Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
I’ve never been able to get into audiobooks for two reasons: I’m a fast reader who finds the pacing of most audiobooks far too slow, and I like coming up with my own ideas about what any particular character’s voice might sound like.
So this week’s prompt needed to be fiddled with a little in order for me to come up with a (mostly on-topic) response to it. If I had to listen to audiobooks for some reason, these are the things that would make that experience more interesting for me.
Hot Tea
My grandmother likes to brew two cups of tea, one for each of us, from the same teabag when I visit her. If there’s no one around to share her teabag, she’s been known to save it until later on in the day and use it again. I credit her for my love of tea.
Healthy Snacks
I’m a nibbler. Rather than eat two or three big meals a day, I’d prefer to graze my way through several little ones. There’s something so emotionally satisfying about eating bits of various fruit, vegetables, or nuts while you’re in the middle of a story.
Reading Socks
The bookstores in Toronto sell warm, thick reading socks that look something like the socks in the stock photo above. If I didn’t live in such a warm and cozy apartment, I’d buy a pair in a heartbeat!
Adult Colouring Books
Few things are as relaxing to me as colouring. I love picking out which shades to us and slowly seeing my picture come to life. If I could colour while I was listening, I think I might be able to finish an audio book or two.
Fidget Spinners
I’m not a wiggly person in any other scenario, so why am I so wiggly at the thought of sitting down and listening to a book being read to me? No idea, but a fidget spinner might also help.
How many of you listen to audiobooks? Who else might need distractions in order to fully enjoy this type of storytelling experience?
Tea and healthy snacks are my thing! This is the first time I’ve heard of reading socks!!
Cool.
Yeah, reading socks are sold in a lot of Canadian bookstores. I don’t know how many people regularly use them, though.
Great list! You can’t go wrong with a pair of fluffy socks, and I bet colouring while listening to an audiobook is really satisfying – I’ll have to give that a try.
It’s very satisfying, indeed. I hope you like it.
This is such an interesting topic — I love listening to audibooks, but usually when I am at the gym or out for a walk, so in a way I am distracting myself when I am listening to them. Interesting take!
I’d never thought about using audiobooks at the gym. That’s a good idea! And thanks.
I’m not a listener of audiobooks either. Maybe it’s the pacing but more than likely, it’s the fact that I use time when I COULD listen to them to listen to music instead. However, the things you’ve listed would help me if I decided to do so. Hey, you should show some of your coloring. I’m super interested!
I will try to find one and take a picture for you, Barb. I’m happy that you’re interested in this. 🙂
Audiobooks are tricky – you want to entertain yourself while listening, but it’s so easy to lose focus. I usually knit something simple (so that I don’t have to keep count of the stitches) or play Tetris while listening to audiobooks.
It worked with these titles: https://dinaratengri.com/2019/03/all-we-hear-is-audio-ga-ga/
Yes, exactly. I love your suggestions and thought you did a wonderful job with your post this week.
Oooo reading socks! I love being all warm and snuggly while reading. 😊
I know, right? 🙂
You have just reminded me of my decent size collection of adult coloring books. I should pull those out sometime soon! I might have to make a post about them. XD
Glad to hear it. I hope you do blog about them!
I like all of these things! I do listen to audiobooks but mostly while I’m driving or doing chores.
Those seem like very good times to listen to audiobooks.
I always clean while I listen to audiobooks, it keeps my hands busy! Ooo those reading socks look comfy, I have a couple of pairs of thick socks and I can confirm they make the experience a lot more enjoyable.
That is such a good idea.
And I’m glad you love your thick socks!
I would DEFINITELY need distractions. I find something that works for me is cleaning the house while listening to an Audiobook in my wireless headphones. It’s just the right balance of mindlessness and business that I do pretty well.
Driving doesn’t work for me. I think coloring might though! Great post!
I love this advice. Thank you.
