For people who love to read, there are few more comforting thoughts than that of curling up with a good book. A hardcover open on the table, next to a cup of tea, glass of wine, snifter of brandy or stein of beer. A paperback in a high-back chair or sprawled across a couch across from the fireplace. A chapter or two in bed before sleep.
But in today’s busy world, some people don’t have time for that. Some readers who love their books opt to digest them in another way -- by listening.
Audio books offer a way to “read” a book while you’re driving to or from work, during a long, interstate trip, while doing the dishes or mowing the lawn, during a walk.
Audio books, once limited to “books on tape,” can now be downloaded from the Internet, loaded onto you iPod, and listened to just about anywhere.
Many readers believe that the only way to truly experience a book is to actually read it from the written page -- to scan your eyes across the lines, turn the pages with your fingers, hold the book in your hands.
Others argue that audio books are actually better. They take more time to read, but you’re forced to hear the author out. You get to listen to a professional reader interpret the author’s words, and you don’t have the option of glossing over sections. You get the added benefit of having the reader guide you, never stumbling on the occasional sentence that doesn’t read right the first time around.
Today’s hybrid reader sees the benefits and drawbacks of both formats. There’s certainly the quiet, intimate pleasure of a printed book, but it’s nice to have a literary companion on the road with you when you’re traveling.
Listening to readers share their fiction is also a great way to be introduced to new work. For example, I shared an excerpt from TRACKS, my novel in stories, on NPR radio last week. The twelve-minute reading is now available as a PodCast on the Baltimore’s WYPR website. I invite you to take a listen, whether you’ve read excerpts from TRACKS or not. Here is the link
How do you prefer to take your fiction?
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Eric D. Goodman, Books Correspondent
Eric’s column, Lit Bit, is published every Wednesday to Gather Essentials: Books. Featuring bits on writing, writers, books, and literature, Lit Bit will fulfill your literary longings.
Eric is a full-time, professional, published writer and editor. His work has appeared in local, national, and international publications, including a story in the current issues of The Baltimore Review, Coloquio,and To Be Read Aloud. Listen to Eric read an excerpt from his fiction on National Public Radio here:
You can find all of Eric’s Lit Bit articles at www.gather.com/litbit.
Keep up with Eric’s other postings and Gather activity by joining his Gather network -- just click here www.edgewriter.gather.com and select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page. You’re also invited to join Eric’s group for writers and the readers who love them at www.writeful.gather.com. You’ll find Eric and other Book Correspondents, plus celebrity author content and plenty of other bibliophiles at Books.gather.com.
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Comments: 32
It would help me to read more if I could find one of the gadgets that sit on a hardback book and keep the pages from flipping. I don't know what they are called so I can even run a search to find one on line.
I am a voracious reader and never leave the house without my current book and a spare, just in case.......!
In fact..........there is a story my son likes to recount about when the ambulance had to come to our house at 2 am once and as the EMTs were maneuvering the loaded stretcher (with me belted on it) down a twisting turn of our stairway I was clutching a book in my hand and when my son and our neighbor from across the street said they would follow the ambulance, I urged them to run back upstairs and grab a spare from my night table stack.........;-) I have not lived that one down yet and it took place about 9 years ago...!
I prefer the printed word on the page too, but I do keep audio books on my iPod, too.
However, for the people who like audios, more power to them., One of my very good friends loves audios and I love listening to her talk about the readers and who is good and who isn't and how the story change from book form to audio (she often reads them both ways, to compare). It's a neat experience.
Seems like a good way to get through some of the literature I am expected to wade through :)
So many books and so little time...but by reading and listening to books I start to feel like I'm closing in!
Audio books are for long drives although the "sound" of a book still sounds better in my own head/voice.
There's nothing like holding a traditional book and I'll always read the old-fashioned way. But I read a tremendous amount and don't always have the privilege of sitting in a chair with a book and a cup of tea. I often read while waiting for my kids, sitting in the doctor's office, on a train or bus, etc. and for those times especially, the Sony Reader has become my great new friend.
I had an electronic reader for a while and it just wasn't the same. My eyes didn't like it much either. Sure, you can take it with you, but nothing beats the portability of a book. My bag is never with out one, nor my car.
Also, I think that looking at someone's book collection is a great window into their character. Do they have classics or only best sellers.....are there just a tad too many self-help books about their mother......do they have not one book visible at all..... These are the things I look at when I am over for dinner and such. If everyone used audio books or a reader, I wouldn't be able to get a "read" on them. LOL
Otherwise, I prefer my books on paper, propped up by me, with my eyes wide open.
But listening to an audio book is an interesting experience. I happen to read much more quickly than I hear.
certainly a place for them in today's fast-paced world. Plus, they are great
for people with vision problems, like my Mother. rpw
Kerry, I always read through the work out loud several times before reading in public, whether at an event or on radio. The practice always helps.
I wouldl ike to try audio books though. How did the podcast go, Eric? I need to put my speakers on my computer and then I can check it out. :-)
I'm ready to read the audio book myself! But first things first -- I need to find the agent, the publisher, and so on.
Thanks for asking!
I tried an audio book once. It was so slooooooow! By the time I got to the office, I'd only covered a fraction of what I'd have read in the same time. Not that I want to rush through a book, but I do want to see what will happen next. I was trying to pull words out of the narrator's mouth! I don't want to be frustrated when I read.
And I do like seeing the words on a page. Something about going back to those early experiences, I suppose.
Good post, Eric. And thought-provoking responses, as well.