Questions about Audiobooks

[jdobbins88]

So, I've been an avid King reader since I was 12, and I am now 20, going on 21 very soon. I've always been a slow reader, so it takes me awhlie to get through books at times. I always wondered what it would be like with an Audiobook, whether it would go faster, or if it would be nice hearing someone else tell the story? Also, I do a lot of driving, so it would let me continue "reading" while on the road. What would be ideal, is if I could read the book itself, and then when I get in my car, pick up where I stopped reading. I don't know exactly how Audiobooks work though, so I'm not sure if thats much of a possibility.

Also, I'm just curious what everyone thinks about audiobooks, whether you like or dislike them.

Thanks for all your help

[Kim L.]

Welcome to the MB! I think this question has been asked recently elsewhere but can't recall where. I enjoy audiobooks because they make me slow down & not miss detail I would otherwise race by & not pick up until the reread. SK himself reads Bag of Bones & also a collection of smoking-related stories called "Blood And Smoke"--both are fantastic. Have also listened to the 1st 3 books of the DT, also fantastic.
I really don't listen to audiobooks much other than the above because I prefer to listen to music.

[barbiespoodle]

Audio books are about the only way I have the time to get a book in anymore, so I swear by them. I listen while doing housework, hiking with the dogs, gardening in the summer, or during the rare times I'm able to work on my needlework or a jigsaw puzzle. I hate not having time to just sit down and get lost in a book, something I have enjoyed since I was a child, but at least with audiobooks, I can get an average of one book a week in.

[Todash]

They're great for commutes. However, it might be tricky to switch reading and listening. You'd have to forward through what you read every time you got in your car. It might be easier, if you can read two books simultaneously, to read one at home and listen to another while traveling.

[dsurrett]

I agree with Todash. Audiobooks are great, but I wouldn't try going from reading to listening to reading the same book. I like to read one and listen to another. And I never get abridged audiobooks.

[jdobbins88]

Thanks for all the replies, I really do appreciate them. I think I'll buy an audiobook off itunes for my ipod, and see how it goes listening in my car to and from school and work. Any suggestions for SK works that made good audiobooks? I know King himself reads some. Bag of Bones was mentioned as one of these, though I have already read that.

Thanks

[bopropadop]

I'm a huge fan of audiobooks for my commute. One thing I've never tried, but have been thinking about, is following along in the book as I listen to the audio. Obviously, I can't do that in the car but I've thought about trying it on a re-read. I can't imagine a better way to stimulate various senses for retention.

[tillyn]

I've only bought 2 audio books, and it was hard at first for me to get use to listening to the story being told. I actually like it now, and in the car on a long drive would be grate to pass the time. There not cheap , and if you buy on itunes, etc. don't forget to back it up on disk.

[Todash]

Thanks for all the replies, I really do appreciate them. I think I'll buy an audiobook off itunes for my ipod, and see how it goes listening in my car to and from school and work. Any suggestions for SK works that made good audiobooks? I know King himself reads some. Bag of Bones was mentioned as one of these, though I have already read that.

Thanks

Mare Winningham does a lovely job of reading Gingerbread Girl, and it's not too long so it's not like you're committing yourself to 20 hours.

[Antony butterworth]

So, I've been an avid King reader since I was 12, and I am now 20, going on 21 very soon. I've always been a slow reader, so it takes me awhlie to get through books at times. I always wondered what it would be like with an Audiobook, whether it would go faster, or if it would be nice hearing someone else tell the story? Also, I do a lot of driving, so it would let me continue "reading" while on the road. What would be ideal, is if I could read the book itself, and then when I get in my car, pick up where I stopped reading. I don't know exactly how Audiobooks work though, so I'm not sure if thats much of a possibility.

Also, I'm just curious what everyone thinks about audiobooks, whether you like or dislike them.

Thanks for all your help

i think there awsome and i get a lot of pleasure listening to them when i am busy around the house doing diy and just generaly relaxing but i wouldnt recomend trying to listen to and read at the same time