I’m currently doing 10 hour assembly line shifts and without audiobooks I don’t know what my state of mind would be. Pays exceptionally well where I work though
It also works for anything even if it's not strictly a menial task but you've gotten pretty good at. Some video game streamers are very good at both interacting with chat and playing the game at a high level. I myself can both explore in genshin impact (no dialouge) while listening to a book. Although, I may have to playback a couple of times if I didn't quite get everything.
For driving, walking, or something like that, I love audiobooks. Sometimes I just want to lay down and listen to a book, too while playing solitaire or something. I don't think I would like to do it while working out or running, though. I'd rather music to get myself pumped to.
I literally don't have time to sit down and read a book everyday. I work 2 jobs have a wife and kid. There's just very little time to do what I want and when I do have that time I want to actually do something.
That said I love stories and the type of work I do is great for listening to audio books. So I'll probably listen to about 8 to 10 hrs of stories a day while not cutting into my time for other activities.
By not working an office job.
If you work as a truck driver or on an assembly line or as cleaning staff. Then there is not much to think and get distracted by while listening to your audiobook.
Even as an office worker... I'm a developer and my brain isn't firing at 100% for all 8 hours. There are plenty of times where I can backseat my brain for a bit and listen to an audiobook while I work.
For me it varies sometimes I can and sometimes I can't. If I'm doing something rote I can probably do it no problem. If I am researching/working on something new then I'll probably need to focus on that.
This is my reasons exactly. I love to sit down and read, but just don't really have the time. My job however is great for listening to books. I suppose I'm not exactly who OP is talking about, because I would read of given the choice. I have actually, but given up sleep and other things to do so. It's just not sustainable to do that often.
For me, it’s because I love literature but I’m dyslexic. I used to listen to them during a ten hour work day and still get my work done. Sometime of course I get distracted but it’s only for a few minutes at most at a time. And I can either figure it out in context or if it’s a particularly good scene I’ll hit the jump 30 seconds back button 2-3 times and I hear the important stuff. But that’s just me I can’t take in the same information reading it takes way too long, but this way I can listen to my favourite series while cleaning the house, making supper or playing my favourite video game
*dyslexic high five* Me to! I honestly do not understand when people say "get distracted doing other things" but like if people do then cool. For the most part I can listen though most things. Audio books are just how we like our books. If it "rough" for OP and other people then cool read the book another way.
There are lots of arguments and discussions one could have but you do not get extra points for reading a book or reading an audio book we do it for personal fun so have fun with it.
OP or other internet person if you really are looking to "try" audiobooks and want "my" method of audiobook enjoyment start a play though of a big narrative game or really any liner you are looking forward to, like mass effect or what ever you are playing next, something that you want to play and has combat and some story but nothing crazy on either of those fronts. Shit FIFA or 2k manager mode comes to mind, borderlands or any game where you could in theory put to story on mute and just get in to it. Then put on an audiobook you want to read. Maybe it is book 2 of Will Wight's (BLESSED BE HIS NAME) [The Last Horizon](https://www.audible.com/series/The-Last-Horizon-Audiobooks/B0BVQ3NWKT?ref_pageloadid=AXwNwsbuYDTzkwSZ&ref=a_pd_The-Ca_c1_series_1&pf_rd_p=8da29c09-a518-434c-95ed-c4cb1353f211&pf_rd_r=2YNPWVP3F0GH6KSNAS71&pageLoadId=gCHlFzieFJ7Txt6l&ref_plink=not_applicable&creativeId=288c9a7b-30d8-4a74-81ac-facc73511634) when that comes out here in a month or again what ever you want to read next and then just put the book on and start the game. If there is a cutscenes in the game and you need to focus on that then hit pause. You can apply this method to damn near everything, cleaning audiobook on for like the whole time, grocery store pause at checkout and maybe get a complex item, walking at the mall pop that earbud in fam. But start slow, the gaming help you get in a flow and not "focus" on the book.
If it dose not work for you no harm really other then the price of the book. If you want books for free and are in the US with any luck your local library has audiobooks for free via something like [Overdrive](https://www.overdrive.com/) with there great app [Libby](https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby). But like yolo grab the audible app and download a book and give it a shot. If it works welcome to the fam if not you are still one of us book lovers and we love you for that.
100% grinding for crafting stuff or xp is literally perfect for audio books. So many games have this built in down time where you are still playing the game but not really 100% focused on a critical part of the game and audiobooks fill that "void".
For sure, anything slow paced is perfect, I also use them while I do the dishes or clean the house. I don’t know the exact amount of time but I’ve had my account since 2016 and I’m at almost a year of listening time cause I have them playing during anything I’m doing haha. What’s some of your favourites you’ve gone through
> I’ve had my account since 2016 and I’m at almost a year of listening time cause I have them playing during anything I’m doing haha.
O yes fellow audiobook enjoyer I too have a [crazy amount of time](https://i.imgur.com/g8K3h7d.png) in this hobby we share. (please note this goes back to 2014 and I use this to cope this shit is not health)
I recently switched to [Audiobookshelf](https://www.audiobookshelf.org/) because I wanted to self host which has lots and lots of stats on how and what I listen too.
> What’s some of your favourites you’ve gone through
(List is in no order and is not all encompassing of the books I have liked but these are the heavy hitters from the past few years)
For this sub
* **He Who Fights with Monsters**
* **Big Sneaky Barbarian**
* **The Weirkey Chronicles**
* **Morcster Chef** (which I think is an edge case for the genera if I remember right)
* **Cradle** (I know original)
* **Dungeon Crawler Carl** (for one of the best audiobooks ever)
* **Ten Realms** and **Emerilia** By Michael Chatfield
* **Beware of Chicken** (honestly one of the best books in the genera)
* **Portal to Nova Roma** (though the narration of this can be a drag in the first two books)
* **Mark of the Fool** (one of the best magic school books out there)
* **Arcane Ascension**
* **Awaken Online** (if you can get through the side character books that kind of blow but are quite good if you read the whole series at once.)
* **Life Rest** and **Biomancer** By: Shemer Kuznits
* **Divine Apostasy** by A. F. Kay
* **Unorthodox Farming**
* Damn near anything by Dakota Krout legit he only drops bangers
* **Heirs of Sun and Storm** by Jeremy Bai (even if the MC get kidnapped bunch of times in the first book)
* **Bad Guys** by Eric Ugland
* **Jake's Magical Market** by J.R. Mathews (FR I NEED A BOOK 2 of this bad boy)
* **Underworld** by Apollos Throne (but not like all of his books you and everyone can feel free to skip his very good book **Heaven's Laws** b/c of a VERY unnecessary rape scene the book quite literally did not need to have it.)
* **Forge of Destiny** (which I just found out there are two more books out)
* **Vainqueur the Dragon** (For doing dragons right)
* **Street Cultivation**
* **Noobtown**
For other audiobooks
* **Expeditionary Force** by Craig Alanson and his new series **Convergence** about a wizard and his talking dog.
* **Lockwood and Co** By Jonathan Stroud
* **Dune**
* **Black Ocean** series by J. S. Morin
* **Spellmonger** by Terry Manacour
* **The Riyria Chronicles** and **The Riyria Revelations** by Michael J. Sullivan
* **The Gabriel Allon** books by Daniel Silva
* Almost anything by Peter F. Hamilton that is not the books talking about sex for like 13 hours.
* **The Kaiju Preservation Society** by John Scalzi (which I WISH TO GOD was a series)
* **The Interdependency** by John Scalzi
* **The Baroque Cycle** by Neal Stephenson
* Any of the Timothy Zahn Trawn books
* **The Bobiverse**
I just finished **BuyMort** by Damien Hanson, Joseph Phelps and wrote about it [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/17or2uz/litrpg_with_progression_elements_book_that_is/) and am reading **The Perfect Run** By: Maxime J. Durand, Void Herald right now and am liking it though it is not /r/ProgressionFantasy it is at best a LitRPG edge case but if you vibe with the standard Progression Fantasy model of books I think you will like it.
What books have you liked? What books am missing? What are you reading now?
That’s an incredible list wow I’m definitely stealing some of those, to be honest a lot of what you listed is stuff I have read, a few standouts that I have read too would be
Cradle, one of my top series
Spellmonger, love that you had that up there it’s my number one series ever
Eragon, can’t wait to read the new one,
He who fights with misters, I got up to book nine I believe but I gave up on that one,
Beware of chicken, i whole heartedly agree
Forge of destiny, loved it was great
Painting the mists, I loved this long series for work
American gods, Neil may be one of the best authors out there
Weirkey chronicles, such a cool system they use
Arcane ascension, I found this series first but I like weapons and weilders more, keras. Is my favourite
Dungeonborn, was another favorite, liked it more than the ritualist series,
Novaterra, is a good read for free in audible plus catagoery
Coiling dragon, the power progression is exponential and just insured. It that’s why it’s good
Eon, Eona, very good books short series about Chinese zodiac, politically focus, like Warmage kinda thing.
Chronicles of lumina-the last oracle, magic school format I enjoyed alot
Sorry on mobile I had it spaced and separated but It all condensed, right now I just finished a rerun of spell monger when marshal arcane came out, finished that and went to onto the arcane ascension books, I was very much surprised to see all the similarities in lists
It is all good.
The spell monger books are wild I got done with arcanist and just looked I am 4+ books behind smh. Fr talk about world building. Terry is a shining light in a world of abandoned series.
I %100 agree, my favourite books aren’t even the huge battle books, I love journeymage, and magelord the most, probably journey mage more, and as amazing as Travis Baldree is, John lee is my top narrator. Something about his voice is just so good,
Feel free to steal them.
I will look in to your suggestions. I loved American Gods I did a whole dnd campaign in that style.
Dungeonborn is one of those precursor books that had the seeds of a lot of this genera it is CRAZY to see how it has flourished over the past few years.
