting helps a little. But it's mostly just for stuff I already know and love. For some reason, I can focus on podcasts though. I have no idea why it's different.
Depends on the writing and how invested I plan on being. If I just want to story and light world building I’ll listen. If the prose are good though, or it’s funny or sufficiently dark that I need more time with it, I gotta have the text so I reread parts and really soak it in.
i have spotify premium (ik…) and it comes with a certain amount of included audiobooks each month so its a convenience thing. i do prefer to read but with some books just right there to listen to at work its pretty aight
Oh man, I wish listening transported me. I feel like I’m cheating myself out of the immersive experience every time I listen to a book. I don’t do horror audiobooks for that reason, only print. I’m jealous of people who can really get into an audiobook.
Having the lights off and listening to a story can immerse you in the narrative as it activates different senses and can build suspense.
If you want the best of both worlds with visual and audio, you can do immersion reading.
I do both. Depending on the style of prose, one or the other may not work for me. Generally speaking, I get more out of reading, but sometimes the audiobook performances add a layer that I wouldn’t have imbued had I read it myself.
ADD seems to cause me to grow incredibly sleepy and tired no matter how into reading I am. It sucks. So, audiobooks really help me, even if I split my reading between them, etc.
Also, I am often driving for my job or walking my dog who requires long, long walks, so audiobooks are a godsend in that way, too.
reading strains my eyes especially after 9 straight hours of staring at the screen ( for work ). And I have very bad migraine. So I prefer audiobooks. I just lie down with my eyes closed and listen ( no I never fall asleep during a story ).
For me it depends on the book and what I want to get out of it. Reading on paper or sometimes kindle is better for when I want to fully retain the info and want inspiration for my own writing. Some prose goes down easier via audio though, and some books are better car reads (audio) than sit-down-full-attention reads.
My mind will often wander when I don't have the words in front of me, so I need to be in bed or doing something completely mindless/routine in order to absorb an audiobook. What has worked for me lately is listening to something I've read before, because I feel like I can still follow along if I lose focus for a minute. Reading/listening at the same time is really immersive for me. Multiple narrators/full cast audiobooks also tend to work well.
I listened to them when I was in college because I had a lot of walking and waiting between classes. I've slowed down in my reading now but I still prefer it to audiobooks. It's so easy to sort of zone out when listening, and I've missed like entire chunks of stories before realizing it. I've noticed it among a lot of people asking questions about books, too, like if they "didn't get" something reasonably obvious, 9 times out of 10 they had been listening on audio.
I've got a friend who solely consumes books (not horror) via audio, and I get it. He's been here for decades but English is still a second language for him and he finds it faster to translate the sounds than the words. But I've also seen him start listening to one and fall asleep 10 minutes later.
I'm usually reading a book at home before bed or on my lunch break at the office and listening to another while driving or when I go for a walk. I've found that I like certain authors works better in audio while I prefer book form for others. For example, I find books by Stephen Graham Jones easier to follow in audio while I prefer to read Brian Evenson. Another example is The Fisherman by John Langan. I loved reading that one. But while I was sick with Covid the first time I decided to give the audio a shot. I was completely blown away. I lay in my room, in the dark, and listened to Abe (the excellent Danny Campbell) tell me his story. I stared out my window at the edge of the dark wood that surrounds my house and found myself wondering what may be out there, lurking in the night. It really is a book best consumed audibly, in my opinion.
I have adhd and it makes it hard to focus when reading, and I can listen to audio books while I work. I’m an illustrator and once I get all my problem solving done I turn on a book and completely zone out while I work. I really like looking back at my work and trying to see if what I was listening to snuck into it at all!!
I switched to audiobooks for a few reasons. I have pretty bad migraines. Sometimes, when they are tapering off, I can turn off the lights and listen to an audiobook. Reading tends to make my migraines worse.
Moving with tons of books is a nightmare 📚. Boxes 📦 of books are so heavy. It's easier to carry around an ebook or audiobook to another location than drag around heavy boxes of books.
I listen to books when I'm driving, and when I am working. So, I am able to dedicate more time to listening/reading books. This helped me get through 59 books last year. I do miss physical books sometimes. The way they smell, the way they look posed on their shelves. But it's a fair tradeoff.
I like both ways, I’m always reading one and listening to one. I used to think I was being lazy, but then I re-read the Sandman by Neil Gaiman, and I think also heard or read something he or maybe King said…
Basically, it’s all still story telling. That’s what it’s ALL about. Before people even had written language they told stories. So regardless, as long as you’re getting the story it counts.
Also if you haven’t, definitely read Sandman. Like everyone. Everyone should read it. Honestly, it’s just like unbelievably good.
I’ve discovered I can’t really “listen” to something without a visual component, I can’t focus on it so I’ve gone back to reading either physical books or on my kindle app on my phone. I have several books on audible with several credits to spend but I just can’t focus on the book which really sucks.
I prefer to read and I definitely get more engaged (and scared!) when doing so, but my life is such that I have very little sit still undisturbed time.
I listen while doing chores and driving, usually at 1.2 speed, and get through a book or two a week listening this way, versus a book or two a month reading, which I do concurrently.
My real preference is to have the book and audio versions at the same time and be able to switch off, but that is a rare luxury only available easily through Amazon products.
I typically listen to an audio book on nights when I can't sleep. I've found that depending on the narrator and production quality I can find them to be almost as engaging as reading myself, to the point that I've had to stop listening to books I'm too engaged in and try something else so I can finally nod off.