Oh yes, they would be great to listen to with some coloring books I think! Also need a snack as well – not sure about the healthy part though! *hides in shame*
Ha! Sometimes I eat not-so-healthy snacks, too. 😀
Hahahah love this! I can’t really do audiobooks either! But my list has some sexy celebrity narrators so maybe I’ll try again! https://orangecountyreaders.com/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-celebrity-read-books/
Heh, you totally should.
Great idea. I listen whilst driving or walking, doing the dishes or cooking and just sitting.
Thanks. Cooking seems like it would be a wonderful time to listen to audiobooks. I think it would be interesting to try it while walking, too.
Ha, glad to see I’m not the only one who had to fiddle with the prompt because I don’t read audiobooks. xD That’s so interesting to hear about your grandmother using her tea bag twice! I was always told I was weird when I do that, so I’m glad to hear there are others like me.
I have ADHD, so I have trouble focusing on audiobooks most times, but your idea to color while listening to one is golden! I might give it a try. I might actually be able to make it through a book if I did that. My hands need to be busy when I’m listening to something, or otherwise, I completely zone out.
Heh, most definitely not.
I don’t know how many people reuse teabags in general, but it’s quite common in my family at least. (And yours, too, from the sound of it!)
I hope colouring works nicely for you.
Audiobooks are a great way for me to get through my commute or other travel. (I can’t look down to physically read while I’m a passenger in a car, so it’s good for long trips, too.) I also listen while knitting, or sometimes while doing chores like folding laundry that require both hands but not much brainpower.
That makes a lot of sense. How long have you been knitting?
Very cool list!! I recommend starting out with a novella or maybe even a favorite story of yours. That may help ease you into it!! TY so much for stopping by my blog <3 I loveeeee your list!!! Best of luck!!!
https://readingwithjessica.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/top-ten-tuesday-audiobooks-faq/
You’re quite welcome. I’ll definitely start off with something short then.
Oooo, nice list!! I’m an avid audiobook fan and may even like audiobooks more than reading these days.
Here’s a link to my TTT post: https://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2019/03/top-ten-tuesday-audiobook-freebie-my.html?showComment=1553617757328#c4963295880076597634
I’m really happy for you. That’s awesome.
I’m generally reluctant to try audiobooks, too, but some narrators make it worthwhile (Wil Wheaton) to try a new story in audible format, and others (Paul Scofield, Jim Dale) make beloved stores like Narnia and Harry Potter a new experience.
Cool. I’ll keep them in mind.
I listen to a lot of audiobooks. I bet I would like to color while listening, too. Thanks for visiting my blog.
You’re welcome. Happy colouring!
The only way I could get through my own books on audiobook without feeling totally self-conscious was to color while I listened! I loved doing it that way and will occasionally color still while I listen to a book.
Glad to hear that. Colouring is so relaxing.
Tea is essential for any format of books.
I like to listen to audiobooks while I’m out or while I’m knitting.
Yes, it sure is!
Ooooh! As a fellow Torontonian, I’d also love some reading socks 😛
Lovely list, maybe I’ll try them out next time I pick up an audiobook 🙂
https://sleepingsuburb.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/podcasts-ive-listened-to/
Thanks. Heh, you totally should. And hello to a fellow Torontonian!
Great take on the theme! I read at a normal pace, so I don’t think audio books would be all that good for me either.
Thank you. I’m glad you know where you stand on the audiobook question, too.
Tea and healthy snacks are a great idea. As is the coloring. Maybe that would help me focus on the story more. I find if I do other things like clean etc. the way everyone else seems to listen as they go about their day, I get too wrapped up in the task I’m doing and miss things. And I agree the pacing can be a bit slower. I have a friend that listens to them on 2x speed, but I find that too fast. I think I upped Good Omens when I listed to it last year to 1.25x speed to cut down on the pauses between words and sentences, but I still found my mind wondering too much.
Thank you.
