Mix & Match Your Modulators : Discussion thread

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Mix and Match Your Modulators
Duration: 1 February - 31 May 2013

The Audiobook Challenge is back! We kick off on 1 February and will run through until 31 May (a four month challenge).

This thread is for discussion and Q&A. Please follow this link to go to the participants thread.

Due to the added complexity of this round I have created a couple of examples in this thread below...

Recap: here are the new levels and rules:

LEVELS
Squeaky - Listen to 4 audiobooks within the rules posted below
Smooth - Listen to 9 audiobooks within the rules posted below
Husky - Listen to 13 audiobooks within the rules posted below
Growlin' - Listen to 21(+) audiobooks within the rules posted below

RULES
1. You must listen to a balance of male (M) and female (F) narrators and include at least one duo/cast (D/C) narration.
Examples:
"Squeakies" must listen to at least one of each type of narrator with one double-up.
"Smooths" must listen to at least one duo/cast narration and then split their male and female narrations down the middle ~ 4 each.
"Huskies" must listen to at least one duo/cast narration and then split their male and female narrations down the middle ~ 6 each.
"Growlin's" must listen to at least one duo/cast narration and then split their male and female narrations down the middle ~ 10 each.

You may listen to more than one duo/cast narration. If you do this, then split the balance (either way) on the male/female narrators.

2. Select a theme(s) for this challenge from the following list. A maximum of 4 themes may be chosen for the Squeaky and Smooth levels. A maximum of 6 themes may be chosen for the Husky and Growlin' levels. Each book must fit into one of the chosen themes.

* Suits (business/law/politics/self-employed)
* Boys in Blue (law enforcement/military/guns for hire)
* Cowboys & Indians (westerns/agricultural/horsemen/indigenous)
* Dr Death (medical/paramedics/sports)
* Seekers (warriors/adventurers/scientists)
* Teacher's Pet (student/teacher/professor)
* The Artist Formerly Known As... (artists/authors/actors/musicians)
* On The Bench ('at liberty'/homemaker/royalty/heirs/heiresses)

3. For each of the audiobooks above, you must match one of the main characters (MCs) or the book, to at least one of the attributes listed below.

a) MC with piercing/tattoo/scar
b) Alpha hero
c) MC with a disability
d) MC under 25 years old
e) MC over 40 years old
f) New to you author
g) New to you narrator
h) Long audiobook >20 hours
i) Short audiobook <8 hours
j) Book from a series
k) On your TBR pile for more than 6 months

You may match any of the above characteristics to your themes multiple times. You do not need to have covered every one within your challenge. You are simply required to find at least one attribute for each audiobook.

The new author/narrator attributes can only be used for each new author or narrator but as many times as you can try out new to you authors/narrators. Hope this makes sense :P

4. Rate the book and narrator
Because we love feedback, please rate the storyline and the narrator. There is no need to write anything - just give us your star ratings :)

GUIDELINES
* Re-read/Re-listens are fine.
* There is no length requirement.
* All discussions to occur in the Q&A thread.
* Edit your post for your completed books in the Participants thread.
* Arrange your challenge list by narrator or theme - my examples are based on theme, but this is entirely up to you.
* You can move up a level (or more) but not down.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

An example Audiobook challenge participant's list:

Level Smooth

Completed:
Male - 0/4
Female - 2/4
Duo/Cast - 1/1
Total - 3/9

By Theme (max 4 allowed)

Boys in Blue:
I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier (scar) - √ 5-Feb Book: 5 stars / Narration: 4 stars
Mind Game (alpha) - √ 28-Feb Book: 4 stars / Narration: 3 stars

Bludgers:
It Happened One Autumn (alpha) - √ 10-Feb Book: 5 stars / Narration: 3 stars


*******

Level Growlin

Completed:
Male - 4/9
Female - 2/8
Duo/Cast - 1/4
Total - 7/21

By Theme (max 6 allowed)

Boys in Blue:
Immortal in Death (k) - √ 3-Feb Book: 4 stars / Narration: 5 stars
Portrait in Death (j) - √ 5-Feb Book: 3 stars / Narration: 4.5 stars
Vengeance in Death (j) - √ 10-Feb Book: 4 stars / Narration: 5 stars

Seekers:
Warrior (g) - √ 7-Feb Book: 3.5 stars / Narration: 3 stars
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (d) - √ 20-Feb Book: 5 stars / Narration: 5 stars

Dr Death:
Caught Running (a) - √ 15-Feb Book: 5 stars / Narration: 3 stars

The Artist Formerly Known As...:
No Fear (j) - √ 17-Feb Book: 4 stars / Narration: 3 stars

[D.G.]