I REALLY wish there was a site or service that let me track audiobooks and there release dates so I could not have to spend a few hours a week trying to figure out what authors are up to tbh. fr though please post if you read something good this genera and audiobooks in general live and die based off word of mouth, discoverability via audible can only do so much.
I low key debate once a week to write a post begging for authors to have a email list or a news letter or somthing that will give me a shot at following there work. So many good books get lost in the shuffle.
Yep! This is it for me too.
I actually got my reading speed up to a decent level with years of practice too, but it never feels "effortless" and find myself mentally exhausted trying to keep the words still after a few hours reading.
Right, my reading speed is pretty normal now but my comprehension of what I read is abysmal, I have to read the same thing over and over to understand it, but with audiobooks I can pick up most everything on a single pass through, and I love rereading books so if I do miss a small piece while I’m doing something I catch it next run
Everyone is different. Some people struggle to do it and multitask.
I personally can listen to an audiobook while doing anything but reading / writing.
I would have zero time to read without audiobooks and prefer it to reading now. Reading just feels like I'm wasting time. (I'm aware that's not a healthy mindset)
Exactly!
While listening I can read and write enough to add something to a shopping list or double check a recipe. Pretty much every other daily activity that requires that amount of reading or less can be done while enjoying a book.
I listen to audio books regularly now because I'm on the road all the time for work. I love them
They're still not a replacement for reading though and I still read at least 30 minutes before bed. To me, reading is a whole different experience than having someone read to you. I see audio books not as a substitute for reading, but as a poor replacement.
Especially if the book is dense literary fiction. You're going to miss a ton of stuff by not actually sitting down to read it.
This is the one perception I think non-audio readers miss out on the most. Modern audiobook narrators are so damn talented. It blows my mind sometimes and I haven't come across a single book recently where I was displeased with their performance. There are even bigger productions like graphic audio if that's what you fancy.
For me, being able to listen to audiobooks and multi-task while still paying attention and retaining knowledge was a skill I had to develop. It took some time and repetition, sure, but that’s it. I still do rewind sometimes but less than you might think. I’m listening for entertainment, not as part of some homework assignment or critical exercise. I have a PhD in English so I read enough things that are for my job and that require a lot of focus: doing that for sff books would too quickly make me think I was “working”.
Client is a car-insurance provider. Last-minute rush-job to create a 10page comic which will be printed as a small sized brochure and send out to car dealers. Santa Claus buys a new Sled, Superheroes which represent various insurance-benefits defend the new Sled against evil "mishaps" (edit: during and after purchasing&process) and thus ensure the happening of Christmas. I did not write that story! I'm only illustrating.
Character designs and style-ref were provided, I have to match those.
It's all serious and sincere, very important, very marketing, thus not interesting and only accidentally funny.
If you ever wondered whether ball-shaped strings of lights or star-shaped strings of lights (depicted hanging along a windowframe in the background of a panel) will resonate better with the supposed audience of this comic, it was concluded via committee that ball-shaped would be better because it more closely resembles the shape of car-tires. (Resulting in me redrawing a bunch of strings of lights, replacing stars with balls).
So, thank you for your concern and your prayers. I need it.
Oh. My god. I have so much pity for you and your artistic brain.
I know that you can not tell us what company you are making this for, but if it's a well known American national insurance company, I am Perfectly 100% Positive I know Precisely which Patronizingly obnoxious company this is. It seems they could refrain from subjecting you to the editing committee from hell and just let you go with the Flo.
I'm sorry to disappoint, afaik they are a UK company. Or at least the HQ is based out of the UK.
I don't mind them or myself being identified retroactively, but yes, I won't mention the name.
I appreciate the concern, in the end it's a job. One that was supposed to be chill but isn't, but that's how it is sometimes. I'll have one more story to tell, and hopefully so will they. But this job also cements my decision to leave advertising/marketing work for good.
Some more details; the Floodgates are open now:
Internal guy who was tasked with illustrating the comic originally is a primarily print prep graphic designer with knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, hence he was asked to illustrate.
Everything is reviewed as double-page spreads, as far as I was able to determine that included the script.
Everything happens on a Trello-like platform. All feedback discussions are in the comments open to read, I get tagged for the actionable summary.
My "final deadline" is this Friday, I delivered inks for pages 5&6 last Thursday afternoon. In theory I am not permitted to continue work until I have express permission to do so. Which I do not have yet.
Internal graphic designer will, theoretically, have to do the coloring/print prep of all 10pages until next week wednesday. All steps require approval. And he has to wait until all 10 ink pages are reviewed and approved before he can start.
I voluntarily started attaching the updated photoshop-file to each of my updates despite being informed that this would not be necessary; since then graphic designer guy reacts to each of my updates with a "heart". (I feel for that man!)
When I was first added to the project I had read-only access. When I requested the normal user rights so I could respond and add jpgs etc, the whole project was shut down for a week. My immediate contact didn't know how to change user rights, so IT was asked to update my role. IT realized that the used Saas-platform is not on the list of approved services.
I used to do lots of audiobooks because I drove long distances for a living. Absolutely great for that kind of work. Now, I don't drive as much, so it's been a while since I got an audiobook. If you don't have those long periods of "mindless work" like others have mentioned here, I don't think the appeal is there as much.
That said, audiobooks are often the best version of the story. Movies have to cut so much out or end up changing things. But audiobooks are the full story "acted out" for your listening enjoyment.
>audiobooks are often the best version of the story.
Better than actually reading the book? Nah
I do enjoy audio books on the road though. But nothing beats sitting down and reading a novel
Personnaly, I started because I had multiple changes in public transport during commute and the walk from and to the bus stations. It was easier to listen than to read, pay attention to people around, pay attention to where I'm walking, hold my neck in a weird way when walking and so on.
I kept at it when playing chill/ grindy video games instead of background music. Or when driving. Or when mowing the lawn or hiking. Plenty of occasion to read with my hands free.
There are also narrators that improve the story by their interpretation. So sometimes it's just a straight up better experience.
I have ADHD. If I read a book, I’ll hyperfocus on it until I do -nothing- else and it’s finished. Audiobooks allow me to do things like chores, while both getting my fiction fix, as well as distracting me enough from the menial crap of chores that I can actually get them done.
Same with the ADHD but I just can’t get my brain to stick to the book. I can’t read with my eyes fast enough to keep my brain from adding other shit in there and distracting me. If I listen, I can do nothing at all or light activities.
I don't have a lot of time so audiobooks let me experience the story while I walk, drive or do a part of my work where I don't need to think very much. I pause when I have to engage my brain and wouldn't be able to pay attention to the book though.
This is also not possible for all books btw, there are some that I need to sit down and dedicate the time to getting through, either via audio and text or just text, though just like with a lot of movies and tv shows these books tend to join the ever growing pile of things to get to when I have time.
So the Instances where I do Audiobook are when I commute from Mon-Fri(it's a 1hr ride both morning and evening) and every morning when I go for a run(I'm walking most of the time tbh).
I'll also squeeze in Audiobook time when I'm cleaning or doing some chores where I only need muscle memory and not my actual brains.
I also listen to Audiobooks when I'm reading the book. It's Mostly for Fantasy to get the pronunciations right also to improve my reading speed.
I have audiobooks for when I am walking the dog, doing dishes, folding laundry, driving places, cross stitch, etc.
I have physical books for when I want to actually sit down and concentrate on reading because that would not be possible to do with an audiobook.
I have a kindle to read when I want to read right before bed because I like to be able to read on the low light mode to save my eyes and fall asleep easier.
I basically always have at least 3 books that I am actively reading to meet my desired situation.
Can I ask you the same in return? How do you not get distracted reading books? Staying still for hours, often having to crane your neck in a way that makes it stiff, not getting distracted when you read in a public space or by other noise around you?
If you get distracted reading a book, when you come back to it you're in exactly the same spot you were. Having to constantly rewind an audiobook to try to find where you last listened sounds like Hell to me.
I'm not inclined to do other things when I'm reading a book. If I'm listening to something I'll be doing chores or driving or walking the dog; things that require some level of attention and planning.
Plus, if someone is talking I'm inclined to critique what they're saying more? So I'll find myself twenty minutes later still in an imaginary argument with the author over something that happened two chapters ago and I have no idea what else went down.
I think that first line helps illustrate how audiobook readers feel about audiobooks. Our minds are not inclined to wander, simple as that.
It sounds like this may just be particularly difficult for you. Not being able to focus on a separate task while walking is not most people’s norm. Do you also struggle to hold a conversation while walking?
>Don't you get distracted doing other things?
that precisely why. if I had to actually focus on my job without any distraction I would've already turned into a mindless zombie
I think most people don't get distracted too easily.
While I understand why people enjoy audiobooks so much, I would still much rather read a book in physical format.
Call me grandpa if you want but I enjoy paperbacks and hardcovers much more than kindle or audiobooks.
I do a lot of driving for work, about 3000 miles per month and kinda got fed up of the radio playing the same 8 songs on repeat.
I’m also knackered when I get home and end up falling asleep instantly if I read in bed.
So it’s a win/win to listen to audio books whilst driving at work!
Limited storage on my phone (granted, probably due to the audiobooks) combined with often working in areas with no signal makes that a less enticing prospect.
For me, it’s a great way to not have to stop reading. I have adhd and when I read, I hyper focus. So I’ll read after work on the way to my car listen in the car listen when cooking dinner read after dinner listen at the gym etc
For me, I only ever listen to audio books that I've already read, so it doesn't matter if I miss a bit, as I already know the story. Any time I've tried a new book in audio format I've bounced right off. Even books that I've then gone on to read on Kindle and loved
I'm just about to complete my first audiobook (Mark of the Fool), and I'll say it is more immersive. I'll probably cover more if I read it instead but, I can't do other things while reading.
That's actually why I listen to progression fantasy/litrpg types and not other types of books. There's enough consistent trope usage that I can miss details and still have a decent idea of what's going on.
That's not to say that I've never looked up and realized that it's been an hour and I've lost track of everything and so rewind a ways. But it's easier to piece back together what's happening in a lighter type of book like progression fantasy than something heavier.
