I'm Breaking Up with Audiobooks 💔

[@Roxie1255]

I’ve run into all of these issues that you’ve shared. It’s even more frustrating when you can only consume audiobooks ( visually impaired reader 👋🏾) because I’ve DNFed books I know I’d love if I had read them with my eyeballs. One of my issues with audiobooks for me is that sometimes I can become easily distracted with other tasks that I end up multitasking and not really paying attention to the story. This can be an issue when reading cozy mysteries because you don’t want to miss out on an important clue.

[@ksw8415]

I borrow audiobooks from the library (Libby and Hoopla). I usually listen to a cozy book a day while cleaning, walking, etc and it is great. Yes, there are some narrators that make you wonder who they knew to get the job. Most are very good and some narrators are fantastic. I have searched for audiobooks based on the narrators and have found great books that way. There have been a few cases I ended up borrowing the ebook. Also physically reading a book is good for our brains as we age so I try to “read” when I have time. Thank you for your video.

[@Omi1031]

I agree 100% that a narrator can make or break a book. One cozy mystery series that I’ve really enjoyed on audio books is the Domestic Diva Series by Krista Davis. 😊

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Good to know! I may need to pick that series up on audio!

[@amyaybar7894]

Sounds like you are a visual learner. Some books works for me audibly, but I prefer to read with my eyes. In mysteries and fantasies I have trouble keeping names straight and who is who and have to keep going back and figure out who they are.

[@thecozyfambam]

I read so much faster with a physical book, and by and large, I despise audio. I'm so glad different formats exist so everyone can find a format that works for them!

[@BookishIntrovert63]

Most times when I use an audiobook, it's used with the physical book/ebook, too. Especially if the book is moving slow. I always listen to an audiobook on 1.2x - 1.5x speed when I'm reading a book along with it because my brain is moving faster on the word on the pages...hope that makes sense...lol. The only time I was able to stay focus and comprehend listening only to an audiobook was I while I was driving and I was listening to Beverly Jenkins' Blessing series. I completed the entire series in a month. A narrator can make or break my listening experience.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

For sure! I’m definitely a 1.2 - 1.5 speed reader as well

[@mbbertram3605]

I love audiobooks. For really dense books (Demon Copperhead), I will read & listen at the same time to get into it. I also have a job where I can listen to audiobooks. They keep me sane! Try the vampire knitting club series. I love the narrator!

[@JustOnePageAway]

I have felt that way as well. Audiobooks helped me to ease back into reading, but now I am a paper book person. The narration can throw me off as well.

[@kamronmeetsworld]

I feel the same. I’ve realized I can only listen to autobiographies on audiobook because it’s often read by the author. I like my imagination to have the fun with all other books 📚

[@TheMidlifeShift]

I get where you're coming from. I consume audio almost exclusively b/c of my schedule and I consider the issues pretty equivalent to the grammar/spelling/formatting issues I encounter with kindle books.

[@HAL9000.]

A lot of the problems reside with the narrator and what they're reading. Not just about whether they're good, but whether I connect to their voice and delivery. For instance, I LOVE the US Harry Potter audiobooks read by Jim Dale. The UK ones are narrated by Stephen Fry, who is a good narrator, but for the HP books, I can't connect. However, Stephen reads 70+hours of Sherlock Holmes, and I adore those. That's like what you're saying about Murder She Wrote. In the future, AI will get great and you'll be able to choose the voice you connect to - like Angela L.

[@derella]

I can only really listen to non fiction when it comes to audiobooks. I lose too much retention and immersion with fiction, which defeats the purpose of reading them for me.

[@BitesOfFaith]

I'm visually impaired so I do a lot of audiobooks. You can actually train yourself after a while to listen on 2x speed. If you think about it, in an action book you don't have to know details, just the story plot so it's easier to listen faster on that type of audiobook. My training came from college. It's either sink or swim and I knew that I had to learn real fast how to do things on audio because I could not keep up reading with the rest of the class visually.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

That’s an interesting way to think of it - thanks for the tip!

[@summerhedrick2089]

I love audiobooks but sometimes I feel I would have liked the book better had I physically read it. I think it's a narrator thing.

[@jenkovy]

I feel like this at times . It depends on my mood and the narrator definitely makes a difference

[@ivystrong7203]

I like to use audio books with physical or ebooks. I can't do solo audio with longer books. I also don't do books with more complicated plots on audio.

[@MyBookHauledLife-Essie]

I have found that I absorb the audiobook quite well when I do diamond art while listening through headphones. I do need the audiobook to go straight in my ears, not from a speaker.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Interesting! Also, diamond art is a great combo to pair with it!

