Tell Me a Story
Posted by annastan on April 30th, 2010. Filed under: A Closer Look, Books.I’ve been driving more than usual recently, so I grabbed a few audiobooks from the library to help pass the time. I’m not usually a big audiobook listener, but I must say I’m starting to like the experience. Something I’ve noticed with the past few books I’ve listened to is that I’m much more likely to stick with a book when I’m hearing it than when I’m reading it.
Here’s an example. A while back I took the print version of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro out of the library. It had been on my reading list for a while, but I just couldn’t get into it and finally put it aside. Then, a few weeks ago, I was browsing the audiobook section in my library and came across Never Let Me Go. I decided to give it another shot, and within a few days I’d listened to the whole darn thing.
The funny thing is, as I was listening, I could understand why the book hadn’t held my interest when I’d tried to read it. There wasn’t much of a plot, and the pace was pretty slow and meandering. But I was willing to listen to the entire thing and even looked forward to getting back in my car so I could hear more.
Why did the audiobook work better for me? For one, the reader’s voice was just great. It was engaging and conversational so that it felt like she was telling me the story. And that’s the main reason I think I might have more patience with audiobooks than with print books; it’s nice to feel like someone is telling you a story.
I had a similar experience with a middle grade book I finished listening to yesterday. It was a bit of a Harry Potter ripoff and while it wasn’t badly written, it was the kind of book I probably wouldn’t have gotten far into if I was reading. But I zipped through it in my car and actually looked forward to hearing more.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of difference between audio and print books? Do you find you’re more patient with books you’re listening to than reading? Any other theories on why that might be?
April 30th, 2010 at 6:40 am
What an interesting thing to learn about yourself.
I’m much more impatient with audio books… but I also listen to them rarely, so I could just not be used to them. I’m always afraid I’m going to get so lost in a story that I’ll crash the car!
April 30th, 2010 at 7:18 am
For me, it really depends on the reader. The guy who read Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy was wonderful and I loved listening to his voice. Same with Roald Dahl reading his books. Not so with Savvy, a book I think I would have loved to read. I kept zoning out during the tape, though.
April 30th, 2010 at 9:00 am
My family loves listening to audiobooks. Our favorites were Indian in the Cupboard, read by the author, Lynn Reid Banks, and Because of Winn Dixie, read by someone with a lovely, lilting Southern accent that just made that book come alive. The reader makes all the difference in whether or not I enjoy the audiobook. The guy who read the Percy Jackson books was pretty annoying.
April 30th, 2010 at 9:05 am
The audio version of Charlotte’s Web read by E.B. White is magnificent. If you’ve never listened to it, you must.
Audio books are my favorite things to put on during long road trips especially when I’m driving.
April 30th, 2010 at 9:22 am
I’ve only listened to one audio book for my own interest. (I’ve listened to Mercy Watson and MTH in the car for the kids)
I’d never read Holes but listened to it in a long car ride. And I absolutely loved it. The telling of it was great. But I’ve never read it. I’m sure I’d love the book just as much!
April 30th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I don’t do audiobooks, but I’m tempted to now!
April 30th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Anne, I do get pretty sucked into the book when I’m driving. I sure hope I’m not weaving all over the road!
Sheila and Sherrie, you’re both right that it depends a lot on the reader. Luckily, I’ve had pretty good luck with readers thus far. I think it helps that a few of the books I’ve listened to had readers with fun British accents!
Catherine, I haven’t listened to Charlotte’s Web but I’ll definitely put it on my list!
Laura, I can see how Holes would be a great book to listen to (it’s one of my faves in general). Some books lend themselves more to reading than others, I think.
Lydia, I didn’t see the appeal for the longest time, but I’ve gotten to really like them in the past few weeks. I’ll probably still only listen to them in the car, though.
April 30th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I haven’t listened to audio books, and always meant to. I know from listening to podcasts, that if they don’t hold my interest 110% my mind wanders. Maybe because I’m more of a visual person and like to see the words on the page? (That’s all I can come up with…)
I do know that I want to hear E.B. White read Charlotte’s Web!!! Wow. Thanks, Catherine, for letting us know!
April 30th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
You know, I have never listened to an audiobook. I should, especially now that I feel like I’ve confessed a terrible writerly crime!
April 30th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I just have to tell you that you have to listen to Harry Potter (the English version). The guy who reads them is INCREDIBLE. I’ve read the all sure, but I think I must have listened with the whole family a hundred times. Ok maybe slight exaggeration. Seriously though, you forget it isn’t Hagrid or even Hermione speaking.
April 30th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
The narrator is what makes or breaks an audio book for me. Middle grade and YA narrators especially are iffy. My all-time favorite is Simon Jones, who narrated the Bartimeus Chronicles.
The downside is that when I saw him portraying either CS Lewis or Tolkein in a TV special, I couldn’t get past him being a djinn! Same with George Guidall, who narrates most of Tony Hillerman’s books. I heard him narrating The Fencing Master, set in Spain and kept wondering why the MC sounded so much like a Navaj. Took me half the book/400 miles to get acclimated.
April 30th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
It really is a completely different experience. I’ve tried listening to audio books but I always get distracted because my hands and eyes are free to do whatever (I don’t have a car, so I listen at home and that might be part of the problem). With books, I’m more engaged. Plus, I have the privilege of giving my voice to the story. And last but not least, I just like the physical aspect of holding books and flipping pages.
April 30th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Andrea, it took me a while to get used to audiobooks – it’s certainly a different kind of “reading” experience!
Haha, Angela, I won’t judge. The first time I’d ever listened to one was about a year ago. I don’t think it’s required of writers.
Lisa, I keeping hearing fantastic things about the audio version of Harry Potter. It’s about time I reread the series – maybe I’ll try listening to it instead!
Anne, I hadn’t thought about how odd it might be to hear the same reader doing different texts. It’s funny because I tried reading the Barimaeus trilogy and just couldn’t get into it – maybe I need to listen to it!
Dominique, that’s an interesting point. I’ve never tried listening to an audiobook outside of the car. I can see it being hard to focus on when you’re doing something that’s not as repetitive as driving. And I agree, I LOVE physically having the book in front of me – hence the aforementioned book hoarding.
May 1st, 2010 at 8:00 am
I’ve never tried audio books. It’s hard for me to listen without getting distracted, and with an audio book there’s no backtracking or rereading to savor. It’s so linear. With a book, I can plunge into the experience; for some reason when I’m listening to something I can’t immerse as completely. And, if I’m driving, shouldn’t.
But the idea that audio vs. print might make a total difference in whether you like the story is intriguing.
May 1st, 2010 at 10:13 am
Absolutely. I’ve always wondered why I can take a book I’ve put aside and then get the audio book and love it.
Like the comments have noted, I agree and think it comes down to the performance of the narrator. The inflections and dramatization of the scenes can make it more interesting. Plus, also you’re sort of a “captured” audience when you’re driving.
I’ve actually read books that I’ve loved but didn’t love the audiobook because of the narrator.
My next goal is to get my hands on the Hunger Games trilogy audiobooks. From excerpts I’ve heard, she does an amazing job.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:57 pm
In my entire life, I have heard two minutes of an audiobook and that was HP and the Chamber of Secrets. I did not like the experience at all, but I really ought to give it a second chance.
May 1st, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Marcia, that’s a good point. You don’t want to get so into an audiobook that you drive off the road! I did almost miss a turn the other day, but otherwise I think I’ve been okay balancing driving with listening.
Karen, I can imagine the Hunger Games books would be great to listen to. I’ll have to put those on my listening list!
Jon, the first time I listened to an audiobook I thought it was the oddest experience and I didn’t like it very much at all. But it only took me a couple tries to get used to it. I think it just takes some time, but I won’t judge you if it turns out you just don’t like them.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
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