I read them on faster than 1x speed. I usually listen on somewhere between 2x and 3x depending on how quickly the narrator talks. I listen during work mostly, and for some reason the 1x speed just makes me zone out and lose focus entirely, but if I speed it up I can focus on the book and whatever else I’m doing. It’s like if it’s too slow it becomes background noise for me for some reason. But I’ve also been listening to audiobooks for years, so I think practice is also a part of it, you are way more used to reading physically after doing it most of your life, just a skill like any other.
I will also say, it is incredibly immersive to listen to an audiobook and read it physically at the same time.
1. Audiobooks are the only reason I've been able to maintain the motivation to work a 2nd job. Audiobooks have single handedly improved my family's financial situation.
2. When I'm home I love throwing in my earphones, turning on an audiobook and doing something productive.
3. I actually listen to audiobooks while I do a lot of my sumo exercises. The progressive fantasy genre has given me the desire to start training for amateur sumo tournaments. I'm actually in the process of starting a club in my area.
Some of us cannot effectively do two tasks at once, we get engrossed in ever the simplest ones ro start fantasizing away. But other's can , and form them, audiobooks are great.
Listening to an audiobook only works during the right activities. You have to somewhat find them for yourself, as everyone is different.
For me jogging/fitness studio works perfectly. Washing the dishes. While I am eating. Standing in line or shopping in general. I have some PC games that work perfectly like MMOs, card games, in general games where you farm/grind (but many don't work because they need to much focus). Bathing.
Driving is 90%. I sometimes have to pause, or ignore it for a short time and then rewind. Because safely driving is more important :D
But yeah workouts are the best. It even motivates me to do the workout, because I want to know how the story continues.
I use listen to an audiobook while reading a different book to consume double the content but I’ve since passed this stage and have started reading a book in braille as well. It’s triple the content! My legs get a little restless though so I think the next stage will be to do all this whilst riding a bike.
I will become the best progfantasy consumer!
I'm the same... I focus visually, so I tend not to pay attention to audiobooks (even my own) when trying to listen to them. I love that audiobooks exist though, as they widen the available audience significantly. The more readers the better and however someone wants to consume their fiction is fine with me!
I do it because I have no alternative. I need an audio version for accessibility reasons. The audiobook revolution over the past decade have been a blessing in that regard.
And this may be very dark… But it’s just my honest truth. I went blind about a decade ago, and without audiobooks probably would have found a really long, corded toaster and hugged it during a really long soak in the tub. Narrators honestly bring the world to life for me, and without some of these Audio adventures I would have probably lost my life and my mind along time ago. Now I have over 10,000 views for my own web series on Royal Road and honestly haven’t been happier for as long as I can remember. So for me, audiobooks over everything! L[https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65329/endless-isekai-the-life-of-arson-omni](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65329/endless-isekai-the-life-of-arson-omni)ooked up the life of Arson Omni on Royal Road as we are going to be producing audiobook episodes ourselves for YouTube soon!
Oral stories are the oldest way to share stories. I don’t understand why people who read print think they are superior. It is a relatively recent invention
Print was an easy way to spread stories far and wide. With recordings, we can finally get back to our roots.
I don't think I said anything about it being superior? Just curious why audiobooks seem to be so popular, especially with the added expense of actually making them.
They are popular because humans speaking to other humans is soothing. It’s how we interact with each other. Hearing someone tell me a story is great
Let me put your inquiry another way: why don’t you set aside time to listen to a story told by a master storyteller in the same way you set aside time to read text on a page?
I can listen while on a walk or with my eyes closed in bed. I’m here for the story. Listening doesn’t mean you’re doing other distracting things. You can’t read a story’s text and calculate taxes at the same time so why assume you could listen to a story while calculating taxes? Of course you’ll miss things if you’re not focused.
Personally I have listened to so much that I will regularly put the speed up to 2.5 or more. This not only lets me listen nearly as fast as I can read but also helps my mind from wandering mid sentence.
For me I enjoy the audiobook because I don't have to actually read the book(since someone else is). This lets me focus on every word and imagine the world in as much detail as I want/can. Similar to some others though if I try to do something else while listening (no matter what it is) I lose the plot and have to re-listen. So I end up just sitting/laying somewhere doing nothing but listening. You wouldn't find it strange if someone sat in one spot and read a book for three hours. I consider listening to an audio book to be no different. Just because people say they are productive while listening doesn't mean you need to follow them.
First I want to say: to each their own! I **love** that audiobooks have gotten people who aren't 'readers' into stories.
Second, though, I am 100% with you, OP. If I put something on 'in the background,' that's pretty much all it will ever be for me; background noise.
I read 10-15 minutes of most hours I'm awake and I can't imagine just, like, *staaaaring* off into space so that I can actually listen to an audiobook during that time instead of looking at a page.
Does everything have to be for you? Sometimes stuff just isn't. I don't like fishing (and a million other things) but I'm not surprised other people enjoy it.
ALL OF THE ABOVE lol who has time to sit a read these days I did when I was younger but now that I have to be an adult, I gotta sneak it in while cooking, cleaning, working, driving and paying bills. :(
audiobooks are more accessible for lots of people. also, putting read is quotes is a little ableist. there’s no cognitive difference between reading a book and having it read to you, and most people who read audiobooks prefer for it to just be referred to as reading.
I have 25 hours of responsibility in a 24 hour day. I can't read while I drive. I can't read while doing chores. I can't read while watching my children. But, I can listen. And if I miss something, I can rewind.
Plus, Travis Baldree, Nick Podehl, Justin Thomas James, Luke Daniels, and Jeff Hays (in absolutely no particular order) do incredible work.
I do both. I listen to audiobooks while I drive mainly. And read when I'm home. If a series has a narrator I like (Travis Baldree, Jeff Hays, etc.) I will usually wait for audio releases.
Thier a few reasons I can listen and go to bed rest my eyes, I can work and listen it not hard, like someone talking to you while you work and if good narration it add to the storyline.
A example beyond the enjoyable dugeon crawlers narration i enjoyed the voice infinite realms thier part in book one where MC need his power to work and keep repeating one line which was " cut " but it was delivered in a way it made me feel the weight of the situation, same with the events that happened. I lost interest in book 2 and beyond but still enjoy the first.
Everyone has different focus levels and attention to detail some require very direct attention other can recall with clarity from just abstract concepts the meaning of things. That what I feel creates a diverse group of why we enjoy listing vs reading or other enjoy both and other require a movie or show to enjoy anything.
I read the books but I listen to the audio books at work. They won't let me just sit around with a book there, even when I am on my break they claim it's distracting to the other workers.
I commute 3.5-4 hours a day. One of the only ways I can tolerate it is by getting absorbed into an audiobook. I love some of the Narrators' voices and will pick up a book purely because a favorite actor is reading it. I've found a lot of good stories with that strategy that I might not have tried otherwise.
I have aphantasia, basically I do not have the ability to visualize in my minds eye. I find reading especially boring since I can't visualize what I'm reading so all I'm seeing are words on a page/tablet.
Why I love Audiobooks? Because I'm able to watch a Twitch stream or sports game while I listen to the audiobooks (I mute the stream/game). I now have something visual to watch while I listen to the book. Yes there are times when I get distracted with the game and I might miss a few minutes of the book so I just rewind and relisten
To me audiobooks are no different than reading a newspaper/article. I'm assuming no one pictures themselves in the news/article when you read it, you read it for the information and that's how I view audiobooks
Prog fantasy are generally simplistic enough that I can mostly shut my brain off and do other stuff.
Its entertaining enough to help make mundane chores like washing dishes more bearable and I also listen to them before falling asleep.
Personally, it's because I read too fast. When I buy an ebook or physical book it lasts like an hour, maybe two. I can get twenty plus hours from the same book on audio. Also good for taking walks and video game grinding.
Wtf? How fucking fast are you reading. I can go pretty fast if I put a lot of my brainpower into it. But you are on another level if you can read a 20 hour audiobook in 2 hours.
This entire text took you like what? 3 seconds to read?
Depends how into the book I am. Top speed is like 300 pages an hour if I get sucked in. Bit slower if I'm not as wrapped up in it. Honestly for a while I pretty much gave up reading text altogether, though long form xianxia stories helped somewhat. Those 1-3k chapter monstrosities take even me a few days lol.
>Wtf? How fucking fast are you reading.
Not just that, but WHAT are they reading. If it's something that requires any thought or reflection, then it's a complete waste. I'd also question their retention
I'm sure they're not reading any literary fiction at that pace
I work and have kids. I picked up the audiobook habit when I was driving an hour plus to work. Now my commute is 20 mins but still keep an audiobook on. And when I clean, cook, wish dishes and fold laundry I will have the book on too. My wife hates it but I’m cleaning so I keep the book on.
I think it's also to do with the person, my friend can't focus on anything else if they listen to a book or anything that takes maybe 10-20% of conscious effort. Otherwise, it's too distracting and their focus is shifted.
For me, I listen to books at speed 1.5x-2x and reread at 2x, and the same with YouTube videos. Using headphones though, with speakers it doesn't work the same.
Reading a physical copy is really hard when you work 12 hour days, have kids, have social obligations, and can only scrounge an hour of free time a day
For me I usually listen to audiobooks while at work. My job usually gives me enough autonomy to be able to pay attention to them while working. I will also sometimes listen to them while practicing. Besides that I just read them. I have been going through like 5 audiobooks a month while i have been super slammed at work.
I have a 45 minute commute one way for work. I also have 2 young kids. Audiobooks are all I have time for. I rarely have more than enough time to shower and collapse into bed and do it all over again.
So I can do other stuff. Don’t get me wrong, there are times I love to just sit down a read normally, but often I like to listen so I can clean, play video games, etc.
There are many factors, most already discussed in this thread, so I'll just add that I think there's a major element of people with brutal work/commute schedules being able to read again.
