Which is better? Read books or listen to Audio books? (novels, best)

[PegE]

Unless you're just going to sit and listen, wouldn't you have to be doing something that the audiobook doesn't distract you from? I mean what about driving and listening? I'd miss gaps in the book because I was concentrating on not getting run into or getting through a busy intersection.

[pumpkin5]

I much prefer a regular book but am so grateful there are audio books available for my Mom who is 89 and has glaucoma. She has been a reader all her life and it was a huge loss for her not being able to read. She had to get adjusted to the audio books but now enjoys them, like many have mentioned she says the reader makes all the difference. She just sits and listens but she did say at times she will doze off.

[Giesela]

I tend to hate whoever is reading the book. Maybe I just don't like listening.
Plus you can't skim.

I don't know. I don't like it. I'll only do it if I'm walking or something for exercise.

[Ketabcha]

I don't think that one is better than the other. It depends on the reader and what he/she likes.
I prefer reading it myself because I can imagine the voice of the characters.

[Peony321]

Never tried an audio book. I will stick with paper.

[mochamajesty]

Both.

I love listening to mystery/suspense audiobooks. A murder scene described instead of read? Awesome. It does depend on the narration.

For example, I am listening to this mystery set in England. The 1st chapter starts with a boy who is attempting suicide and the main character is trying to talk him down. I am riveted. It's the same narrator and he somehow makes a 40 year old man and a 15 year old boy sound like two people.

[LS35a]

If you're an Amazon Prime member (good deal, btw) you can get a free three month Audible trial.

So you can see for yourself if you like listening to a book.

[Stagemomma]

Try a free download from your library. That way if you don't like it, you haven't wasted $$$

I don't care for audio books, they read too slowly. If it's downloaded, you can speed the playback up. But I read REALLY fast.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by Stagemomma

Try a free download from your library. That way if you don't like it, you haven't wasted $$$

I don't care for audio books, they read too slowly. If it's downloaded, you can speed the playback up. But I read REALLY fast.

I find they read slower than I do with a book.

Ok I tried about 4 (from the library) and I find I like non fiction on audio better than fiction (which is primarily what I read). Which is kind of cool, because I get to learn some stuff (at the gym) and not push aside story time (before I sleep).

Win, win.

[photobuff42]

I have grown to love listening to audio books. I started with nonfiction then moved on to true crime and fiction.

The narrator makes or breaks an audio book. My favorite is Simon Vance, AKA Richard Matthews. He did A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. That is a wonderful audio book on the history of science. I bought it on Audible and listen to it often. I highly recommend it. Anything narrated by Simon Vance is worth a try.

I check out a lot of audio books from my public library via Overdrive. You can also check out Kindle or epub books through Overdrive. Sometimes I check out both versions of the same book and listen during the day, then find my place and read at night. Either way I am never without a book and there's no more overdue fees.