Do you ever listen to audio books?

Question

I've just gotten into them recently, because everywhere I go is such a long time to spend in the car. I never saw the point to them before, figured if I wanted to read something I'd just read it, but this is turning out to be something I really enjoy! What do you think?

Answer 1

As a frequent traveler, I think they are great! I agree with you that I originally thought I would enjoy reading a book much more. However, it's difficult to read and drive or read in the dark of night. This also gives my spouse and me time to share a book together, something we seldom get to do because of our busy work schedules. I still love to read, but this way I seem to be able to experience more good books than ever!

Answer 2

I love audio books! They make the time fly in the car:) It's also a good way to "read" books that I wouldn't otherwise read at the end of a tiring day. One example of this would be Animals in Translation, by Temple Grandin, which is somewhat technical in nature. Also, it's good fun to hear the accents in books like Blessed Are the Cheesemakers.

I've found that my local library can get almost any book on tape through their interlibrary loan system, which means that this is a free activity!

Answer 3

When I lived in Los Angeles, yes. Had a 90 commute each way. I got into it in Seattle, too. My commute there was 27 miles each way. Now I have a 10 minute commute and I don't have time for it. I just wait for the movie to come out in DVD. That is faster than reading the book.

Answer 4

I agree. I used to listen to them when traveling. It's a great way to 1. stay awake while driving long distances, 2. learn something new, 3. enjoy a good story. I find comedian's books or chick novels, like Bridget Jones' Diary, the most interesting.

Answer 5

I used to live in Los Angeles, where my compute time was 1 hour in each direction. I read a lot of books via Books on Tape. I think they're great. And you can check them out from the library for free. My kinda price tag!

Answer 6

My friend is a Courier and spends long hours in her truck, all alone. She started buying used books on tape through Ebay and was hooked. Went through everything our library had, then went back to Ebay again.

It's nice because she's never been much of a reader, bad vision, can't seem to concentrate on the page in front of her, she now has a whole world open to her that wasn't before.

Too bad they're still so darned expensive.

Answer 7

My favorite would have to be the audio book of Twilight. It is so good. And my second favorite would have to be of The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck. I think some books transition to audio better than others. I think HIT THE ROAD by Caroline Cooney would make an excellent audio book, but I don't think there is one available yet...at least not that I could find in a quick search.

Answer 8

i never use to have any desire to listen to a book. then, a lady in my office turned me on to one. now i am hooked. i listen to them at work, and it makes the day go by sooooooo fast. good listening for the long car rides too. i really enjoy them, so much now that i check out two or three from the library at a time now. what a geek i am now huh?

Answer 9

I've never gotten into them myself. But I work in a library, and they are becoming very popular. Books on tape, books on CD, downloadable audiobooks - people listen to them while driving, while exercising, while doing housework. You're certainly not alone in enjoying them!

Answer 10

I have never listened to them but I have a friend who has "read" a bunch and she swears by them. I, too have long commutes to and from work and school so that seems like a good idea to try. Interesting.