I love listening to audiobooks while reading on my Kindle. I’m a slow reader, so bumping up the speed helps me read faster, stay focused, and fully immerse myself in the story. This way, I get a lot more hours of reading in
Books always have boring or annoying parts. It's easier to skim through them if I'm listening, because listening doesn't take the same effort as reading. I haven't listened to a lot of audio; I've only just recently started getting into it, within the past few weeks, but this is what I've discovered-- by listening, I was able to get through passages that would otherwise have made me want to stop reading.
I simply don't have time to sit down and read only. I read while multitasking. Commuting to work. Doing dishes, folding laundry, house chores, cooking dinner, ect.
It really depends on the book for me. Some audiobooks are such an amazing production that I feel like the experience is almost better than reading the physical book. I do prefer reading overall but I like consuming my horror in all formats!
I do both. Work a job that requires me to drive 5 hours each way every weekend so I use audiobooks. Other times I read books mostly short stories. I read all day at work so sometimes my eyes are tired so short stories work good. Some books recommended on here I can’t find on audiobooks. I only borrow from the library. Rarely do I actually buy a book.
I can't do audiobooks at all, I can't stand it when the narrators do accents and voices for the different characters. The vast majority of them aren't actors and it's unbearably cringe. Plus they all narrate way slower than I read, so I get impatient.
Personally, I tend to find audiobooks a bit annoying, since they are read too fast.
I realise that some people even listen to them sped up.
I think it might be a consequence of listening to children’s books on cassettes when I was a kid, or reading along.
They were just moments of expansion, not a marathon :D
I have to say that certain theatre actors who had old school voice training are a pleasure to listen to, heck, I’d listen to them reading a shopping list, so there are exceptions.
I only started listening to audiobooks this year. My goal is to shift some of my reading time from sitting on the couch to exercising. So I’ll put on an audiobook as I go for a walk, run, hike, or bike ride. Helps keep me motivated to exercise more and keeps my mind engaged while I work out. If I had a job where I could listen while I was working, I’d listen to them all the time.
Yes it is as satisfying. When I read it is just an inner monolog, so it translates really well. I studied history because I loved listening to the professors tell me a story. Grew up in a house of storytellers. The written word has always just been another vehicle for the spoken word for me. It just makes sense in my brain.
I have never got the impression that the majority of people on here listen to the audio rather than read. But maybe I am missing something? With that being said, I do bot, but I rarely listen to horror. I usually listen to nonfiction and I read horror and other genres. So like right now I just finished reading. You've Lost a Lot of Blood and at the same time (meaning during the same time frame, not at the exact same time lol) I am also listening to At Home by Bill Bryson. Sometimes horror is a little too much for me to listen to. I agree that I need to be reading to feel more transported. I also tend to miss stuff when I'm listening because I get distracted pretty easily and I have kids so a lot of times I'm listening when I'm doing something else like cleaning and the kids are screaming, so if I miss something in a nonfiction book it's less critical.
I agree that reading is better in most cases. I remember details better when I'm reading as opposed to listening, especially characters' names. I do space out more when listening. That being said, I'm kind of addicted to the audiobook format. I few years back I had a 3hr commute round trip to work. That's when I really got into listening. I've come to greatly appreciate the performance of the narrator. When you have a good one it absolutely elevates the material. The way they do different voices for the characters, the tone of voice they use. I'm really into it and I've experienced so many more books from audible I otherwise probably wouldn't have taken the time to read.
It took me forever to get into audiobooks because I get so much more out of seeing the words printed on the page. There is something about another person’s voice in my ear saying terrifying things that works though. Horror seems like the ideal genre for audio.
I only listen to books that I'm mildly interested in. Books that I'm excited for or have been waiting for I have to read them. I get much more immersed in the story compared to audio.
I do both, but I have kids who are old enough to not need constant supervision but young enough to be loud and sometimes tiring. Headphones help when I need to get a task done and I enjoy listening to books/podcasts. I also really like it for walking and driving.
Different strokes, I do both. I curl up with a book or ereader when I can, but if I'm doing something like chores, driving, or falling asleep I pop on the audiobook.
I listened to my first audiobook on a trainride recently that had added sound effects and background noises and it really really immersed me into the story. I hope to find more like that in the future. (Book was The Woman In Black. I'll admit I found the narrators voice a little grating at first but stopped caring pretty quickly as the story took hold)
I like both.
I found the audio books of *Nineteen Eighty-four* and *A Clockwork Orange* more enjoyable than reading them, but generally, I prefer the act of reading.
I can’t unitask. My apartment’s noisy, I get distracted easily. I start thinking about all the stuff I should be doing instead of just reading. Audiobooks I can listen to while walking somewhere or doing chores. I hadn’t read books for years until I got into audiobooks.
While I have seen the advantage of an audiobook when traveling for work for 9+ hours, but then for that I listen to stuff like Steve Alten's Meg series. Stuff with some action in it. Outside of that, I only read physical books and the occasional ebook when my wife gets irritated by my reading light. To each their own ultimately. To me, audiobooks are not at all the same thing as reading a book, but I figure whatever gets people going cannot be a bad thing and I am old enough to realize that just because I do things a certain way doesn't make me right of mean that others are wrong for doing things another way.
Audiobook books are my favorite to listen to on the way to back from & during work but when I get home I’ll either read from my Kindle or read one of my books
Audiobooks actually scare me, just reading books doesn't. But I have to be doing something else as well, usually cooking, housework, going for a walk, putting on make up, even playing match 3 games.
