While I do love audio books, as I mentioned here, there are some things I don’t like about them, especially as I’ve been reading more of them.
Here are six reasons why.
Six Reasons I Don’t Like Audio Books
1. If I Miss Something, Going Back is a Pain
At least on my iPod (which is pretty ancient), it isn’t easy to go back a little to catch something I missed. And I do miss stuff as I’m usually listening while I’m doing something else (laundry, dishes, vacuuming). This tends to means I just miss stuff.
2. I Don’t Get as Much of the Story
I’m a visual learner. I’m mostly lucky that way as so much of our education system is designed for visual learners, but this does mean that I simply don’t process as much of the story listening to it as I would if I read it.
3. I Don’t Learn as Much
Reading is very enjoyable, but it also helps teach me to be a better writer. While the audio version still helps me with plot, pacing, and character development, it does a lot less for helping be get better at the mechanics of words on a page.
4. Sometimes I Don’t Want Expensive Electronic Devices with Me
You need electronics to play an audio book. As I get most of my audio books through Audible, I need a device to play it on. That means taking care of that device. Making sure you charged it the night before. Making sure you don’t drop it while on the treadmill. Making sure you’re careful with it while doing household chores.
Maybe I need to get some earbuds with memory built right into them. Does such a thing even exist? We live in the future with self-driving cars that talk to us (sarcastically if you have an iCar). It must exist. Though this would make going back to get catch up on the stuff I missed even harder.
5. Annoying Narrator
Nothing worse than buying an audible book, and five minutes in, all you want is for the narrator to shut up because their voice is even more annoying than your whining toddler. This has happened to me. Twice.
6. Expense
Audible books are a lot more expensive than traditional ebooks. This means fewer books for the same budget, and that’s never good.
While I love audio books, there are also some serious drawbacks. I will still be reading the majority of books the old-fashioned way on my iPad.
How about you? Anything you dislike about audio books? Any tricks to keeping devices charged?
I used to like audio books while driving long distances. But for several of the reasons you give (going back, narrator, less satisfying and engaging), I’ve moved away from them. Cheers
I still listen to them when cleaning and such, but yes, I prefer a written book, too.