Weigh in Wednesday

Weigh in Wednesday is a meme started by Lauren at Epilogue Review, and this week's topic is...

reading a book vs. listening to an audiobook.

So first I apologize for missing the last two weeks--I've been crazy busy!  I had to participate this week, though, because I love this question.  My answer is, in general, I prefer reading a book, but there are occasions when I prefer audiobooks, and I really like doing both.

I generally prefer reading because I think it's a more immersive experience--there's no narrator standing between you and the text, and it's less likely your mind will start to wander while reading versus while listening to an audiobook.  Plus it's easier to go back and check something in an actual book, rather than rewinding and trying to find it in an audiobook.  In addition, a bad narrator can ruin a good book, so you have to be careful about that.

On the other hand, I love audiobooks because they've allowed me to experience so many books that I wouldn't have time to otherwise.  I don't have a car, so I listen to audiobooks on my ipod while I'm walking and running errands, and while I'm working out.  I'm able to listen at least two hours a day, which adds up to about 100 extra books per year.  In addition, audiobooks are great for those books you read a while ago, don't quite remember but don't want to devote the time to rereading in print, or if you want a refresher on earlier books in a series before you read the next one.

So overall, I like them both, but if forced to choose I'd go with reading a book!