I guess I'm not a good multi-tasker. If I listen to anything while doing something else, I find I am only half-way paying attention. I've tried listening to audio books while driving and find I don't remember most of what I heard.

Donna

I strongly prefer paper books and "real" reading. Listening does not seem the same to me.

I have used audiobooks on Libby a couple of times, however, to help me get through a long book more quickly. Like when I was reading The Covenant of Water recently. I read the book during the day, then listened to it on Libby after "lights out" at night. It didn't really speed things up much though because I tend to fall asleep rather quickly.

I'd rather read, although I have learned to read downloaded library books ever since the library closed during the pandemic. It's pretty nice to be able to get a new book at any time of the day or night without getting the car out.

I needed to borrow discs and listen when I first had the palsy stroke. It was better than nothing but it was awkward as I didn't have bookmarking and if I stopped, I had to run through the disc to get to the stopping place next time. I had to sit and listen as I cannot concentrate otherwise.

Print for me!

Here's a very interesting piece :

https://scitechconnect.elsevier.com/why-humans-prefer-print-books/

The written word every time. I do listen to readings via the BBC but invariably fall asleep and miss most of the plots, whys and wherefores. With a book I can go back and re-read when necessary.

Definitely print, either paper (preferred) or Kindle. I can't even get through a podcast without my mind wandering, I don't think audio books would work well for me.

Yoyobon, maybe your article explains why I can't remember the plots of the mysteries I read. Or maybe I just read too many? I've begun checking on Goodreads to see if I have read a book before ordering it from the library.

I am all about real books. I dislike mass market size, and prefer trade pb or hardcover. And if you looked around my house it would be obvious! I find it very easy to bring books home and very reluctant to kick them out once they've moved in. I had a few audio books on road trips and found that I do not really like many of the voices.

PAM

While I love real books, I also enjoy audible books . I just finished listening to a reading of Demon Copperhead and it was a wonderful experience. Given that I tend to be a fast reader, this allows me to savour the experience in a different way.

Personally I see no real reason not to do both. In fact, all my favorite books that I have listened to, I also own as hardback books. For me, it is not either/or, I embrace both.

Another thought on why I love audible books so much:

When Rouan and I and our four siblings were growing up, it was our father who put us to bed at night. Every night he told us stories or read us books, and sometimes both. He continued this practice long past the age when we could read ourselves, aybe until I was 11 or 12. It was a family tradition. It set me up for a lifetime of absolutely loving to have someone read me a story, even now that I am of the age to read to my grandchildren.

I thought of this just now when one of my sisters reminded me that today would have been our father's 97th birthday.