[@MyBookHauledLife-Essie]

I found that I have to be fairly focused on the first few chapters of a new book then I can listen while driving and such once my brain is used to the author's style and the general storyline.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Yes! Exactly this

[@chooseyourthoughts7692]

I just had this same feeling! Audiobooks seem like they would work for me because with my job, I’m able to listen while I work BUT just lately, I am not interested anymore! It takes me 3x as long to get through audiobooks

[@souffoue]

A narrator definitely makes or breaks the audio book for me. I started an older series and loved the narrator. Then about 8 books in they changed narrators and it was a huge struggle to get through the next few books.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Oof, yes. A huge fear of mine with series I love!

[@MadsHbooks]

Very relatable my favorite form of reasoning is ebook format I struggle with audiobooks and get tired of them sometimes for weeks 😢

[@genresandjournals]

100% agree…I can’t do fantasy on audio because I need to see all of the unfamiliar words for my brain to process them. The only audio that works for me is celebrity memoir. I’ve read the occasional thriller that worked ok as well. I’m glad to hear that the in death series is good on audio. I’ve been wanting to read those so maybe I’ll check out the audio.

[@SkinnyPigDesigns]

I like listening to audiobooks when I'm working, but I agree that the wrong voice can ruin a whole story. This year, I started reading a few books that I didn't finish and found that actually reading them myself was so much better than listening to a voice that doesn't feel right with the story!

[@IntentionallyBookish]

smart! I do the same thing!

[@kingdomgirl08]

I enjoy audiobooks, but I do find that I do better with memoirs or non-fiction books. I did listen to The Giver of Stars on Audio and that was good. The narrator is a big key. Sometimes narrating too many characters messes with me so maybe that's why I stay away from fiction audio books. I mostly listen to them in the car or while I'm doing stuff in the kitchen or cleaning or at work before we open and I'm putting mail away.

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

I am just like you where the narrator can make or break a book for me. There are some books I really wanted to buy but I knew right away, I couldn't deal with listening to a certain person. On the other hand, I just finished the 3rd Dresden Files book and I'm not even in love with the writing, though I loved the tv show and desperately wanted more than one season, but I'm mainly listening because James Marsters, Spike from Buffy, is so awesome acting out the story. And yes, he is not just reading, he is acting. So good. Amazing voice too. I'm also working my way through the Whitstable Pearl books, which I really enjoy but I also love the narrator's voice. So soothing when I'm ready for bed. Also the similar to you, I do stay away from romances with graphic scenes because that's just too cringy for me to listen to. To each their own though. Oh and I love celebrity autobiographies where the author reads their own book. Like Elvira/Cassandra Peterson. Highly recommended! And Pamela Des Barres. Overall I've found there's an older style of narration back from books on tape I guess, and I can't stand it. I really have to stick to more modern productions and their style. And with mysteries, I found I have to make a list of characters as I listen. I can't easily keep track otherwise and it ruins the experience. Once I started doing that, I could finally enjoy all the mysteries I wanted to hear. Sorry I know this is long but since you like podcasts, did you know there are Murder She Wrote podcasts? My favorite is The Fletcher Files. Second is Cabot Cove Confidential.

[@bookishj9]

Homeschooling mom of 3 here and audiobooks have always been easier for me. But I've been in this same funk lately...I'm taking a break from audio unless I'm 100% sure I'll enjoy it. Listening to podcast during the day instead and reading the physical books whenever i have a chance for now. 😊

[@lorenhackney9981]

I rely on audiobooks because I have had a traumatic brain injury.

[@mariajohnson2294]

Me too! I rely on them because I am severely dyslexic.

[@lorenhackney9981]

Right?! @@mariajohnson2294

[@TangibleReads]

I just concentrate on the story besides the voice, but I can def appreciate a great narrator. I read a full cast the other day and loved it. But physical reading is definitely the best. I think you absorb more. I push through when I am confused and tend to rewind at times.

[@crochetmima1443]

I get frustrated with audio books. (Keep rewinding…endlessly 🤦🏻‍♀️) I’m obviously a visual learner. I use audio only if I’m in my car or on a long walk…

[@kduck_18]

This sounds like my general reading slumps! Hope you get back to enjoying yourself through audio AND physical reading soon! ❤

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Thank you! Here’s hoping! 🤞🏽

[@sweetstitchesbylaur2433]

I agree with so much of what you’ve said! The narrator can definitely ruin or add to a book. I do tend to tune out if the book isn’t fast paced enough so I agree with you that the best audiobooks are fast paced. Personally I’m a slow reader so I read faster with audiobooks. I usually listen to them at normal speed unless the narrator is reading particularly slow. I’d love to hear some of your podcast recommendations! I love Curl Up and Clue In! ❤

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@UnIqUeLyKeya]

