All About Audiobooks: A Reading Via Your Ears Challenge

[Stacey]

I'm late to this one, but I listen while I'm in the car and while I run, so I'm going to at least give it a shot.

Producer: 21-24 books
15/21
CATEGORIES: - Thirty categories from which to choose.

◈ Female Narrator
Promises in Death 8/28

◈ Male Narrator
Hounded 9/10

◈ Duets
An audiobook with one female and one male narrator.

◈ Full Cast
An unabridged audiobook with several narrators; there is a narrator per character (e.g. American Gods by Neal Gaiman). To find these, you can search most sites by the term “Full Cast.”
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 12/19/16


◈ Celebrity Narrator
Category name says it all: Somebody famous narrates. Examples: James Marsters reading Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series or Anne Hathaway reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. BTW, when searching, audible.com is calling this their “A-List Collection.”
Fool Moon 1/9/15 Read by James Marsters

◈ New-to-Me Narrator
Born of Night 7/25

◈ Favourite Narrator
Strangers in Death 4/17


◈ Less Than 3 Hours
An audiobook that you can read in one day!

◈ Between 3 - 5 Hours
The Governess Affair 9/11/16

◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Hours
Half-Blood 9/19

◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours Riveted 4/20

◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours Magic Rises 9/13

◈ 20 Hours to 24.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Super Colossal Chunkster! More than 20 hours in length, less than 25.

◈ 25 Hours to 29.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Super-Duper Colossal Chunkster! More than 25 hours in length, less than 30.

◈ 30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Monstrous Chunkster! More than 30 hours in length, less than 35.

◈ 35 Hours to 39.9 Hours
An epic, indeed! More than 35 hours in length, less than 40.

◈ 40 Hours and Beyond – or a Trilogy!
Beyond epic, indeed! Time to implant ear buds in your head. Forty hours or more! For this one we will also allow a trilogy that qualifies in length, or three books anywhere within a series, if you “read” all of it/them via audio.
Kindred in Death 10/25 + Fantasy in Death 12/12 +


◈ In-Sync Multimedia
Use an audible sync option to read-along! Such as the new read-along with your Kindle option by audible.com called Whispersync, which remembers your last stopping point in either device. However, you may read a book using any two media choices your desire, as long as one of them is via audio.

◈ Digital Downloads Freebies
Keep it legal! Public libraries using OverDrive Media Console, or Bolinda Audio (BorrowBox), or OneClickDigital downloads. There are also free sites like:
librivox.org
Project Gutenberg Audio Books Project
audiobooksync.com - scheduled release dates
...Audiobooksync has free audiobooks over the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.

◈ Doing it “Old School” Run for Your Life 5/4

◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook Salvation in Death 5/14

◈ Multitasking! Listening on My Portable Music Player (PMP) Audiobook Kinked 3/13

◈ Audie Award Nominees and Winners
You be the judge. Try an audiobook that has been nominated or won an Audie – any category counts – and lists may be found at audiopub.org (look to the right of the screen for past years).

◈ Recommended by Others
Darkfever 11/21

◈ BOM via Audiobook
Read a NBRC Book of the Month via audio.

◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
Read a “Buddy Read” book via audio and/or listen to your book with another person.

◈ Classic Read
Have you always wanted to broaden your reading horizons and get to that classic everyone seems to talk about? Try it via audio.

◈ Re-Read a Favourite 2/16

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Stacey :)

[Kristie]

Karen wrote: "I did the same for the over 40 hours because I didn't really like any books I could get that long.

Yes, Kristie I will get part 2 together soon (now that Tower Teams has finished!)"

I'm having the same problem with 30-35 and 35-40. I found a couple books in each category, but I'm not crazy about any of them. I may just finish my 2 categories (which puts me over my goal) and skip those two.

Yay for part 2!!

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Part Two of the Audiobooks challenge has now been posted here

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Finished!
#50
✓ Quintana of Charyn Completed 20 Feb 2015 ★★★

[Kristie]

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Part Two of the Audiobooks challenge has now been posted here"

Yay! Thanks!! :D

[Kristie]

The book I'm reading now almost fits my 20-25 hour slot! It is 19 hours and 53 minutes!! If only she could have talked for 7 more minutes!! lol That's ok. I'm planning to listen to I Am Pilgrim in April. That fits in perfectly. :)

[Lara]

I love the new categories in Part Two! I've decided to cut a few categories as I just don't have the commute times I used to have that provided excellent listening time. Just one more book left...