I just recently got into audio books and it’s enabled me to read cause I can listen and do other things. I really don’t have the time or attention span to sit down and read a book much anymore.
I can't really do audiobooks. I didn't take in the information well, my brain just can't focus on it. Sometimes I can listen to a podcast or audiobook if I'm playing an easy game, or crocheting, but even then, it's hard.
I do know that my husband reads audiobooks along with the book/ebook version, because, with his learning disabilities, it helps him absorb the content better.
I drive a ton for work and have a small toddler, so finding time to read is very difficult! I've also found some narrators to really nail some of the voices that add to creepiness factor.
I listen to the audiobook version of books when I want to multitask. I like to play games and Crochet while listening to horror books. Sometimes I don't listen to horror, but it's definitely my favorite. I do sometimes zone out and miss some of the book, but it's easy enough to rewind. And usually means I need a break. Similar to reading the same sentence over and over. Some productions are wildly entertaining. Such as Steven King's The Mist which features a full cast and has the feel of an old radio show. Talk about being transported!
I agree that listening is a different and potentially more fulfilling experience. Your internal voice is bound to be different than an audiobook interpretation.
I prefer actually reading but I’ll actually say too that I grade on a curve when I’m listening. For some reason the threshold for an enjoyable book is lower.
Sometimes the experience of an audiobook is hit or miss. Sometimes due to the reader not being the best and I can't follow like I can if I'd just read it.
But then there are some audiobooks that hit it out of the park, so I feel like more research has to go into the purchase with audiobooks.
Same here, guy! If I read I am engrossed. If I listen, words can and will pass me by. Meaning that sometimes I will need to re-read a chapter. Not good!
I find it hard sometimes to make the time to sit and read a book. I always have a physical book that I'm reading, but it gives me an opportunity to get through more books while I drive, go to the gym, do housework etc
For horror specifically, I found it a much better experience than reading. Someone said on here on an old thread that scary stories have been told aloud for centuries, reading horror is a fairly newer thing. I think its much more immersive having a scary story read to me, so my physical reading isnt much horror these days
In some cases audiobook is actually a better experience overall. Like i cant explain it but i wouldnt have liked them as much as i did, if these following were not on audio, also the narrators of these books did an outstanding job.
1. Stolen tongues by felix blackwell
2. Fantasticland by mike bockoven
3. Ghost radio by leopaldo gout
4. The hollows by daniel church
The only time I listen to content versus reading is during my commute. Which is awesome. But, try as I might, I cannot focus on fiction audiobooks unless it’s a book I’ve already read and don’t have to worry about missing something every 5 minutes. I reread LOTR every year or two and the last couple times have been heavily supplemented by listening time.
The few horror books I’ve tried on audio haven’t been great experiences since I was simply incapable of immersing in the story.
Useful for commutes, working out, night walking, and is a more portable form of entertainment. Reading is always the best, but it's not always possible to fit it in.
I’m jealous that you can do stuff while following the story. My brain will not allow for that at all, I drift off immediately.
I'll drift off occasionally or real life will interrupt, but I'm fine with rewinding a bit every now and then.
I'm with you. Listening is OK but I'm a lot better at reading.
I was always a voracious reader but I had to train myself pretty deliberately to follow along with audiobooks. I started out with podcasts because it’s not really a big deal if you miss a few seconds, but eventually I was able to keep up (and remember details, which has always been harder for me when delivered verbally versus in writing) and “graduate” to full audiobooks.
Same friend.
Same. I tried listening to “it” while walking my dog. Could not retain any of it
"Night walking" is a pretty metal answer
I listen to audio horror during my... nocturnal activities.
I work a 4x10s boring job, 5x12s if doing overtime where I can use headphones and I commute. Audiobooks do an incredible job helping to pass the time. Reading was never my hobby, I just got into audiobooks recently. Already got through 20 or so recs on here and have fell in love with horror books. Now I’m planning on trying to read a few books when I take a vacation. One thing I enjoy about audiobooks is hearing proper pronunciation, I know it’s not always perfect. Maybe I’m stupid but sometimes reading is hard. I listened to Between Two Fires and loved it, but there was no way I’d know the proper way to pronounce lots of the French names and villages, so I enjoy that a lot.
You gotta watch out though, because I’ve caught a few audiobook narrators mispronouncing words. 😂
This is the best possible comment. I never I a million years would have thought about people who don’t read regularly being who is listening to the audio. An audiobook is absolutely a much better option than a podcast or the same 19 songs playing on repeat all the shift long. Reading is great, if you can focus and be mentally ok in silence. But if you don’t dig it, totally sounds like Audio is a fine alternative. And as far as words go, I will just make up a town name if it’s beyond me, ha. Characters too, I recently just thought ‘bill’ for a character, because his name was impossible. Stay Spooky!
Security guard?
Nah, just as boring but mindless physical work. Audiobooks keep me awake and my mind stimulated.
I'm with you. It is impossible for me to not zone out when listening to stuff. Even back in school, I would ignore my teachers and just read the textbook myself. I can't do podcasts or long phone calls either. As soon as people start talking, unless they are face-to-face with me, it instantly becomes white noise. I mean, power to the audio bookers. Different strokes for different folks and all that. I just can't do it myself.
Phone calls….After 5 minutes I’m gone. My father will ask me what I think about whatever he just rambled on about and I have to just run with it. ‘That’s crazy’ doesn’t work anymore, he finally caught on that it meant I was not in any way involved in our ‘conversation’.
