Reading vs Audiobook

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  • #617443
    newbee
    Member

    Do you find reading a sefer or a novel in print (or digital) is better, worse or the same as to listening to the exact same content as an audio recording?

    Does it affect the way you relate to the text and retain the information?

    #1143663
    The Queen
    Participant

    I like reading a book in print better. But I’m an old fashioned Bubby…

    As for listening or reading, depends if you are a visual or audio learner.

    #1143664
    newbee
    Member

    On the one hand we do read the Torah and megillah out-loud so listening must be considered a valid form of learning. But there is something about reading that seems superior to me. Curious to “hear” what other people say.

    #1143665
    Redleg
    Participant

    Learning with an audio tape or CD still requires one to follow along inside. Audiobooks, novels or non-fiction, are great for long drives. I much prefer them to music CDs or listening to the radio.

    #1143666
    Miriam377
    Participant

    If I’m chalishing to read a specific book and don’t have time, I’ll listen to it on audio of it’s available and not abridged. There was one book I couldn’t get into it was too boring for me at first. I listened to it on audio first and loved it. The printed version became just as exciting. One book we had to read in 10th grade, I just couldn’t start. My tutor read the first chapter to me and couldn’t put it down afterwards.

    #1143667
    newbee
    Member

    “Learning with an audio tape or CD still requires one to follow along inside.”

    Thanks for replying. So are you saying that audiobooks WITHOUT reading inside is inferior to reading the print?

    “I listened to it on audio first and loved it. The printed version became just as exciting.”

    So are you saying listening to an audiobook and reading a book are equal means of experiencing and learning the book?

    #1143668
    YW Moderator-42
    Moderator

    I feel that for the first read-through, I prefer the text because you can re-read parts and skim through parts multiple times if you forgot what was happening or need to clarify something. With audiobooks that is not as easy to do (unless you are following inside with your finger on the pause button). But for books that I have read before and am mostly familiar with the plot and characters, I enjoy listening to audiobooks.

    When it comes to megilla and Torah reading, we say “shomea ka’oneh” but people are usually following inside a printed book so that is more comparable to reading than an audiobook. Also, even if you are not a “baki” in what is being read, you still mostly know the material from having learned it in school etc.

    #1143669
    newbee
    Member

    Interesting, do you feel its a different experience when actually reading a book?

    Im trying to see if its just me. When I read a book I can get lost in it and feel like Im there. Its a much more intimate experience. When I listen to an audiobook I acquire the information but its more like im outside listening to someone else talk to me. I dont know why this is.

    #1143670
    YW Moderator-42
    Moderator

    It is because in today’s world, we are taught to multi-task which means that it is harder to focus on one thing. Reading inside takes more active participation which increases focus and makes you more immersed. Listening is a passive act in which you can be doing other things or spacing out while doing it so you aren’t as focused and immersed.

    #1143671
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    It is because in today’s world, we are taught to multi-task which means that it is harder to focus on one thing. Reading inside takes more active participation which increases focus and makes you more immersed. Listening is a passive act in which you can be doing other things or spacing out while doing it so you aren’t as focused and immersed.

    In the olden days, however, audiobooks were preferred.

    #1143672
    newbee
    Member

    “In the olden days, however, audiobooks were preferred.”

    What do you mean by this?

    #1143673
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    Before today’s world, when we were told to multi-task. I was kidding.

    I don’t listen to audio books, but personally, looking inside a sefer is much more effective than listening to a shiur, live or taped.

    #1143674
    newbee
    Member

    Why reading is better for me is similar to driving through a forest road and walking through it. You can drive through and see everything but when you walk you can stop and focus on what you are seeing and appreciate all the nuances.

    #1143675
    newbee
    Member

    btw, why was my shaila on the megila closed?

    Through no fault of yours, the thread was headed in a direction I did not want it to go.

    #1143676
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    I think for me, it would be like walking through blindfolded.

    #1143677
    newbee
    Member

    “Through no fault of yours, the thread was headed in a direction I did not want it to go.”

    Ok makes sense.

    “I think for me, it would be like walking through blindfolded.”

    Well if you’re learning gem, basically yea. The more complex and nuanced the subject matter is the less valuable the audiobook version.

