Tuesday, April 11, 2017

A Tuesday Confession

I can't get into audiobooks.
I've tried listening to a few, and I just can not ever make it for more than a few minutes.
Furthermore, when someone tells me they've read such-and-such book and then I find out they actually just listened to it via audiobook, I feel as if they have lied to me.
I don't think there's anything wrong with audiobooks, and I think they're a wonderful way for people to explore literature.
They're just not my personal cup of tea, and I appreciate it when people differentiate between reading a physical book and listening to an audiobook.
I'm not sure why that difference is important to me, but I don't think it's too much to ask.

And since we're on the subject, if you do enjoy listening to audiobooks, I've had several people recommend LibriVox to me so I'll just pass that right along. It's an extensive collection of free audiobooks read by volunteers. So if you're into that or you've been wanting to expand your knowledge of classic literature, but you're not into reading physical books, this is a great resource for you.

And as a bonus, Haley from Carrots for Michaelmas wrote this post a couple years ago recommending her favorite readers on LibriVox. So there's that.

Do you like audiobooks?
Is there anything that people expect you to like based on your interests, but you actually just aren't into it?

21 comments:

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    2. I deleted that comment too just to keep everyone guessing... I'm all over this post!

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    3. Ha! I got to see both comments in my e-mail before they were deleted.

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  2. I like audiobooks for trips. I'm currently listening to "Boyd" which is a biography on the guy that pretty much founded the fundamental fighter tactics used today. I like audiobooks when the subject matter is dry and tedious. I found the audiobook version of "The Martian" much easier to listen to than to read. As far as what is expected vs. reality, people tend to think I like reading, but I'm not really a fan. I do a lot of it, mostly because there is information and substance in books that aren't offered in other platforms (such as movies). In summation, the reading that I make myself muscle through are mostly autobiographies/biographies (autobiographies are better) of pilots, particularly Air Force pilots or astronauts. My favorite so far is "Chuck Yeager" which is an autobiography.

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    1. John Boyd, right? The Air Force colonel who developed the OODA loop concept? It's fascinating. Let me know how you like it. I may want to listen to/read it.

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    2. People assume you like to read because you're an Osborne. I've tried listening to an audiobook on a long trip, and I still didn't even get through the first chapter. So do you listen to audiobooks at home too or just on trips?

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    3. Cody, it's on my iTunes, so it's all yours when you come for commissioning. I'm I've only listened to it just sitting at home once and didn't last very long.. it's easier to focus when you're just driving or something.

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  3. i like audiobooks when i'm traveling. long drives or late nights in a tent are great for audiobooks. but i prefer sitting down with a good book most of the time. getting to hold it in my hands and turn the pages is great.

    expectation vs reality of my likes/dislikes could be a whole post in and of itself, so suffice to say yes that happens.

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    1. Agree. I can't get into e-readers for the same reason. I like to see the progress I'm making and being able to use a bookmark. Real books are the best.

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  4. People assume that because I like classical music, I like opera and ballet. Not true! Neither is my cup of tea. But I do love classical music!!!

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  5. People also assume that because I can post a response, I must know how to identify myself as the poster. Not true! Can't figure out how to make it say this is me.

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    1. Hahahahaha! Oh Mom. It's so funny that you can't figure out how to identify yourself. Especially since you used to be able to, no problem.

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  6. Same! I am not an audio book person. I have listened to a few books (cross country road trips), but on a commute or in the house, mostly no. It's a last resort for me. I'm not an auditory learner, so I have to rewind all the time because my mind wanders while I listen.

    If the voice actors are really good, sometimes I can do that. I'm more likely to listen to a book that I've already read as a different way to enjoy it (King Raven Trilogy and Ender's Game being favorites that I listened to).

    I read much faster than I can listen, so there's that too.

    People expect me to like all kinds of things as a historian or reader that I don't. Like biographies. Ha. Not my favorite kind of book for whatever reason. I think I like memoirs better.

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    1. I think that's part of my problem, too! My mind wanders and then I feel like the whole attempt is pointless.

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  7. Oh man, I do love audiobooks.
    I differentiate though. "reading" & "listening" to a book are different things, though I would say I do count it as a book I've "experienced" because I think they're both valid. Car trips between Louisiana & GA were SAVED by audiobooks. I just couldn't do 10 hours straight of music (sue me). I'm also an auditory learner, though, so I find it very easy to follow along & enjoy the reading.

    Sometimes people expect me to like kids just because I like teaching, but they don't realize that I do it for the MONEY.








    jk.

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    1. I can do (and have done) 10 straight hours of music, and I love it, but I get that it's not for everyone. I also like listening to Adventures in Odyssey on super long road trips to mix it up once in a while.

      I expected MYSELF to like teaching just because I enjoyed teaching kids in a more one-on-one setting, but I didn't realize that teaching is the actual WORST.













      seriously.

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  8. I can't focus on audio books at all, but I do love listening to sermons in the car... Especially if they're sermons preached by Pastor Osborne!! :)

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    1. Yeah, that's true. I do like listening to sermons sometimes.

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