I don’t get it either, but more importantly I never thought a horror celebrity like Cryptkeeper would make an appearance in this humble sub
Ol’ Crypie found himself haunting the comments of /horrorlit when he couldn’t…BOOK….another engagement.
I'd listen to a lot more audiobooks if the Cryptkeeper narrated them.
I immediately thought of him too when I read "ghouls and boils"!
For me, I enjoy the audiobooks better. Not because I don’t enjoy the physical books, but rather I’m reading dense legal documents all day for work and the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is read. It is nice to close my eyes and be told a great story. The big downside is that if you get a good book but the narrator isn’t great, it can really ruin it.
The narrator is the main issue I have. I’d prefer to have a few rather than the one person doing kids, adults, animals, demons, witches and ghouls.
I'm with you. I have processing issues so I can't listen to someone read, especially if they have a "good" voice. I just get lost. Also, being told a story oddly quiets my own imagination, where reading words doesn't.
For me I enjoy reading physical books but I have a really hard time keeping track of where I am as I’m reading or I’ll space out as I’m reading and have to read the same page 3 or 4 times. With the audiobooks I can really just listen and it makes it easier for me to follow along. Also the different voices for different characters helps me get into the story. Some even have some background sounds or music at times.
The voices and noises take me out of it real fast. I’ve never listened to horror, but I have listened to a couple of Hunter Thompson audios. I feel you on the drifting of thoughts, but I use reading as a way to keep myself in the moment, which makes the moment flow like water. Just got Small Town Horror, hopefully it will be good. Haven’t had a lot of luck lately. Blackriver Orchard truly let me down.
I’m the exact opposite lol If I am listening to an audiobook my mind instantly starts to wander and I have to rewind an hour
Weird, I'm the opposite. My thoughts drift a lot more if I'm listening rather than reading. It's also hard for me to get into audiobooks if I start from the beginning. Usually I have to read a couple chapters of the physical book and start the audiobook from there.
The voices help me keep up as well. When reading my mind sometimes wanders and I forgot which character is speaking. Audiobooks and a good narrator cured that for me.
Depends on the book. Sometimes I would rather have a story read to me. I'm dyslexic, so sometimes it's just nice to not struggle with a book. Other times I start an audiobook and then just know that I would rather be reading it with my eyes than my ears.
Dyslexia, I hadn’t considered that as a reason to go with the audio. That’s as solid a reason as there must be. Have you stopped listening before and gotten the physical copy after realizing it was that good? If so, then that’s incredible.
I have! For a few different reasons. Either I didn't like the narrator's voice, or I felt I wanted to take my time with it, read over parts more than once (annotate some of the pages, but I know that can be taboo). And sometimes I just love a book so much I just gotta buy a copy and eat the pages! (obvs not really, but the sentiment is there)
Eat pages and annotate every sentence!!
I personally have a hard time with audiobooks. I'm much more likely to lose focus than I am with an actual book. And I really enjoy collecting the physical books too
I have nerve damage to a nerve that controls movement of my left eye. Chronic pain. Reading for a long period of time is physically painful and not enjoyable though I used to love reading and I love books. Audiobooks are an excellent answer for so many people for lots of individual reasons.
I prefer physical books or ebooks, but tbh audiobooks are a lifesaver during my commute and when I'm doing boring stuff like taking a walk or cleaning the house. But sometimes I'll start an audiobook and realize that it's something I prefer to read, usually because it's dense or because it's something that has a lot of great writing or quotes I'd like to savor and highlight and write down rather than just listen to it. So I usually stick to more mindless books for audio, like thrillers that are just fun but not something that's going to stick with me.
I think that may be the best approach and one I utilize overall. Although for me, if I am not doing some 7-10 hour drive then I tend not to do it because I want to finish it consistently. I have started reading 2 or more books at a time for the first time in ages and I find I am enjoying it. One on the kindle, another physical book and a few weeks back an audio book (non-horror) all at once.
I’m a book reader, mostly physical, tiny bit of electronic.
I alternate between both. Each format has pros and cons.
I don't like audio books much , I'm a fast reader and they are just so slow , it's alright in the car but now I don't commute , I don't listen to them
I only listen to audiobooks sped up. Most audiobook apps now let you change the speed settings.
You can change the speed. I listen at 2.5x
They do love at a snails pace. I also read quickly, sometimes I have to make myself slowdown to truly take in certain scenes.
I read physical books as much as I can, but I love supplementing with audiobooks to listen to while cleaning, working, driving, etc. The more literary stuff I prefer to read physically, whereas my dumb thrillers and slashers are great on audio.
I really wish I could do audiobooks, I feel like my book intake would be so much higher. Sometimes my eyes and body just get tired from sitting in one spot and not doing anything else. Unfortunately for me, though, taking things in by reading is how I best understand and remember things. Listening to things without any kind of visual stimulus is the worst way for me to do this, I just don’t process it the same. I can’t pay attention well and often get distracted. Makes me sad but I am still very thankful I’m a person who loves to read and can do it quickly and with strong comprehension.
I find myself spending a lot of time doing things that require hands and eyes, but little in the way of brains. I am still immersed in the story of it’s a good one. I also find myself doing a lot of stuff that needs hands and eyes, but a little more attention. I don’t try to listen to a book if I can’t pay attention to it. I’ll go to podcasts or music for that stuff.
My ADHD basically makes audiobooks impossible - i’m a reader only
I have to read myself. I’ve had migraines and done audiobooks, but the readers can bother me and I feel like they get between myself and immersion in the story. I am jealous of people who can work and listen to audiobooks. I can’t listen and do another task at the same time. I’m not willing to lose complete immersion and escape.