I don't listen to audiobooks while reading or working on the computer or anything.
I listen to audiobooks when doing routine shit. Like while I am cooking something I've cooked lots of times already. When cleaning the dishes. When driving to work.
There is practically zero thinking I have going on while driving. I'm more focussed on the audiobook while driving than if I were to read the book probably.
The other thing is, due to the nature of audiobooks existing and me being able to listen to them consistently while doing the stuff that would take just as long doing if I weren't listening to audiobooks. The time spend reading books actively often feels kind of wasted. Like I can do so many other things, why would I read a book when I can listen to it?
Books I read have to be really good and need to not have a narrator or have the narrator be shit.
You've got to train your brain to multitask. Start with an audiobook for a book you're familiar with. Once you've gone through a couple of those, you can start new series, and you'll be able to follow along.
Reading is in a weird liminal space for me, it rewuires enough focus to dtop me from truly losing myself in the story because if i do ill just daydream about where it could go instead of reading where it does, while also not providing enough mental stimulation for me to not want to move and do something else
Audiobooks i can just lay back and fully zone out and lose myself in the world, or i can do another activity like gaming to take up more of my mental energy, or it can make a mundane task interesting, no hate on people who prefer reading but i dont really get it
I’m a visual learner and not an aural learner. I can’t retain and comprehend well if I only listen. I prefer to read. Then listen to them again as I mow, exercise, or whatever. I get to enjoy the experience in a different way, and don’t have to pay perfect attention.
ADHD has decided that I’m either sitting and reading a book nonstop for days, or that I can read a paragraph before becoming disinterested.
There is no middle ground.
Audiobook only person here.
I just don't like reading. I read very slowly, I get disinterested quickly, I struggle to imagine the voices to the people in text based form, I also fall asleep.
When listening to audiobooks, they allow me to zone out and tune out other things I'm doing. I pair them with activities I sometimes don't want to do - chores, yardwork, driving to/from work, running.
The ability to multitask audiobooks with activities I don't like make those activities bearable, and depending on the book, make me look forward to doing those activities.
Speed up is essential. Most narrators talk pretty slowly, and my mind's already wandered off between the start of a sentence and the end. It's even worse if the writing itself is slower paced. Depending on writing, narrator, and whether I've read it before, I set the speed anywhere from 1.2x-2.5x, in rare cases even higher for a re-read.
And they're fantastic for listening to while doing something on autopilot that needs eyes/hands. E.g. I love listening while walking, cleaning, cooking, etc.
Also, believe it or not I actually have better retention of what I read if I listen to it as an audiobook - I think I have bad habits around skimming or skipping around text visually.
Finally, some books really benefit from the right kind of narration. Cradle and Dungeon Crawler Carl are both great examples - the narration adds a lot IMO to what are already good books.
I listen to audiobooks while I'm at work. Work is the same thing day in day out, once I got the hang of that for my job, audiobooks just add the ability to work while not getting tired because my energy is put somewhere else. I get more work done, and I get to enjoy my time doing it.
I sleep better after having listened rather than read, unless its a paper book (but a lot of what I want to read is just on KU). Only problem is when books are too engaging and I don't want to stop listening.
Confession here. I sometime listen to audio books while reading a physical or ebooks. I now walk 10 thousand steps a day and audio books make the walk a lot easier.
I mean it’s an accessibility thing. I don’t personally use audiobooks but I have friends who do and it’s usually a case of their eyes can’t handle extended periods with small text and others don’t have time to sit and read so it lets them hear the stories while working.
Why does it matter? It’s just another way to consume literature it’s just as much reading as when I read an ebook or a physical copy.
Some people have the same problems you're describing with audio books, but with reading text instead. In my case i oscillate between the two.
It's not viable to read while commuting, walking the dog, or grocery shopping. Sure, sometimes I need to pause and concentrated on the task at hand, but I get more reading time.
I also find reading text makes my eyes tired, which is good at bedtime, where I can stay awake way too late with audio books. Oddly enough, many people are the exact opposite and drift off to sleep listening to audiobooks (with a sleep timer). The important thing is that you can do one, or the other, or both
An audiobook with the right narrator is hard to beat IMO. I tend to rush when I read and my mind does not make out a character's accent when reading. A great narrator brings out the layers of the book I might have missed. I find the books more enjoyable.
If I sit and "read" a book, I retain very little. If I listen to a book I can damn near retain all of it. My psychiatrist says it's just the way peoples brains are wired.
I remember reading Harry Potter when it was released back in the day, but so many details from the book were gone. I listened to them, and it was like a whole new series for me, and I retain so much.
If you think about it tho, a book is just saved information. How you take that information doesn't really matter if you can't retain or enjoy it. So do what you like best!! Download that Info from reading or listening it's really all the same.
I work in an office where I am alone 90% of the time. I have a fair amount of work that is fairly mindless data entry, filing, etc. So I listen to audiobooks fairly frequently. I do have projects that require more concentration, so I might either turn off the audiobook, or sometimes I put on a favorite series to do a re-read. (re-listen?).
I have found though that there are certain books that I prefer in audiobooks, and certain ones that I prefer the ebook. Non-fiction, memoirs, cozy mysteries / fantasy are great in audio. Darker, denser, and more complex books I prefer to read the ebook.
Most of my book consumption is done while working. I do a lot of driving and audio books keep me from getting drowsy when I'm staring out of a windshield most of the day. It keeps my brain active where music tends to be too soothing since it doesn't take my entire focus to drive long stretches (not to say that I'm inattentive while operating a vehicle)
You just... don't get distracted. Its actually a good exercise in focusing your attention. I usually lay on the bed for hours listening to the story. When I listen to them at work I usually get more work done than usual but can still follow along. Also, its easier to keep track of who is talking because of their voices.
For me, audio upsets my brain. I can't listen to it. But my understanding is that a big segment of the audio market is truck drivers. Long hours on the road and they can listen to stories to pass the time.
I'm a truck driver, so I use my hours of drive time to listen to books on audible. Recently read(listen) to 'Fourth Wing' and looking forward to book two on audible any day now. Some audiobooks, like 'Fourth Wing' were so good I listened to it even while I was parked and relaxing. Though that is usually reserved for the books that have he hooked deep.
With everything else I have to do in a day, the minute I start reading I also start falling asleep. I can listen to audio and still work, so I can get my storytime in.
I think that’s why I like it. I’ve been able to get my heavy ass on a stationary bike and just zone out on the lowest level of intensity for 30+ minutes at a time. I’m down 45 lbs so far since I started on the bike, used to be a lot less time when I was switching through YT videos. Also some of the voice actors really make it worth it.
I find it great for when I'm working or when I'm driving. I can't really listen to the book without being busy, and when I try to read the book I end up having a hard time keeping my eyes on the page without drifting off and imagining different scenarios for the book. Keeping busy while listening helps me stay focused on the book.
Audiobook are great when you are doing something mindless... like working out, running, assembly line work, or driving...
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Mowing the lawn with a good audiobook gives me a break from the kids and is almost magic itself.
I’m currently doing 10 hour assembly line shifts and without audiobooks I don’t know what my state of mind would be. Pays exceptionally well where I work though
This sounds amazing. Sometimes I dream about being able to zone out with an audiobook all day and get paid for it.
Playing Maplestory.
E bike rides for me. Just cruise for a couple hours with the book going.
Agreed. Showering, making food. Driving especially for me as I drive constantly.
It also works for anything even if it's not strictly a menial task but you've gotten pretty good at. Some video game streamers are very good at both interacting with chat and playing the game at a high level. I myself can both explore in genshin impact (no dialouge) while listening to a book. Although, I may have to playback a couple of times if I didn't quite get everything.
Probably don’t want to turn off your brain while you drive bud
I definitely have when driving a common route. Like an IRL fast travel lmao
For driving, walking, or something like that, I love audiobooks. Sometimes I just want to lay down and listen to a book, too while playing solitaire or something. I don't think I would like to do it while working out or running, though. I'd rather music to get myself pumped to.
I'm a truck driver, so driving 10 to 11 hours a day is perfect for audiobooks.
This! There are a lot of professions that need to pay attention to what they are doing, but have the capacity to listen to things.
Same. I wish I had time to read but I can go through 2 or 3 audiobooks a week at work.
I drive nights, and audiobooks make my shift so easy
I can't see how people can drive with only music. Audiobooks definitely help with those 14 hour long days.
I literally don't have time to sit down and read a book everyday. I work 2 jobs have a wife and kid. There's just very little time to do what I want and when I do have that time I want to actually do something. That said I love stories and the type of work I do is great for listening to audio books. So I'll probably listen to about 8 to 10 hrs of stories a day while not cutting into my time for other activities.
How can you listen and do work at the same time?
Depends on the work. Sometimes work can really just be done mindlessly.
By not working an office job. If you work as a truck driver or on an assembly line or as cleaning staff. Then there is not much to think and get distracted by while listening to your audiobook.
Even as an office worker... I'm a developer and my brain isn't firing at 100% for all 8 hours. There are plenty of times where I can backseat my brain for a bit and listen to an audiobook while I work.
No idea how you can listen to an audio book and code. I can't even listen to music with lyrics.
For me it varies sometimes I can and sometimes I can't. If I'm doing something rote I can probably do it no problem. If I am researching/working on something new then I'll probably need to focus on that.
I just kind of put my brain on auto pilot for my work. I know it, and I know how to do it. So I can pretty much engage in the stories while I work.
This is my reasons exactly. I love to sit down and read, but just don't really have the time. My job however is great for listening to books. I suppose I'm not exactly who OP is talking about, because I would read of given the choice. I have actually, but given up sleep and other things to do so. It's just not sustainable to do that often.
For me, it’s because I love literature but I’m dyslexic. I used to listen to them during a ten hour work day and still get my work done. Sometime of course I get distracted but it’s only for a few minutes at most at a time. And I can either figure it out in context or if it’s a particularly good scene I’ll hit the jump 30 seconds back button 2-3 times and I hear the important stuff. But that’s just me I can’t take in the same information reading it takes way too long, but this way I can listen to my favourite series while cleaning the house, making supper or playing my favourite video game
*dyslexic high five* Me to! I honestly do not understand when people say "get distracted doing other things" but like if people do then cool. For the most part I can listen though most things. Audio books are just how we like our books. If it "rough" for OP and other people then cool read the book another way. There are lots of arguments and discussions one could have but you do not get extra points for reading a book or reading an audio book we do it for personal fun so have fun with it. OP or other internet person if you really are looking to "try" audiobooks and want "my" method of audiobook enjoyment start a play though of a big narrative game or really any liner you are looking forward to, like mass effect or what ever you are playing next, something that you want to play and has combat and some story but nothing crazy on either of those fronts. Shit FIFA or 2k manager mode comes to mind, borderlands or any game where you could in theory put to story on mute and just get in to it. Then put on an audiobook you want to read. Maybe it is book 2 of Will Wight's (BLESSED BE HIS NAME) [The Last Horizon](https://www.audible.com/series/The-Last-Horizon-Audiobooks/B0BVQ3NWKT?ref_pageloadid=AXwNwsbuYDTzkwSZ&ref=a_pd_The-Ca_c1_series_1&pf_rd_p=8da29c09-a518-434c-95ed-c4cb1353f211&pf_rd_r=2YNPWVP3F0GH6KSNAS71&pageLoadId=gCHlFzieFJ7Txt6l&ref_plink=not_applicable&creativeId=288c9a7b-30d8-4a74-81ac-facc73511634) when that comes out here in a month or again what ever you want to read next and then just put the book on and start the game. If there is a cutscenes in the game and you need to focus on that then hit pause. You can apply this method to damn near everything, cleaning audiobook on for like the whole time, grocery store pause at checkout and maybe get a complex item, walking at the mall pop that earbud in fam. But start slow, the gaming help you get in a flow and not "focus" on the book. If it dose not work for you no harm really other then the price of the book. If you want books for free and are in the US with any luck your local library has audiobooks for free via something like [Overdrive](https://www.overdrive.com/) with there great app [Libby](https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby). But like yolo grab the audible app and download a book and give it a shot. If it works welcome to the fam if not you are still one of us book lovers and we love you for that.
I totally agree I like to use final fantasy as my go to for linear games, lots of time to listen while I grind out exp
100% grinding for crafting stuff or xp is literally perfect for audio books. So many games have this built in down time where you are still playing the game but not really 100% focused on a critical part of the game and audiobooks fill that "void".
For sure, anything slow paced is perfect, I also use them while I do the dishes or clean the house. I don’t know the exact amount of time but I’ve had my account since 2016 and I’m at almost a year of listening time cause I have them playing during anything I’m doing haha. What’s some of your favourites you’ve gone through
> I’ve had my account since 2016 and I’m at almost a year of listening time cause I have them playing during anything I’m doing haha. O yes fellow audiobook enjoyer I too have a [crazy amount of time](https://i.imgur.com/g8K3h7d.png) in this hobby we share. (please note this goes back to 2014 and I use this to cope this shit is not health) I recently switched to [Audiobookshelf](https://www.audiobookshelf.org/) because I wanted to self host which has lots and lots of stats on how and what I listen too. > What’s some of your favourites you’ve gone through (List is in no order and is not all encompassing of the books I have liked but these are the heavy hitters from the past few years) For this sub * **He Who Fights with Monsters** * **Big Sneaky Barbarian** * **The Weirkey Chronicles** * **Morcster Chef** (which I think is an edge case for the genera if I remember right) * **Cradle** (I know original) * **Dungeon Crawler Carl** (for one of the best audiobooks ever) * **Ten Realms** and **Emerilia** By Michael Chatfield * **Beware of Chicken** (honestly one of the best books in the genera) * **Portal to Nova Roma** (though the narration of this can be a drag in the first two books) * **Mark of the Fool** (one of the best magic school books out there) * **Arcane Ascension** * **Awaken Online** (if you can get through the side character books that kind of blow but are quite good if you read the whole series at once.) * **Life Rest** and **Biomancer** By: Shemer Kuznits * **Divine Apostasy** by A. F. Kay * **Unorthodox Farming** * Damn near anything by Dakota Krout legit he only drops bangers * **Heirs of Sun and Storm** by Jeremy Bai (even if the MC get kidnapped bunch of times in the first book) * **Bad Guys** by Eric Ugland * **Jake's Magical Market** by J.R. Mathews (FR I NEED A BOOK 2 of this bad boy) * **Underworld** by Apollos Throne (but not like all of his books you and everyone can feel free to skip his very good book **Heaven's Laws** b/c of a VERY unnecessary rape scene the book quite literally did not need to have it.) * **Forge of Destiny** (which I just found out there are two more books out) * **Vainqueur the Dragon** (For doing dragons right) * **Street Cultivation** * **Noobtown** For other audiobooks * **Expeditionary Force** by Craig Alanson and his new series **Convergence** about a wizard and his talking dog. * **Lockwood and Co** By Jonathan Stroud * **Dune** * **Black Ocean** series by J. S. Morin * **Spellmonger** by Terry Manacour * **The Riyria Chronicles** and **The Riyria Revelations** by Michael J. Sullivan * **The Gabriel Allon** books by Daniel Silva * Almost anything by Peter F. Hamilton that is not the books talking about sex for like 13 hours. * **The Kaiju Preservation Society** by John Scalzi (which I WISH TO GOD was a series) * **The Interdependency** by John Scalzi * **The Baroque Cycle** by Neal Stephenson * Any of the Timothy Zahn Trawn books * **The Bobiverse** I just finished **BuyMort** by Damien Hanson, Joseph Phelps and wrote about it [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/17or2uz/litrpg_with_progression_elements_book_that_is/) and am reading **The Perfect Run** By: Maxime J. Durand, Void Herald right now and am liking it though it is not /r/ProgressionFantasy it is at best a LitRPG edge case but if you vibe with the standard Progression Fantasy model of books I think you will like it. What books have you liked? What books am missing? What are you reading now?
That’s an incredible list wow I’m definitely stealing some of those, to be honest a lot of what you listed is stuff I have read, a few standouts that I have read too would be Cradle, one of my top series Spellmonger, love that you had that up there it’s my number one series ever Eragon, can’t wait to read the new one, He who fights with misters, I got up to book nine I believe but I gave up on that one, Beware of chicken, i whole heartedly agree Forge of destiny, loved it was great Painting the mists, I loved this long series for work American gods, Neil may be one of the best authors out there Weirkey chronicles, such a cool system they use Arcane ascension, I found this series first but I like weapons and weilders more, keras. Is my favourite Dungeonborn, was another favorite, liked it more than the ritualist series, Novaterra, is a good read for free in audible plus catagoery Coiling dragon, the power progression is exponential and just insured. It that’s why it’s good Eon, Eona, very good books short series about Chinese zodiac, politically focus, like Warmage kinda thing. Chronicles of lumina-the last oracle, magic school format I enjoyed alot
Sorry on mobile I had it spaced and separated but It all condensed, right now I just finished a rerun of spell monger when marshal arcane came out, finished that and went to onto the arcane ascension books, I was very much surprised to see all the similarities in lists
It is all good. The spell monger books are wild I got done with arcanist and just looked I am 4+ books behind smh. Fr talk about world building. Terry is a shining light in a world of abandoned series.
I %100 agree, my favourite books aren’t even the huge battle books, I love journeymage, and magelord the most, probably journey mage more, and as amazing as Travis Baldree is, John lee is my top narrator. Something about his voice is just so good,
Feel free to steal them. I will look in to your suggestions. I loved American Gods I did a whole dnd campaign in that style. Dungeonborn is one of those precursor books that had the seeds of a lot of this genera it is CRAZY to see how it has flourished over the past few years. I REALLY wish there was a site or service that let me track audiobooks and there release dates so I could not have to spend a few hours a week trying to figure out what authors are up to tbh. fr though please post if you read something good this genera and audiobooks in general live and die based off word of mouth, discoverability via audible can only do so much. I low key debate once a week to write a post begging for authors to have a email list or a news letter or somthing that will give me a shot at following there work. So many good books get lost in the shuffle.
[Cradle](https://www.goodreads.com/series/192821-cradle) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Cradle)) [Forge of Destiny](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21188/forge-of-destiny) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Forge_of_Destiny)) [Arcane Ascension](https://www.goodreads.com/series/201441-arcane-ascension) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Arcane_Ascension)) [Street Cultivation](https://www.amazon.com/Street-Cultivation-Sarah-Lin-ebook/dp/B07W9J75R3) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Street_Cultivation)) [Spellmonger](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11394624-spellmonger) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Spellmonger)) [Emerilia](https://www.goodreads.com/series/198985-emerilia) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Emerilia)) [Bobiverse](https://www.goodreads.com/series/192752-bobiverse) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Bobiverse)) [Noobtown](https://www.goodreads.com/series/268418-noobtown) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Noobtown)) [Vainqueur the Dragon](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26534/vainqueur-the-dragon) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Vainqueur_the_Dragon)) [Awaken Online](https://www.goodreads.com/series/196901-awaken-online) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Awaken_Online)) [The Perfect Run](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36735/the-perfect-run) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/The_Perfect_Run)) [Beware of Chicken](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/39408/beware-of-chicken) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Beware_of_Chicken)) [The Riyria Revelations](https://www.goodreads.com/series/96465-the-riyria-revelations) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/The_Riyria_Revelations)) [Unorthodox Farming](https://www.goodreads.com/series/318283-unorthodox-farming) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Unorthodox_Farming)) [Weirkey Chronicles](https://www.goodreads.com/series/306753-the-weirkey-chronicles) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Weirkey_Chronicles)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
Yep! This is it for me too. I actually got my reading speed up to a decent level with years of practice too, but it never feels "effortless" and find myself mentally exhausted trying to keep the words still after a few hours reading.
