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[my2girls]

Books on tape?
I was stopped at red light yesterday next to a guy who was definitely listening to a book on tape.

First of all - the pro's
> you can multi task (which I am very good at) - drive and read a book at the same time
> you don't have to physically find the time to sit down and read the book (everyone is in their car at least 1 time a day

now the con's
>Your not actually reading the book - your listening to it. Can it be compared to watching a movie? Your not "improving" your reading skills at this point.
> It's not like movie where you get different characters with different voices, background music...... It's just some guy or girl dictating a book to you.


Here's my point (finally) - does anyone actually do "books on tape?" What are the benefits?

(sorry for the long discussion amongst myself. I had time to kill in the car last night)

Kristine

[RobinKay6573]

I had a friend that would listen to books on tape at work all the time. Honestly I never saw the benefit to it...it just seemed like cheating to me. I had some major problems with reading comprehension in college. When you are reading technical science studies it is important that you understand every word. I actually used books on tape for college and they were very helpful. Since I have Dysthimia (chronic depression that can cause short term memory loss) I was able to receive the books on tape from handicapper services and learning services.

[Shell_of_the_South]

I used to check out books on tape and play them while I was cleaning house, which is incredibly boring to me and it helped me get things done.

[SarahJ]

My DH loves books on tape. He has trouble sitting down and just reading something and he spends a lot of time driving for his work so books on tape amuse him while he drives. We did the Harry Potter books on tape when we did some long summer road trips and it was okay for me. I found that I would often tune out parts and then not know what was happening, it was a good thing I had read the books first. But since reading in the car makes me sick books on tape really help pass the time on long road trips.

[loobyoxlip]

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(sorry for the long discussion amongst myself. I had time to kill in the car last night)



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See, and that time could have been spent listening to a book on tape

They're not for everyone. My mom really enjoys listening to them. Me - I can't do it. I've tried, and it just isn't my cup of tea.

[Belle*]

DH has a 45 minute commute to and from work each day and listens to to Books on CD all the time! He does not read quickly or have much time to read so this way he gets to "read" books that he otherwise would never have time to get through. Plus, it's a lot better than listening to the stuff that's on the radios these days (and I'm referring to the DJ's and the commercials, not the music.) He listens to an internet radio station at work all day so he gets all the music he wants then.

[luvnwdwgal]

I've actually been thinking about going to the Library and getting one to listen to while I'm on the treadmill. I can't watch TV from there, and I thought it would be a change from music.

[Stephanie P.]

DH rents them for long car trips - it helps him pass the time while driving. I try to listen to them with him, but my mind always ends up wandering.

Stephanie

[JoanW]

DH is extemely ADD, and cannot pay attention to reading long enough to get past the first page. I've done books on tape for him for years, especially with his commute.

One DD is autistic and has reading difficulties. She is able to read along with the narrator, and actually reads again in her room later what we "heard" during the afternoon. We do the books on CD/Tape as a family, and we've done the Harry Potters, Lemony Snickets, EB Whites, Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and a ton of others. It's how we've survived summer reading assignments. We also drive a lot in the summer to and from camps and swim team, so we are able to use that time wisely. We also are able to stop the tape and discuss the book, almost like a family book club. We now look for books on tape when an author has a new book out, like the Meg Cabot, who wrote the Princess Diaries books and a few others. I am dreading high school when they assign the classics, which for learning disabled kids is a disaster!

[graygables]

As a former English teacher, I used to think these were an abomination! Of course you never *write* in books (Passporter *KILLS* me! ) either.

But, my 8yo DD (Asperger's, dyslexia) *must* use them. She follows along in the book, but it has been a GODSEND to me! Better yet, I found Audible last night and was able to download both Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web to my SD card for my Palm pilot, so now she thinks she's and reading at the same time!

I've never been able to listen to someone else read and comprehend it well enough, so I need a good ol' turn-the-pages book.

[stretch2864]

I frequently listen to books on audio cd in the car because it really does help to pass the time. I work nights and get sleepy on the way home--listening to a book helps to keep my mind alert (and awake) during the drive. With the exception of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix which I did purchase, I borrow books on CD from the library. That said, I have to admit that some narrators are definitely better than others. Jim Dale who narrates the Harry Potter books does an excellent job. Other books I borrowed I never finished because the narration was pretty bad. Listening to books on CD will never replace picking up a book and actually reading it. However since reading a book while driving would be quite dangerous , I think I will continue to do audio books in the car. By the way, does anybody have any good suggestions of audio books?

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

When DS#1 was little I worked one evening a week at a used book store just to get out of the house. We rented the tapes. Many of our customers were elderly people who love books but have a hard time reading the small print in a lot of books. They were happy that they could still enjoy some of their favorite authors. We also got a lot of business from salesman who spent a lot of time in their cars and from people taking long driving trips.

[Stephanie P.]

I don't have any suggestions for audiobooks but I did want to note that we rent ours from Cracker Barrel while on trips. You can return them to any Cracker Barrel when you are done. They charge you the full price of the audiobook on your credit card and then when you return it, you get a credit back on your credit card for the full amount minus the weekly rental fee, which I think is maybe $3.00/week.

Stephanie

[wdwlovers]

Good question! I've always wanted to get a book on CD, but haven't yet. I've got a 40min drive to school, so I can definately get through it. Just have to get to the library to borrow one.

[vsonnier]

DH listens to books on tape all the time and I have several times. I absolutely love them. You would be suprised how captivating the reader can make the story.

Also, while you are not actually "reading" the story, they do enhance your comprehension skills. We use them a lot in elementary classes that I have observed. A lot of students have a hard time inputting what they read on paper because they are audio learners. We will record a book or chapter and have them play it while they (suposedly) follow along and it definitely improves their comprehension.