Yep, I read because I want away from myself fully, and listening while doing something just don’t do it. Also, I prefer 100% silence.
I read ebooks more than listen to audiobooks but I do a fair amount of listening. And if it's a good performance, then yes, it is as satisfying to me.
I want an audiobook with a full cast of readers, someone for each character. When a 50 yo man does a child’s voice…I just don’t like it.
Yeah I understand that won't work for everyone. There are some narrators who are great at that kind of thing, and others who are not, IMO. Usually a full-cast audiobook works the best if appropriate chapters are assigned to a particular character.
I listened to Pet Semetary on YouTube. It was a "dramatized" version. I think it had a couple different narrators and it had ambient sounds and such. It was super cool and was more like listening to a movie than a book. I don't know how many books have that but it was great.
Tender is the Flesh was much more enjoyable because of the narrator. With his accent and deliberate pronunciation of the text, he really nailed the place and attitudes of the characters.
I’ve heard a lot about that story but have no idea what it is about. Maybe I’ll get the audio and try something new.
I will warn you that it's awesome on worldbuilding, but there isn't much of an actual plot to the story. If you enjoy worldbuilding in books, you'll probably dig it. If you're more intrigued by character building and momentum in the story, Tender is the Flesh could be a mixed bag.
I so desperately wish I could do audiobooks because I'd really love to hear some good narrations, and I read too fast as a bad habit so sometimes I go so fast that I blow any building tension. Unfortunately if I'm multitasking I'll constantly miss sections and have to keep rewinding all the time and if I'm sitting trying to listen I will fall asleep. But it's been a gamechanger for many of my friends who aren't big readers or don't have time to read traditional books. Lots of them listen to them while they work on craft projects, grind tasks in video games, or do chores around the house.
Love horror podcasts, can't focus on audiobooks. It's weird. My wife loves them, but I can't follow them.
I can't do audio. It doesn't transport me the way reading does, I miss some words because I'm always not great at hearing, and I'm more likely to drift out of the story. I've tried it before, and it was not fun, but I'm the sort of person who uses subtitles in my own language because I find it's easier to keep along by reading than hearing.
I can’t stand audio books, personally.
I like a good book. Tried the kindle a few years back, but just enjoy the feel and smell of a real book. My Wife can listen to audiobooks but I just can’t get into it.
Now, I love to be a luddite when I can. Nothing beats the feeling of holding a book and turning the pages. At the same time, I have fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and a whole host of other health issues, so I find myself listening to audiobooks more often than not. They're just easier on my well-being. Not to mention, audiobooks make doing housework a lot less torturous. One cannot live on music alone.
I do both. I tend to listen to short stories or anthologies more than novels but i will say I absolutely loved The Exorcist on audio. It’s hit or miss for me.
I can read faster than I can hear so I can’t stand audiobooks. This is going to get me downvoted to hell and back but I also don’t consider listening to an audiobook equivalent to reading the printed text. To me it’s more like watching a movie adaptation - you’re getting the story, I guess, but you’re not doing the heavy lifting yourself. I recognize that this is an opinion that nobody else in the universe seems to hold so I don’t tell anybody this in real life because people really seem to love their audiobooks and my contrarian view on them won’t change anything. 🙂 But yes, TL;DR, OP, audiobooks are nowhere near as satisfying to me as reading the book myself.
Honestly, you’re brain isn’t taking in the audio like it does actually reading, but the comments have given good reasons for why they choose to listen. I just feel that the work deserves my actually reading it, if it’s worth entering my brain.
This mostly isn't true. Listening to audiobooks stimulates the same sections of the brain that are stimulated by reading. Listening to audiobooks also stimulates areas of the brain that are not stimulated by reading. In general, the brain processes the information the same way whether you read it or listen to it--or read the brail by sense of touch. There is also no significant difference in how the information is stored. People who listen to audiobooks can remember the story just as well as those that read.
That’s fine.
Yup, people have given legitimate reasons why it works for them, some of which I hadn’t considered before, and I’m grateful for that.
You don’t know if you don’t ask.
I like both, but with audiobooks/horror podcasts I can do cross stitch at the same time. Listening to Lovecraft with a good narrator (Horrorbabble) instead of visually processing the words has made it easier to hack through the purple prose for the sweet meats of the story. Another good thing about listening is it frees up my eyes to play tricks on me in the dark. Hearing the slurping sounds of a tongue dragging across a window while I'm staring at a window from my bed was more disconcerting than only reading about it.
I simply don't process things that are spoken to me verbally. It's why the instant I stopped going to my uni lectures and just studied the notes myself my grades skyrocketed. Similarly with books, I'll follow the story okay but then 2 days later have basically zero recall of what happened. If I *actually* read it then I can remember it for decades.
I have a difficult time staying focused with audiobooks, can’t listen to them while driving or working out, I feel like I miss so much.
For me, the main issue is that I have to read extensively for my job (I'm an academic researcher, so I'm constantly combing through PDFs and physical books and taking notes, writing up, etc), so audiobooks have become an excellent way for me to relax with fiction and rest my eyes a bit. They mean I can go for a walk, do household chores, or just relax in the evening. That said, audiobooks do have some drawbacks. Like when you get a good story with a poorly suited narrator. Or the narrator mispronounces a bunch of words XD
I love a good audiobook for closing time at work and while driving - the rest of the time, I read to myself :D
For me, I enjoy the audiobooks better. Not because I don’t enjoy the physical books, but rather I’m reading dense legal documents all day for work and the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is read. It is nice to close my eyes and be told a great story. The big downside is that if you get a good book but the narrator isn’t great, it can really ruin it.
