Friday, October 9, 2009

Using my ears

I've discovered a new way to exist. Oh the joy of getting tons done while "reading." I'm doing laundry--folding clothes, sorting socks, putting things away--and reading. I'm cleaning my kitchen, my bedroom, whatever is in front of me and reading. I'm cooking dinner and washing dishes and reading. Oh the possibilities. The tasks get done almost without me realizing it. What the heck? You may ask. Audiobooks, baby!

So far, I've downloaded only one book to my iPod (and it's a long one), but, with all this new productivity, I can see I'll be doing this a lot more often. This could especially be good for rereads.

The reader for the book I'm listening to right now is absolutely amazing. I just can't get over it. He has different accents and slight variations of tone and voice for the myriads of people when they talk.

I can't believe I've never done this before. I am funny about the whole reading process. I love a book in my hands, and this will not replace that entirely. But. For a busy mom, this makes the drudgery jobs so much better.

Audiobooks=A spoonful of sugar!

So how many of you have given audiobooks a try? Do you like them or hate them?

18 comments:

Tess said...

My mom lives in the boonies in central Calif, so does a lot of driving and swears by audiobooks. I guess, because of that, I had always considered it an in-the-car activity.

but, while folding laundry??? Now that is tempting.....

Alyssa said...

I don't like audio books. I've tried them; perhaps I haven't found a good version. I'm like you: I prefer to have a book in my hands. Fulfills some sort of tactile need, I suppose. I'm glad that you're enjoying them though! As for the "drudgery jobs," I find that blasting some good music always makes it better. :)

Merc said...

I love audiobooks. O:) I don't actually listen to them that much right now (given I have no iPod or MP3 player) but I used to love listening to them on car rides, or when I'd go to bed, or... any time, really. :P

When I get a new player, I'll no doubt go back to listening to them while doing things that requires hands. ;)

lotusgirl said...

Tess, I used to think of it as an in-the-car activity too. In fact, I listened to the first 7 discs of this book in the car. At that point, I got so into the story I didn't want to keep it just to when I was riding alone in the car and decided to download it to my iPod. Then, it was like a revelation. All the things I could get done while I was "reading."

A, I can understand the music while doing boring tasks and that's what I've done up to now, but with this, I hardly even realize I'm working. I'm so into the story.

Merc, Yep. They're great. I'm a convert.

Patti said...

I used to think listening to audio books was cheating, until I realized they made my commute to work a lot more bearable, so I totally like them.

About Me said...

I absolutely love listening to audiobooks while Im doing chores around the house, working out, and while taking the train.

Davin Malasarn said...

I started listening to audiobooks when my commute was over an hour. I used that time to "read" books that I wasn't willing to read normally, books like Heart of Darkness and Lord Of The Rings. It was a great experience!

Tana said...

I listened to memios (sp) of a Geisha way back when. I breezed through a billion tasks. Good for you!

Belle said...

I've become a real audiobook convert this year - and my house has never been cleaner! I actually look forward to cleaning up the kitchen - it's more time to read a book. :) Stephen King wrote an article about audiobooks where he notes that audio is the acid test of quality writing, and I've discovered this is so true. It is terribly difficult to listen to a badly written book in audio. On the other hand, combine a good book with a good narrator, and it's really wonderful!

Right now I'm listening to the Harry Potter books in audio.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Awesome! I would do this if Darcy wasn't three. I'm sure I can pull it off later when she's a bit older. I LOVE audiobooks if it's a good reader, like you describe. Some are not so good. I love listening to audiobooks in the car on long trips.

Jessie Oliveros said...

I used to do audiobooks in the car. It is definitely a different way to "read" but what a good way to occupy your mind while working around the house. Maybe I should look into that...

PJ Hoover said...

Love, love, love audiobooks. I've listened to hundreds of them! Seriously. Driving and exercising are my big times to listen. And you are so right. The readers are really talented.

Sherrie Petersen said...

The kids and I listen to a LOT of audio books. We usually borrow them from the library and listen in the car, but I have a lot on my ipod, too. The reader can make all the difference in whether we like a book or love it.

Annie Louden said...

I've tried listening to audiobooks in the car, but I have a hard time paying attention, especially if I'm driving. I haven't thought about listening while cleaning, though. That's a good idea.

Nayuleska said...

I prefer paper books, but I do have an audio book right now for review and I'm enjoying it :)

Parkay24 said...

I love audiobooks. I recently listened to "The Graveyard Book" read by the author, Neil Gaiman. I think it was better listening to him tell it than it would have been to just read it. That particular book is a story meant to be told. Other books I think I would have rather read than listened to. This was the case with "The Book Thief". The frequent swaring was very harsh in the voice of the German narrator.

Hurray for free audiobook downloads through overdrive and for great narrators!

JaneyV said...

That is a brilliant idea. Stephen Fry (who did the audio books for the UK Harry Potters) said that he lost loads of weight by putting audiobooks on his iPod and going for really really long walks. He said you don't even notice the miles. Such a good idea!

Kasie West said...

I do like audiobooks when I drive (never tried it for housework before, but I'd imagine I'd love it). But, I'm like you. I love to not only hold a book, but because I'm a visual person, I like to see the words. I always get more out of it that way.