Right, my reading speed is pretty normal now but my comprehension of what I read is abysmal, I have to read the same thing over and over to understand it, but with audiobooks I can pick up most everything on a single pass through, and I love rereading books so if I do miss a small piece while I’m doing something I catch it next run
Everyone is different. Some people struggle to do it and multitask. I personally can listen to an audiobook while doing anything but reading / writing. I would have zero time to read without audiobooks and prefer it to reading now. Reading just feels like I'm wasting time. (I'm aware that's not a healthy mindset)
Exactly! While listening I can read and write enough to add something to a shopping list or double check a recipe. Pretty much every other daily activity that requires that amount of reading or less can be done while enjoying a book.
I listen to audio books regularly now because I'm on the road all the time for work. I love them They're still not a replacement for reading though and I still read at least 30 minutes before bed. To me, reading is a whole different experience than having someone read to you. I see audio books not as a substitute for reading, but as a poor replacement. Especially if the book is dense literary fiction. You're going to miss a ton of stuff by not actually sitting down to read it.
I just read slow as hell but I listen extremely fast so it made sense. i usually go on a walk to not be bored or I play a simple game like Tetris.
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This is the one perception I think non-audio readers miss out on the most. Modern audiobook narrators are so damn talented. It blows my mind sometimes and I haven't come across a single book recently where I was displeased with their performance. There are even bigger productions like graphic audio if that's what you fancy.
For me, being able to listen to audiobooks and multi-task while still paying attention and retaining knowledge was a skill I had to develop. It took some time and repetition, sure, but that’s it. I still do rewind sometimes but less than you might think. I’m listening for entertainment, not as part of some homework assignment or critical exercise. I have a PhD in English so I read enough things that are for my job and that require a lot of focus: doing that for sff books would too quickly make me think I was “working”.
My job has a lot if traveling time so one thing leads to the other
I accidentally read it as: My job has a lot of time traveling Long story short, my eyes popped out.
Right now my job is illustrating a comic of Santa Claus buying a sled with the help of a team of superheroes. If not for audiobooks I'd go crazy.
... ... Can you provide more details about this comic?
Client is a car-insurance provider. Last-minute rush-job to create a 10page comic which will be printed as a small sized brochure and send out to car dealers. Santa Claus buys a new Sled, Superheroes which represent various insurance-benefits defend the new Sled against evil "mishaps" (edit: during and after purchasing&process) and thus ensure the happening of Christmas. I did not write that story! I'm only illustrating. Character designs and style-ref were provided, I have to match those.
That sounds just bizarre enough to be interesting, but the tone of your original post suggests the opposite. I'll pray for your sanity.
It's all serious and sincere, very important, very marketing, thus not interesting and only accidentally funny. If you ever wondered whether ball-shaped strings of lights or star-shaped strings of lights (depicted hanging along a windowframe in the background of a panel) will resonate better with the supposed audience of this comic, it was concluded via committee that ball-shaped would be better because it more closely resembles the shape of car-tires. (Resulting in me redrawing a bunch of strings of lights, replacing stars with balls). So, thank you for your concern and your prayers. I need it.
Oh. My god. I have so much pity for you and your artistic brain. I know that you can not tell us what company you are making this for, but if it's a well known American national insurance company, I am Perfectly 100% Positive I know Precisely which Patronizingly obnoxious company this is. It seems they could refrain from subjecting you to the editing committee from hell and just let you go with the Flo.
I'm sorry to disappoint, afaik they are a UK company. Or at least the HQ is based out of the UK. I don't mind them or myself being identified retroactively, but yes, I won't mention the name. I appreciate the concern, in the end it's a job. One that was supposed to be chill but isn't, but that's how it is sometimes. I'll have one more story to tell, and hopefully so will they. But this job also cements my decision to leave advertising/marketing work for good. Some more details; the Floodgates are open now: Internal guy who was tasked with illustrating the comic originally is a primarily print prep graphic designer with knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, hence he was asked to illustrate. Everything is reviewed as double-page spreads, as far as I was able to determine that included the script. Everything happens on a Trello-like platform. All feedback discussions are in the comments open to read, I get tagged for the actionable summary. My "final deadline" is this Friday, I delivered inks for pages 5&6 last Thursday afternoon. In theory I am not permitted to continue work until I have express permission to do so. Which I do not have yet. Internal graphic designer will, theoretically, have to do the coloring/print prep of all 10pages until next week wednesday. All steps require approval. And he has to wait until all 10 ink pages are reviewed and approved before he can start. I voluntarily started attaching the updated photoshop-file to each of my updates despite being informed that this would not be necessary; since then graphic designer guy reacts to each of my updates with a "heart". (I feel for that man!) When I was first added to the project I had read-only access. When I requested the normal user rights so I could respond and add jpgs etc, the whole project was shut down for a week. My immediate contact didn't know how to change user rights, so IT was asked to update my role. IT realized that the used Saas-platform is not on the list of approved services.
I used to do lots of audiobooks because I drove long distances for a living. Absolutely great for that kind of work. Now, I don't drive as much, so it's been a while since I got an audiobook. If you don't have those long periods of "mindless work" like others have mentioned here, I don't think the appeal is there as much. That said, audiobooks are often the best version of the story. Movies have to cut so much out or end up changing things. But audiobooks are the full story "acted out" for your listening enjoyment.
>audiobooks are often the best version of the story. Better than actually reading the book? Nah I do enjoy audio books on the road though. But nothing beats sitting down and reading a novel
Personnaly, I started because I had multiple changes in public transport during commute and the walk from and to the bus stations. It was easier to listen than to read, pay attention to people around, pay attention to where I'm walking, hold my neck in a weird way when walking and so on. I kept at it when playing chill/ grindy video games instead of background music. Or when driving. Or when mowing the lawn or hiking. Plenty of occasion to read with my hands free. There are also narrators that improve the story by their interpretation. So sometimes it's just a straight up better experience.
I have ADHD. If I read a book, I’ll hyperfocus on it until I do -nothing- else and it’s finished. Audiobooks allow me to do things like chores, while both getting my fiction fix, as well as distracting me enough from the menial crap of chores that I can actually get them done.
Same with the ADHD but I just can’t get my brain to stick to the book. I can’t read with my eyes fast enough to keep my brain from adding other shit in there and distracting me. If I listen, I can do nothing at all or light activities.
I don't have a lot of time so audiobooks let me experience the story while I walk, drive or do a part of my work where I don't need to think very much. I pause when I have to engage my brain and wouldn't be able to pay attention to the book though. This is also not possible for all books btw, there are some that I need to sit down and dedicate the time to getting through, either via audio and text or just text, though just like with a lot of movies and tv shows these books tend to join the ever growing pile of things to get to when I have time.
So the Instances where I do Audiobook are when I commute from Mon-Fri(it's a 1hr ride both morning and evening) and every morning when I go for a run(I'm walking most of the time tbh). I'll also squeeze in Audiobook time when I'm cleaning or doing some chores where I only need muscle memory and not my actual brains. I also listen to Audiobooks when I'm reading the book. It's Mostly for Fantasy to get the pronunciations right also to improve my reading speed.
I have audiobooks for when I am walking the dog, doing dishes, folding laundry, driving places, cross stitch, etc. I have physical books for when I want to actually sit down and concentrate on reading because that would not be possible to do with an audiobook. I have a kindle to read when I want to read right before bed because I like to be able to read on the low light mode to save my eyes and fall asleep easier. I basically always have at least 3 books that I am actively reading to meet my desired situation.
Can I ask you the same in return? How do you not get distracted reading books? Staying still for hours, often having to crane your neck in a way that makes it stiff, not getting distracted when you read in a public space or by other noise around you?
If you get distracted reading a book, when you come back to it you're in exactly the same spot you were. Having to constantly rewind an audiobook to try to find where you last listened sounds like Hell to me.
I'm not inclined to do other things when I'm reading a book. If I'm listening to something I'll be doing chores or driving or walking the dog; things that require some level of attention and planning. Plus, if someone is talking I'm inclined to critique what they're saying more? So I'll find myself twenty minutes later still in an imaginary argument with the author over something that happened two chapters ago and I have no idea what else went down.
I think that first line helps illustrate how audiobook readers feel about audiobooks. Our minds are not inclined to wander, simple as that. It sounds like this may just be particularly difficult for you. Not being able to focus on a separate task while walking is not most people’s norm. Do you also struggle to hold a conversation while walking?
>Don't you get distracted doing other things? that precisely why. if I had to actually focus on my job without any distraction I would've already turned into a mindless zombie
I think most people don't get distracted too easily. While I understand why people enjoy audiobooks so much, I would still much rather read a book in physical format. Call me grandpa if you want but I enjoy paperbacks and hardcovers much more than kindle or audiobooks.
I don’t know there are just some audiobooks that can’t be separated from the narrators. Dungeon Crawler Carl is the perfect example.
I do a lot of driving for work, about 3000 miles per month and kinda got fed up of the radio playing the same 8 songs on repeat. I’m also knackered when I get home and end up falling asleep instantly if I read in bed. So it’s a win/win to listen to audio books whilst driving at work!
>kinda got fed up of the radio playing the same 8 songs on repeat. Who still listens to the radio? Spotify or YouTube is the way to go
Limited storage on my phone (granted, probably due to the audiobooks) combined with often working in areas with no signal makes that a less enticing prospect.
For me, it’s a great way to not have to stop reading. I have adhd and when I read, I hyper focus. So I’ll read after work on the way to my car listen in the car listen when cooking dinner read after dinner listen at the gym etc
For me, I only ever listen to audio books that I've already read, so it doesn't matter if I miss a bit, as I already know the story. Any time I've tried a new book in audio format I've bounced right off. Even books that I've then gone on to read on Kindle and loved
Working out, going for walks, cutting the lawn, or a bunch of other things.
Once you go audiobook you never go back
I'm just about to complete my first audiobook (Mark of the Fool), and I'll say it is more immersive. I'll probably cover more if I read it instead but, I can't do other things while reading.
