How do people listen to audiobooks when they're driving?

[Gerald]

I know Stephen does it himself, but I read more people who do that.

Isn't that terribly distracting both ways: you're not fully with your attention on the road and not fully with your attention on the book. Especially when there is a tense part in a book (as there is bound to be with horror and thrillers) it actually seems dangerous to me.

It's not something that doesn't require strong attention like music. Even when there is a radio programme consisting of talk you don't follow everything often, you tend to miss little things when you take a turn etc. So how you gonna follow a BOOK, you're bound to miss things. It seems such a terrible way to listen to them.

I don't drive a car, but I know enough of the behaviour of people who do. And I do ride a bike.

 

[Spideyman]

When I worked, I drove a long distance morning and evening. Audiobooks became part of the travel. It really isn;t must different than listening to the radio. The audio becomes part of our mindset and your brain sort of absorbs the words, then your minds eye translates it into the story.
I think SK listens mainly when driving the interstate highway- a long, non traffic stretch of miles upon miles of boring road. Many people put their cars on cruise control as they drive the interstate. The audiobook actually helps keep you awake during those long stretches.

 

[HollyGolightly]

I can't do it. I think you've got to have a bit more coordination than I do. I can listen to NPR and be OK fine, but I can't listen to audio books. I get confused either about the story or about the driving. It's just best that I don't.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

It easy. You get used to it. Just another thing to add to my driving while texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, writing out checks, and talking in sign language.

 

[HollyGolightly]

It easy. You get used to it. Just another thing to add to my driving while texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, writing out checks, and talking in sign language.

While driving with your knees. I know men like you.

 

[80sFan]

I can't even concentrate on audio books when I'm not driving. I've tried listening while taking a bubble bath with the lights off (the most relaxing thing I can think of) and my mind wandered too much to absorb the story.
I need to see words.

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[Kurben]

Audio and driving!!!! At the same time???? For me totally impossible but then i have difficulties taking in audio even when doing nothing atr all. My mind seem to drift.... I need something to hold onto or focus my eyes on, be it book or kindle or ipad.

 

[Blake]

The last audio I listened to in the car was John Grisham's The Associate and I only listen to them on a weekend when the traffic isn't bad. I find it depends on who's doing the narrating as well.

 

[fljoe0]

I can only do it on long trips driving on interstates. I have to turn it off when I get off the interstate into city traffic.

 

[Spideyman]

I can only do it on long trips driving on interstates. I have to turn it off when I get off the interstate into city traffic.

same here

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[Kati33]

All the time. I love it. It makes it easy for me to have two different books going at once (one on audio, one either in paper or on the Kindle). I have a 30min commute and listen to audio books almost every day. Some days are not good book days and I switch over to music. Can't do talk radio though.
There are some sections that I may tune out on, but overall, if it is a good book, it will hold my attention. I'm currently re-listening to the Ice and Fire series (just got back from a 10hr road trip, so I got through a big chunk of the book at a time). The first time I listened I was so into the series that I had the books on Kindle too and would listen in the car, get home and flip through the book to catch up, read some, listen to more in the car, etc. In the past year, I've "reread" lots of King books using audio. And honestly, coming across one he narrated himself makes me so happy. I love hearing his voice and listening in the story in the way he meant to tell it.
The biggest problem for me with audio books is that I may miss out on subtle details of the book when it comes to spelling of names, etc.

 

[Shoesalesman]

It really isn;t must different than listening to the radio. The audio becomes part of our mindset and your brain sort of absorbs the words, then your minds eye translates it into the story.

So true. I'll listen to part of a story on the road and process what I've heard for hours after getting to my destination. Makes me want to climb back in the car, even in dreaded rush-hour, and bite off a little more of the tale. I'm the only one in gridlock smiling. Beep Beep!!

 

[prufrock21]

Anything that distracts the driver's attention is potentially dangerous. A distracted driver almost killed SK. Why risk it?

 

[chief4db]

All the time. I love it. It makes it easy for me to have two different books going at once (one on audio, one either in paper or on the Kindle). I have a 30min commute and listen to audio books almost every day. Some days are not good book days and I switch over to music. Can't do talk radio though.
There are some sections that I may tune out on, but overall, if it is a good book, it will hold my attention. I'm currently re-listening to the Ice and Fire series (just got back from a 10hr road trip, so I got through a big chunk of the book at a time). The first time I listened I was so into the series that I had the books on Kindle too and would listen in the car, get home and flip through the book to catch up, read some, listen to more in the car, etc. In the past year, I've "reread" lots of King books using audio. And honestly, coming across one he narrated himself makes me so happy. I love hearing his voice and listening in the story in the way he meant to tell it.
The biggest problem for me with audio books is that I may miss out on subtle details of the book when it comes to spelling of names, etc.

What is the ice and fire series? . R u referring to song of ice and fire?

 

[Bev Vincent]

My commute is only about 4 minutes each way, so it takes me a LONG time to listen to a book on audio, but I enjoy it. I find it less distracting than having a conversation with someone.

 

[Dana Jean]

Listening to audios really is an acquired skill. Especially in today's world when we have attention spans like rabid squirrels. It's a matter of training your brain.

 

[Cowboy]

It is no harder than reading the newspaper while eating my breakfast and driving all at the same time. Kind of like chewing gum and walking at the same time.....it can be done.

 

[Doc Creed]

The first few times I tried it my mind would wander and I'd be free associating as scenery passed by. It takes a while to focus but then is habitual. It helps with road rage and speeding, it truly does. You aren't trying to race to the store or home because you're more interested in the story. The perfect way to consume books that you otherwise don't make time for.