Audio Encounters of the Third Kind ~ Audiobook Challenge ~ Discussion Thread

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Audio Encounters of the Third Kind Audiobook Challenge
Duration: July 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013


For this challenge, we are using three basic genres - Contemporary, Historical and Paranormal. They will be defined in the most general of terms:

1. Contemporary (essentially anything set during your lifetime) - RS, humor, m/m, erotica, contemporary fiction, chick-lit - Jill Shalvis, Julie James, Lorelei James, John Grisham, etc.

2. Historical (anything set before you were born) - Regency, Victorian, Highlander, Colonial, Western, Classics - Amanda Quick, Julie Garwood, John Jakes, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, etc.

3. Paranormal PNR, UF, futuristic, time-travel, fantasy, sci-fi - JD Robb, Lara Adrian, Larissa Ione, JR Ward, Douglas Adams, George Orwell, etc.


It is easy to complete this challenge, just three simple steps!
Pick a level.
Pick your books.
Listen and Rate them.


Levels: Pick one option for your level.

1. Six(teen) Candles - Listen to 6 books;
Option 1: All from one genre,
Option 2: A minimum of 1 from each of the three genres,
Option 3: At least 2 from each of 2 selected genres.

2. Love Potion #9 - Listen to 9 books;
Option 1:  All from one genre, 
Option 2:  A minimum of 2 from each of the three genres,
Option 3:  At least 4 from each of 2 selected genres.


3. Cheaper by the Dozen - Listen to 12 books;
Option 1: All from one genre,
Option 2: A minimum of 3 from each of the three genres,
Option 3: At least 5 from each of 2 selected genres.

4. Fifteen Minutes of Fame - Listen to 15 books;
Option 1: All from one genre,
Option 2: A minimum of 4 from each of the three genres,
Option 3: At least 6 from each of 2 selected genres.

5. 21 & Over - Listen to 21 books;
Option 1: All from one genre,
Option 2: A minimum of 5 from each of the three genres,
Option 3: At least 9 from each of 2 selected genres.

6. Jack Bauer's Back - Listen to 24 books;
Option 1: All from one genre,
Option 2: A minimum of 6 from each of the three genres,
Option 3: At least 10 from each of 2 selected genres.


Each book must fit one of the three following criteria:

1. Under 12 hours or over 15 hours in length.

2. New (in audio) to you author or narrator - you may have read the author before but this is the first book you have listened to or a new to you narrator.

3. Favorite author or narrator - you must have listened to at least one book by the author and rated it highly or enjoyed at least one book the narrator has done before.


To Finish: Three steps - Rate the book, Rate the Narrator and Rate the Experience.

1. Give a rating to each book using Goodreads five star system.

2. Rate the narrator using Goodreads five star system.

3. Rate your listening experience:

A. The book was a better experience in audio - the narrator improved the story for you. You can't imagine just reading the book.
B. Eh, could take or leave the audio. The narrator didn't add anything for you, but wasn't bad either. You could listen or read, doesn't matter.
C. Blech, the narrator ruined the experience for you. There was something that pulled you out of the story or distracted you enough that you would not consider listening again - that would be a read only experience in the future.

Rules/Guidelines:

Rereads/listens are acceptable.

You may use any author and/or narrator multiple times if desired.

There is no length requirement.

You must listen to at least 80% of the book to use if for this challenge

If the third option for a level, reading from only two genres is chosen, this of course means that the third genre cannot be used.

Some books may seem to be in two genres. You should choose the genre that fits the books best. For example, Kresley Cole's IAD or JR Ward's BDB series are primarily PNR that happens to be in a contemporary setting - choose paranormal. On the other hand, Molly Harper's Naked Werewolf books are set in the current times with many normal people and happens to have werewolves in them - you could choose either contemporary or paranormal. Basically if they are evenly balanced you can choose either, but if it is heavily weighted to one side you should choose that one. Other examples of those that could fit more than one genre could include several of Nora Roberts trilogies (contemporary and paranormal), Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series (paranormal and historical), Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (contemporary, historical and paranormal).

When posting your progress, please include the book, the narrator, which criteria it fits, the date you finished the audiobook and your ratings. Examples below.

If you finish your challenge, you can move up to the next level. If you finish the last level (Jack Bauer's Back) and wish to continue you will need to start over at the beginning again. You may also start over with a new level after completing one level if you wish to switch options.

Please repost your progress rather than updating! If you would rather update your post, please make a separate post with your progress and mention of where your progress is located or a link. Otherwise, I am likely to miss your status and I won't be able to update the stats.


Happy Listening!!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Audio Encounters of the Third Kind Audiobook Challenge
Duration: July 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013

Examples of Posts for Level 1 Six(teen) Candles:

Option 1 - all from one genre:

Level: Six(teen) Candles
4 of 6. Updated 7.16.13

Historical: 4 of 6 completed.
1. A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah Maclean, Narrated by Rosalyn Landor - 3, favorite - 7.5.13
Book: ★★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★★ Experience: A, Can't imagine reading!

2. Scandalous by Karen Robards, Narrated by Justine Eyre - 2, new - 7.10.13
Book: ★★★☆ Narrator: ★★★★ Experience: A, Listening made the book better.

3. The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley, Narrated by Angela Dawe - 3, favorite - 7.14.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★ Experience: A, Better in audio.

4. Quicksilver (Arcane Society, #11) by Amanda Quick, Narrated by Anne Flosnik - 3, favorite - 7.16.13
Book: ★★★ Narrator: ★★☆ Experience: High C, not unlistenable, but the narrator made the experience worse.

Note: The remaining two books must also be from the historical genre.


Option 2 - all three genres:

Level: Six(teen) Candles
4 of 6. Updated 7.20.13

Contemporary: 2 of 1+
1. Love Irresistibly by Julie James, Narrated by Karen White - 3, favorite - 7.3.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★ Experience: A, Loved the audio.