The only category in which I could fit Miss Marple is unemployed because she technically doesn't have a job (although it galls me to call her that.) But what about Poirot? He's not in law enforcement or a gun for hire per se.

And what about a person who has her own job? Would that count as a suit even if they have a store?

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Yes DG - I reasoned when I was devising the challenge that business covered the self-employed... But I'll specifically add it to the list.

DG - there are heaps of H/h's that don't have a job except their self-appointed 'raison d'etre'. My naming is tongue in check - don't be feeling bad for Miss Marple to join the ranks of royalty as unemployed! ;)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Let me know if you think this is too hard... I know there is some complexity, but I was hoping the rules were wide enough to allow most books to fit :)

[D.G.]

I don't think it will be difficult per se because the categories are wide but I think but it may take some time for players to plan their reads, specially for those that read mostly female or male narrators.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Yes - it certainly requires planning!

I guess we'll see how this round goes and loosen the rules next time if it requires too much pre-planning :)

[Courtney]

Is there a good way to search for duo books? I've never listened to one.

[Dee]

i don't know about searching - but you might be able to get recommendations from ppl - I know that Perfect Chemistry is a dual narration - as is Gone Girl; The Help is 4 ppl narratin (3 predominantly)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

And books 4 & 5 in the fever series...

There are a lot of 'play' narrations from the BBC if you have ever thought of listening to those sort of books - eg Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Importance of Being Ernest, 1984, etc.

I'll come back with some others from my reading list in a couple of hours :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Quite a few of Christine Feehans later Carpathian books have dual narration too.

[Shell]

Perfect Chemistry Chain Reaction Rules of Attraction Across the Universe Pushing the Limits are some I've listened to in the past w/ dual narrators. I tend to check audible.com for a quick check on narrators.

[Shell]

Jericho Barrons from Darkfever would fit the "Seeker" Theme as he's determined to find the book?

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shell wrote: "Jericho Barrons from Darkfever would fit the "Seeker" Theme as he's determined to find the book?"

Yup! :)

[D.G.]

Lots of YA have dual narration.

[Makenzie]

Are we able to move up a level if we decide to listen to more? I started my very first audiobook today. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it (the whole listening thing) since I tend to be easily distracted, but it's working so far and am thinking of joining this challenge. Was gonna start small and work my way up if possible. :)

[Dee]

yep you can Makenzie - that is what I am planning on doing if my commute goes back to what it has been previously

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Usually you can Makenzie. I'm sure Jane will be along with a definitive answer soon though. I love audiobooks, great for driving and mindless stuff around the house!

[Makenzie]

Dee wrote: "yep you can Makenzie - that is what I am planning on doing if my commute goes back to what it has been previously"

Sweeeeet! Thanks!!

And I agree MK. My ride home was much more pleasant today . :) Plus it'll be easier for me to listen to books at work compared to reading them. haha

[Dee]

if anyone is looking for a long audiobook - 11/22/63 by Stephen King - i'm only about 10 hours in, but wow...the narrator is awesome

[Sassafrass]

Has anyone listened to Biting Cold? they changed narrators and I'm scared to buy it since I've gotten used to Cynthia Holloway. I hate when they change narrators midway through a series!! Just when you get used to someone. GRRR

[Dee]

Who is the new narrator?

[Sassafrass]

The new narrator is Sophie Eastlake. Do you know her?

[Dee]

Name doesn't sound familiar - I think she does Thea Harrison's books tho

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Sassafrass wrote: "The new narrator is Sophie Eastlake. Do you know her?"

I've listened to her do the Elder Races series by Thea Harrison and liked her work there.

[Sassafrass]

I guess the issue is, Can she be Merit?!? You know. I've gotten used to Cynthia Holloway who is by no means perfect but she's the voice of Merit in my brain.

I hate when they do this. It's so disappointing to change horses midstream! GRRRR

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Makenzie wrote: "Are we able to move up a level if we decide to listen to more? I started my very first audiobook today. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it (the whole listening thing) since I tend to be easily d..."

Of course you can, Makenzie! We'd love to have you join us at any level that suits. ...Sorry - I missed that there were posts in this thread :)

[Makenzie]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Makenzie wrote: "Are we able to move up a level if we decide to listen to more? I started my very first audiobook today. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it (the whole listening thing) since I te..."

