How to enjoy audiobooks

A leaf from Catholic Church. Book of Hours. Rouen, France, ca. 1490. Accession XXXX-0635R/PS-V-Med-7

I've been reading Matt Haughey's Lifehacker blog for some time and he offers up a good article regarding audiobooks. There's been quite a bit of interest in the news surrounding audiobooks, podcasting/radio, eBooks and traditional books; and the business side of Amazon, Audible and iTunes competing for audience share. I'll be focusing over the next few blog entries on some resources and points of view, while trying to understand it all myself. I did pick up some audiobooks recently; David Allen narrating his book, "Getting Things Done" which I enjoyed as a companion and contrast to the eBook and traditional book. Hearing from the author himself felt as though I was attending a seminar, so I got a lot out of it.

Matt Haughey writes:

"Last week, the New York Times ran a piece on whether or not listening to audiobooks and reading printed books was the same activity. Despite the debate surrounding it, as a fan of both printed books and audiobooks, it read largely like old book snobs fighting new technology."

Quite honestly, some audiobooks work, and some don't. Some people are visual learners, and some are auditory. Some activities lend themselves to audiobooks and others require too much concentration and detract from audiobooks. I've found that in the end it all depends. But I would like to leave you with some tips, picks, and suggestions on how to get the best experience from audiobooks."

Read Matt Haughey's observations here: How to enjoy audiobooks and Other Entertainment Stories.


Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company / Graham Roumieu

Some excerpts from the New York Times article / debate :

Audio book aficionados face disdain from some book lovers, who tend to rhapsodize about the smell and feel of a book in their hands and the pleasure of being immersed in a story without having to worry about the car in the next lane.

Gloria Reiss, 51, of St. Louis, said her officemates correct her when she mentions having read a book.

"They'll say, 'You didn't read it, you just listened to it,' " said Ms. Reiss, who switched to audio when her two jobs and three poodles made it hard to find time to curl up on the couch. Recently a colleague refused her urging to take a Stephanie Plum mystery along on a long drive.

"She goes, 'I like to read my books,' " Ms. Reiss said, "like that makes her better than me."