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Kristie wrote: "The book I'm reading now almost fits my 20-25 hour slot! It is 19 hours and 53 minutes!! If only she could have talked for 7 more minutes!! lol That's ok. I'm planning to listen to [book:I Am Pilgr..."

lol! Oh so close

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lara wrote: "I love the new categories in Part Two! I've decided to cut a few categories as I just don't have the commute times I used to have that provided excellent listening time. Just one more book left..."

Nice one! Hope to see you over at part 2 soon

[Teri-K]

I want to listen to more audio books, so I'll try this.
Freestyle Audio Technician: 11-15 books
Duration: Feb. 1, 2015- May 5, 2015
Audio Books Completed: 17

CATEGORIES:
◈ Female Narrator Lion in the Valley: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense 3/2015
◈ Male Narrator Star Trap 3/2015
◈ Duets
◈ Full Cast Julius Caesar 3/2015
◈ Dramatizations Death on the Nile 4/2015
◈ Celebrity Narrator Richard Armitage Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel 5/4
◈ New-to-Me Narrator Brother Cadfael's Penance 3/2015
◈ Favourite Narrator Stephan Rudnicki He Drank, and Saw the Spider 4/2015
◈ Less Than 3 Hours The Holy Bible - KJV: Mark 4/2015
◈ Between 3 - 5 Hours Interlude in Death 2/2015
◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer 3/2015
◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours The Deeds of the Disturber 3/2015
◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours The Ape Who Guards the Balance: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense 4/2015
◈ 20 Hours to 24.9 Hours
◈ 25 Hours to 29.9 Hours
◈ 30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
◈ 35 Hours to 39.9 Hours
◈ 40 Hours and Beyond – or a Trilogy!
◈ In-Sync Multimedia
◈ Digital Downloads Freebies Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled 3/2015
◈ Doing it “Old School”
◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle 3/2015
◈Multitasking! Portable Music Player Genghis: Birth of an Empire 3/2015
◈ Audie Award Nominees & Winners Captain Vorpatril's Alliance 2014 SciFi Winner 3/2015
◈ Recommended by Others
◈ BOM via Audiobook
◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
◈ Classic Read The Magician's Nephew 4/2015
◈ Re-Read a Favourite Crocodile on the Sandbank 3/2015

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Teri!

[Lara]

I'm done!

Duration: 5/1/14 - 3/2/15
Option: 1 - Freestyle
Level: Producer
Completed: 22

◈ Female Narrator Intimate Surrender 7/9

◈ Male Narrator The Silver Linings Playbook 6/17

◈ Duets Smoke in Mirrors 7/19

◈ Full Cast The Winter's Tale 2/22

◈ Dramatizations Star Wars: The National Public Radio Dramatization 7/22

◈ Celebrity Narrator I Am Spock by Leonard Nimoy

◈ New-to-Me Narrator The Castle Corona 9/9

◈ Favorite Narrator Kate Reading as narrator of Perdition 7/27

◈ Volunteer Narrator

◈ Less Than 3 Hours Legion 11/28

◈ Between 3 - 5 Hours The Stainless Steel Rat 7/29

◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Hours The Paper Magician 2/2/15

◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours Magyk 9/20

◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours Monster Hunter Nemesis 7/14

◈ In-Sync Multimedia Archangel's Shadows 1/31/15

◈ Digital Downloads Freebies Masked Ball at Broxley Manor 2/22/15

◈ Multitasking! Listening on My Portable Music Player (PMP) Audiobook Snow Falling on Bluegrass 12/7

◈ Audie Award Nominees and WinnersSpellbound

◈ Recommended by Others Envy 8/10

◈ BOM via Audiobook Clean Sweep 8/13

◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook Extreme Exposure 3/2/5

◈ Classic Read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 7/19

◈ Re-Read a Favorite Tea with the Black Dragon 11/29

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nice work Lara!

[Katherine]

Duration: Twelve months from when you start.

Level:
Voice Over: 1-5 books

books listened to: 0/5

Option Three - Spell-It-Out: audio

A - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
U -
D - Dracula by Bram Stoker
I -
O - Othello by William Shakespeare

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Katherine!

[Lara]

Thanks Karen! I'm off to part 2 now. See everyone over there sooner or later :-)

[Lauren]

Finished another 4 books:

#19 - - This series is a new addition for me. I love Singh's writing and Justine Eyre's narration is excellent.

#20 - - Really enjoyed this one (I have a thing for books set in Egypt). I ended up switching narrators after about a 30 minutes (thank you Audible) because Barbara Rosenblat sounds like a pompous old woman. Susan O'Malley's narration was much better.

#21 - - A light and easy cozy mystery.Eileen Stevens' narration is fantastic. Her accents are excellent, especially her British stiff upper lip voice for Derek Stone. It gave me the shivers.

