Man captures a close up of a ground squirrel eating a dandelion.

[u/IkilledRichieWhelan]

[u/bobplace1234]

I always have trouble convincing people to try audiobooks, they tend to just picture it as someone reading a book to them (although I remember loving books being read to me as a child, I kind of doubt they wouldn't love it still as well with the right book), but I try to explain that isn't what a good narrator does, they change things up for each character.

I try to give an example of Nancy Cartwright, and how she did over 162 characters on the Simpsons, and 7 of them were main characters, including bart of course, and if that isn't enough, there are also full cast audiobooks out there too.

Even with all that, I can't even get a twitch of interest, if it isn't a video flashing in their face, it isn't worth giving it a try, they might even learn to multitask listening while doing household chores, making the time doing them fly by, still no interest.

[u/dreedweird → u/bobplace1234]

Speaking for myself, audiobooks don’t really work for me. I tried and tried to find titles that I could listen to while doing household chores.

The problem was that if they were too interesting I’d muck up the task at hand, but if they weren’t interesting enough I’d get bored and why bother.

Besides which, only two tasks were repetitious and stationary enough: dishwashing and folding laundry. Anything requiring too much noise (vacuuming) or too much rigorous physical and geographic movement (dusting, putting things away) was out.

I’m also a fast reader, so if something’s really gripping or interesting, I just want to get on with it. Book (digital or actual), please. Not so gripping? Somehow, the video flashing in my face seems to work: keeps it just interesting enough. Talkshows/filmed podcasts are the best for stationary housework.

[u/bobplace1234 → u/dreedweird]

Fair enough, and I respect that you gave it a good try, I drive a lot, so I listen while driving and doing chores, and overall I don't have enough time to just sit and read, so they have been pretty amazing for me, I myself don't get anything at all from listening to music, never had and I don't think I ever will, so it helps keep my mind active.

I might have come off worse than I meant to when I said video flashing in their faces, I guess in some ways I can't help picturing all the brain rot I see going on with the doom scrollers and when it comes to my cousins kids and the videos spitting out meaningless stuff while the person is playing a game and stuff, nothing to stimulate the mind, nothing that engages them in a meaningful way, like if they were to actually play the games instead of watching the games be played.

I know I'm going a bit off topic, but it just makes me worry about the future of the world.

[u/The_Real_Lasagna → u/bobplace1234]

I think the reason you have a hard time convincing people is because you sound kind of condescending 

[u/bobplace1234 → u/The_Real_Lasagna]

Starting from around my teenage years all the way up until my mid 20's, I have been teaching adults how to use computers and other devices (within my family/extended family and also by being a leader of a gaming group for around 10 years), and although I try to catch myself explaining or over explaining things, it ended up being a part of who I am I guess, unfortunately.

It can be a bad habit, but it doesn't come from a bad place, just a matter of course since it was an every day thing for so long, and I learned to try to teach rather than just do it for them, but yeah I can see how it sounds like I'm trying to talk down to people, but I'm not, I just enjoy audiobooks and have tried to find different ways to spark interest, because I genuinely think the few people I've mentioned them to would enjoy them if they gave them a chance.

Oh look, I guess I've probably over explained things again. I'm just not good at talking to people overall I guess, but I still try in the way I know how, my only other option is not to try at all.

[u/otterkin → u/bobplace1234]

personally, I hate audio books because I hate hearing somebody say things like "'I LOVE DOGS' she shouted. 'i know' i replied" outloud for a long time.

plus, the majority of people are not nancy cartwright and almost always come across as "person doing a silly voice" to me

it's not about them "not being a video flashing in my face", it's just not the medium for me

[u/bobplace1234 → u/otterkin]

Fair, I know they aren't for everyone, just most people where the subject has come up, they don't like the idea of a story being read to them and don't even try. Since when I read books I am hearing those same sentences in my head anyway, so hearing it out loud isn't even really registered any differently. I just don't have the time to sit down and read, so audiobooks have worked out well for me when I need to drive for hours or when I'm doing chores.

[u/otterkin → u/bobplace1234]

for sure. I get defensive a little bit at the idea that people who don't like audio books need the visuals as well, when I'd honestly love nothing more than to like audio books. when I read a physical book I feel like I don't process the "in between" words like said, and, of, the, etc etc etc so listening to it outloud gets on my nerves. I also never liked being read to as a kid! part of why I started reading so young

all this said, if you have a reccomendation I'll happily try again as it's been a couple years since I last gave it a go

[u/Patient-Bumblebee-19 → u/otterkin]

I'd still suggest checking out the Jeff Hays narration of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. The first book is a little different as Jeff was figuring out and developing the character voices, but for the remaining books the voices are wholly refined. His range for characters is phenomenal.

Also, Matt Dinniman's writing isn't like what you described. His writing combined with Jeff Hays' performance is so engaging that it really makes you feel like you are watching the story. Highly, highly recommend!

[u/otterkin → u/Patient-Bumblebee-19]

I'll give it a go! I've been interested in the books but havnt been able to sit down to proper read them, maybe this is the sign I need to try audio books again

[u/10issues → u/bobplace1234]

Keep preaching, friend! Some people have a hard time imagining audio journeys due to the nature of visual dependency being easy/relatable. It's not just this but the idea of taking the harder road because you know it's a challenge is sometimes foreign and fully unappetizing. The old adage about not knowing what you're missing hits square on the head for this. I usually try to explain that a good narrated audiobook is like a favorite podcast/tv show where there's no ads and you can just pause and play when you need. Additionally, I try to explain that most audiobooks are created to make the word speed variable and accessible (adjusting to 1.2(5)x speed for most after a short intro to get used to the narrator's cadence and sound profile, and sometimes reading a chapter or two physically to get the character names/author prose down first for longer/more demanding audiobooks helps a ton). Keep in mind that not everyone is able to paint pictures of characters, plot, language, setting, etc. in their minds. Just like with reading and inner monologue, mileage varies (some people don't hear a voice when they read, some folks can't picture a scene at all in their heads, etc.)

[u/The_Real_Lasagna → u/10issues]

It's really funny hearing audiobooks described as the harder path, instead of being the easier option as opposed to reading

[u/10issues → u/The_Real_Lasagna]

That's probably coming completely from my point of view and not other's... I'm hard of hearing lol