As an indie author, it’s nice to have the freedom to try new things in hopes of reaching new and more readers. That’s why I was excited to hear about the latest craze that many authors are hopping on board with—YouTube audiobooks. Why am I so excited? Well, if you could see the website tabs on my laptop, you’ll find at least two open to YouTube at any given moment. One is for the C-drama that I’m currently watching; the other for the music that I use for inspiration as I write. I’m sure I’m not the only person who watches YouTube videos on a regular basis. But have you ever considered that there might be a whole community of readers who are on there regularly listening to audiobooks?
There are!
Audiobooks aren’t for everyone of course; some people like myself are more visual learners. But for those who do well absorbing information with their ears, audiobooks are a great option. You can listen to stories while you do chores, run errands, or during your lunch break.
That’s why I’m so thrilled to share that I have my own YouTube channel with several audiobooks already published, and more to come! Some of them are with real narrators and some with AI voices. In case you’re not sure about the latter, I hope you can give them a try; you may be surprised at how realistic-sounding they are. I hope to have the means to be able to hire more real narrators in the future as I continue to build up my channel. In the meantime, A Single Spark, narrated by the amazing Lorana Hoopes, is a great audiobook to start with. You can listen to it for free HERE.
I would really appreciate it if you would subscribe to my YouTube channel while you’re there. You’ll be among the first to know when a new audiobook releases. Thank you for your support!
Now it’s your turn to tell me, do you like audiobooks? If so, do you prefer real narrators or are you okay with AI voices? Please let me know in the comments below!
A chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom of two), Liwen Y. Ho writes inspirational and sweet romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
I have tried audio books, but found they were not for me. To slow and to concentrate and fully appreciate the story I can’t do anything else at the same time. So, I might as well read a hard copy.
I agree with Mary Preston- if I have to stop what I am doing to listen to an audio book, I might as well read the book and put my own interpretation on it.
I don’t enjoy audiobooks. My mind wanders off too much. I’d much rather read the books.
I love audiobooks! I have a (very) old Kindle that will read to me, and if I’m into the story, I really don’t mind the somewhat mechanical voice. I definitely speed them up, even when it’s a real voice actor. Sometimes it does take me a chapter or two to get used to a voice and story through audiobooks, but listening lets me experience more books than I otherwise could. I didn’t realize there were free ones on YouTube. Thanks for the tip!
No I dont do audio books. I have tried. But due to a physical issue it is not possible. And then I cant do it at home for my husband works from home. Or in the car for I need to concentrate on the road etc.
I love audiobooks. :) I’m not on YouTube often though so I had no idea I could listen there. Thanks!
I recently listened to several from your YT page while driving!
I don’t do audiobooks. I’ll either pay attention to the book or I pay attention to whatever else I’m doing. I could never listen to them in the car!!!! I much prefer to “hear” them as I read than “hear” someone else’s interpretation.
I’ve tried a few audiobooks while driving to my sister’s home four hours away. Two were books I’ve already read so I didn’t have a problem. The others I couldn’t absorb at all. I may try to listen again on my next trip to see if maybe I just couldn’t get into those stories.
Hi Mary! I totally get it. I prefer print myself so I can reread parts that stand out at me. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jeannette! Yes, I’m surprised that listening to an audiobook takes more focus than I thought it would, so I understand your point. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Kathleen! Yes, it’s a very different experience from reading. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Emily! Oh good, I’m glad you enjoy them and that you don’t mind AI voices. You’ve got a whole new world now to explore with YouTube audiobooks! Happy listening!
Hi Lori! Thanks for letting me know you’ve tried them!
Hi Kimberly! Yes, it’s a whole treasure trove of audiobooks over there! :)
Hi Lynellen! Oh wow, that’s so great to hear! Thanks so much for listening to them!
Hi Trudy! That’s funny, I do the same when I read; I hear the words out loud in my head. I guess we do our own narration. Lol Thanks for commenting!
Hi Tina! It is surprising how much concentration they require, isn’t it? Hopefully you can enjoy those stories the next time you try. Thanks for commenting!
