When I was little, I used to love to listen to cassettes of fairy tales and little audioplays (not really something that was just narrated, but rather had an ensemble cast play different characters and such) as I was falling asleep. Those stories were often intentionally short, because I was a child and my attention span probably wasn’t the greatest to begin with, but they were also easy to follow in terms of story. Now, being much older (but not necessarily wiser), I thought it was time to try actual full length audiobooks.
There’s been a lot of discussion online about whether audiobooks should be considered real reading and that’s not even something I ever worried about. Of course, to me, if you have heard the story, it counts just as much as if you have read the words on the page. Also, it’s just a bit ableist if we are being honest, because not everyone can see and read words. So, this is not what this post is about at all.
This post is more about how I personally feel about audiobooks and why I think they do or don’t work for me. I found myself having two credits for free audiobooks on Audible and went with very different options to test my theory – one was a contemporary thriller (I wasn’t quite ready to dive into anything that was removed from reality) and the other was a non-fiction book by a British comedian. Here’s a bit more on those books:
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Something in the Water is a thriller that starts out with a seemingly regular woman burying a dead body in the first chapter and you subsequently find out how she got herself into that predicament.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while now, you know that I am not huge on thrillers or crime stories. However, I was a bit overwhelmed with the sheer amount of possible audiobooks, I wanted something new and as soon as I saw Catherine Steadman and that she narrated her own book, I just pressed the “buy” button.
For those of you who don’t know, Catherine Steadman isn’t just an author, she is also an actress (currently starring as Eliza Gestalt in The Rook) and because I knew her and her voice, I was intrigued. With audiobooks, it’s important that you like the voice and intonation of the narrator. With Catherine, I knew that she would be great due to her acting abilities and that she was invested in the story too. Alas, I was not disappointed in her narrating skills. The story is another thing though …
I was so annoyed with the main character sometimes. It’s not that she was a bad person, but she made some really dumb decisions. Also, it’s pretty much a cautionary tale on what greed will get you. Anyway, my main issue though was that I simply couldn’t keep paying attention to the story and kept spacing out even if it was interesting. I learnt that I listened the most while I was walking around outside and didn’t do ANYTHING else, but had troubles as soon as I so much as glanced at my phone screen or attempted an activity that required as much as a single brain cell. So, I figured, maybe I needed something even more rooted in reality and turned towards non-fiction with my next book.
James Acaster’s Classic Scrapes by James Acaster
James Acaster is one of my favourite comedians. This doesn’t necessarily mean much, because that list is pretty long (I like to laugh, okay!?), but it made getting his audiobook an easy choice. He obviously also narrated the book himself, which is probably best, since it’s like him telling short stories that happened in his life. The foreword is by Josh Widdicombe, also a funny dude, so what’s not to like?
Well, I knew some of the stories from James’ stand up program and his various visits on panel shows. Also, I once again just really had trouble not getting distracted. So, if a comedian with a funny accent and funny stories couldn’t hold my attention? What did that say about me?
THE RESULT
I think in the end I just have to accept that maybe audiobooks aren’t for me. I have real troubles focusing on what’s being told to me and I learned that I just prefer having the words in front of me. There is a consideration of maybe reading along AS someone tells me story, but I don’t have the funds of buying an audiobook as well as an ebook or physical copy. I am not that rich! It was worth a shot and I do get people who enjoy audiobooks. It’s so much faster to get through a book, but I can honestly say that I did not retain as much information from what I read this way than I did when I read the actual letters myself.
What’s your take on audiobooks? Do you like them? Do you loathe them? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Life and Other Disasters 
I like to use audiobooks for rereads. That way I don’t have to focus as hard and still get to reread when I normally can’t find the time. My husband and I listen to them together in the car.
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Oh, that makes a lot of sense! Maybe I will get the audiobook of Call Me by Your Name after all.
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I hope that you’re able to enjoy it.
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Thank you for sharing your experience with audiobooks with us! It seems that we are much alike in this respect. I am also distracted (or I want to give my full attention to the task at hand) so audiobooks don’t really work for me too. Even if the task is menial I find it difficult to concentrate to what I am listening. Or if I am, then the task is neglected.
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Exactly! I feel like the purpose of me listening to the books instead of reading them regularly would be that I could do other tasks at the same time, but unless it’s walking from A to B or brushing my teeth, I can’t keep up with the story and my task. I am glad I am not the only one.
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I LOVE audio books, and listen to them quite often. My brain’s a little on the weird side, as you know, so I’m able to listen to the stories while doing different tasks. The result is I often use them at the office, though I have to make sure I’m well-caffeinated before I listen so I’m not lulled to sleep.
Right now, I’m listening to Dark Age on audio book, and I’ll likely get back to listening to the Complete Sherlock Holmes once I’m done with that. After that…well, we’ll just have to see. Maybe the new Paul Tremblay collection of short stories. I’ve heard good things.
And if you ever need recommendations, I have plenty that aren’t horror. Red Rising, for example, has a phenomenal narrator.
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Thank you for the offer, but I don’t think I will continue with my Audible subscription. I am just not made for this kind of stuff and I probably wouldn’t necessarily want to “reread” any stories in audiobook form.
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Fair enough.
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I LOVE audiobooks, they’ve helped me get through countless reading slumps. I definitely get what you’re saying about the distractions, though. If the story isn’t interesting me, I’ll get super distracted or zone out. But, if it’s a really good book, I get completely invested.
Sometimes I just lie down in bed, listening to the audiobook. Other times, I draw as a listen. It’s not for everyone, but they’re definitely something I like.
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That’s just the thing, even with really compelling stories, I couldn’t focus. I would have to do nothing at all besides listening and I couldn’t even do that haha I am probably just not made for it, but glad they work for you!
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I use Libby which connects to your library card and you can check them out digitally for free. 🙂 If you have a library near you that uses it that would help a lot financially. I like it.
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I don’t think German libraries have that, but I am not really sure I am made for audiobooks anyway or that I want to continue with it. I definitely wouldn’t want to listen to the audiobooks in German haha
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Your post was fantastic, Kat! I really enjoyed reading about your experience 😊 Maybe audio books aren’t meant for us. Some of us just like to read the words better than to hear them 😁😘
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Thank you so much, Nyx! Reading is amazing in all shapes and forms, we personally just do better with a certain style of it haha
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I really like audiobooks and hope to read more of them! I do agree that when listening to something you do not retain all the information, and sometimes (on certain books) I do find myself drifting away from the story and not knowing what happens in the last minute or so. It’s definitely not something for everyone 🙂
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I am glad you can understand my struggles, but I am also happy for you that you like them 🙂 I am not sure I will stick to them.
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I ADORE audiobooks! I have a bit of a commute to work and I love my time listening during that time. Also when I was in graduate school and had no time for pleasure reading, audiobooks were my only way of enjoying books during that time.
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I could see it working on a commute actually, but mine is barely 10 minutes, so it’s just not enough time to get into anything haha
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I can’t listen to audios at home (too many distractions) so my commute is the only time I listen to them.
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Oooh, i’m yet to try them but i will soon!
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I hope your experience with them will be more smoothly than mine.
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