Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Umpteen thousand titles listen, on the go.
But, does it beat a good read?
Turning the pages, re-reading a paragraph just to make sure you understood the author?
Nah, if I want to listen radio 4's afternoon theatre.
If I want to read give me old fashioned pages.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

An audio book is akin to 'storytelling' which was in regular use in the days before populations became literate, and was the way that history was related to later generations.

I spend most of my waking time reading - webpages and (paper) books.
This can result in eyestrain sometimes, so I find it convenient to give my eyes a rest by listening to an audio book or radio dramas.

All three - paper, audio, and ebooks - are equally useful.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I can see the value of audiobooks, but I prefer to read myself...whether this be on a conventional book or on my very well used and much loved Kindle...and if Santa is listening...I could do with a new one...please!

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I couldn't listen to a book - I read a book and listen to music.

Thread wander alert:
Margaret, why do you want a new kindle? Not worn the other one out already, have you?

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Well it does save kids learning to read.:rolleyes:

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

No, but it had a dickie fit a couple of months ago......I was rescued by the amazon technical department, sometimes it will switch on and sometimes it won't.(I put the charger on it and leave it for a while and cross my fingers when switching it on)
I bought it second hand and I have had every single penny of my money out of it.
If it died I would really really miss it.
I almost bought myself a Kobo reader the other week when I visited Manchester, but decided I would wait until after Christmas.......it maybe that somebody will get a kindle for a present and not get on with it, and put it up for sale on E-bay...and I'll be in like Flynn.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

This is something that has bothered me, being a technophobe. What happens to all the books you've bought and stored on your kindle if it dies? Do you just lose them?

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Glad yer in Peru.:D

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I have ebooks stored on my PC as well as my ebook reader.

Mine are all freebies so arrive as a download to my PC.

I also download audio books free.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

So am I. 74oF today! ;)

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Thing that concerns me wi this book listening, i remember not being oer the moon,when kids were told to use calculators at school, people laughed when i said many kids would not be able to add up, I reckon me point was proved a few years later by some of the intellects working in shops.;) This could easily end up the same.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

No Steve, the books I bought from amazon are archived and although I lost them when the machine crashed, I was able to download them from the archive........the other stuff was lost(but I have most of the books on an external hard drive separate from my computer).
If I do by some chance get a new one from Santa, then all the books I have bought from amazon can be transferred....and anyone who buy s Kindle Fire from amazon will find it already registered and their current books(bought from Amazon) on it.
I only know this because my best friend has had one bought for her...and she told me that the set up was fast and trouble free(she had asked me to help her set it up if she was struggling).

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Right, thanks, Margaret, that's good to know if my kindle ever goes West!

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Ooh, for your sake, I do hope it doesn't.
But if it does, you know that all is not lost...but just to be on the safe side I would open a file on your computer and put your favourite books in there.......you can then reload them without any problems at all.
it is only when things go wrong you think 'Damn, I should have done that'.
We really do rely on our gadgets...and when they go wrong the likes of you and me, are sunk.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Stephen King used to have his children reading novels that he never had time to read himself(listened to them in the car)back in the day. He (if you have the time to seek it out) has a really good point/opinion about audio books

Please Less. Do not compare Audiobooks to BBC Radio Drama again. *








* In this case. BBC Radio drama is usually a recording of a full cast performance, that is usually an abridged piece of mediocre fiction

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Surely the corollary is this...if you are deaf can you watch a film with subtitles?

It's a no brainer...enjoy it while you can.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I prefer to actually read, but, you can't read whilst you're driving. :)
So, I like audiobooks for that. I remember listening to storytapes a lot as a child but I lost interest because I've always loved to read and preferred reading.
I like librivox. I've thought about volunteering for them, but I am not sure about my voice.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

oh my librivox. I listened to one of those. There was one guy kept reading the same line and then stopping. Why they didn't edit it out I dunno. Also different people reading different chapters... No consistency or a bad narrator can make all the difference in an audiobook.

I do like the full cast stuff with effects sometimes. But prefer Graphic Audio releases for that and they do series like Deathlands mostly.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

You've just reminded me-I had the Titanic audiobook from there-A male voice for the first chapter then an American woman for the rest. Strange. But, I never complain if it's for free.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I've tried with an audiobook found it quite good just had my eyes closed and used my imagination to picture the story. Which was all well and good until I kept falling asleep and waking up a few chapters later. Only reason I did it was I can't ever seem to get comfortable when reading a book at home. On a sun lounger on a beach i'm fine.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Audiobooks are OK but I much prefer full cast dramatisations.