Yeah, I have the same problem with listening to stuff while cleaning, etc. It’s hard to focus on what you’re doing and what you’re listening to sometimes.
I need help with audio too haha. My main problem is I get distracted, and then I have to go back, which slows me down even more. Le sigh. Tea though is always a nice way to unwind with a book, audio or otherwise. 🙂
Heh, I hear you there. Tea is awesome, though.
I was a bit leery of audiobooks until a few years ago when I listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks for the first time – I still prefer print books but I usually have an audiobook on the go. I love how listening to an audiobook frees my hands up to do something else – usually a craft or sewing or something like that. Your list definitely makes me want to do more cozy things – love the idea of the reading socks!
Thank you. Crafting while listening to an audiobook is a great idea.
I’m not an audiobook person either. Not even in the car on long drives, my mind wanders too much. I’ll suddenly realize that I’ve spaced out and missed a whole chapter. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
You’re quite welcome. It sounds like we’re pretty similar on this issue.
Like you, I cannot seem to get into audio books either. It takes away from the imagination. But I think your tips, if I were to try it, seem great. I LOVE to sip tea and adult color while listening to a good podcast. I didn’t know reading socks were a thing but now I am intrigued and want to know more. Are they like house-slipper socks?
So glad to hear that.
I’d say that reading socks have a similar texture to house-slipper socks. They are very thick and warm and could almost be used as shoes if they had rubber soles instead of being soft all over. I hope that makes sense. It’s hard to describe these things!
Reading socks sound amazing!
They are. 🙂
I’m right there with you in not be an audiobook reader! I feel the same that I can read a book faster than it can be read to me. And I never realized the thing about the voices, but I feel like that’s true for me!
You did better than I did on staying on topic today! I went completely off the wall! Lol.
Thanks for visiting my TTT post!
You’re welcome, and thanks.
The colouring is a great idea! I need to have something to do when i’m listening to an audiobook, I can’t just sit and listen. Only if I’m cooking or tidying or in the car.
Thank you. So glad you think so.
Getting into audiobooks is definitely hard at first. You just need to get used to it a little at a time. You’ll probably have difficulty concentrating on the story in the first few. You’ll need to try out a few and see what narrators and reading styles work and don’t work for you. Persistence is key. I know because I was there a few years ago 🙂
That’s good advice. Thanks.
I love this idea! I agree with all of these and even have my own pair of reading socks. But ADULT COLORING BOOKS ARE THE BEEEEEEST!! They’re so relaxing!
They sure are! So glad you’ve discovered the joy of them as well.
I actually do crafts while listening if I need some decompression time because I always have to be doing something with my hands. There’s no way I could make it through otherwise.
That’s a great idea.
Good job. I once took a fidget spinner away from a [grown up] friend in church–it was making me fidget! lol.
Oh, that is too funny!
I get what you’re saying about being a fast reader and pace. I am, too. I don’t mind audiobooks, though. I have found some narrators I love and I speed up the pace to about 1.25 to keep things rolling. 😉
That’s a good tip! Thanks.
I love the idea of pairing a coloring book with an audio book. I might try this in the future!
Awesome. I hope you enjoy it.
I have only listened to a few audiobooks, but I usually find that going for a relaxing walk really helps. If I am just sitting there listening, I find my mind can wander – even if it’s an interesting one. I do rather like it for short breaks at work though.
Colouring is an awesome idea! That would definitely work for me!
I’m glad to hear that. Happy colouring!
Going for a walk is another great idea.
Coloring while listening, what a great idea!!
Thanks. I’m glad you think so.
I’m always doing something while I listen to an audiobook – folding laundry, taking a walk, cleaning the house. I find it difficult to just sit and listen. Coloring and playing games on my phone sometimes work too!
That’s good to know. Maybe I should try some of that stuff. 🙂
If you find audibooks too slow, try digital audiobooks from your library. You can speed up books up to 2x faster which can be helpful.
