A change of opinion: audiobooks

I used to judge those who only listened to audiobooks. I know unforgivable, ablest, narrow minded, these are all things that I was, I still am, and will probably forever will be. (Not to brag, but to be honest)

As I have become older, and was checked by others, I realized this opinion is shit. So I only have really started to delve into it in the last couple of years. I was using audiobooks as a way to help me make my way through my true crime list, as way to prevent others judging me for how many books on my shelf were from this genre. And they result was: I shouldn’t be ashamed, it didn’t work since those around me were forced to hear what I was reading as opposed to speculating based off the cover and blur, and I ended up wanting to buy each book I listened to in the end anyway.

Overall, I found that replacing the time I dedicated to watching tv or listening to podcasts (while doing work or chores) could be replaced by listening to books. SO YEAH FOR MORE BOOK TIME! 

While I still dedicate a lot of my focus attention to reading a physical book or eBook, I found that I have an impressive book body count at the end of each month. 

 And in the last couple of months my journey has progressed to fiction. I am liking where I am going on this journey. So far I have found that the benefits and small joys to overcoming my prejudices have been:

1. I can see how an audiobook could be it own storytelling art form as some narrators are better matched for the story than others. Examples being the play Evil Eye by Madhuri Shekar or The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth

2. I am starting to share in the amusement there is to find when using a singular narrator whose voice is noticeable “masculine”or “feminine,” and when that narrator has to then switch to the other sound for opposite gendered characters who have dialogue. Especially if there is an accent involved. Examples: Sarah Gailey's River of Teeth or Upright Women Wanted

3. I am starting to find and hone my feeling for where in the story I should give up and DNF (in fact most of my DNFs have been audiobooks). Most recently was Cook County ICU. 

4. And I am clearing out my book tbr list so quickly! As mentioned by most of the books above. Downside will be that it is now another medium that I use as an excuse to add more to my list, but still something to help check off my list.

For those who would find my old views offensive and judgmental, I am sorry. You are right. 

For those who are starting out on the path to audiobook enlightenment, welcome you made the right choice!

And for those still stuck on is this reading or not, of course it is. Anyway that you decide to consume stories (or smut) is okay.