BBC Radio wipe the floor with everyone out there but a company called Big Finish Productions have been making audio dramas for about 15 years, including new episodes of Doctor Who every month. Their Eighth Doctor adventures on Radio 7 (now Radio 4 Extra) are pretty awesome:

News - Big Finish

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I can't either :(-I think It's because at home, there's always something I could be doing..Work, housework, dog walking...etc.

If it's at night I could, but then other half is home and I would feel rude if I ignored him to read a book...It only half makes sense, as I ignore him when I work or faff about on the 'net!
I suppose because those things can be tertiary.

I read in bed sometimes..But again quite often in bed there are better things to do!
I get very 'into' books and can't do anything else at the same time as reading...It's a primary activity.
When you're on holiday you can't do anything else but relax if you're not meant to be anywhere..
I think I need to get a book for over xmas.
(For when all the 'grown-ups' are talking and I'm stuck for something to do :)

I am going to order a new one :)

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Come on say it! You meant 'For when all the boring old farts are talking'.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I love audiobooks.

First, I used to get them from the Library, in CD and cassette formats. I really liked them but I found they used to make me drowsy and almost fall asleep.

After fighting this for some time, through book after book, I listened to 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks narrated by Peter Kenney; dead weird & dark but very funny in places; the phone conversations with his brother in particular had me in hysterics.

I think that's when got hooked into taking them more seriously; that book and the fact that we had bought an iPad. I discovered that the iPad works just the same as a kindle reader so we can download both audio and kindle to it.

Then I joined 'Audible.co.uk' and signed up for a book-a-month. This is owned by Amazon too. I've been a member for year now so I've had 12 books so far.

But, what about the drowsiness, I hear you say? Well, I've combated that by putting my iPad on a stand next to my desktop PC and then work on an electronic jigsaw while I'm listening.

I use one half of the brain taking in the story while the other half is mechanically working on a really hard jigsaw. No more drowsiness.

This works great for me!

Sheila and Barry

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

After fighting this for some time, through book after book, I listened to 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks narrated by Peter Kenney; dead weird & dark but very funny in places; the phone conversations with his brother in particular had me in hysterics.
I want to get this, now. LOVED the book, and I don't usually like fiction.






Haha I'm not young enough to say that, anymore!
I'm a bit of a black sheep, and quite often my family talk about things and people I'm unfamiliar with so I can either sit there in silence, not daring to say anything or I can go do something else.... If I dare go near a computer I get shouted at so a book is the solution lol

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I don't get it Sugarmouse...you tell us that you are now too old to call people B.O.F.....but that you daren't go near a computer for fear of being shouted at.....maybe at home you are still the 'child'.

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Yes, she comes across as a sweet innocent child that wouldn't get her tit's out for anyone.


http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/i...lies/rofl3.gif

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

was one of the first audibooks that I listened to. Quite good....

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

I think you're right. A lot to do with my moving out very young, and to do with my only just beginning a friendship with my Father, recently. I'm never totally relaxed in family company and I think they do see me as a child still. But then I'm sure a lot of young or young-ish people experience things like that at Christmas when returning to a parental home or atmosphere.
I don't find the conversation boring-I just can't join in on a lot of it :/
Tit's?!
I do intend to get it, I loved the book but I've not read it for a long time, think I would still enjoy it on audio. :)

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Your greengrocer's perhaps?

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Blame the predictive whatsit on my 'phone for that boob! http://www.messentools.com/images/em...om-Sex-013.gif

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

Bad workman always did blame his tool (s)!
Funnily enough, when I am around family I tend to stay fully clothed.. :confused::D
So it may be that the two situations are unrelated :D

I am a sweet innocent child, I wouldn't get my tit, is out for anyone.

FITY :)


I'll check the name when I walk past later! :D

Back on topic..I am going to brave the city centre and see if I can pick up a new book, audio or otherwise!

Re: Can We Really Listen To A Book?
 

In a post a bit further back 'Librivox' was mentioned. With the inquisitive nature that I have, I googled it to find out what its about!

Looks intriguing . . Mmm, very interesting. We're gonna look into this 'Librivox' deeper.

I'm listening to 'The Black Ice' by Michael Connelly, narrated by Dick Hill . . . Excellent!!

Barry and Sheila (ex 'Sheila's Wheels')