Anyone else not able to read audiobooks?

[Lonesomefetter]

I just can't do it, even books I have read before. My mind just wanders, really odd.

I can't listen to audiobooks either for the same reasons. But I can listen to podcasts with no problem.

I am the same.

I really would like to listen to novels in audiobooks but I simply cannot retain or remember even the most basic of plots. All I do is constantly rewind or re listen to long portions.

I can listen to “textbook” or educational type of Audiobooks and remember them.

I can only listen to them if I'm doing something with my hands, like washing up or cooking/cleaning, where you don't need to think too deeply but keeps my hands busy. I can't just sit and listen, apart from when I'm listening in bed just before sleep.

Nope.

i can't stand the way they read, it just annoys me!!

dana K White & Jason Fung I can listen to podcasts, but not many others.

speed (even adjusted I can't get right) funny inflections. Accents, all too annoying

I'm just getting to the end (thank God) of a very long audio book for my book club because it was the only format in which I could get it for free. Never again. You can't skip over the boring bits, flip back to check who a character is, if the narrator's voice irritates you you are stuck with it (who pronounces the strip of water between Portsmouth and the IoW as "The Sollent"?) In the end I sped it up to 1.2x the normal speed just to get it over with. I suspect this particular book would have irritated me anyway but definitely back to print for me.

I love audiobooks for when I'm gardening/housework/dog walking.

But useless for sitting still.

I don't get them unless I like the narrator. And after a chapter if I don't like it I send it back for a refund.

My mind does wander though unless it's brilliant.

Last week I did 34hrs of the Running Grave. In the car, walking dogs, walking in my work break.

But I've spent 7months trying to listen to 'a little life' and in the meantime I've seen the play!

I can only listen in bed with my eyes shut.

I couldn’t until I went on a big long drive once and listened to Murder at mistletoe manor by Holly tierney bedord. Was so hooked!!

I used to have problems with staying focussed because it's so slow compared to reading myself, but now I listen to a lot of audio books while I'm doing other things like walking or sewing. It really helps to have the right narrator and I will often stop in the first 10 minutes or so if I don't like something about the narration.

I don't get them unless I like the narrator. And after a chapter if I don't like it I send it back for a refund.
Do you know you can listen to a sample first? Just because the author gets paid and then randomly the money gets taken from the next payment, saves them thinking they had a sale as you sell so little with audio (sorry am an author!!)

I've just cancelled Audible for this reason. Can't focus and can't get invested in any characters. Shame as I thought it would be great for long journeys. When the reader puts on different accents for male/female or regional accents (been listening to North & South) it makes me feel on edge.

I’m a recent convert but only when I’m doing something else like jigsaws or cooking or sewing or housework.

@stayathomer I didn't know that about payment and yes I do always download a sample.

I sent one back by a favourite author because the narrator pronounced 'cotoneaster' (the plant)' Cotton Easter. After that I had no trust in him!

I don't think my refund will make a huge difference I only get books that are top 10 runaway best sellers. I'm pretty sure John Grisham wouldn't have noticed when I returned' the boys from biloxi' for being rubbish 😉

I agree with everyone else that you must choose the narrator as much as the book itself - listen to a sample first, read the reviews of the narration - and that being active doing other things is the key. Driving, chores, gardening - all brilliant.

I mostly listen to non-fiction, as I can’t persuade myself to pick up the non-fiction books which gather dust by my bed, and memoirs read by the author are much better when you hear their own story told in their own voice, but sometimes fiction can be amazing on audio - Daisy Jones and the Six was brilliant, and I’ve just finished Magpie by Elizabeth Day which was also great.

I sent one back by a favourite author because the narrator pronounced 'cotoneaster' (the plant)' Cotton Easter. After that I had no trust in him!

Well, you learn something new everyday! I just had to Google the pronunciation and I’ve said it wrong all my life- although, admittedly, probably only in my head as it’s not something I need to say ever at all!

I can't keep my mind on track, within 5 mins I've drifted off in my head. Same with podcasts, it doesn't matter whether I'm doing something else or not. I was the same at school, couldn't focus on spoken word, had to read up on each subject.

Narrator is important. I quite like them on way to work. They keep me from ruminating on things.

Narrator is so important.
Samuel West is my favourite. In fact I’ve chosen books based on him being the narrator. He narrates the Morse books and is perfect.

I listen to them on my walk to work, and am hooked. It is a very familiar route and I don't have anything else to do except walk. I find it much harder to concentrate in the house, eg doing housework, and impossible if I am just sitting still. So, if I want to listen to another chapter I have to go for a walk!

I like them but I have to be in motion. Dog walking is my favorite time to listen.

The narration is key as have already been suggested. I spend an awfully, long time finding someone who is just right.

I am working my way through Dostoevsky. I would never have the time to read all of his books!

*has

They are a completely different experience to actual reading for me. My brain tends to wander when I'm listening to audiobooks.
I often put a Stephen Fry narrated one on if I can't sleep though. His voice is so soothing.

I can't bear them. I hated being read to as a child - the noise of someone talking gets inside my head and I can't think. I'm a huge reader and always have been, but I can't stand to listen to someone else reading. I can't focus on it.

I'm jolly glad it's not just me.

I found English lessons at school where pupils 'read' around the class absolute torture. Listening to 11 year old classmates stumbling over words whilst you read your way through 'Moonfleet' or something similar. (Shuddering at the memories)

I love audiobooks but have realised they have to be non-fiction.

Fiction on audio drives me spare.