I had the same experience with The Golden Spoon and the Murder, She Wrote series.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Ooh I won’t touch murder she wrote audiobooks with a ten foot pole! I’m way to particular when it comes to that series haha 😂

[@1111yZT]

I enjoy audiobooks when in the car. I travel on the road for work so audiobooks work for me.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Perfect scenario for them! 🚗

[@megansbooknook519]

I am fairly new to using audiobooks and I still struggle with them. I only use them as a last resort when that is the only format the library has for a book and it is the only way I can consume the story. There are books that I have not been very interested in where I wonder if I would have liked it better physically. However, there was a fantasy series that I read through audio from the library and the narrator made the story and characters come alive, and it was what made me see the value of audiobooks (Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan, narrator: Tim Gerard Reynolds). Also, I recently finished a cozy mystery audiobook for a book club and wasn't into the story but the narrator was a favourite of mine which made me push through. Audiobooks can be amazing or meh and at the end of the day I would still choose physical as my first choice.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Same!

[@caratompsett4024]

One of my ALL TIME Favorite books is Dean Koontz "By the light of the moon". It's just so fantastic and I honestly think it's because of the amazing narration. I think you will LOVE it too..let me know. It's entirely possible I have listened to this book more than a 2 dozen times over the years. ALMOST like a great movie you can watch over and over. It's the only book I do this with and I read 10 plus books each month.

[@krnelson65]

I am way too easily distracted, so I've never been able to do audio books. And I definitely would feel the same way about Murder She Wrote. There is only ONE Jessica Fletcher.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Haha exactly!

[@chaselogue7674]

So this has nothing to do with audiobooks but I just started reading the murder, she wrote books and I’m hooked! I know it’s one of your favorite cozy series and I was wondering if you could do a videos about the different holiday themed books in the series? Those tend to be my favorite kind of cozies and I would love to hear your opinions on them and which ones you recommend reading!

[@IntentionallyBookish]

So glad you’re enjoying them! Thanks for the suggestion!!

[@MsWOCReader]

I just did a video full of audiobook recommendations(mostly romance and cozy mystery) that are easy to follow and stay interested for busy moms.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

amazing! i'll have to check it out!!

[@bethloubet4650]

I feel exactly the same way! Sped up more than 2x, the narrators sound like chipmunks. Slower drives me crazy. The only time audiobooks work are when I'm driving.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Exactly!!

[@BooksWithJeff]

I'm stopping paid audio books this year. I just can't justify buying.a book just to then pay an extra $10-15 to listen to it. So I'll continue to use my library free audiobooks through Libby and Cloudlibrary, but no more audible.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Totally valid - they can get pricey!

[@estherjane-m8e]

I would say that maybe you just need a break from audio. Maybe like Murder She Wrote you need to “eye” read for you brains imagination. Sounds like you are just getting bored listening. It’s like the difference between when you think the characters are and a movie of the book where they tell you what they look at. Reading more is great but if you are not enjoying, well. Take a break.

[@leighdanielle]

I agree w u 100%

[@emileebeachy6841]

Amanda Ronconi is almost a 1-click buy narrator for me.

[@CarlyUTube]

I enjoy audiobooks BUT I am verrrrry picky about the narrator. If the woman’s voice sounds too childish, too high pitched\ too fast a talker or it doesn’t match how I think they should sound in my head it annoys me like crazy and the man’s voice is the same and I hate the book. BUT when I find a great narrator I will read the book along with the audiobook! I love it😊. Sorry I could not help you😊 my favorites to listen to are Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes those are hardly ever done badly and they have so many editions and are timeless.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

YES! I’m the same way!!

[@yahiraacosta8340]

I think you have learned some things about yourself as an audio reader. Stick with what you like. I can only listen to poetry books. Anything else my mind wanders. I am apparently extremely visual.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

You’re right, the bright side is that I know what I like!

[@sablestar1956]

Audio books are audio books. Reading is reading. There are not identical.

[@IntentionallyBookish]

I disagree. And I’m not getting into this debate. 😊

[@alicenwonderreadsbooks]

Your relationship status is “it’s complicated “. The narration can kill a book. If I don’t enjoy the voice, that’s it. No, done. I have searched by favorite narrators. I love Santino Fontana. Johnathan Groff The woman who narrates the Tuesday murder club is great. She didn’t narrate the last two and I was so disappointed. I think cozy readers just aren’t that good. I don’t think the publishers hire the top talent for them. I can’t listen to most cozies. If you like Agatha Christie, Hugh Frasier who plays Hastingsin the poirot series narrates a bunch of them. Great voice. A lot of them are on KZbin

[@IntentionallyBookish]

Ha! Yes, it’s “complicated” 🙈 thanks for the recs. Glad im not the only one who’s particular!