I’ve never been a huge audiobook listener. In fact, prior to starting half marathon training three months ago, I can remember listening to exactly ONE audiobook (Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air)…in my life! And, that was years ago. But, I recently started listening to them as a way to pass the time running…
Here’s a rundown of a typical running/listening session:
– Listening to the story…somewhat interested…not enthralled
– “What’s my pace?” (Check Garmin watch). “OK, pace is good.”
– Sweat is dripping in my eyes (wipe sweat with shirt).
– “Oh, I’m listening to an audiobook…I should pay attention”.
– “Wait, where are we in the story? How did X and Y end up here?”
– Listen for a few minutes. “Oh, OK. Now I remember what’s going on (kind of)…I guess whatever I missed wasn’t that important anyway.”
There are three main types of learners (Visual, Auditory, and Tactile…and they mean exactly what you would think). I’m a Visual learner (with a little tactile thrown in). I’m decidedly NOT an Auditory learner.
I know this because I took a test (here is a quick and dirty version I found online) in middle school that confirmed that things go in one of my ears and out the other. Maybe this is why I was one of those frantic note-takers in class. I’m telling you, my notebook contained every single thing that came out of the teacher’s mouth. It was an absent student’s dream.
So, you can imagine how audiobooks don’t generally go well for me. I don’t mean that I dislike audiobooks…I mean that I’ve been so frequently spaced out while listening to them that I don’t have many clear opinions on what I’ve heard. Come time to write the review, my thoughts on whatever audiobook I’ve just listened to are vague. Too vague to write a thoughtful review. Which makes me wonder…
Should I be reviewing audiobooks at all? Is it fair to the authors and my readers?
For someone who isn’t great at absorbing information through hearing, choosing to listen to a book rather than read it puts the book at an immediate disadvantage. You have to really blow me away to get enough of my attention for a fantastic review. If I were reading, the author wouldn’t have nearly as high of a bar to reach to wow me. It’s flat out easier to wow me in print. But, this is not the author’s fault…it’s my own issue. So, it strikes me as unfair to review audiobooks. Consequently, I’ve caveated the two audiobook reviews I’ve written.
How differently would I have felt about the book had I read it instead?
I suspect I would have loved a few of the audiobooks that I have recently “liked well enough” if I’d read them instead. I KNOW I would have been able to write much stronger reviews about them. I have never read and listened to the same book to be able to test this theory, but Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea recently lent some credence to my theory in her review of Tom Rob Smith’s The Farm.
So, after thinking all this through, I’ve decided I will be “retiring” from reviewing audiobooks. I’ll probably continue to listen to some for fun, but I won’t write about them unless they really knock my socks off. It just doesn’t feel right.
How do you feel about audiobooks? Are you able to concentrate on the story via audio? Do you review audiobooks on your blogs?
I struggle with audiobooks too for similar reasons, I’m simply unable to concentrate and my mind wanders so I miss bits. I really enjoyed The Good Girl (as a read), a great debut and I’ll be looking for more from this author.
I didn’t realize The Good Girl was a debut! I’ve had such great luck with debuts this year.
I don’t know what’s going on with me lately but I’m finding it more and more difficult to stay focused on audio books so I know what you mean. I’ve decided to stop accepting them for the time being.
Sounds like you and I are on the same page! And – the lack of ability to highlight and take notes right away gets me as well.
Oh, I know how you feel about reviewing audiobooks . . . I kind of have a love/hate relationship with them. I listen to them sometimes when I walk, do laundry, or grocery shop–but I know that I’m not experiencing the book the same way that I would if I were reading it. Well, I think you could still review them if you add the caveat! Or maybe write a mini review different from your usual book review, with a quickie synopsis and a “yes, it’s a good listen” or “give it a pass” kind of rating?
Yeah, I definitely experience audiobooks differently than the books that I read . . .I wonder if most people do? I’ve often had the feeling that I would like the book better if I read it. Maybe you could do a different type of review for audiobooks–just a mini review with your thoughts on whether it’s “worth a listen” or not?
I think mini reviews is the way to go…just a few sentences and combining a couple audiobooks into one post. Which means the audiobook posts will be few and far between! I’m also listening to less of them now that my half marathon is over…I prefer music for the shorter runs.
Thanks for stopping by!
Very interesting observations, I have listened to many books on audio this year during workouts or commuting. It’s such a trade-off because you can enjoy so many more books if you listen to them but feel guilty because knowing you’re missing out on really connecting with the book. SO I’ve resorted to listening only to very juicy books off your page turner list!!
Ha! After trying to listen to Delicious by Ruth Reichl, I realized exactly what you said. I have to listen to really fast paced thriller-type page turners. My best listen this year was Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight.
I sometimes have a hard time writing about audio books too. I’m pretty good at paying attention, but because I can’t really take notes I never remember the specifics I want to talk about. Beth at Beth Fish Reads did a series of posts awhile ago with tips on reviewing audio books that might be helpful, if you decide to start reviewing them more regularly.
Thanks so much – I’ll check out Beth’s posts…I’m curious even if I don’t plan to review audiobooks anymore.
I enjoyed reading this post as I feel it vindicates my feelings about audiobooks. Oh, how I would * love* to listen to audiobooks as I tidy up the house, cook, take my walk, etc. It would be an efficient tool in book reviewing. But I just cannot stay focused on the story in audios– I’ve tried! I already knew I’m a visual learner and I was the student scribbling notes frantically throughout class. I also am somewhat of a tactile learner but that doesn’t apply to books.
I’ve been noticing so many bloggers raving about the convenience of audios, and having a blast with them. They also get more “reading” done in a week than I ever could, though it’s certainly not a competition. I wish I could multi-task and enjoy a book while loading the dishwasher, but it won’t be happening.
Thanks for admitting that audio just doesn’t work well for you. I applaud your decision to give each title a fair shake at an honest review.
I applaud your honesty in this post. I’m definitely a visual learner and can’t do audios–I’ve tried! I certainly wish I could multi-task and get through more titles from my TBR each week, but it’s not going to happen.
I applaud your honesty in this post and realizing audio doesn’t work for you. I am definitely a visual learner and just can’t do audios, though the time saved while multi-tasking would be great if I could. I try to give each title I read a fair shake, so I give them my full attention by reading.
Thanks so much – and I’m glad to know there is someone else out there that has trouble with them! I guess we’ll just have to live with getting less reading done in a week 🙂
Really interesting post, Sarah! I’m not much of an audiobook person, mostly because I don’t have much time when I would be able to listen, but I’ve found that I can only really listen to nonfiction in audio. I’m definitely a visual learner, too, but something about nonfiction grabs me (kind of like listening to a lecture in class or a good broadcast on NPR) where I drift when I’m listening to fiction.
Thanks so much! I bet lots of us readers are visual learners…hence why we enjoy reading! So funny that many of us are also reviewing audiobooks, which are likely not in our wheelhouse! Excuse all the HUGE generalizations I just threw out there! I like the idea of nonfiction audio – I’m listened to my first nonfiction since Into Thin Air right now (Sedaris…but I’m not sure that’s the type of nonfiction you’re referring to!)…and I like not having to keep track of an involved plot!
I feel the exact same way! Audio is such a difficult modality for me. I just started an audio book in the car this week, and I find myself flipping back to music regularly. I just can’t get engaged with the content. I was trying to decide if it was the actual book our the audio.
Yeah I like reading the words more than listening if I’m going to review something. It’s something about the way my brain works. I like to see the words. But I enjoy listening to audio books on road trips while you’re stuck in the car for endless hours etc. Good post Sarah.
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