Thoughts on Audiobooks?

[BigSlizz]

Not much going on around here, so at the risk of turning our usual circle jerk into a knitting circle, I wanted to get your thoughts on audiobooks.

I've never listened to one, but I have this concern they'll curb my desire to actually read, heightening my potential to become much dumber.

Thoughts?

[IronEagle]

i think it depends on how much time you spend in a car.

I have a dear colleague who commutes into Manhattan from New Jersey and she swears that audiobooks are great.

PS. she is probably one of fhe smartest persons I know. And I know some smarties.

[JuTMSY4]

I read the Game of Thrones books this way. I was traveling for work, so I just switched off between listening in the car and reading when I was at home. It worked out pretty well except for finding the page.

Hasn't changed my reading habits for the negative. i probably read more actually.

[slag]

Tried it once

on a long car trip and the guy narrating sounded like a doofus, considering the subject matter of the book.

It was so distracting that I stopped listening and went back to Sirius to amuse myself.

However, I have a friend who does it all the time (he has a 2-3 hour commute each way to work ... drives in from Long Island to NYC instead of taking the train ... I think he's fucking crazy myself).

Anyway, he says the narrator is a key component, but contends that most of the ones he has heard are fine (and he's heard a shitload of them) ... claims I just got unlucky the only time I tried it.

FWIW

[BigSlizz]

I'm thinking of doing the audible trial and doing American Gods this way. I just don't know if I'm going to do $15 per month of use.

[JuTMSY4]

this is true

Anyway, he says the narrator is a key component, but contends that most of the ones he has heard are fine (and he's heard a shitload of them) ... claims I just got unlucky the only time I tried it.

FWIW

some books do have bad narrators and it makes the audio book otherwise useless.

[TerpEagle]

Not much going on around here, so at the risk of turning our usual circle jerk into a knitting circle, I wanted to get your thoughts on audiobooks.

I've never listened to one, but I have this concern they'll curb my desire to actually read, heightening my potential to become much dumber.

Thoughts?

I'm a big fan. Especially when you're trying to get through long books/series. I usually listen to the audiobook when I can't physically read (driving/biking/hiking/etc.) and then also supplement with an e-book or real thing.

They're especially good if they have a quality reader. I'm a fan of Stephen King's books - not a fan of him reading them as he does for a few. Wil Wheaton reads ReadyPlayerOne and it's pretty good.

I'm not a big fan of Audible's actually app, so when I get books there I convert them to MP3 and split them up into 2-3 minute files. I find it much easier to keep track. A 2-minute audiofile usually translates to about a page of text for most books. Audible will let you buy a year's worth of rentals (12 books) for ~$120 if you pay up front. You can then convert and play them on your preferred player.

I can send you links to pull this off if you're interested.

[TerpEagle]

I'm thinking of doing the audible trial and doing American Gods this way. I just don't know if I'm going to do $15 per month of use.

If you like it after the free trial, do the long-term subscription. Here's the converter:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/aaxtomp3/

As far as a cutter, you'll have to look around. I have one I downloaded a few years back but the newer version restricts it and wants you to pay.

[TerpEagle]

It's $150 for the annual membership and 12 books. If you don't convert them, there is a time limit as to when you can download and have to listen by.

[Pete]

I do audiobooks and podcasts for commute

I'm thinking of doing the audible trial and doing American Gods this way. I just don't know if I'm going to do $15 per month of use.

And I can get plenty of audiobooks through the local library for free.

[BigSlizz]

Thanks for this info. The converter info is very helpful. I can cut them up in Premiere.

[BigSlizz]

Need to get books narrated by a William Shatner!

[Raptor]

try your local library first ....

If you are worried about a $$ commitment .....my local branch has a ton for free.....easy stuff if you are just curious.

[AthensEagle]

Always wanted to try to do one of those language ones and learn a language on my commute.

[dev_32]

I'm thinking of doing the audible trial and doing American Gods this way. I just don't know if I'm going to do $15 per month of use.

Have you tried actually reading American Gods? Great book, hard to put down (all his books are like that).

However, I also heard his audio books (with him reading) are great too.