Minnie's comments (member since Jun 04, 2009)

Minnie's comments from the All Ears Audiobooks group.

This question came to mind when I saw that Julie had just listened to "The Shining" and had recommended that you listen with the light on and then I thought about what I had learnt from Horror and SciFi books. From Izac Azimov I have learnt that if you pull the blanket over your head, the monsters disappear and from Stephen King, don't worry, the worst is NOT over. This is just some fun so let's see where it takes us:-)

Julie at All Ears wrote: "Minnie wrote: "Must it be an Audio book? Either way I'd bring along "The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations." In this way I'll get the best of a whole variety of books."

No, it doesn't have to be..."
I'd like the eclectic nature of the book. And because it will be the best bits, I'll comfort myself that I won't have to wade through the boring bits!

Must it be an Audio book? Either way I'd bring along "The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations." In this way I'll get the best of a whole variety of books.

Hi Spuddy
I totally agree on the author no-no, except for Angela's Ashes. I can't remember the author but he read the story extremely well.

I've just finished a wonderful Inspector Rhebus novel. Quite a good who-done-it with interesting twists and turns but above all I loved the Scottish accent of the reader, James MacPherson. The book is "Strip Jack" by Ian Rankin.

Julie at All Ears wrote: "Great news, everyone - I finished my quilt! It took me less time to get a Bachelor's Degree, but it is finally complete. Thanks to all you quilters, knitters and tattlers (??) for your inspiratio..."
How about posting a picture of the quilt? I'd love to see it.

just finished the latest Jack Reacher adventure. A wonderful listen, well narrated.

Thanks Donna. I'm sure if you need to find the answer to all the mysteries of life, there will be an appropriate website!

Donna wrote: "A couple folks here recommended Barbara Rosenblat so when i came across a Vicky Bliss novel she narrated I decided to give it a try. WOW! she's amazing!! I totally loved her ability to do voices..."
How do you track a reader? I think I'd buy a book read by Ron McClarty just because he's so good but how do I find him as a reader?

My husband and I have just finished listening to David Baldacci's First Family read by Ron McClarty and what a beautiful voice. Clear, good pronunciation clever accents and delicate differentiation between male and female and even children's voices. Sometime ago we listened to Fatal Remedies read by John Nettles, also a lovely voice but he tended to swallow the last portion of his words. Made listening a little difficult.
What then makes a good reader and do you prefer male or female readers?

Donna wrote: "so you quilting ladies, have you read the Sandra Dallas collection of books? I've never listened to them on audio - i particularly enjoy my own narration of them :) they are fun, light, historicall..."
Hi Donna
Perhaps this is a good time to start a group for hand crafters who also read/listen to books:) I have only recently discovered that quilts were once upon a time, messages sent from one person to another. I'm not exactly sure and would like to know more about this.

Julie,
Keep quilting and Enjoy the book!

Julie at All Ears wrote: "Wow, Minnie! You've mentioned 2 of my favorites - The Book Thief and Pillars of the Earth. I love your taste in audiobooks - what else do you recommend??

And Tara, I work on Wednesdays and Thu..."
I also enjoyed the second book after "Pillars", I think its called "The end of the world". It's almost like a medieval Soap opera with plots and subplots and wonderful twists and turns. Then there is one of my all time favourites "Never let me go" by Ishiguro, a Japanese author who also wrote "The remains of the day". I listened to "Never let me go" and I've read and re-read it a number of times. The Audio I have is extremely well read by a woman who I think evokes the slightly off-key quality of the book very well. But no more... I don't wish to spoil your enjoyment.

Julie at All Ears wrote: "Thanks everyone for sharing all of your craft secrets. This post has inspired me to dust off my quilt and finish it. I love doing the piecing, but I need some motivation (or a good audiobook!) to..."
An Excellent listen is "Pillars of the earth". Many a stitch just flew by.

Lee at All Ears wrote: "This is an interesting question, thanks for posting it. To me there are two aspects to this idea: how technical or detailed the book is (i.e., how much concentration is required to understand it) a..."

I cannot listen to a technical book. I tried to listen to a book relating to my field of study and it was a waste of time. A bitter disappointment!

Tara wrote: "I agree with CJ - I generally can remember things I listen to in the car unless it is really dense writing, then I won't remember no matter what. When I do crafts, I generally watch a movie that I ..."

Hi Tara
I think you're right, I also tend to listen to lighter stuff, hence the failure of memory. When I listened to The Book Thief whilst quilting I cried and cried and I remember that particular book very well.
As to the quilting, I used to develop a callous and at the beginning I'd cover my finger with tape. The experts either have a soft leather thimble or use the edge of a teaspoon and know that they have gone through all the layers when they hear a 'Click".
My method is somewhat unconventional. Oh by the way, I use a hoop to quilt on so that I'm mobile. What I do is ,I have strong nails so my thumb nail is longer. I press up with the edge of my thumb nail and when I hear and feel the click I know I'm through to the other side. If my nail wears down too far I go to the beautician and stick on one false nail! It looks ridiculous but it works for me!!!

I travel a great deal and then I listen to books. I also do hand quilting and then I listen to books. But.. is it just me or do more people find it difficult to clearly remember what they've just heard? I remember books that I've read quite clearly but my recall of Audio books is patchy to say the least!