I used to have such scorn for audiobooks. I was a purist - I wanted to feel the book in my hand, smell the pages, put my own inflections on words and not have some narrator impose their voice on me. Then I started riding my bike to work, and discovered how listening to an audiobook can spice up the monotony. I decided to make it a rule that I could only listen to my book if I was doing something that was good for me (in the same way that you can have dessert after you eat your vegetables). Now I listen to them when I exercise, when I run errands, and while doing the dishes and other dreaded chores. It got even better when I learned that I can check out audiobooks from my library for free online.
I still have lots of books to listen to, but I'm curious about podcasts. Can anyone explain them to me? Does anyone have any good recommendations for awesome podcasts?
I still love physical books the best (for instance, they are easier to replace if, say, they get dropped in the tub) but it's awesome that I can get my reading fix another way!
I admit, I utterly despise kindle/audiobooks sort of thing. I'm a totally novel purist. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI admit, part of it is because I'm a fast reader--audiobooks read them much too slowly for my liking. It's also why I despise when other people read aloud because I'm such a fast paced reader! I can't deal with it! (I have a different rant for Kindles!)
As for podcasts, I could never get into them. I think it's a lot like radio shows/audio books (in that sort of vein) and I just don't have the patience to sit and listen to them, or to fully concentrate on them while doing other things.
It goes without saying that if you're going to get into podcasts, you need to start with This American Life. It's awesome. They go over so many different subjects, you learn something new each time you listen and they play fabulous music. The only thing I don't like about it is that they're only once a week. But I highly recommend getting the NPR This American Life app so you can start at the beginning. There's over 400 episodes to keep you busy!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to come over sometime soon and have you listen to my very favorite episode; Malcolm Gladwell is in it!!