As a person who loves reading but recently has little time for it, I tried to switch to audiobooks. However, I keep catching myself losing attention while trying to concentrate on the audiobook. I find myself scrolling back on the recording to catch up on things I missed, and it’s highly frustrating. It puzzles me because I can easily read a physical book in a public place, but I can’t seem to listen to an audiobook in a public setting.
Has anyone else experienced this problem with audiobooks? Do you consider it a good alternative to a physical book when there’s no possibility or time to read a book?
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Occasionally. I have to rewind a lot when I’m driving because I focus on driving more, especially in heavy traffic. Sometimes I zone out while just listening to the book and start daydreaming about what was just happening.
And yes, I’ve done that before, too, where I’m in the airport and start people-watching and miss important details of the book. I do the same with a physical book, too, and so that doesn’t help. I just do it more often with a physical book when I’m in my own home, so I tend to go for audiobooks for the past few years.
I have this same problem, for myself, it’s easier to listen to stories light on dialogue, so for example I have the complete collection of Lovecraft stories on Audible which I get a lot of mileage out of.
Combining audiobooks with physical labor is the best trick I’ve found for improving attention and retention. Gotta dig a ditch, move a bunch of boxes, paint a fence, etc? Pop in some earbuds and enjoy.
I found that for each book there is a speed setting that matches my brain and that it can change during the book. Also it helps if you are doing something active like walking or doing simple chores.
I can’t just sit still and listen without my mind wandering.
Came here to say this!
The sweet spot is usually around 1.6-1.75 x normal speed for me (1.75 for something like Pride & Prejudice; a book I know very well and is usually narrated at a sedate pace).
This is a great tip, thanks!
Same, I find that I need to do something mindless to keep my hands busy.
For me audiobooks are specifically for when I’m doing chores like cleaning the house or walking dog. I always get the audible + kindle versions for whispersync. I can listen to a chapter while doing the dishes as a way to placate myself. And I’ll read a couple of chapters at night on the kindle before bed. It automatically syncs my place between the two. Just listening to a book as its own activity just wouldn’t work for me.
Yeah, speeding it up helped me a lot. If it’s too slow, I have too much time to process it and that’s when my mind starts to wander.
Of course. There’s more to distract when you don’t have to watch the physical page. But while it happens to me sometimes (not too often) I don’t consider it a biggie, I just go back and listen again.
I can only listen to audiobooks if my hands/body are busy. Like walking, cleaning, doing crafts.
I listen to a lot of audiobooks. I listen while driving, cleaning, knitting, taking a walk, cooking. I find it pretty easy to focus on the story while doing a somewhat mindless task. If I have to give more focus to whatever else I’m doing, I pause the audiobook. But generally I find it pretty easy to follow audiobooks.
Same here. Sometimes when I’m really into a book I’ll even sit and just listen the way you would read a book. I can focus really well wit audiobooks personally
I can only pay attention to audiobooks when I’m doing a task that doesn’t require enormous amounts of brain power, usually chores, cooking, or drawing. I can’t just sit in my bed and listen to a book, my mind will drift and I’ll stop paying attention.
As an ADHDer, audiobooks are what got me into reading. I never really read before discovering it.
Two things: I almost always listen at 1.5 speed, my brain just can’t take the normal (super slow imo) speed. And then I usually do something else such as household chores (dishes, laundry etc.), knit or take a walk with my dog.
I have always had a hard time concentrating on just listening. Back in the uni I during lectures I doodled, knitted or took notes, and I do the same now if I’m attending a work related webinar etc. So same goes for audiobooks and podcasts.
all the time i can even listen to myself on tape or podcast and not pay attention
I used to be able to do 5-6 audiobooks a month and now I’m struggling to get through one for this reason.
I agree with other comments that a good speed setting is essential. Depending on the narrator, I’m usually around 1.6 x. Even then, my attention wanders occasionally, especially if I’m doing something while I’m listening like painting or mowing the lawn. When I feel like I’ve wandered too far, it’s simple enough to go back and re-listen. Also, if I find my attention wanders too much too often, that’s a pretty clear tell that the book isn’t that good and I should give up on it.
First hour needs heavy focus, after that it’s easier to do it more passivley
I have to have something to do with my audiobook which really stinks cause I’d like to listen to them more. Whether it’s cleaning, grocery shopping, diamond painting or any hobbies, I need something to keep my hands busy. Otherwise I do the same, I drift off. I think they are very good alternative’s you just have to find what works for you. What helps you keep your mind on them.