I just saw an article that mentioned audiobooks saw an increase in popularity this past year, and those who listened to audiobooks averaged 3.8 audiobooks in the last year. That got me wondering about our audiobook habits here. So:
How many audiobooks do you listen to in a year (if any), and what percentage of the books you “read” are in audiobook format?
I read 28 books as audios last year. That comes out to a little more than 15% of the total. I don’t try to set any records I just like having an audiobook for my morning walks. Sometimes if I’m waiting on a library reserve I’ll listen to some podcasts instead.
I started listening to audiobooks regularly just a few years ago when we started traveling much more for family. I now listen to 1-2 a month. This is only about 20% of my “reading” format, but quite enjoyable. I have also recommended audiobooks to friends and family.
I only listen to audiobooks if that’s the only format available from my public library AND if I really, really want to know the story. Not my learning style! They tend to make me drowsy, which can lead to a nap. Sorry.
I was surprised to find that so far this year I’ve read 18, which is about 25%. I tend to consume more as the weather gets better, as I like to listen to audiobooks when I’m out walking around the neighborhood.
I generally read a book bouncing back and forth between audiobook and ebook…so between 150 - 200 audiobooks a year (close to 100% of my reading).
When I had a long commute I’d listen to audio books every work day. Since I’ve retired I’ve not listened to one!
I’m a visual learner so I prefer reading. However at times when I don’t have the time to sit audio books allow me to accomplish chores in the house and garden. If It is an easy read I enjoy listening to an audiobook. Sometimes the narrator’s accent makes comprehension difficult. I have to admit I admire the members who can follow War and Peace using audio. I tried and what is amusing is that I am somewhat literate in French so the only part I could understand when attempting to listen to War and Peace is when the narrator was speaking French
.
Over the past year I have probably listened to 4 audio books.
There’s still a chance to learn new tricks @Lynne_G. I submit that you engage in more active listening when you hear the French. I have over the years learned to be a better listener because like you it is not my dominant learning mode. Now I hate to go out without an audio and I really love when I get one with an exceptional narrator or cast.
I think about 85% of the books I read are audiobooks. My schedule suits this much better since I don’t have much time to sit and read a book I can hold and touch. It’s a luxury when I can do that. The narrators often add to the story so it comes to life more than my imagining what the characters would sound like.
But I definitely take pleasure in the quiet moments I have to focus on a book that I am reading and turning its pages.
Almost 100% of my “reading” is in the audiobook format, More than 100 titles a year on audio. Life style and overuse of my eyes for other tasks have pushed me in that direction. If the book is one I will facilitate for a book group, I will buy the book so that I can highlight sections I want to refer to in my presentation or in the discussion.
As hard as I try – to embrace audio books – my mind just wanders too much. I will hear something read, and go, “What? Wait!,” and have to go back to the last thing I recall.
I’ve tried several times, for different reasons – often because I cannot get my hands on the book without having to buy it, and I’m going b-r-o-k-e with that approach – and it is always the same. How my husband can do audio books amazes me.
I listen to about 50-60 books per year, which is about 60-70% of my “reading”. I would prefer to read actual books but I love that I can listen while I clean or bake or drive or do yardwork or take a walk or fold laundry. I started listening to books about 2 years ago, and it has been such a gift to have diversions from some of the tasks I that I do not prefer.
@NanK empathize with drowsy eyes!
@Carole_B I totally get it about preferring hard copy when presenting a book so you can highlight and go back and forth easier to make comparisons or emphasize ideas.
I find listening presents a couple issues. First, the narrator(s) are given a lot of influence over my perception of the characters in the book. Second, especially for novels that use dual timelines, the audible experience is confusing to follow versus a hard copy read. Audible for me is a challenge— prohibiting going back to catch something I missed while flipping back and forth in a book works well for how I navigate a story in full. I have been trying the listening experience I would say 1 out of 4 books, but think it will not hold up. Recently, I have had to finish off with a library hard copy of the book anyway. In future, I will probably only use that method for books I can go in and out of for pleasure and don’t necessarily concern myself with following a plot.
At least one a week 
About 25% of the books I complete year to year are audiobooks. I exclusively listen to them when driving, but never listen when doing housework or walking either outside or on the treadmill. We live on an extremely busy road so any distractions are not conducive to safety. I probably should listen when on the treadmill, but I prefer to watch TV when walking on it as the time seems to go faster when I don’t have to stare at the treadmill screen. I only check how much longer I have to go when commercials start and end. You can’t believe how long some commercial breaks are!
I have listened to a total of 1 audiobook in my life - just last week. I was on a 13 hour road trip and that’s how long the book was. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. The book was Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. As others have mentioned, I have a hard time staying focused on audiobooks and listening makes me sleepy. However, I have thyroid eye disease and my eyes get tired far more easily than they used to, so audiobooks might have to be something I get used to.