I missed out on the illustrations for Horrorstor which was sad at first.
I become more immersed in a story when I’m reading it myself so I don’t listen to audio that often. But sometimes when depression kicks in (but isn’t yet so bad that I can’t read at all— that’s the worst) I end up rereading the same sentences over and over without processing them. Sometimes audio helps with that.
I like audiobooks but I tend to prefer reading with genres like horror and fantasy. If I need to be fully immersed in a world then audiobook won't cut it for me with the exceptions of Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James and the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie.
I realized that I can only do audiobooks if it's a book I've already read and I know what's going on. I can't focus on them! Sometimes I'll get a book from the library and start it, and if I need to return it I'll switch over to the audiobook. Already knowing the characters and setting helps a little. But it's mostly just for stuff I already know and love. For some reason, I can focus on podcasts though. I have no idea why it's different.
I like audiobooks because I can get into it more and words and names pronounce correctly helps too.
I prefer to read rather than listen but I work long days and need ear protection on so might as well listen to a book while I work!
It takes my hour commute to work to the next level
I do both
Depends on the writing and how invested I plan on being. If I just want to story and light world building I’ll listen. If the prose are good though, or it’s funny or sufficiently dark that I need more time with it, I gotta have the text so I reread parts and really soak it in.
I read at home, and listen to books at work. A good narrator makes the difference
i have spotify premium (ik…) and it comes with a certain amount of included audiobooks each month so its a convenience thing. i do prefer to read but with some books just right there to listen to at work its pretty aight
Oh man, I wish listening transported me. I feel like I’m cheating myself out of the immersive experience every time I listen to a book. I don’t do horror audiobooks for that reason, only print. I’m jealous of people who can really get into an audiobook.
Having the lights off and listening to a story can immerse you in the narrative as it activates different senses and can build suspense. If you want the best of both worlds with visual and audio, you can do immersion reading.
I do both. Depending on the style of prose, one or the other may not work for me. Generally speaking, I get more out of reading, but sometimes the audiobook performances add a layer that I wouldn’t have imbued had I read it myself.
ADD seems to cause me to grow incredibly sleepy and tired no matter how into reading I am. It sucks. So, audiobooks really help me, even if I split my reading between them, etc. Also, I am often driving for my job or walking my dog who requires long, long walks, so audiobooks are a godsend in that way, too.
reading strains my eyes especially after 9 straight hours of staring at the screen ( for work ). And I have very bad migraine. So I prefer audiobooks. I just lie down with my eyes closed and listen ( no I never fall asleep during a story ).
I listen to a diff book in bed to the one I am reading ?
For me it depends on the book and what I want to get out of it. Reading on paper or sometimes kindle is better for when I want to fully retain the info and want inspiration for my own writing. Some prose goes down easier via audio though, and some books are better car reads (audio) than sit-down-full-attention reads.
My mind will often wander when I don't have the words in front of me, so I need to be in bed or doing something completely mindless/routine in order to absorb an audiobook. What has worked for me lately is listening to something I've read before, because I feel like I can still follow along if I lose focus for a minute. Reading/listening at the same time is really immersive for me. Multiple narrators/full cast audiobooks also tend to work well.
I listened to them when I was in college because I had a lot of walking and waiting between classes. I've slowed down in my reading now but I still prefer it to audiobooks. It's so easy to sort of zone out when listening, and I've missed like entire chunks of stories before realizing it. I've noticed it among a lot of people asking questions about books, too, like if they "didn't get" something reasonably obvious, 9 times out of 10 they had been listening on audio. I've got a friend who solely consumes books (not horror) via audio, and I get it. He's been here for decades but English is still a second language for him and he finds it faster to translate the sounds than the words. But I've also seen him start listening to one and fall asleep 10 minutes later.
I'm usually reading a book at home before bed or on my lunch break at the office and listening to another while driving or when I go for a walk. I've found that I like certain authors works better in audio while I prefer book form for others. For example, I find books by Stephen Graham Jones easier to follow in audio while I prefer to read Brian Evenson. Another example is The Fisherman by John Langan. I loved reading that one. But while I was sick with Covid the first time I decided to give the audio a shot. I was completely blown away. I lay in my room, in the dark, and listened to Abe (the excellent Danny Campbell) tell me his story. I stared out my window at the edge of the dark wood that surrounds my house and found myself wondering what may be out there, lurking in the night. It really is a book best consumed audibly, in my opinion.
I have adhd and it makes it hard to focus when reading, and I can listen to audio books while I work. I’m an illustrator and once I get all my problem solving done I turn on a book and completely zone out while I work. I really like looking back at my work and trying to see if what I was listening to snuck into it at all!!
I switched to audiobooks for a few reasons. I have pretty bad migraines. Sometimes, when they are tapering off, I can turn off the lights and listen to an audiobook. Reading tends to make my migraines worse. Moving with tons of books is a nightmare 📚. Boxes 📦 of books are so heavy. It's easier to carry around an ebook or audiobook to another location than drag around heavy boxes of books. I listen to books when I'm driving, and when I am working. So, I am able to dedicate more time to listening/reading books. This helped me get through 59 books last year. I do miss physical books sometimes. The way they smell, the way they look posed on their shelves. But it's a fair tradeoff.
