Monday: Are you new to audiobooks in the last year? Have you been listening to them forever but discovered something new this year? Favorite titles? New times/places to listen? This is your chance to introduce yourself and your general listening experience.
I started to listen to audiobooks about two and half years ago when I realized that they'd help me get in some reading time during my 45 minute commute to and from work (1.5 hours a day, at least). It was tough at first because I learned that I needed to train my brain to listen. I often zoned out and would drive the entire leg of my trip and realize I had no idea what was happening in my book.
Last year when I was on maternity leave without a commute I realized how much I missed listening to audiobooks. When I went back to work my listening increased exponentially and now I'm never without a book on my phone to listen to. In fact, I'm to the point of listening more than I'm reading! I'm currently listening to The Stand by Stephen King and re-listening Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
While I've trained my brain to listen better, I still haven't been great about actually reviewing the books I listen to. But two of my recent favorites:
Bossypants by Tina Fey and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
What are you listening experiences?
I listen to audiobooks while commuting, too, so I go right on to the next one, with every intention of reviewing the last one, but looking back over my blog posts, I realized recently how infrequently I reviewed audiobooks unless I had received them for review from a publisher.
ReplyDeleteI have the opposite problem from zoning out. When I get to work, I'm so engrossed in the book that I have to drag myself back into real life!
I'm listening to Ready Player One right now too! I'm so in love with audiobooks. I can't imagine getting to half of the books I read without it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you mentioned training your brain, so many people think they just can't do audio, but it really IS a separate literacy skill that you have to develop.
ReplyDeleteIt *is* a brain training camp. I might include an audio book this coming school year so my students acquire better listening skills.
DeleteI LOVE this idea of having your students listen to audiobooks! My brother has actually done this with some of the classics he had to read for school (in addition to reading physical book).
DeleteI keep saying I'm going to try some audiobooks but I have yet to do it. For some reason it's very intimidating because I'm not sure what to do. This is a really stupid question, but where do you get your audiobooks? I've seen CD sets at the library, but I work from home so I'm not in my car for more than maybe ten minutes at a time and my CD player at home isn't portable. It would be ideal to listen on my iPod, but in that case I'm guessing I would just have to buy the audiobooks. But holy crap they are really expensive and I am a total tightwad. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteYou can download from the library. You can transfer library CDs to your iPod. You can join Audible or other rental/membership sites.
DeleteKristi - Yes, what Beth F said. I'm about half and half between the library and audible. Audible is still a paid subscription but it works out to about $15 a month for one audiobook plus there are sales and such. Since the charge is automatic, I think that I've tricked my brain into thinking that these books are 'free' when a new credit is available. Ha!
DeleteAnd yes, upload to your ipod and listen when you don't need your ears for your babes. I've even sat down in the kitchen after Elle has gone to bed and put on the audio while I peel carrots for the week.
Thanks for the help Beth F and Trish! My library system is tiny and doesn't have downloads and has very few audiobooks available. I may just have to suck it up and sign up for audible. It's only $7 or so for the first few months so it's worth a try.
DeleteHow could I have forgotten Bossypants when writing my post this morning? Ugh! I have finally downloaded Ready Player One based on yours and Jen's enthusiasm for the title.
ReplyDeleteoh good, thanks for letting me know about AudioWeek! I am loving The Stand listening experience - as you know. I love how productive I can be but I do think it distracts me from blogging. I cannot listen and have my own thoughts at the same time. And while I am sitting here, I want to go listen and DO something. ya know?
ReplyDeleteI don't commute to work, but often times I wish I did just so I could listen to more of my audiobook! Great pics of Ready Player One - LOVE the PacMan!!
DeleteYou'll be hooked for life ... I've been listening since the 80s! Can't imagine a day without at least some listening time.
ReplyDeleteI just can't get the hang of audio books. Really wish I could. Of course, it would help if I kept trying... Actually, I am listening to half of The Stand (Rich and I are reading it aloud together)...but yeah, that doesn't really count as an audio book. :P
ReplyDeleteDebi - I recommend listening to something that you've already read before. This way you can get used to the listening (I really do think it's a learned thing) and it won't hurt too badly if you happen to zone out.
