Listen Up, by Lori Roberts Herbst

I’m lucky to have a robust, intelligent community book club here in my neighborhood (if you haven’t become part of a wonderful book club, I urge you to get out there right now and find one!). At a recent meeting, we discussed Ann Patchett’s TOM LAKE, a beautifully written book that almost all of us loved and gave five stars. (I highly recommend this rich and lyrical novel. One of the best I’ve read in a long time.) 

After we’d finished delving into the intricacies of plot, character, prose, etc., the conversation veered to a side topic: preferred reading format. Within our group of sixteen, a quarter of them read on a device such as a Kindle, while another quarter chose paperback. (One outlier read hardback, but only because she borrowed it from the library.)

Turns out, close to half of our members listened to the audiobook version.

I admit to being super surprised by that, especially since I live in a 55+ community. It may be a stereotypical assumption on my part, but it hadn’t occurred to me that people my age—and older—would choose audio. At first, I thought perhaps they listened to this one because Meryl Streep narrated it, but when I probed further, I learned this book wasn’t an anomaly. Many members said they are regular audiobook aficionados.

When I got home later that evening, I did a little research online. The stats there were more in line with the numbers I would have expected. Apparently, about 18 percent of all readers listen to a book weekly. Consumption is highest in the 31-49-year-old demographic. Only 8 percent of those over 50 listen regularly. Of course, my book club consists of some pretty hardcore readers—the cream of the crop—so I suppose it makes sense that our percentage is higher than the national average.

But back to the night of the meeting. When I asked my book club friends why they preferred to listen, reasons varied. Convenience was a top motive. They could listen in the car, or at home doing chores, while on a daily walk, etc. Some mentioned that they focused better on the story in audio format. Still others cited declining eyesight.

They were also particular about their tastes in narration styles. Some enjoyed multiple narrators, leading to a wider vocal variety. Others preferred a single narrator who does a good job of varying voices without taking it to the extreme. Accents were a desirable trait for many listeners, but some like to listen at a faster speed, so accents don’t work well. All agreed that a good narrator makes a vast difference in the quality of the experience, and they will stop listening if the narration falls short. (Meryl Streep got high marks, in case you were wondering…)

As for me, I’m almost always reading two books, one on Kindle and another in audio format. But I do prefer to read with my eyes. I find I process and remember plot and characters better, catch nuance, and can revel more in the prose. As for audio, I have to listen to lighter fare because I just don’t focus as well. Cozy mysteries are my most common audio choice. And if I’m listening while lying in bed…well, suffice it to say thank goodness for the audiobook shut-off timer, so I always know how far to go back if I fall asleep!

(P.S.: I am fortunate to have found Lillian Baxter to narrate the Callie Cassidy Mystery series. She’s a top-notch, talented vocal artist!) 

Do you love a good audiobook, or will you only read print?

The Callie Cassidy Mystery series is available on Amazon Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback.

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Lori Roberts Herbst writes the Callie Cassidy Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in Rock Creek Village, Colorado, and the soon-to-be-released Seahorse Bay Mysteries, set in a Texas cruise port town. To find out more and to sign up for her newsletter, go to www.lorirobertsherbst.com