    #1143678
    CTLAWYER
    Participant

    I use audio books when flying at night because the lighting on the planes is not sufficient for hours of reading from a hard-copy book.

    Also good around the pool when sun glare inhibits reading.

    #1143679
    newbee
    Member

    CTLAWYER: Yes I already know that audiobooks have a place and is convenient often. But my question is if, for you, are audiobooks equal to written books, better or worse for ideal conditions. (btw, you can get a kindle for the plane they have built-in lights).

    #1143680
    CTLAWYER
    Participant

    Newbee……

    I don’t consider audio books equal to traditional hardbound books. You don’t see the punctuation, italics, etc. in an audio book. Instead you get the voice interpretation of the reader, not your own take.

    As to Kindles, I have two, the original and a modern Fire Paperwhite. I don’t find the battery life sufficient for long haul intercontinental overnight flights. Besides, I prefer print to ebooks, buts that’s a topic for another thread

    #1143681
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    There are people especially older ones who might have trouble reading smaller print.

    Large Print books are someone scarce so Audio books are a solution for those people

    #1143682
    newbee
    Member

    “I don’t find the battery life sufficient for long haul intercontinental overnight flights. Besides, I prefer print to ebooks, buts that’s a topic for another thread”

    The kindle paperwhite battery can literally last several days or even weeks. I’m not sure what you mean it would have more than enough battery for any type of flight. But that is interesting why you like print books better, do you have a reason why you like print better?

    #1143683
    CTLAWYER
    Participant

    newbee……….

    The paperwhite battery was not sufficient for a flight from Korea two months ago.

    As to printed books: I love the texture of vellum or fine paper and the look of inked letters, as well as the heft of the book in my hands. I don’t like the feel of a battery/device getting warm as I hold it for hours.

    #1143684
    newbee
    Member

    “Large Print books are someone scarce so Audio books are a solution for those people”

    With a kindle or tablet you can increase the text size as much as needed. So that would probably be a better solution than audiobooks if you consider reading text superior.

    #1143685
    newbee
    Member

    “The paperwhite battery was not sufficient for a flight from Korea two months ago.”

    There is either something wrong with your kindle or it wasn’t charged prior to the flight. Unless your flight from korea takes 2 weeks. Just google kindle paperwhite battery its meant to last 1-8 weeks without a charge depending on how often you use it.

    “As to printed books: I love the texture of vellum or fine paper and the look of inked letters, as well as the heft of the book in my hands. I don’t like the feel of a battery/device getting warm as I hold it for hours.”

    I agree with this. I like the feel of the book, looking at the ink and flipping the page. I tend to focus better with a psychical book and I like looking at the book after I finished it months later on the shelf. Of course, you can also use it on shabbos.

    #1143686
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    Newbee, I think he said he was using the Fire Paperwhite. Isn’t that different?

    #1143687
    newbee
    Member

    Well, I dont think there is a fire paperwhite. There is the Paperwhite and the Fire- 2 different things. Maybe he meant he used the fire and not the papewhite.

    But in any case, saying audiobooks are better than text books for planes because you cant use the plane light and the battery is not sufficient on a kindle is incorrect. You can just buy a kindle paperwhite if battery and lighting are the only issues.

    #1143688
    CTLAWYER
    Participant

    I referred to any Kindle that has direct wifi as Fire to differentiate it from the original ereader which required you to download books to a computer and then use a cord to upload to Kindle. I have a Paperwhite

    and it did not give sufficient battery life for Korea to NY or Sydney to London.

    #1143689
    newbee
    Member

    “I have a Paperwhite and it did not give sufficient battery life for Korea to NY or Sydney to London.”

    Get a new one, because the one you have is not working properly. I have one I never go less than a week before charging it.

    #1143690
    CTLAWYER
    Participant

    newbee…

    you keep it on continuously for a full week? There’s a difference between holding a charge for a week and using it for 14 continuous hours.

    #1143691
    newbee
    Member

    It will hold a charge for many weeks if you dont use it. Yes even if you are using it often mine will last days, not hours. I use it 10-14 brightness level, in low light you should use a lower brightness level.

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