7 Pros And Seven Cons Of Audiobooks

I just finished my first audiobook. And it was an experience value sharing:

I had been reading reviews and blog posts and tweets about Seth Godin's newest book, Linchpin. Went to a couple of bookshops on my strategy to work/home; it wasn't available. So I went to Amazon.com to order one. I used to be at Amazon after a very long time, and was surprised to see the options available: Kindle (ebook download), hardcover, zanzibar01 paperback, audio CD and audio download. Audio download looked like the fastest option so I checked it out. It took me to Audible.com - an Amazon company, the place an audio download was being offered for just USD7.forty nine with a new membership! I signed up, paid the cash, downloaded the book, and began listening to it instantly! The benefits:

1. It's fast. I used to be listening to the book after just a few clicks in few minutes.
2. It's cheap. Book variations were USD13-25.
3. It's convenient. I copied the file to my iPhone to listen during my commute to and from work.
4. It is safe. A copy each on my laptop, iPhone and backup is prone to final (damage-free) as long as I wish.
5. It takes no space. So less clutter. No worries about whether to keep, dump, recycle or give-away.
6. It is surroundings-friendly. No paper, ink, chemicals.
7. It is consolationable. For somebody who spends loads of time in entrance of computers or books, this is an efficient break for the eyes. You'll be able to listen while standing, walking or lying down.

And the disadvantages:

1. You need know-how - laptop, Internet entry, purposes like iTunes, and energy supply
2. You need a handheld machine to maximise using audiobooks - iPhone, iPod or some other MP3 participant
3. You need a credit card for online purchase
4. You may't share. I like giving freely my books to somebody who might get pleasure from/benefit. Most audiobooks can't be shared on multiple computer systems/accounts.
5. You may't refer as easily. I like to go back to specific passages in my favorite books for inspiration/data/sharing. In audiobooks, you may fast-forward to chapters but it surely's troublesome to go to the precise passage you're looking for.
6. You possibly can lose it simply - unless you have an excellent backup system.
7. You grow to be anti-social. Your possibilities of interesting conversations with strangers tremendously diminish when you go around with headphones in your ears.

On balance, I think it will depend on your life-style, circumstances and even the kind of book you want to read. Please take a few minutes to share your views by way of comments: Have you ever tried an audiobook? If not, will you? What different pros and cons can you think of?