Originally posted by Woolie Wool
Why an audio book? Normal books are much better unless you are a poor reader.
I'd like to respectfully disagree with you (well, I'm going to try to be respectful. I'm evidently in a foul mood, so we'll see how long it lasts).
I'm an excellent reader. I tend to read at least one full length novel per week in print form, as well as a scientific or mathematical text every two weeks. I retain what I read for a good long time. I also consume an audibook approximately every two weeks (call it 20hrs of listening).
There is a distinct difference in experience between
reading and
being read to. On the surface, there is no difference*: you're getting the exact same data fed into your brain. Only the medium is different. An audiobook forces a listener to slow down. The bandwidth of human speech is pretty narrow. This gives you time to absorb the data deeply, and even consider it carefully as you listen.
Some people complain that an audiobook prevents them from imagining character's voices, etc, properly. I find, however, that a good performer--I'd like to recommend Jim Dale and Stephen Frye--can render a novel with perfect clarity and fade into the background while doing so. You never hear the performer. The imagery just appears in your mind, whole and complete--just like when you read it on paper.
Besides: you can't read a novel in the car, but you can listen to it. When you have an hour commute to and from work every day, audiobooks can save your sanity.
* assuming you stick to unabridged audiobooks. if you don't, you're a fool not worth the air and nutrients you waste.
