This past Fall, I wrote a post about whether it was fair for a visual person to review audiobooks. I’d tried listening to audiobooks for the first time while training for a half marathon and found I kept zoning out. I speculated that this was because I am a visual person and retain information better if I see it than if I hear it.
So, I put off listening to the much hyped Serial Podcast because I figured I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on that either. Was I ever wrong! I was enthralled with Serial and had no trouble concentrating whatsoever…sometimes I even forgot I was running (which is what I was always doing while listening to this)! This, despite the fact that Serial, theoretically, should be tedious to follow (lots of little pieces of evidence, boring things like cell phone tower technology, lots of people to keep track of, etc). This got me thinking…
Why was I easily able to concentrate on Serial, but not on the three audiobooks I reviewed?
- Because the original content was created expressly to be listened to rather than read?
- Because of the short episodes?
I could get through about one per workout and never stopped in the middle of a big moment in the story. There were previews for the next episode (so, there was always a hook) and brief recaps of the previous episode. - Because of the conversational tone (versus the monotony of “reading aloud”)?
- Because I just picked the right podcast and the wrong audiobooks?
I have no idea what the right answer is, so I thought I’d test out this theory with some more podcasts. I’m new to this world, so I really have nothing to go on other than Sara Koenig’s next version of Serial (there apparently is one coming) and Bill Simmons’ B.S. Report (he discusses “The Bachelor” in addition to sports and other pop culture, so I’m definitely giving this one a shot!).
What other podcasts should I try?
I’ve never tried a podcast but have found that the right narrator makes all the difference when it comes to audio books.
Interesting! I am very visual but love audio too. I can visualize what is happening on audio almost as well as I can in books, although I admit if the audio does not catch me – I can drift for sure. Your picture of the audio books at the top of your post – all three were pretty great – 2 of the 3 were excellent!
This is interesting – because I couldn’t really get into any of the audiobooks I listed in this post. Maybe it is me since these are supposed to be good ones! I did like Reconstructing Amelia on audio.
Interesting post. I don’t normally listen to books. I’ve found that I zone out too much and the book plays on without me. At least with visual content, if I zone out, I come right back to where I was.
Exactly the way I’ve felt about audiobooks lately 🙂
I have Serial on my list of “to-listens” too. I’m new to podcasts as well and have been discovering there’s a podcast for nearly every subject interest!
Sarah, I really enjoy episodes of NPR’s Fresh Air (depending on the topic – sometimes they interview authors & actors!), as well as This American Life. I also enjoy the Runner Academy podcast (nice to learn more about running WHILE running – ha!) and some episodes of Running On Om – a yoga gal who runs and lives in Hawaii; she interviews some really interesting people. I still haven’t downloaded an audiobook to listen to while running; I have a friend who loves listening to non-fiction during long runs, I just haven’t taken the plunge.
Hey Sarah! I completely identify with this. I’m training for a 10k (so not QUITE a half marathon) and was so bored listening to my music, that I decided to try an audiobook. I found it really hard to concentrate on the story and run at the same time and was a little bit disappointed. After reading this, though, I’m so keen to listen to Serial. I’ve heard so many great things!
xx Hannah
http://www.eatingwithalice.com
I think podcasts have been working for because of the reasons you suggested — the short length means I don’t have to keep up on story, and the segmented format of most podcasts I listen to means I don’t stop in the middle of important moments. Also, since I’m not thinking about reviewing them, I don’t worry as much about whether I zone out or not (that might be the real reason I love podcasts!).
I listen to audio books in the car and podcasts at the gym. Most of the podcasts I listen to are book related. One of my favorites is called Books on the Nightstand.
I just listened to part of that the other day and liked it! I also tried Book Riot and Literary Disco…liked them all!