I’m not an audiobook lover. I did try them, but found I can’t concentrate on the book & feel like I should be doing other things at the same time. I’m way too distracted to focus :-)
Which is funny, I can sit for hours in the same spot a read a paperback or ebook. Maybe because my eyes are focused on one thing and the words tend to suck me in the pages. Could be the whole visual reader thing you mentioned Liwen?
As for driving around doing errands or whatnot, I’d rather listen to music on my local Christian radio station.
“But for those who do well absorbing information with their ears” –> I think you just described me and the reason for my love of audiobooks. They definitely help while doing chores! :) As for your other question, I hadn’t heard of AI voices till you and another mentioned them, and while they do sound human/realistic enough, I think they still have a way to go in regards to portraying emotions or making different voices for different characters.
Also, I’m already subscribed to your channel, and will be checking out A Single Spark soon! :)
Hi Trixi! I get it! Maybe it’s the act of holding a book (or ereader) in your hands that makes you feel like you can’t do anything else at the same time. Lol But yes, listening is a very different experience, isn’t it? Thanks for commenting!
Hi Priscila! That’s awesome that you do well with audiobooks! It sure makes reading more efficent. :) And yes, I do agree that AI voices fall just a bit short. I’ve had to edit out certain words when I proof my audiobooks because of the pronunciation. Sometimes they sound a little too enthusiastic for the context. Lol.
I hope you enjoy listening to A Single Spark! Lorana does an awesome job with the different characters.
I’ve listened to a few but always seem to get interrupted so I prefer a book in my hand.
Hi Lucy! Me, too. Thanks for commenting!
sometimes listen to them
Hi! That’s good to know. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Liwen. I am a traditional reader. I have problems focusing on the storyline when I am listening. I find my mind wandering or I get involved with something else. I tune in eventually and have no idea what is going on. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Hi Debra! Yes, that happens to me, too. I find that I need to focus extra hard to understand what’s happening. So interesting how our ears and eyes process words differently. Thanks for commenting!
I’ve never tried an audiobook but I prefer to read the book myself
I have not read an audiobook yet but prefer to listen then to read books
Hi Amy! Maybe you can give one a try and see what you think. :) Thanks for commenting!
Hi Sylvain! Thanks for commenting!
I listen to audiobooks in the car when I run errands or get groceries or sometimes in bed but I mostly read books in bed or I fall asleep if listening to audio books in bed then I don’t remember what part I was at before I feel asleep
Hi Kendra! Sounds like audiobooks work better for you when you’re upright. Lol Thanks for commenting!
How cool to put books on YouTube. I have never listened to any with an AI voice so I don’t know how I would feel about that.
Hi Jessica! Yes, it”s a whole new world of audiobooks over there! Maybe you can try out an AI one and see how you like it. Thanks for commenting!
I really like audio books. Often our car trips take us where radio isn’t available and both my husband and I listen, it keeps us awake and alert. Yes he has a favorite author and narrator and it’s a romance author shush don’t tell. My work is such that I can listen and work simultaneously (machine quilting), so I enjoy it then. I also read voraciously, which means I have 2-3 stories going simultaneously. I’ve had varying success with AI. One book kept inserting dot at the end of sentences. The timing is always a bit off with unexpected pauses and inflection.. One book was so off, i wondered if a working copy was downloaded instead of the finished edited version. I can handle it most of the time. I do love a good narrator that can add to an already great story. But there’s also the money thing.
Hi Wren! How cool, I’m so glad to hear that you’re a big audiobook lover. And I love that your hubby likes romance, too—there’s no shame in that! :) Regarding the “dot” at the end of sentences, I actually had that problem too until I figured out that I needed to remove the text of its formatting first before having the AI narrate it. Glad I figured it out because it was quite annoying to listen to. Lol.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
I love audiobooks, but don’t usually buy them. I’m excited about this new trend of putting audiobooks on YouTube, but haven’t tried it yet. I don’t currently have much time in my schedule to be able to listen to a book, but am eager try one when it my schedule opens up some this summer. Right now I sneak in book reading on my phone whenever I have a few minutes in between things.
I love audiobooks with real narration 😊