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Audio Books

Do you think that Audio Books (cassettes / CDs of recordings of Books being read) cheapen the quality and / or meaning of a Book or the feeling / scene the author is trying to portray / build?

Books Audio

Audio books are good for people who cannot see very well or at all. It enables them to at least experience the story on some level. But it is still no the same experience as reading a book. I think you lose the experience of being drawn into a book through your own mental imagery by using audio books.

Audio Books UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

Interestingly enough I have over the last few year developed a mental condition known as bi-polar manic depressant disorder. One symptom that I have(possibly the most annoying) is that I have trouble concentrating enough to finish a book. This includes books that I love and have read multiple time previously. I have found that putting on an audio book and relaxing is, as enjoyable if not more enjoyable than reading. It helps however that I am in no way impaired in my mental capacities as to not be able to visualize the words and thus be drawn into the story which is being read to me.

Books Audio

It seems like this sort of thing is becoming more popular with actual libraries pushing its' usage:

Libraries Offering Audiobook Downloads

AP - A new way to borrow audiobooks from the library involves no CDs, no car trips, no fines and no risk of being shushed. Rather, public libraries from New York City to Alameda, Calif., are letting patrons download Tom Clancy techno-thrillers, Arabic tutorials and other titles to which they can listen on their computers or portable music players - all without leaving home
Ref. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor..._book_downloads

Books Audio

In my opinion, audio books are definitely good for people who have problem with their vision, concentration, or for some other reason, find it hard to read a book. However, if one is able to read books, I think it is by far better to read the book on your own than hear it in audio. When you control the pace of the reading, and the process, it allows you to get into the book, and use more of your imagination.

Audio Books

I listen to audio books at my work, while I input data. It did take some getting used to. I love reading and it's true that listening to an audio book is not the same. I can't go back and read a passage I've forgotten or look up a name, etc. The quality of an audio book depends a great deal on the narrator. A few are great and give a take on the book I might not otherwise get. Some are terrible and basically ruin a good book. It amazing me that the same words change meaning so much, depending on how the words are said. I listened to an author interview after listening to my favorite narrator. He said that the narrator actually changed the feel of the book somewhat, but that he approved and liked it better than what he had in mind. Audio books are also great for traveling.

Audio Books

I listen to at least one audio book every two weeks. I spend a lot of time in the car travelling either to classes or to doctor's appointments and I listen to books that I would not normally read. I listen to almost all of my non-fiction thru audiobooks and probably wouldn't sit and read the technical jargon that I actually need to know. Usually, these are topical and related to psychology, but I am right now listening to something frivolous! I'm listening to "Decoding the DaVinci Code" and it's absolutely edge-of-your-seat. It's taking the "codes" apart one by one and comparing each to different sections of scripture and non-scripture. It's fascinating! I'd be wasting the hours I spend in the car without audiobooks.