Audio Books vs. Music

OR






One of the goals I listed the other day is to perhaps try an audio book this coming year. That is, if I can overcome my hang ups with them, which I think I've mentioned once or twice, but I don't think I've ever lamented in full on a post. So hear me out and maybe someone can help me overcome or compromise or something.

First of all, I'm worried that if I listen to a book, my mind will still continue to wander on to all the other things I'm thinking about for that day. I'm afraid I won't get immersed like I do when I'm reading. I'm afraid the lack of the visual of actually looking at the words will cause me to not really retain what's being said.

Now many times when I sit down to read, I'll end up falling asleep, so this is normal.  But if I actually sit down to listen to a book, I'm quite positive I'll fall asleep, but now, the words will go on and on and on and I'll miss what's happening, where as if I'm reading and I fall asleep, the words stop!

That being said, I doubt I'd ever sit down to listen to a book, because obviously the whole point of audio books is to multi-task, right? So, I've thought of all the places/times/situations where I could see myself listening to an audio book, and all those times are when I need, really NEED, music.

-- cleaning the house/doing dishes... I seriously can't do it without blasting something.
-- in the car... love my music in the car... this is where my best stereo system is located!
-- while crafting... if I ever craft anymore, I need some sort of sound....this is when I sometimes listen to podcasts, but even then I'm missing the music.
-- folding clothes... not music here, but TV.... this is the time when I catch up on missed shows.
-- exercising... yep, music makes this bearable. However, I usually am reading at the same time. I can see this as a time when perhaps I could forgo music and just listen to a book... maybe
-- while blogging... yep, nearly always there's music going on

So why would I even want to try an audio book if I have all these problems with it? Mostly because I see that  those who do are able to fit in way more books, and sometimes it seems that you get a  lot out of them and that the experience really is quite rewarding.

So what do you experienced audio book people think? Would I have to give up music to listen to a book? Can I figure out a time to listen that I haven't thought of already? When do you find is the best time to listen, and what are you doing while listening? What about the distractions while listening, other people/kids talking to and bugging you? Is that harder with an audio book? Are you able to fit in audio books because you aren't a music person? Do you have to be one or the other or can you be both?


And if you too haven't tried audio books, why not? Do you have these same hang ups?

I'd love to know what you think!