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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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I think for me, it would be like walking through blindfolded.
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.
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
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
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.
Newbee, I think he said he was using the Fire Paperwhite. Isn’t that different?
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.
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.
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