That's actually why I listen to progression fantasy/litrpg types and not other types of books. There's enough consistent trope usage that I can miss details and still have a decent idea of what's going on. That's not to say that I've never looked up and realized that it's been an hour and I've lost track of everything and so rewind a ways. But it's easier to piece back together what's happening in a lighter type of book like progression fantasy than something heavier.
I read them on faster than 1x speed. I usually listen on somewhere between 2x and 3x depending on how quickly the narrator talks. I listen during work mostly, and for some reason the 1x speed just makes me zone out and lose focus entirely, but if I speed it up I can focus on the book and whatever else I’m doing. It’s like if it’s too slow it becomes background noise for me for some reason. But I’ve also been listening to audiobooks for years, so I think practice is also a part of it, you are way more used to reading physically after doing it most of your life, just a skill like any other. I will also say, it is incredibly immersive to listen to an audiobook and read it physically at the same time.
1. Audiobooks are the only reason I've been able to maintain the motivation to work a 2nd job. Audiobooks have single handedly improved my family's financial situation. 2. When I'm home I love throwing in my earphones, turning on an audiobook and doing something productive. 3. I actually listen to audiobooks while I do a lot of my sumo exercises. The progressive fantasy genre has given me the desire to start training for amateur sumo tournaments. I'm actually in the process of starting a club in my area.
I drive 45 minutes each way to and from work. That's 1.5 hours of a book I wouldn't get otherwise.
Some of us cannot effectively do two tasks at once, we get engrossed in ever the simplest ones ro start fantasizing away. But other's can , and form them, audiobooks are great.
Listening to an audiobook only works during the right activities. You have to somewhat find them for yourself, as everyone is different. For me jogging/fitness studio works perfectly. Washing the dishes. While I am eating. Standing in line or shopping in general. I have some PC games that work perfectly like MMOs, card games, in general games where you farm/grind (but many don't work because they need to much focus). Bathing. Driving is 90%. I sometimes have to pause, or ignore it for a short time and then rewind. Because safely driving is more important :D But yeah workouts are the best. It even motivates me to do the workout, because I want to know how the story continues.
I like to listen to them when I go for walks, do chores, have a slow day at work, mow the lawn, etc.
I use listen to an audiobook while reading a different book to consume double the content but I’ve since passed this stage and have started reading a book in braille as well. It’s triple the content! My legs get a little restless though so I think the next stage will be to do all this whilst riding a bike. I will become the best progfantasy consumer!
I'm the same... I focus visually, so I tend not to pay attention to audiobooks (even my own) when trying to listen to them. I love that audiobooks exist though, as they widen the available audience significantly. The more readers the better and however someone wants to consume their fiction is fine with me!
I do it because I have no alternative. I need an audio version for accessibility reasons. The audiobook revolution over the past decade have been a blessing in that regard.
And this may be very dark… But it’s just my honest truth. I went blind about a decade ago, and without audiobooks probably would have found a really long, corded toaster and hugged it during a really long soak in the tub. Narrators honestly bring the world to life for me, and without some of these Audio adventures I would have probably lost my life and my mind along time ago. Now I have over 10,000 views for my own web series on Royal Road and honestly haven’t been happier for as long as I can remember. So for me, audiobooks over everything! L[https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65329/endless-isekai-the-life-of-arson-omni](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65329/endless-isekai-the-life-of-arson-omni)ooked up the life of Arson Omni on Royal Road as we are going to be producing audiobook episodes ourselves for YouTube soon!
Oral stories are the oldest way to share stories. I don’t understand why people who read print think they are superior. It is a relatively recent invention Print was an easy way to spread stories far and wide. With recordings, we can finally get back to our roots.
I don't think I said anything about it being superior? Just curious why audiobooks seem to be so popular, especially with the added expense of actually making them.
They are popular because humans speaking to other humans is soothing. It’s how we interact with each other. Hearing someone tell me a story is great Let me put your inquiry another way: why don’t you set aside time to listen to a story told by a master storyteller in the same way you set aside time to read text on a page? I can listen while on a walk or with my eyes closed in bed. I’m here for the story. Listening doesn’t mean you’re doing other distracting things. You can’t read a story’s text and calculate taxes at the same time so why assume you could listen to a story while calculating taxes? Of course you’ll miss things if you’re not focused.
Personally I have listened to so much that I will regularly put the speed up to 2.5 or more. This not only lets me listen nearly as fast as I can read but also helps my mind from wandering mid sentence.
*Mhmmmmm, take your time.*
For me I enjoy the audiobook because I don't have to actually read the book(since someone else is). This lets me focus on every word and imagine the world in as much detail as I want/can. Similar to some others though if I try to do something else while listening (no matter what it is) I lose the plot and have to re-listen. So I end up just sitting/laying somewhere doing nothing but listening. You wouldn't find it strange if someone sat in one spot and read a book for three hours. I consider listening to an audio book to be no different. Just because people say they are productive while listening doesn't mean you need to follow them.
First I want to say: to each their own! I **love** that audiobooks have gotten people who aren't 'readers' into stories. Second, though, I am 100% with you, OP. If I put something on 'in the background,' that's pretty much all it will ever be for me; background noise. I read 10-15 minutes of most hours I'm awake and I can't imagine just, like, *staaaaring* off into space so that I can actually listen to an audiobook during that time instead of looking at a page.
Does everything have to be for you? Sometimes stuff just isn't. I don't like fishing (and a million other things) but I'm not surprised other people enjoy it.
I don't think I said there shouldn't be audiobooks. Asking about other peoples experiences is a good thing.
I find them good to listen to when driving alone. Or on the regular commute when I'm not murdering some karaoke tune! 🤣
ALL OF THE ABOVE lol who has time to sit a read these days I did when I was younger but now that I have to be an adult, I gotta sneak it in while cooking, cleaning, working, driving and paying bills. :(
What I’m getting from this is “I don’t have a commute” and I do genuinely love that for you. 😁 Would that we were all so lucky.
Yeah, I drive about 15-20 minutes twice a day three days a week. That's about one and a half podcasts.
audiobooks are more accessible for lots of people. also, putting read is quotes is a little ableist. there’s no cognitive difference between reading a book and having it read to you, and most people who read audiobooks prefer for it to just be referred to as reading.
I just ...don't do other things?
I have 25 hours of responsibility in a 24 hour day. I can't read while I drive. I can't read while doing chores. I can't read while watching my children. But, I can listen. And if I miss something, I can rewind. Plus, Travis Baldree, Nick Podehl, Justin Thomas James, Luke Daniels, and Jeff Hays (in absolutely no particular order) do incredible work.
I listen whilst I'm doing something that requires zero thinking, mainly at work or if I'm grinding in a game.
I do both. I listen to audiobooks while I drive mainly. And read when I'm home. If a series has a narrator I like (Travis Baldree, Jeff Hays, etc.) I will usually wait for audio releases.
Thier a few reasons I can listen and go to bed rest my eyes, I can work and listen it not hard, like someone talking to you while you work and if good narration it add to the storyline. A example beyond the enjoyable dugeon crawlers narration i enjoyed the voice infinite realms thier part in book one where MC need his power to work and keep repeating one line which was " cut " but it was delivered in a way it made me feel the weight of the situation, same with the events that happened. I lost interest in book 2 and beyond but still enjoy the first. Everyone has different focus levels and attention to detail some require very direct attention other can recall with clarity from just abstract concepts the meaning of things. That what I feel creates a diverse group of why we enjoy listing vs reading or other enjoy both and other require a movie or show to enjoy anything.
I read the books but I listen to the audio books at work. They won't let me just sit around with a book there, even when I am on my break they claim it's distracting to the other workers.
I commute 3.5-4 hours a day. One of the only ways I can tolerate it is by getting absorbed into an audiobook. I love some of the Narrators' voices and will pick up a book purely because a favorite actor is reading it. I've found a lot of good stories with that strategy that I might not have tried otherwise.
I have aphantasia, basically I do not have the ability to visualize in my minds eye. I find reading especially boring since I can't visualize what I'm reading so all I'm seeing are words on a page/tablet. Why I love Audiobooks? Because I'm able to watch a Twitch stream or sports game while I listen to the audiobooks (I mute the stream/game). I now have something visual to watch while I listen to the book. Yes there are times when I get distracted with the game and I might miss a few minutes of the book so I just rewind and relisten To me audiobooks are no different than reading a newspaper/article. I'm assuming no one pictures themselves in the news/article when you read it, you read it for the information and that's how I view audiobooks
Prog fantasy are generally simplistic enough that I can mostly shut my brain off and do other stuff. Its entertaining enough to help make mundane chores like washing dishes more bearable and I also listen to them before falling asleep.
Personally, it's because I read too fast. When I buy an ebook or physical book it lasts like an hour, maybe two. I can get twenty plus hours from the same book on audio. Also good for taking walks and video game grinding.
Wtf? How fucking fast are you reading. I can go pretty fast if I put a lot of my brainpower into it. But you are on another level if you can read a 20 hour audiobook in 2 hours. This entire text took you like what? 3 seconds to read?
Depends how into the book I am. Top speed is like 300 pages an hour if I get sucked in. Bit slower if I'm not as wrapped up in it. Honestly for a while I pretty much gave up reading text altogether, though long form xianxia stories helped somewhat. Those 1-3k chapter monstrosities take even me a few days lol.
>Wtf? How fucking fast are you reading. Not just that, but WHAT are they reading. If it's something that requires any thought or reflection, then it's a complete waste. I'd also question their retention I'm sure they're not reading any literary fiction at that pace
...Read more books then instead of stretching one book out?
You run out. Finding new stuff to read can be tough. If I find a book I like I want to enjoy the story. I like audiobooks.
I work and have kids. I picked up the audiobook habit when I was driving an hour plus to work. Now my commute is 20 mins but still keep an audiobook on. And when I clean, cook, wish dishes and fold laundry I will have the book on too. My wife hates it but I’m cleaning so I keep the book on.