I’ll try that. Thanks for the tip.
I love your spin on this week’s topic. I also love the idea of listening to audiobooks while coloring. That just sounds super relaxing.
Thank you very much. Yes, colouring while listening to audiobooks would be quite relaxing, I think.
I’m with you on sitting down and actually listening to Audiobooks…do people do that at their houses? It took me a long time to get hooked on them, and even now I only listen while I’m driving! (But I tend to like the books I listen to, just slightly less than any book I sit down and read!)
Thanks for stopping by my TTT!
You’re welcome. And I hear you there!
Just like you, I’m not much into audiobooks. I don’t know what the deal with socks but they do help me get into reading mode.
I’m glad to hear that. 🙂
I am a fast reader too which is why all my audio books play at 1.5x or 2x of actual reading speeds.. narrators have a better sense of accents but thanks to them I’m starting to learn 😄😁
(You can see I like audio books) I love your twist to the prompt though!! They all sound like something I’d enjoy too☺️
Thank you very much. I’ll have to try an audiobook at 1.5 or 2x speed sometime.
😀
These are great! I’ve never been an audiobook person but my (newfound) love of podcasts makes me believe I could enjoy them (though not as much as a good book).
I do think I’d need to be somewhat occupied since I clean or do errands while I listen to the podcasts. Hot tea and a coloring book sound like the perfect, cozy remedy.
So glad you think so. 🙂
I love the idea of coloring while listening to audiobooks. I listen to audiobooks while cleaning my room and at night when I don’t feel particularly sleepy.
Oh, that’s a great idea! And thanks.
… I do not own reading socks… when I first heard about them as a thing, it hadn’t really occurred to me that I might need specialised socks for the endeavour… but they do look super comfortable!
Heh, for sure. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh I definitely couldn’t just SIT and listen to an audiobook either! I’m always doing something active while I listen. My favourite is to do origami! 💛
Oh, that sounds fun!
I can only listen to audiobooks when I’m doing something, like driving or cleaning. I keep thinking that one day I’ll try cross stitching while listening and see if that works. Otherwise, I find it too slow an experience; like you, I’m a fast reader.
That makes sense. It must be a nice distraction.
Ooooo. Doing a colouring book while listening to audio sounds so relaxing! I’m going to have to try that!
One of my favourite things about audio books is that you have both hands free. Where as with reading a physical book you need to make sure the page doesn’t flop closed and you lose your space. With audio you could just wave your hands around in the air the whole time and the story will forever continue until you hit pause 😂😂
Happy Reading! ❤️
That’s an excellent point. Ha!
I always need to be doing something else while listening to audiobooks. I mostly listen when I’m driving, doing work around the house, making art, or when I’m working on something that does not require much attention (such as typing or playing a game). I like your list. All of these sound like relaxing ways to listen to an audiobook.
That makes total sense. And thanks.
Perfect. Now that would be a reading experience.
Thanks.
Perfect. Now that would be a great reading experience. Though I might avoid the socks…it’s warm already here in Houston.
Heh, you definitely wouldn’t need cozy reading socks in Texas.
Interesting post! Colouring in while listening to an audiobook sounds like a great idea!
Thank you. So glad you think so.
Coloring while reading sounds like the perfect duo!
I know, right? 🙂
I love that you include reading socks! And adult coloring books. I love those!
Heh, thank you. I’m glad you appreciated them.
I’ve never heard of reading socks but I have a rather large collection of warm fuzzy socks. My feet are always cold despite living much farther south than Canada! Audio books took me awhile to get used to and to enjoy. My first were rereads or middle grade books and I’ve really enjoyed some memoirs read by the author. They make folding laundry or cleaning tasks so much easier and the few times I’ve colored while listening were so relaxing. I really need to do that more often. I love the story about your grandmother!
You asked if I had seen the Netflix adaptation of Guernsey. I haven’t yet! I keep meaning to watch it but always forget about it when I actually can. Plus, I’m a little afraid because I so loved the book.