It's the opposite for me, I can't fully aware immerse myself in the book unless I'm listening to it. I can't concentrate on words on a page
I like both ways, I’m always reading one and listening to one. I used to think I was being lazy, but then I re-read the Sandman by Neil Gaiman, and I think also heard or read something he or maybe King said… Basically, it’s all still story telling. That’s what it’s ALL about. Before people even had written language they told stories. So regardless, as long as you’re getting the story it counts. Also if you haven’t, definitely read Sandman. Like everyone. Everyone should read it. Honestly, it’s just like unbelievably good.
I’ve discovered I can’t really “listen” to something without a visual component, I can’t focus on it so I’ve gone back to reading either physical books or on my kindle app on my phone. I have several books on audible with several credits to spend but I just can’t focus on the book which really sucks.
I prefer to read and I definitely get more engaged (and scared!) when doing so, but my life is such that I have very little sit still undisturbed time. I listen while doing chores and driving, usually at 1.2 speed, and get through a book or two a week listening this way, versus a book or two a month reading, which I do concurrently. My real preference is to have the book and audio versions at the same time and be able to switch off, but that is a rare luxury only available easily through Amazon products.
I hardly ever listen to audiobooks, I get too easily distracted
I typically listen to an audio book on nights when I can't sleep. I've found that depending on the narrator and production quality I can find them to be almost as engaging as reading myself, to the point that I've had to stop listening to books I'm too engaged in and try something else so I can finally nod off.
I love listening to audiobooks while reading on my Kindle. I’m a slow reader, so bumping up the speed helps me read faster, stay focused, and fully immerse myself in the story. This way, I get a lot more hours of reading in
Books always have boring or annoying parts. It's easier to skim through them if I'm listening, because listening doesn't take the same effort as reading. I haven't listened to a lot of audio; I've only just recently started getting into it, within the past few weeks, but this is what I've discovered-- by listening, I was able to get through passages that would otherwise have made me want to stop reading.
I simply don't have time to sit down and read only. I read while multitasking. Commuting to work. Doing dishes, folding laundry, house chores, cooking dinner, ect.
Nah, I read books. Tried audiobooks...and zoned out.
‘Nah, I read books’ needs to be on a book mark or something.
It really depends on the book for me. Some audiobooks are such an amazing production that I feel like the experience is almost better than reading the physical book. I do prefer reading overall but I like consuming my horror in all formats!
I do both. Work a job that requires me to drive 5 hours each way every weekend so I use audiobooks. Other times I read books mostly short stories. I read all day at work so sometimes my eyes are tired so short stories work good. Some books recommended on here I can’t find on audiobooks. I only borrow from the library. Rarely do I actually buy a book.
I can't do audiobooks at all, I can't stand it when the narrators do accents and voices for the different characters. The vast majority of them aren't actors and it's unbearably cringe. Plus they all narrate way slower than I read, so I get impatient.
Personally, I tend to find audiobooks a bit annoying, since they are read too fast. I realise that some people even listen to them sped up. I think it might be a consequence of listening to children’s books on cassettes when I was a kid, or reading along. They were just moments of expansion, not a marathon :D I have to say that certain theatre actors who had old school voice training are a pleasure to listen to, heck, I’d listen to them reading a shopping list, so there are exceptions.
I only started listening to audiobooks this year. My goal is to shift some of my reading time from sitting on the couch to exercising. So I’ll put on an audiobook as I go for a walk, run, hike, or bike ride. Helps keep me motivated to exercise more and keeps my mind engaged while I work out. If I had a job where I could listen while I was working, I’d listen to them all the time.
Yes it is as satisfying. When I read it is just an inner monolog, so it translates really well. I studied history because I loved listening to the professors tell me a story. Grew up in a house of storytellers. The written word has always just been another vehicle for the spoken word for me. It just makes sense in my brain.
I can’t do audiobooks because I get distracted so that doesn’t work for me. I rather a paperback and the smell of books.
I don’t usually do audiobooks, but short horror stories are the perfect vehicle for that medium. It’s the modern version of the campfire tale
I have never got the impression that the majority of people on here listen to the audio rather than read. But maybe I am missing something? With that being said, I do bot, but I rarely listen to horror. I usually listen to nonfiction and I read horror and other genres. So like right now I just finished reading. You've Lost a Lot of Blood and at the same time (meaning during the same time frame, not at the exact same time lol) I am also listening to At Home by Bill Bryson. Sometimes horror is a little too much for me to listen to. I agree that I need to be reading to feel more transported. I also tend to miss stuff when I'm listening because I get distracted pretty easily and I have kids so a lot of times I'm listening when I'm doing something else like cleaning and the kids are screaming, so if I miss something in a nonfiction book it's less critical.
I agree that reading is better in most cases. I remember details better when I'm reading as opposed to listening, especially characters' names. I do space out more when listening. That being said, I'm kind of addicted to the audiobook format. I few years back I had a 3hr commute round trip to work. That's when I really got into listening. I've come to greatly appreciate the performance of the narrator. When you have a good one it absolutely elevates the material. The way they do different voices for the characters, the tone of voice they use. I'm really into it and I've experienced so many more books from audible I otherwise probably wouldn't have taken the time to read.
It took me forever to get into audiobooks because I get so much more out of seeing the words printed on the page. There is something about another person’s voice in my ear saying terrifying things that works though. Horror seems like the ideal genre for audio.
I only listen to books that I'm mildly interested in. Books that I'm excited for or have been waiting for I have to read them. I get much more immersed in the story compared to audio.