Haha it's ok. I'll probably end up with one of the top two levels since I've discovered I can listen to my iPhone all day at work. :) Will probably have to bump up my GR yearly challenge now that I've discovered audiobooks too........haha

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

OOohhh - dangerous Makenzie! Hope your library can help feed your new addiction ;)

[Dee]

Lol poor makenzie - well not really...

[Makenzie]

Jane (PS) wrote: "OOohhh - dangerous Makenzie! Hope your library can help feed your new addiction ;)"

Hahaha I know, right? I'm already almost maxed out with my 10 checkouts. A lot of the ones I want are checked out so I'm finding the shortest waiting lists. :)

Plus I just joined Audible and got 3 free books....which included a duo! :)

[Dee]

Good job makenzie! Audible is like crack

[Shell]

Makenzie wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "OOohhh - dangerous Makenzie! Hope your library can help feed your new addiction ;)"

Hahaha I know, right? I'm already almost maxed out with my 10 checkouts. A lot of the ones..."

Audible is dangerous to my bank account, but I love it!

[Shell]

Sassafrass wrote: "I guess the issue is, Can she be Merit?!? You know. I've gotten used to Cynthia Holloway who is by no means perfect but she's the voice of Merit in my brain.

I hate when they do this. It's so d..."

She does a good job w/ the Elder Races books by Thea Harrison. I like her work, and she could pull Merit off pretty well, in my opinion.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I can't get Thea's books :( Must be DRM'd for Australia...

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Jane (PS) wrote: "I can't get Thea's books :( Must be DRM'd for Australia..."

That stinks!

[Sassafrass]

I may give book 6 a try and see how it goes. I'm so loyal when it comes to Narrators sometimes. It's hard for me to change.

although, I did listen to a sample of book 6 and I didn't like her male voices. *sigh*

[Makenzie]

Sassafrass wrote: "I may give book 6 a try and see how it goes. I'm so loyal when it comes to Narrators sometimes. It's hard for me to change.

although, I did listen to a sample of book 6 and I didn't like her mal..."

In contrast to you, I was commenting to myself today how I like my current narrator's girl voice more than his boy voice! I guess it makes sense since I think he makes the strong rebel sound like a weenie.

[Dee]

ok, Jane my friend, what theme would I put - Moon Over Manifest under? i'm planning on using it for my dual narration; new to me author

[D.G.]

I've dnfed two audiobooks already:
Lie With Me - because of the story
Be Mine Tonight - because of the narrator. One of the characters sounded like Elmer Fudd!

I think I'll just wait until tomorrow when comes out in audio. It's already pre-ordered so I should get it bright and early!

Robert Petkoff! I love you!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Ok, this challenge kind of got lost in the shuffle a bit, but I finally found it again, and now I have a question! I was assuming that we couldn't repeat narrators but in looking through the rules I didn't see that actually stated, and in one of the you listed 3 "in Death" books, which all have the same narrator. So, can we repeat narrators, and if not can a narrator that we've already used as a single also be used in the duo/group narration (or vice versa)?

[D.G.]

Good question, KarenH!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Dee wrote: "ok, Jane my friend, what theme would I put - Moon Over Manifest under? i'm planning on using it for my dual narration; new to me author"

I'm thinking seeker or bludger... She's only a child right? No job... But she is also off on an adventure to find the truth about her father's background... Take your pick :)

[Dee]

that's what I was thinking, but wanted another opinion - I think seeker because she is looking for something

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

~KarenH~ wrote: "Ok, this challenge kind of got lost in the shuffle a bit, but I finally found it again, and now I have a question! I was assuming that we couldn't repeat narrators but in looking through the rules..."

Yup - you can repeat narrators and use the same narrator ad nauseam when balancing out your M/F/Duo selection :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I'm listening to Phil Gigante narrate Kiss of the Highlander - dang he does a great Scottish laird's voice as well! (in reference back to our swooning over Robert Petkoff's IAD narrations :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Dee wrote: "that's what I was thinking, but wanted another opinion - I think seeker because she is looking for something"

Sounds good to me :)

[Dee]

and cause I don't want to say a YA is a bludger when she really can't work ;)

[D.G.]

I ended up starting a completely different audiobook, LOL!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Yup - you can repeat narrators and use the same narrator ad nauseam when balancing out your M/F/Duo selection :)"

Ok, thanks Jane! That wasn't what I had in mind when I first read through the challenge, but it definitely makes things easier. :)