Aww, thank you very much.
I’ve only seen the first 20 minutes or so of Guernsey and hadn’t read the book beforehand. I do like the storytelling, though!
Thanks for sharing these! I love audiobooks myself, because I can read at work, on road trips, and sometimes while doing chores around the house. I’m not a huge tea person, but I enjoy it sometimes.
Thanks. Do you like coffee? I’ve found that a lot of people tend to prefer one or the other with those two drinks.
I actually really love to color when listening to audiobooks sometimes! Really makes you feel like you’re multi-tasking. 🙂
Yes, exactly!
I haven’t thought of using coloring books with audiobooks, but that’s a great idea! I also sometimes have trouble with slow audiobook pacing—that’s why I love it when audiobook apps let you listen at double speed, etc. I use Libby to listen to audiobooks from my library and there are a bunch of speed options.
I’m so glad that speeding up the pacing is an option. It’s not something I knew when I wrote this post.
How often do you use Libby?
Those are excellent reasons to listen to audiobooks! And as many have pointed out by now I’m sure, speeding the pace is such a plus.
Thank you, and I was so glad to learn that.
Now I want some hot tea!! I also have a hard time with audiobooks! I like a lot of those things just for reading at any time. 🙂
Absolutely!
Ooh I love how you took the prompt! Just picturing all of these reasons makes me want to pick up an audio book 😀
What a nice compliment. Thank you!
I tried an audiobook once and completely lost the plot as I was lost in my own head haha. And I agree. I think coloring books really can enhance the audiobook experience. 🙂
Heh, I hear you there. And it’s nice to meet another fan of colouring books.
Nice approach to this TTT question. I love colouring while listing))
Thank you very much. 🙂
I love my thick fluffy reading socks. In fact, I switch out of my normal socks into thick fluffy socks whenever I get home for the day so that I can curl up and feel cosy, lol.
I’ve tried the listening while colouring and it works amazingly well!
That’s awesome.
My favorite thing about listening to audiobooks via Overdrive/ Libby is that you can speed them up so they don’t drag so much. 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me>
I’m so glad that’s an option.
I have a friend who always colors when she listens to audios and she loves it and finds it so relaxing. Great list!
Thank you. Your friend sounds like a nice person.
I always have trouble listening to audiobooks. I get so easily distracted and then all of a sudden I miss 3 chapters!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
I hear you there!
Reading socks yes!! Though I listen to audiobooks while driving so not a good idea right then probably 🙂
Heh, probably not.
I have never been an audio book fan, but I have listened to one or two. Maybe someday I’ll give another one a try, and just lately I’ve been wondering if I’d like classic lit better in audio book format. Might be worth a try.
Thanks so much for the Finding Wonderland visit last week, Lydia. 🙂
You’re quite welcome. Classic lit might be better in audiobook form!
I love audio books! But I can’t listen to them in 1x speed anymore. Usually 1.4x to 1.8x depending on the narrator’s voice lol. I also listen to audio books when I’m assembling Gunpla, robot toys that come in pieces then you click them on together. It takes me about 4 hours to properly assemble a good one.
I’ll have to try that.
And Gunpla sound so cool. I wonder if they have them here in Canada?
For sure they do! I have Canadian friends who are also builders. They’re usually found at hobby shops or Japanese anime shops, if you have them in your area.
Coloring is perfect while listening to audiobooks! If I am not reading along with the audiobook I’m probably coloring or playing a puzzle game on my phone. Also, tea is perfect for reading of any kind. It’s the best comforting drink to have in order to get cozy and read.
Ooh, a puzzle game is a good idea. I’ll have to try that.
These are great ideas! I have such a hard time concentrating on audiobooks unless I’m doing something with my hands that keeps me busy but not so much that I can’t pay attention.
Thank you! Sorry, but I just saw this comment now. 🙂