Utter failure.

You need to find a person reading who captures the book. Some readers don’t work for me. I can’t listen to the Plum books by Evanovich but Suzanne Brockmann has excellent readers for her books. My trick … I’m listening to books I’ve read so it isn’t the first time “hearing” the words.

The only audio book I ever listened to was Jane Eyre. I think I was in high school at the time. I am not a big fan of audio books, because I rather see the words and use my imagination that way.
I heard the Harry Potter audio books are really good, so you may want to try them.

I agree with you audio books drive me crazy, I envision a certain tone of a book when reading in my head.. I haven’t met a audio book that matches this. Stick with a paperback.

I really like audio books, but then I will admit that the books I enjoy most are books I’ve already read. I like listening to them when I’m doing something mindless like crochet or cleaning my room.

I have to admit, I’ve never tried an audio-book, but I don’t think these are for me… I have difficulty listening to the lyrics of a song… so you can imagine a whole book! LOL

It’s too bad though that you can’t listen to them

I can’t listen, either; I miss my music. But for the people they DO work for, Kudos! Even if they’re not reading, per se, they are still experiencing books. That’s what matters most in the end.

I can’t imagine trying audio books. See, my s.o. and I read books out loud to each other (usually alternating chapters), each holding his/her own copy of the book, so we are following the text as we listen.

Kinda defeats the purpose of audio books, no?

I’m one of those people that need to have the book in my hand and read the words. Audio books have just never held the same fascination for me that the print books do.

Oh dear! I love audio books. I have a long commute and if I have to listen to morning DJ drivel, I’ll go insane! My theory is that you haven’t found the right one but I understand your want of abandonment of them. If you ever change your mind, let me know…I can offer up a suggestion.

The only time I listened to audio books was when I used to do 4 hour drives by myself. You can only listen to music for so long. I didn’t like romances read out loud but general fiction wasn’t bad. I haven’t gone on the road by myself for years now so I don’t see any reason to re-visit audio books. I am however grateful that in my old age, if I start to lose my sight I can listen to the books. If I lose both my sight and my hearing, I’m going to be pissed!!!

CIndyS

It took me years to train myself to listen to audiobooks. YEARS. I used to fall asleep INSTANTLY. We’re talking, I’d fall asleep like a baby.

Have you tried the Stephanie Plum series on audio? It’s read so well, I actually prefer it to TV. I keep listening to them in my car: I’ve listened through the whole series three times. I can’t stop. I also love the latest audio recordings of The Chronicles of Narnia.

But it’s difficult. So many of the readers just put me to sleep. I’d say 95% of them. I hear the Harry Potter series is great.

Audiobooks are the only way I can drive for long distances. But yeah, the reader has to be good or I can’t stand it. I liked The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz on my last car ride.

I think audio books so much depend on the speaker. I quite liked Garrison Keillor narrating his own Homegrown Democrat. But what really works for me are Stand-up Comedian routines – Billy Conolly, Lenny Henry and my current favourite Eddie Izzard.

The one and only audio book I ever borrowed form my local library was a bodice ripper set in the Highlands of Scotland, and I nearly peed myself laughing. “Och, Brrrynna, doona fash yerrrrsel’ lassie, the tearrrs in yerrr eyes cause me sooch PEYYYN!” Turns out a Scottish brogue as read by a Texan doesn’t really capture the essence.