It’s no secret that I love audiobooks. What occurred to me as I was scrolling through my Twitter feed is that while I love audiobooks, I love them more as a second read of the text. I enjoy creating character’s voices in my head and I love being able to set my own pace with a text, two things audiobook listeners can’t really do.

But at the same time, I love catching small details with my ears that my eyes passed over when I read it the first time. I love how humor is even funnier with better comedic timing that I’m capable of.

Really, this revelation came from my students. Earlier today, I tweeted:

The most beautiful thing: two boys start giggling in the middle of reading bc of something in Will Grayson, Will Grayson. #engchat

— Laura Oldham (Eli) (@thebooksupplier) March 7, 2016

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And I thought about my reading of Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was funny the first time, but even funnier with the audio. I feel the same way about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

I’m listening to The Diviners by Libba Bray right now. I remember having a hard time keeping track of the characters when I read it the first time. This time, partially because I’m being more intentional about paying attention to character, and partially because the narrator is easy on the ears, I’m enjoying it more than I did the first time.

I’m sensing a trend for my reading self. I’m going to roll with it.