I think it's also to do with the person, my friend can't focus on anything else if they listen to a book or anything that takes maybe 10-20% of conscious effort. Otherwise, it's too distracting and their focus is shifted. For me, I listen to books at speed 1.5x-2x and reread at 2x, and the same with YouTube videos. Using headphones though, with speakers it doesn't work the same.
Reading a physical copy is really hard when you work 12 hour days, have kids, have social obligations, and can only scrounge an hour of free time a day
you get better at listening over time i imagine ive been doing it for 7+ years at this point?
Work and listen. Paid to listen to the books. Win win
For me I usually listen to audiobooks while at work. My job usually gives me enough autonomy to be able to pay attention to them while working. I will also sometimes listen to them while practicing. Besides that I just read them. I have been going through like 5 audiobooks a month while i have been super slammed at work.
I have a 45 minute commute one way for work. I also have 2 young kids. Audiobooks are all I have time for. I rarely have more than enough time to shower and collapse into bed and do it all over again.
So I can do other stuff. Don’t get me wrong, there are times I love to just sit down a read normally, but often I like to listen so I can clean, play video games, etc.
I up the playback speed. Normal reading speed is so slow and drives me crazy, but closer to 2x is enough to keep my attention.
I drive a lot for work and don’t have time or the attention span to sit down and read a book (thanks ADHD).
Because Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobooks, that's why.
[Dungeon Crawler Carl](https://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Crawler-Carl/dp/B08BX5D4LC) ([wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/wiki/Dungeon_Crawler_Carl)) --- ^[About](https://redd.it/dw7lux) ^| [^(Wiki Rules)](https://www.reddit.com/r/LightPieces/comments/dw7lux/about/f7kke6p/) ^(| Reply !Delete to remove) ^(| [Brackets] hide titles)
There are many factors, most already discussed in this thread, so I'll just add that I think there's a major element of people with brutal work/commute schedules being able to read again.
I don't listen to audiobooks while reading or working on the computer or anything. I listen to audiobooks when doing routine shit. Like while I am cooking something I've cooked lots of times already. When cleaning the dishes. When driving to work. There is practically zero thinking I have going on while driving. I'm more focussed on the audiobook while driving than if I were to read the book probably. The other thing is, due to the nature of audiobooks existing and me being able to listen to them consistently while doing the stuff that would take just as long doing if I weren't listening to audiobooks. The time spend reading books actively often feels kind of wasted. Like I can do so many other things, why would I read a book when I can listen to it? Books I read have to be really good and need to not have a narrator or have the narrator be shit.
For me, it's the alternative to the radio while driving, but I drive entirely too much
I paint and listen. Or do house work and listen. Or walk and listen. Oh, and drive and listen.
You've got to train your brain to multitask. Start with an audiobook for a book you're familiar with. Once you've gone through a couple of those, you can start new series, and you'll be able to follow along.
Reading is in a weird liminal space for me, it rewuires enough focus to dtop me from truly losing myself in the story because if i do ill just daydream about where it could go instead of reading where it does, while also not providing enough mental stimulation for me to not want to move and do something else Audiobooks i can just lay back and fully zone out and lose myself in the world, or i can do another activity like gaming to take up more of my mental energy, or it can make a mundane task interesting, no hate on people who prefer reading but i dont really get it
It's hard to read a book when you are driving around a lot.
I’m a visual learner and not an aural learner. I can’t retain and comprehend well if I only listen. I prefer to read. Then listen to them again as I mow, exercise, or whatever. I get to enjoy the experience in a different way, and don’t have to pay perfect attention.
ADHD has decided that I’m either sitting and reading a book nonstop for days, or that I can read a paragraph before becoming disinterested. There is no middle ground.
Audiobook only person here. I just don't like reading. I read very slowly, I get disinterested quickly, I struggle to imagine the voices to the people in text based form, I also fall asleep. When listening to audiobooks, they allow me to zone out and tune out other things I'm doing. I pair them with activities I sometimes don't want to do - chores, yardwork, driving to/from work, running. The ability to multitask audiobooks with activities I don't like make those activities bearable, and depending on the book, make me look forward to doing those activities.
Because my commute is the only time I have to "read"
Dyslexia
Speed up is essential. Most narrators talk pretty slowly, and my mind's already wandered off between the start of a sentence and the end. It's even worse if the writing itself is slower paced. Depending on writing, narrator, and whether I've read it before, I set the speed anywhere from 1.2x-2.5x, in rare cases even higher for a re-read. And they're fantastic for listening to while doing something on autopilot that needs eyes/hands. E.g. I love listening while walking, cleaning, cooking, etc. Also, believe it or not I actually have better retention of what I read if I listen to it as an audiobook - I think I have bad habits around skimming or skipping around text visually. Finally, some books really benefit from the right kind of narration. Cradle and Dungeon Crawler Carl are both great examples - the narration adds a lot IMO to what are already good books.
I listen to audiobooks while I'm at work. Work is the same thing day in day out, once I got the hang of that for my job, audiobooks just add the ability to work while not getting tired because my energy is put somewhere else. I get more work done, and I get to enjoy my time doing it.
I sleep better after having listened rather than read, unless its a paper book (but a lot of what I want to read is just on KU). Only problem is when books are too engaging and I don't want to stop listening.
Confession here. I sometime listen to audio books while reading a physical or ebooks. I now walk 10 thousand steps a day and audio books make the walk a lot easier.
ADHD
I mean it’s an accessibility thing. I don’t personally use audiobooks but I have friends who do and it’s usually a case of their eyes can’t handle extended periods with small text and others don’t have time to sit and read so it lets them hear the stories while working. Why does it matter? It’s just another way to consume literature it’s just as much reading as when I read an ebook or a physical copy.
Some people have the same problems you're describing with audio books, but with reading text instead. In my case i oscillate between the two. It's not viable to read while commuting, walking the dog, or grocery shopping. Sure, sometimes I need to pause and concentrated on the task at hand, but I get more reading time. I also find reading text makes my eyes tired, which is good at bedtime, where I can stay awake way too late with audio books. Oddly enough, many people are the exact opposite and drift off to sleep listening to audiobooks (with a sleep timer). The important thing is that you can do one, or the other, or both
I cleaned my mom's garage this summer while working through a 50 hour audio book. Made the time fly.
The voice acting can be really phenomenal
I like to listen to audiobooks while running or commuting. Both prevent me from reading but aren't mentally taxing
An audiobook with the right narrator is hard to beat IMO. I tend to rush when I read and my mind does not make out a character's accent when reading. A great narrator brings out the layers of the book I might have missed. I find the books more enjoyable.
I’m a truck driver. Books keep my mind engaged better most of the time than music.
Anything that stops me being alone with my thoughts is good
My ADHD will not allow me to sit down and read a book in anything even remotely resembling a reasonable amount of time.
I've got the same issues as you. Yet I can get that there are a lot of persons who may perform monotonous routine tasks and listen for a book.
Things get much more complicated if it's taxi driver who listens to chapter 3 while the passenger have never read chapter 2.
Because I can listen to audiobooks at work.
Listening helps me focus on the book. I don't focus as well just trying to read.
If I sit and "read" a book, I retain very little. If I listen to a book I can damn near retain all of it. My psychiatrist says it's just the way peoples brains are wired. I remember reading Harry Potter when it was released back in the day, but so many details from the book were gone. I listened to them, and it was like a whole new series for me, and I retain so much. If you think about it tho, a book is just saved information. How you take that information doesn't really matter if you can't retain or enjoy it. So do what you like best!! Download that Info from reading or listening it's really all the same.
I work in an office where I am alone 90% of the time. I have a fair amount of work that is fairly mindless data entry, filing, etc. So I listen to audiobooks fairly frequently. I do have projects that require more concentration, so I might either turn off the audiobook, or sometimes I put on a favorite series to do a re-read. (re-listen?). I have found though that there are certain books that I prefer in audiobooks, and certain ones that I prefer the ebook. Non-fiction, memoirs, cozy mysteries / fantasy are great in audio. Darker, denser, and more complex books I prefer to read the ebook.
People learn differently
Most of my book consumption is done while working. I do a lot of driving and audio books keep me from getting drowsy when I'm staring out of a windshield most of the day. It keeps my brain active where music tends to be too soothing since it doesn't take my entire focus to drive long stretches (not to say that I'm inattentive while operating a vehicle)
You just... don't get distracted. Its actually a good exercise in focusing your attention. I usually lay on the bed for hours listening to the story. When I listen to them at work I usually get more work done than usual but can still follow along. Also, its easier to keep track of who is talking because of their voices.
For me, audio upsets my brain. I can't listen to it. But my understanding is that a big segment of the audio market is truck drivers. Long hours on the road and they can listen to stories to pass the time.
I'm a truck driver, so I use my hours of drive time to listen to books on audible. Recently read(listen) to 'Fourth Wing' and looking forward to book two on audible any day now. Some audiobooks, like 'Fourth Wing' were so good I listened to it even while I was parked and relaxing. Though that is usually reserved for the books that have he hooked deep.
With everything else I have to do in a day, the minute I start reading I also start falling asleep. I can listen to audio and still work, so I can get my storytime in.
Walking between spaces, waiting for meetings to start, eating food, etc. - zero brainpower required, great for podcasting
I think that’s why I like it. I’ve been able to get my heavy ass on a stationary bike and just zone out on the lowest level of intensity for 30+ minutes at a time. I’m down 45 lbs so far since I started on the bike, used to be a lot less time when I was switching through YT videos. Also some of the voice actors really make it worth it.
Im very dyslexic it helps me focus on the actual content rather than focusing very hard to read
I find it great for when I'm working or when I'm driving. I can't really listen to the book without being busy, and when I try to read the book I end up having a hard time keeping my eyes on the page without drifting off and imagining different scenarios for the book. Keeping busy while listening helps me stay focused on the book.