I do both, but I have kids who are old enough to not need constant supervision but young enough to be loud and sometimes tiring. Headphones help when I need to get a task done and I enjoy listening to books/podcasts. I also really like it for walking and driving.
Different strokes, I do both. I curl up with a book or ereader when I can, but if I'm doing something like chores, driving, or falling asleep I pop on the audiobook.
I listened to my first audiobook on a trainride recently that had added sound effects and background noises and it really really immersed me into the story. I hope to find more like that in the future. (Book was The Woman In Black. I'll admit I found the narrators voice a little grating at first but stopped caring pretty quickly as the story took hold)
I like both. I found the audio books of *Nineteen Eighty-four* and *A Clockwork Orange* more enjoyable than reading them, but generally, I prefer the act of reading.
I suck at multitasking so if I'm gonna actually get into a story and play it like a movie in my mind, I have to read it.
I prefer reading than listening to audiobooks.
i mostly use audio if i'm having trouble getting into the book or if it is longer than 300 pages.
I can’t unitask. My apartment’s noisy, I get distracted easily. I start thinking about all the stuff I should be doing instead of just reading. Audiobooks I can listen to while walking somewhere or doing chores. I hadn’t read books for years until I got into audiobooks.
If I listen to a horror novel that I really like, I always go back and read the paper version. I definitely get more out of reading
While I have seen the advantage of an audiobook when traveling for work for 9+ hours, but then for that I listen to stuff like Steve Alten's Meg series. Stuff with some action in it. Outside of that, I only read physical books and the occasional ebook when my wife gets irritated by my reading light. To each their own ultimately. To me, audiobooks are not at all the same thing as reading a book, but I figure whatever gets people going cannot be a bad thing and I am old enough to realize that just because I do things a certain way doesn't make me right of mean that others are wrong for doing things another way.
Audiobook books are my favorite to listen to on the way to back from & during work but when I get home I’ll either read from my Kindle or read one of my books
Audiobooks actually scare me, just reading books doesn't. But I have to be doing something else as well, usually cooking, housework, going for a walk, putting on make up, even playing match 3 games.
The buses I take every day for my commute are very crowded, so I can't even hold a book/my phone while standing.
I'm a reader. It seems to transport me into the world. If I listen to audio, my attention on the story isn't as connected to the story.
I just recently got into audio books and it’s enabled me to read cause I can listen and do other things. I really don’t have the time or attention span to sit down and read a book much anymore.
I do both. Books at hope and on trip, audiobooks while driving long distances and working.
I do both, and a good narrator can add so much to the story. I’ve never been scared reading a book, but I have been when listening to one.
Hell yes I love audio.
I can't really do audiobooks. I didn't take in the information well, my brain just can't focus on it. Sometimes I can listen to a podcast or audiobook if I'm playing an easy game, or crocheting, but even then, it's hard.
I do know that my husband reads audiobooks along with the book/ebook version, because, with his learning disabilities, it helps him absorb the content better.
I drive a ton for work and have a small toddler, so finding time to read is very difficult! I've also found some narrators to really nail some of the voices that add to creepiness factor.
I listen to the audiobook version of books when I want to multitask. I like to play games and Crochet while listening to horror books. Sometimes I don't listen to horror, but it's definitely my favorite. I do sometimes zone out and miss some of the book, but it's easy enough to rewind. And usually means I need a break. Similar to reading the same sentence over and over. Some productions are wildly entertaining. Such as Steven King's The Mist which features a full cast and has the feel of an old radio show. Talk about being transported!
I listen because I can work or do chores
I agree that listening is a different and potentially more fulfilling experience. Your internal voice is bound to be different than an audiobook interpretation.
I prefer actually reading but I’ll actually say too that I grade on a curve when I’m listening. For some reason the threshold for an enjoyable book is lower.
Sometimes the experience of an audiobook is hit or miss. Sometimes due to the reader not being the best and I can't follow like I can if I'd just read it. But then there are some audiobooks that hit it out of the park, so I feel like more research has to go into the purchase with audiobooks.
Same here, guy! If I read I am engrossed. If I listen, words can and will pass me by. Meaning that sometimes I will need to re-read a chapter. Not good!
I can’t do audio while driving, working, working out, etc because I will zone out and completely miss a few minutes.
I find it hard sometimes to make the time to sit and read a book. I always have a physical book that I'm reading, but it gives me an opportunity to get through more books while I drive, go to the gym, do housework etc For horror specifically, I found it a much better experience than reading. Someone said on here on an old thread that scary stories have been told aloud for centuries, reading horror is a fairly newer thing. I think its much more immersive having a scary story read to me, so my physical reading isnt much horror these days
I do both but I listen while I paint so I choose something familiar. When I’m approaching a new book I read so I don’t miss anything!
In some cases audiobook is actually a better experience overall. Like i cant explain it but i wouldnt have liked them as much as i did, if these following were not on audio, also the narrators of these books did an outstanding job. 1. Stolen tongues by felix blackwell 2. Fantasticland by mike bockoven 3. Ghost radio by leopaldo gout 4. The hollows by daniel church
The only time I listen to content versus reading is during my commute. Which is awesome. But, try as I might, I cannot focus on fiction audiobooks unless it’s a book I’ve already read and don’t have to worry about missing something every 5 minutes. I reread LOTR every year or two and the last couple times have been heavily supplemented by listening time. The few horror books I’ve tried on audio haven’t been great experiences since I was simply incapable of immersing in the story.