2. Vanilla on Top by C.J. Ellisson, Narrated by Lucy Malone and Sean Crisden - 2, new - 7.12.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★ Experience: Low A, I enjoyed the audio but the male narrator more than the female.


Historical: 1 of 1+
1. A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James, Narrated by Susan Duerden - 2, new - 7.8.13
Book: ★★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★★ Experience: A, Loved the audio!!


Paranormal: 1 of 1+
1. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward, Narrated by Jim Frangione - 1, over 15 hours - 7.18.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★ Experience: B, don't think the narrator adds to the experience but isn't bad either.

Note: The remaining two books can be from any of the genres as the requirements for that level and option have been met.


Option 3 - from two selected genres only:

Level: Six(teen) Candles
5 of 6. Updated 7.24.13

Contemporary: 2 of 2+
1. Divide & Conquer by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux, Narrated by Sean Crisden - 3, favorite - 7.8.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★ Experience: A, Better in audio - hope the rest of the series comes out soon!

2. First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Narrated by Anna Fields - 3, favorite - 7.24.13
Book: ★★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★★ Experience: A, Way better in audio! I want Anna Fields to narrate my life!


Paranormal: 3 of 2+
1. Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost, Narrated by Tavia Gilbert - 3, favorite - 7.2.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★★ Experience: A, Love the audio!

2. Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb, Narrated by Susan Erickson - 3, favorite - 7.14.13
Book: ★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★★ Experience: A, Great experience.

3. A Reason To Believe by Diana Copland, Narrated by Jack LeFleur - 2, new - 7.19.13
Book: ★★★★★ Narrator: ★★★★★ Experience: A, Wonderful in audio!

Note: The remaining book can be from either the contemporary or paranormal genre, but not from historical.

[Mary X]

I mistakenly asked this in the other thread.

Why no books between 12-15 hours? I have more than a few that fall between this range and it seems odd to not allow them.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I mistakenly asked this in the other thread.

Why no books between 12-15 hours? I have more than a few that fall between this range and it seems odd to not allow them."

Hi Mary, MountainKat is away for most of the day today, but I think I can answer this one for her. That requirement doesn't mean you CAN'T listen to any books between 12 and 15 hours, it just means that can't be the category you use to fit them in - if it fits in one of the other two criteria, you can still use books in that range. And since the other two criteria are quite broad, almost everything will fit in one or the other, I think. :D

[Mary X]

Ah ok. Still seems like an odd rule. I'll probably still do it. I had planned a Hamish Macbeth listen-a-thon this summer for another challenge.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Thanks Karen for answering. The criteria is mostly meant to make you think - how can I fit this in? The book doesn't have to fit all three, that would be especially hard as 2 and 3 would exclude each other! =) I can't image there are many books out there that will not fit one of the three spots. That was my intent anyway.

[Ezi]

OK. Moved list to participants thread.
Sorry:)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: " Audio Encounters of the Third Kind Audiobook Challenge
Duration: July 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013
Level: Jack Bauer's Back - 24 audiobooks;
Option 3: At least 10 from each of 2 selected ge..."

Ezinwanyi - you need to post this beautiful list (love the reading material) in the other thread ;) This is the discussion thread...

[Ezi]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: " Audio Encounters of the Third Kind Audiobook Challenge
Duration: July 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013
Level: Jack Bauer's Back - 24 audiobooks;
Option 3: At l..."

moved list!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "OK. Moved list to participants thread.
Sorry:)"

Thanks!

[Shell]

Steampunk would be historical or paranormal?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Shell wrote: "Steampunk would be historical or paranormal?"

I've really only read one series, but from the definitions I've seen and how people have the books shelved my answer is yes, you can use it for either historical or paranormal.

[Mary X]

I picked up 10 audiobooks from the library today. I went a little overboard with the holds at the library and they call came up at once.

Can I use a non-fiction audio book about a historical true crime as well historical?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I picked up 10 audiobooks from the library today. I went a little overboard with the holds at the library and they call came up at once.

Can I use a non-fiction audio book about a historical true..."

Absolutely!

[Mary X]

Great thanks!

I've upped myself to Love Potion #9 since I'm planning an audio-book-a-thon this summer.

[Dee]

I think steam punk could go either way - something like Gail carrier I'd put more in the pnr (vampires/werewolves) others are more historical

[Tina Theresa]

I saw someone comment that she is returning a book in audible. I didn't know that I could do that. Does anyone know the criteria for that? I have a couple of audiobooks that I listened for a bit and have no interest in finishing.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Tina Theresa wrote: "I saw someone comment that she is returning a book in audible. I didn't know that I could do that. Does anyone know the criteria for that? I have a couple of audiobooks that I listened for a bit..."

I think you can return for any reason within a certain period of time from purchase. No idea what the time frame is though. If you look at your account details page, at the bottom is your purchase history and there is a column for returns and it says "eligible" there if the book qualifies. I believe you may be limited in your returns, but have never seen details on that either. I have returned several because I preordered them and then a day or two after release the whisper sync price is offered. I really don't think that is fair and told them so! Especially when it says on release day that whispersync isn't offered. I called on those occasions rather than going through the process on the website because I didn't want it to count against me. The representatives on the phone said that there was no limit to returns, so there may not be.

[Breann]

Fatal Shadows is $1.99 for members at audible right now!

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?...

[Shadow Jubilee]

The time limit for returns is 1 year from the date of purchase. When I first returned books, you were allowed 2 returns via website. After that, you had to call. I don't know if this has changed or whether after a certain period of not returning that you can return via website again, but I was able to return audiobooks this year via website again.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Thanks for the info!

[Shadow Jubilee]

You're welcome!