Audiobook Week: Why Audiobooks?

Jen of Devourer of Books is hosting Audiobook Week. She has discussion topics for each day this week. And if you link to your posts on audio books, or your reviews of audio books you could win a prize.

Today's question is Why Audiobooks?

My First Audio Book

One of the first audio books I remember listening to was Jennifer Armstrong's Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. I was taking a college class where this nonfiction book was required reading. I couldn't find a copy of the book on the shelves. But. The library did have a copy of the book on audio. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of listening to a book. But required is required, so I gave it a go. I was surprised by how hooked I became. I found listening to be just as compelling. One of the things I remember most about this one is the plink, plink, plink of the frostbitten toes being amputated. (That and the bit about each of the three men feeling that there had been a fourth there with them during the hardest time.)

Why I Like Audio Books...

I use audio books as supplements. While, on occasion, I listen to new-to-me books on audio, I almost always prefer to revisit books I've enjoyed in the past. By listening to books that I'm somewhat familiar with, I find freedom to really enjoy the book in the moment. Without being anxious about what's coming, without being caught up in where the story is going. It isn't about how fast I can get to the end. It is about spending time with a book. Getting reacquainted with the characters--often these characters feel like friends by this point.


© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews