One of the things in my “book world” that I have been umming and ahhing about is whether an audio book is better than the paper book. It has always frightened me that electronic devices will take over the paper world and my career will be flushed down the toilet. But fear not, my readers, for I have tested both and finally have the answer, nay, the OPINION that will help me continue in my career and, who knows, perhaps save the paper world forever.
It all started when I began reading Justine Larbalestier’s new release Liar. Her words captivated me as soon as I opened the story and it kept me locked into the characters twisted mind. While making one of my trips to Sunbury - which is my usual trip a lot of weekends now - I was stuck on the freeway in beloved peak hour and was itching to read Liar. I was at a stand still in traffic and knew I wasn’t going to move for the next 20 minutes so what was the harm? Alas, I did the right thing and left it lying in my bag. When I got to my destination in Sunbury, which is my boyfriend’s house, I begged him to amuse himself for at least half an hour while I finish off a couple of chapters. It then occurred to me that this is the time that people would find an audio book quite handy.
And so I bought one.
And yes I know what you’re thinking. What a waste of money right? When I was already half way through the book and the only time I’d listen to it is in the car. But you will be very surprised that I used over half the CD’s in the case and thoroughly enjoyed the experience ALMOST as much as the book in my hands.
The positives of an audio book:
The voice of the audio book keeps you intrigued. Especially for Liar because the lady who read it aloud created different voices for each person, was really enthusiastic with every word and kept me..well…listening!
Creates nostalgia. I remember loving library classes when the teacher would read out the picture books on the shelf. It was never the same experience when it turned into quiet reading time by yourself.
Allows you to multi task. My drives to Sunbury, and sometimes people listen to them while they clean!
Gets you through a story much faster than myself reading. Basically I’m a slow reader. I don’t like rushing it, which is why I never need to read something more than once.
Lets you hear a different tone of voice. I might read something in my head in a different tone than what the lady on the tape thinks it is. Both are right in a way, but at times her tone was more exciting!
However, there are negatives and only because I will always love the book more than anything else.
Negatives:
Doesn’t let you visually see things that you might like to see. For example, I’m dying to listen to the audio book Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld mostly because the voice is Alan Cumming but also because I think it would get me through the dense and complicated story better than reading it myself. However, because there are so many creatures in his world he has made his new book illustrated and I would like to flick through the book and follow the drawings along with the story. It's not that I have a lack of imagination, but rather Scott Westerfeld doesn’t allow imagination, as the image is meant to be staring us right in the face. Just like Liar. It doesn’t have illustrations like Scott, but it does have lists of things, short chapters that are sub chaptered into lots of different sections and it takes a bit to get used to visually!
I will never be able to listen to it in bed. I only listen to music in bed and its mostly Iron and Wine or The Shins…basically slower music to put me to sleep. Not a voice in my ear telling me a story. I like curling up with a lamp, book in hand and bookmark next to me resting next to my glasses. It’s a perfect image in my head and I never want to get rid of it.
So there aren’t as many negatives but they still count for something. Besides, I’d rather pay 20 bucks for a book rather than 50 to listen to it in the car. It was a great experience none the less, however I think I might stick to music in the car…must make more CD’s though…
Honestly yours,
Jinx xx
It all started when I began reading Justine Larbalestier’s new release Liar. Her words captivated me as soon as I opened the story and it kept me locked into the characters twisted mind. While making one of my trips to Sunbury - which is my usual trip a lot of weekends now - I was stuck on the freeway in beloved peak hour and was itching to read Liar. I was at a stand still in traffic and knew I wasn’t going to move for the next 20 minutes so what was the harm? Alas, I did the right thing and left it lying in my bag. When I got to my destination in Sunbury, which is my boyfriend’s house, I begged him to amuse himself for at least half an hour while I finish off a couple of chapters. It then occurred to me that this is the time that people would find an audio book quite handy.
And so I bought one.
And yes I know what you’re thinking. What a waste of money right? When I was already half way through the book and the only time I’d listen to it is in the car. But you will be very surprised that I used over half the CD’s in the case and thoroughly enjoyed the experience ALMOST as much as the book in my hands.
The positives of an audio book:
The voice of the audio book keeps you intrigued. Especially for Liar because the lady who read it aloud created different voices for each person, was really enthusiastic with every word and kept me..well…listening!
Creates nostalgia. I remember loving library classes when the teacher would read out the picture books on the shelf. It was never the same experience when it turned into quiet reading time by yourself.
Allows you to multi task. My drives to Sunbury, and sometimes people listen to them while they clean!
Gets you through a story much faster than myself reading. Basically I’m a slow reader. I don’t like rushing it, which is why I never need to read something more than once.
Lets you hear a different tone of voice. I might read something in my head in a different tone than what the lady on the tape thinks it is. Both are right in a way, but at times her tone was more exciting!
However, there are negatives and only because I will always love the book more than anything else.
Negatives:
Doesn’t let you visually see things that you might like to see. For example, I’m dying to listen to the audio book Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld mostly because the voice is Alan Cumming but also because I think it would get me through the dense and complicated story better than reading it myself. However, because there are so many creatures in his world he has made his new book illustrated and I would like to flick through the book and follow the drawings along with the story. It's not that I have a lack of imagination, but rather Scott Westerfeld doesn’t allow imagination, as the image is meant to be staring us right in the face. Just like Liar. It doesn’t have illustrations like Scott, but it does have lists of things, short chapters that are sub chaptered into lots of different sections and it takes a bit to get used to visually!
I will never be able to listen to it in bed. I only listen to music in bed and its mostly Iron and Wine or The Shins…basically slower music to put me to sleep. Not a voice in my ear telling me a story. I like curling up with a lamp, book in hand and bookmark next to me resting next to my glasses. It’s a perfect image in my head and I never want to get rid of it.
So there aren’t as many negatives but they still count for something. Besides, I’d rather pay 20 bucks for a book rather than 50 to listen to it in the car. It was a great experience none the less, however I think I might stick to music in the car…must make more CD’s though…
Honestly yours,
Jinx xx
