Audiobooks: yay or nay?

I'm listening to an audiobook now.  An audiobook that I do not like.  I feel pretty confident that I wouldn't like it if I were reading a paper copy.  It would probably get set aside quickly, actually.  

Something about the audiobook format keeps me listening when I'm annoyed/frustrated/angry.  

That's not to say that I haven't discarded a few of my audiobooks.  When it says I still have 12 hours to go, that feels like an unbearable burden and the "delete from device" option seems so tempting.  

Having the time information really puts it into perspective for me.  I like knowing how long I will have to invest in a book and watching that decrease everytime I listen.  

If a book isn't too long, I'll just power through my disgust. 

Why?

Maybe I'm masochistic.  But that doesn't seem likely.  Maybe it's because I'm not actually an audible member--I just get the discount titles when I find them so I don't have to pay the membership fee.  Maybe it's because I'm listening to discount titles...

a serious perk

Right now, I'm listening to Belong to Me.  I've never read anything else by de los Santos but know she's popular among the mom crowd.  I just learned that I am not a fan.    

There are only 4 more hours so I will persist.  

However, I have listened to some stellar books that make me look forward to a long walk with the dog.  I especially love memoirs read by the authors: Steve Martin and Trevor Noah's are fantastic.  Bellwether Rhapsody and The Likeness were thrilling.  

I count audio books in my lists of books I read.  The research says I can.  It's a great way to listen to a story at times when I can't physically hold a book.  Walking the dog, doing dishes, driving. 

 

As a family, we often put on an audiobook for longer drives.  We listened to Because of Mr. Terrupt and everyone was completely on the edge of their seats.  The Underneath was a big hit that we still reference all the time.  Right now, we are working on From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  Listening to a book together allows for informal family book club discussions when we make a pitstop to get lunch at Panera.  

Ultimately, I love audiobooks, despite the occasional dud.  I don't hold it against the medium that a book was not for me.  And who knows, maybe I'll sign up for audible again so I can listen to some full priced reads for a change.  

Do you listen to audiobooks?  Love 'em or loathe 'em?  Any good recommendations?