DeleteI really enjoyed Ready Player One on audio. I listen every time I get into the car. I have about a 45 minute commute one way to work. I use to think I was wasting all that time but ever since I started listening to audiobooks I feel like I am accomplishing something.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten much better about training myself to listen to audio. I used to zone out and miss so much! But now I feel like I really glean more from audio than I do from print. I can't just skim over things! So many people are recommending Ready Player One. I'm going to have to pick it up!
ReplyDeleteReady Player One is EVERYWHERE today. Alright, already. I'm going to start listening to it. :)
ReplyDeleteI do find audiobooks golden during my commute, which is only about half as long as yours.
Thank you all for your comments today!! Ready Player One is DEFINITELY an audiobook I recommend! Can't wait to see what you recommend as well!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have the same problem as you when I drove. I would get to where I was going and realize that I hadn't even realized I was there yet. All of a sudden it didn't bother me to be caught in traffic. Many times I moved into the slower lane just to give me more time to listen to a really interesting part of the book. Guess my brain came with built in training camp. I could be a camp leader. LoL
ReplyDeleteHappy AudioBook Week!
Dorothy - The Alaskan Bookie - Squeak
Blog ~ http://alaskanbookie.blogspot.com/
Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/AkChocoholic
I used to just listen to audio books in the car and every once in a while, I'd bring the audio into the house to finish up. Now that I finally figured out how to get audios onto my iPod, I have 2 going on. I listen while at the gym on the treadmill, while cleaning and even while watering my plants outside.
ReplyDeleteI agree that audios aren't for everyone and that you do have to get used to it.
Kristin @ Always With a Book
I have a JIAM2012 Photo going up today about where i listen to audiobooks; but in a nutshell, just about anywhere I can (and should!) I listen at work (natch), in the car, on the exercise bike and while playing Angry Birds! :-)
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your photo of Pac-Man and Ready Player One on you phone! :-)
Listening to audiobooks is not necessarily a skill that comes naturally to everyone. You're right about having to 'train your brain', but once you've done that, there's no turning back! Great advice to start out listening to a book you've read before.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know you were listening to Ready Player One again... maybe I should give it a try. I love the photo, too!
JoAnn - I can't explain it about Ready Player One but it's just one of those books that doesn't seem to be anyone's cup of tea but everyone loves it. I hope if you listen to it you enjoy it too!
DeleteThere is a little learning curve with audiobooks. I've seen those two mentioned on quite a few blogs.
ReplyDeleteI agree, you have to allow yourself to get used to listening or learn to listen to an audiobook. I've got Ready Player One in print, but want to listen instead.
ReplyDeleteI keep getting the feeling I need to listen to Bossypants....
ReplyDeleteHurray for Ready Player One! I love that I have seen it on so many lists. I have this insistent itch to listen to it again.
Everyone says Ready Player One is great. I have the same issue with the one hour commute and I have done the same thing. Thank God for the 30 minute rewind button. LOL! I can't tell you how many times I used it in the beginning. (And this morning)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one whose brain sometimes wanders off while listening :/ I enjoy listening in the car as well. I'd like to listen and walk/exercise but I haven't tried that yet. I wish I had listened to Bossypants instead of reading it...I think having Tina Fey's voice and comedic timing would have been the difference for me.
ReplyDeletePeppermint PhD - I actually bought a copy of Bossypants when it first came out but then realized that I much rather listen. I only opened my hardcover copy to look at the pictures!
DeleteYup my brain takes a stroll when I'm listening too. I do a lot of re-listening, it's really not my favorite way to read. But... sometimes necessary.
ReplyDeleteThose are two of my favorites as well. I'm trying not to let my audiobook listening slide while on maternity leave. I listen while nursing sometimes - usually at night so I can close my eyes and still be entertained.
ReplyDeleteOh I will definitely listen to Ready Player One again!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't got to the point where I like audiobooks. I try, but I lose interest...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Bossypants on audio as well. Not familiar with Ready Player One, but must check it out if this is your 2nd time with it:)
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a different skill than reading print, and often I find it does require more concentration in order to keep my mind from wandering.
ReplyDeleteReady Player One was amazing on audio - one I think I'd like to listen to again at some point!
*Thank you all for coming by and commenting during audiobook week! It's fun to see everyone's different experiences with audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteOMG what fun pictures you included!
ReplyDeleteSo what lead you to relisten to Ready Player One?
I just added that one to my TBL.