Are audio books better than actually reading?

[Patrick Kane]

There's nothing wrong with doing either but reading a book takes more effort and gives you a sense of accomplishment once completing. If its fiction, I find reading a book also allows for my imagination to flow more freely when picturing the world and following the story. Only listened to an audiobook once on a drive and it was cool but I find myself daydreaming and not paying attention to it fully. Wasn't my thing plus I like having a large book collection

 

[GrindtooFilthy]

There's nothing wrong with doing either but reading a book takes more effort and gives you a sense of accomplishment once completing. If its fiction, I find reading a book also allows for my imagination to flow more freely when picturing the world and following the story. Only listened to an audiobook once on a drive and it was cool but I find myself daydreaming and not paying attention to it fully. Wasn't my thing plus I like having a large book collection

Physical or kindles?

Thus. I’m a big reader. Always have been. I resisted audio books for a long time cause it seemed like cheating. I drove home to Pittsburgh from Jax and while there my dad was telling me to check out Octavia Butlers book Kindred. Said it was real good. I was like cool I will order it and he said naw. I got it on audiobook. Listen to it on your drive back home. I was Ok yeah sure thing dad.


But.. I started listening while I was driving and I was it was like watching a movie without watching a movie. Made my 11 hour drive fly by. As I was pulling into my driveway the audio book ended


Since then I have been obsessed with audiobooks. There are a bunch of free ones on YouTube. Also your public library. I also have a Audible subscription. I listen to them while I’m at work, in the shower, and driving.


If you have a good audiobook with a good narrator it’s a great experience

i read a lot of philosophy and self help books like the alchemist, the prince, And psycho cybernetics. Not sure how that would fare

 

[sfgiants]

I will always read books. Never done audio and never will.

cosign. I take a lot of notes when I read (non fiction) how ima do that with an audiobook.
Physical book> ebook> audiobook

 

[T-K-G]

I’m a test engineer and run a home studio, really haven’t had no time since I graduated college. Just try and read here and there when my schedule slows down

Ah bet

Yea don't step on the value of a good book by listening to someone read it to you. It takes away from the immersion unless it's an autobiography and the actual person is reading it

 

[ogc163]

Depends on the book. If it's a sociology type of book where I'm seeking perspectives/frameworks in greater depth, I'll go with the audiobook. But if it's a non-fiction book where I want to unpack and reword several of the core ideas, then I have to go with the physical books/e-books. And ideally, I would get both the audiobook and book but that's not always possible.

After listening to a sociology type of book I'll usually listen to several of the authors' interviews and read reviews so that I can increase my understanding. If I feel like I really missed on some great prose or great ideas then I'll just seek out the physical book, Barbara Ehrenreich is an example of someone who I first listened to on audiobook but now feel the need to get her physical books at some point.

 

[Music Fiend]

I've recently gotten back into the habit of reading before bed, ususally about self-help, mental health, discipline/organization, and black ideaology.

Thing is, it's taking way too long to finish some of these books cuz I may get a solid 20 minutes in before I crash out. I think getting the audiobooks would be dope, but I find it harder to pay complete attention and the voice/reader can make or break it.

Which do you prefer?

 

[010101]

reading ain't natural it's hella stressful on the eyes*

 

[Music Fiend]

reading ain't natural it's hella stressful on the eyes*

Idk about ti not being natural. But I def feel it in my eyes for sure.

I just want to digest what I read and take the good shyt I need so i can apply it.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

Reading. I retain more and I can conceptualize a lot more than listening to someone speak. Also, I go at my own pace. Audiobooks are read FAR too slow for me.​

 

[BlackDiBiase]

i prefer reading i am the maestro in charge of the tempo and unravelings.

prodigys my infamous life is the only audiobook i have completed, couldnt finish 50th law.

reading now a days is just too time consuming and i feel we are getting less and less of retention skills.

 

[010101]

Idk about ti not being natural. But I def feel it in my eyes for sure.

I just want to digest what I read and take the good shyt I need so i can apply it.

our eyes ain't built for books

scanning over line after line

it's the blow

*

 

[Cadillac]

Reading. I retain more and I can conceptualize a lot more than listening to someone speak. Also, I go at my own pace. Audiobooks are read FAR too slow for me.​

all of this

 

[richaveli83]

Reading.

 

[TELL ME YA CHEESIN FAM?]

Non-fiction -Reading
Fiction-Audiobooks

With Amazon reading and Kindle unlimited,I have gone through hundreds of audiobooks
There are some really dope narrators out there


If you have Kindle unlimited, check out the Barry Eisler and Robert Dugoni audiobooks
They got some dope series

 

[born of fire]

i hate audiobooks. hearing someone’s voice ruins the imagination and visualization factor that i love about books.

i’ve had a kindle now for years which i love. i haven’t read a physical book in a while.