NYT article: audio books gaining acceptance

Laurens · 05-27-2005, 06:29 AM

Loud, Proud, Unabridged: It Is Too Reading!

Quote:

JIM HARRIS, a lifelong bookworm, cracked the covers of only four books last year. But he listened to 54, all unabridged. He listened to Harry Potter and "Moby-Dick," Don DeLillo and Stephen King. He listened in the car, eating lunch, doing the dishes, sitting in doctors' offices and climbing the stairs at work.

Pride Of Lions · 05-27-2005, 12:58 PM

I think that the emergence of portable music players has hastened the want for content. Sure, cassette players were all the rage, but carrying cassettes is too bulky. With digital content people can move it easier and carry more. And the eMarket model for purchasing digital content has made acquiring more content absolutely sinchy.

Now that people can take their content everywhere, why not listen to whatever whenever? I think audiobooks (and spoken word podcasts) will emerge as the killer app. to the masses in the years to come. Several barriers to entry are being forded, like hardware prices and access to computers and the internet, and the masses are responding.

I think that those of us who recognize the needs of the masses before they do will ride out this next wave of technology in style.
POL9A

lilac_jive · 02-12-2009, 06:40 PM

I know someone who listens to more audiobooks than he reads.

Not for me though, audiobooks make me sleepy.

dordale · 02-13-2009, 03:34 AM

I do both. Not sure if I listen to more books or read more. I like listening during my commute and when doing housework. When I'm just sitting and relaxing, I prefer to read.

dordale

mjh215 · 02-13-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Not for me though, audiobooks make me sleepy.

Audiobooks are good for data entry jobs... I never had an interest in Star Trek books til the early 90's when I was doing data entry and had access to alot of ST audiobooks... I'm still happy I got the back history on Troi and Riker's relationship..

One thing I can say though is the person(s) reading the book make a huge difference in the sleepiness factor. For instance I relistened to Douglas Adams reading the Hitchhiker's trilogy multiple times, but never got past the first chapter in Catch-22 because of the reader.

-MJ

Leep · 02-13-2009, 09:44 AM

I too listen to as many audio books on my iPod as I read on my Kindle. It's my treat while doing chores, excercising and driving long distances. Interestingly, U.S. libraries are also finally starting to carry a few MP3 audio titles (for iPod) for online checkout. Since I often have to get into the que to check them out, I suspect they're quite popular.

cheers

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05-27-2005, 12:58 PM	#2
Pride Of Lions just kinda geeky Posts: 381 Karma: 30 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Oakland, California Device: iPhone	I think that the emergence of portable music players has hastened the want for content. Sure, cassette players were all the rage, but carrying cassettes is too bulky. With digital content people can move it easier and carry more. And the eMarket model for purchasing digital content has made acquiring more content absolutely sinchy. Now that people can take their content everywhere, why not listen to whatever whenever? I think audiobooks (and spoken word podcasts) will emerge as the killer app. to the masses in the years to come. Several barriers to entry are being forded, like hardware prices and access to computers and the internet, and the masses are responding. I think that those of us who recognize the needs of the masses before they do will ride out this next wave of technology in style. POL9A

02-12-2009, 06:40 PM	#3
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I know someone who listens to more audiobooks than he reads. Not for me though, audiobooks make me sleepy.

02-13-2009, 03:34 AM	#4
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	I do both. Not sure if I listen to more books or read more. I like listening during my commute and when doing housework. When I'm just sitting and relaxing, I prefer to read. dordale

02-13-2009, 09:44 AM	#6
Leep Guru Posts: 739 Karma: 1018859 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Near Seattle Device: kindle1, K3, K3G (thanks MR), iTouch, Kindle Touch	I too listen to as many audio books on my iPod as I read on my Kindle. It's my treat while doing chores, excercising and driving long distances. Interestingly, U.S. libraries are also finally starting to carry a few MP3 audio titles (for iPod) for online checkout. Since I often have to get into the que to check them out, I suspect they're quite popular. cheers

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