Diva I used to think that listening to audio books was "cheating" somehow; I don't really know why. But I am currently listening to a non-fiction book and I am really enjoying it. How do you feel about audio books?
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Filen Dont like it. Make me feel constrained. One dimension of my imagination is gone. It also takes less effort which makes deep understanding harder.
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Miso There's nothing wrong with audiobooks. I've always loved physical books so I read whenever I can. I do like to listen to podcasts every now and then though.
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Diva I used to buy loads of books; this became an issue when I moved around the world though - it was very expensive to ship them...
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Alex H. Audio books have been great to listen to long Chernow biographies like Titan and Hamilton, but it felt less-than-ideal when listening to a book like Principles or Capitalism in America, where I want to highlight it to save it, take some notes, and read it again in the future.
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🧿 Andrea Principles was terrible as audiobook - I've been sticking to fiction and not taking-notes-worthy audiobooks since then
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Diva Thanks for your comments; I think you are probably right about long books/biographies (though I haven't tested this yet).
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🌜 Milkman Riot I personally haven't ever listened to one but I have nothing against it. I don't think there's anything better or worse about reading vs hearing stories.
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Diva Fab! Thanks for joining the conversation.
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Yggqa If it feels right, then it is
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Diva Great answer! Cheers
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Mike V. I like them but I don't feel they're "the same" as a book. I don't quite know why, and I suppose I have a bit of 's response, too. Somewhere here is a terrible reply about how things that are more fulfilling are often "harder" but I'm not sure whether it applies here...
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Diva Thanks for your reply; I think I'm going to have to listen to more audio books before I can give a considered view.
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💩 Niklas I like listening to audio books that aren't too complicated to think along with, because I can do so while doing my chores. For more complex ones I'm really missing the option to highlight stuff that I have in physical books and ebooks. Any suggestions for fixing that problem?
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Diva Although I don't have any suggestions (this is my first audio book), I can see that this might be a challenge. I'm making a few notes in an exercise book as I go along.
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🧞 Bit They're great! If there's a book I want to re-read, I often find myself picking up the audiobook instead. It feels like going through the same content with a different perspective and is really fun imo
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Diva What a fab idea! I might get the audio book versions of a couple of my favourite novels to try this out. Thanks for this.
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The Last I like audio books for stuff that you can just jump in at any point and catch up, like a podcast. While books that require more thoughts and you have to get back to previous points to get the context, listening alone is just not a good experience.
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Diva Another interesting point of view! I will have to see how I feel when I have more audio book experiences.
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🥝 Mr For everyone that enjoys audio books, did you parents read to you when you were a kid? I often read books on my own and don't particularly enjoy listening to people read out loud.
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Diva I mostly read on my own as a child, but I like it when someone reads to me. In secondary school English Lit classes, teachers would often read the texts out loud to us.
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😃 Javier I feel ambivalent and uppity. If I was in book club and somebody tells me that they are so busy so they did not read Magic Mountain but listened to the audio book I would raise mi right eye brow and look the other way :).
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Diva LOL! OK, I like your honesty!
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🥨 Shruthi Learning should be fun, not work, so you can't cheat haha. Honestly, audio is such a great way to learn and absorb information. My only gripe is its inefficient sometimes, because I read faster than I listen...is that true for you too?
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Diva Ohhh! Great question! So, full disclosure - this is my first time with an audio book, and I am listening to "White Fragility" and as well as listening closely, I am taking notes because we are going to discuss it in our book club next month.
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Chetan Vashisht What's a good first audio book? I spend a lot of time reading, but I've none listened to any audiobooks. Listened to podcasts tho.
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😏 Yt L. I like them! I haven't listened to any since quarantine though. I used to walk about 30 minutes to and from work every day, great chance to listen to an audiobook or a podcast.
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Diva Ahhh! I miss my commute! I used to have a 45 minute bus ride each way. Are you working from home? And if yes, how's it going?
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🛡️ Cyrano I don't think I would be able to enjoy Super Powereds as much as I would have if I read it.
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Diva I had not heard of that book, so I did some research. Would you recommend it?
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💻 Kernel Love audiobooks. I listen to either a podcast or audiobook every night 30m before bed, helps falling asleep too.
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Diva I should do that too! So many books, so little time...
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