Listening to Your Favorite Novel

Welcome to Musing Mondays. On Mondays I contemplate subjects offered up by Should Be Reading. Today's prompt:

Do you listen to audio books? Why, or Why not?

I've listened to very few audio books. I'm rarely in the car for extended periods, and I get distracted when I'm working out. I've tried listening to books then, but it hurts my workout routine, and we can't be having that! The more engrossed I get in the storyline, the more I slow down. Can't explain it.

My sister, an avid runner, loves audio books and rarely reads a book. She did a guest post recently on my Depression Cookies blog: Books on the Run. She just finished first in her age group in her latest half marathon and has completed several marathons. Clearly listening to audio books does NOT slow her down.

Listening to audio books is akin to watching the movie adaption of a book for me. I'm particular and love conjuring up images of characters and setting, having someone else interpret the book takes some of the pleasure out of it. I rarely like a movie version if I loved the book. Although I must admit, I tend to like the movie versions when I didn't like the book.

Still, there are some books I wish I had listened to. I ended up loving Kathryn Stockett's The Help, but initially I struggled with reading the dialogue. I tend to read at night, and my eyes started crossing and sleep beckoned. Everyone in my book club who listened to it did not have that problem.

One of these days, I might try listening to books again. But, for now, you'll find me snuggled in bed with a book or my Kindle.

Do you listen to audio books? If so, is it in addition to reading the book or in lieu of?