#22 - - Good character development and a solid mystery. The first half is slow to get going but the 2nd is action packed. Laural Merlington is never going to be my favorite narrator. She doesn't have that ability to really pull me into the story that some of my favorites do.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Thanks Lauren! I do love a good audio mystery, but I never know which ones are good. I'll certainly look for that Elizabeth Peters book ; I love egypt settings too

[Joi]

Okay, I think I want to try this challenge.

Freestyle Audio Technician: 11-15 books
Duration: March. 2015- March. 2016
Audio Books Completed: 0

CATEGORIES:
◈ Female Narrator-Everything I Never Told You
◈ Male Narrator
◈ Duets Rule
◈ Full Cast
◈ Celebrity Narrator Hours
◈ New-to-Me Narrator
◈ Favourite Narrator
◈ Less Than 3 Hours
◈ Between 3 - 5 HoursSecret Society
◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Please Don't Tell
◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours Snapped
◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours
◈ 20 Hours to 24.9 HoursThe Secret History
◈ 25 Hours to 29.9 Hours
◈ 30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
◈ 35 Hours to 39.9 Hours
◈ 40 Hours and Beyond – or a Trilogy!
◈ In-Sync Multimedia
◈ Digital Downloads Freebies
◈ Doing it “Old School”
◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook
◈ Multitasking! Listening on My Portable Music Player Dawn's Light
◈ Audie Award Nominees and Winners
◈ Recommended by Others
◈ BOM via Audiobook
◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
◈ Classic Read-The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
◈ Re-Read a Favourite

[Joyce]

I meant to start this at the beginning of the year, didn't realize I had not started a thread for it.

Level:Executive Director 50 books
Freestyle
Start Date 1/1/2015
Finish Date 12/31/2015

13/50 books done


CATEGORIES: - Thirty categories from which to choose.

◈ Female Narrator
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs narrated by Amanda Ronconi Finished 2/5/15

◈ Male Narrator
Phantom Evil narrated by Jeffrey Cummings Finished 1/28/15

◈ Duets
An audiobook with one female and one male narrator.

◈ Full Cast
An unabridged audiobook with several narrators; there is a narrator per character (e.g. American Gods by Neal Gaiman). To find these, you can search most sites by the term “Full Cast.”

◈ Dramatizations
An abridged audiobook with background music/noises like the “old school” radio plays (e.g. BBC Radio Drama Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett). Also known as “Performance” audios, if you’re doing a search.

◈ Celebrity Narrator
Proven Guilty Finished 1/5/15


◈ New-to-Me Narrator
The Sparrow narrated by David Colacci Finished 1/14/15

◈ Favourite Narrator
A narrator that you have heard and loved before and would recommend to others.

◈ Volunteer Narrator
A narrator that is not professional, but volunteers to read books. (Such as those used on librivox.org)

◈ Less Than 3 Hours
Daimon 1 hr 50 mins Finished 2/8/15

◈ Between 3 - 5 Hours
Taken by the Vampire King 3 hr 11 mins Finished 1/30/15


◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Hours
Daysider 9 hours 9 min Finished 1/20/15

◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours
The Corset Diaries 13 hours 13 mins Finished 1/18/15
Rosemary and Rue 11hrs 20 min finished 2/15/15
◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Colossal Chunkster! More than 15 hours in length, less than 20.

◈ 20 Hours to 24.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Super Colossal Chunkster! More than 20 hours in length, less than 25.

◈ 25 Hours to 29.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Super-Duper Colossal Chunkster! More than 25 hours in length, less than 30.

◈ 30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Monstrous Chunkster! More than 30 hours in length, less than 35.

◈ 35 Hours to 39.9 Hours
An epic, indeed! More than 35 hours in length, less than 40.

◈ 40 Hours and Beyond – or a Trilogy!
Annihilation part one finished 2/8/15
Authority part two Finished 2/24/15
Acceptance part three Finished 3/1/15

◈ In-Sync Multimedia
Use an audible sync option to read-along! Such as the new read-along with your Kindle option by audible.com called Whispersync, which remembers your last stopping point in either device. However, you may read a book using any two media choices your desire, as long as one of them is via audio.

◈ Digital Downloads Freebies
Keep it legal! Public libraries using OverDrive Media Console, or Bolinda Audio (BorrowBox), or OneClickDigital downloads. There are also free sites like:

librivox.org
Project Gutenberg Audio Books Project
audiobooksync.com - scheduled release dates

...Audiobooksync has free audiobooks over the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.

◈ Doing it “Old School”
Use audiobook CDs, or cassette, or even LPs or 8-Track-Tapes, if you have them! Don’t have the right equipment? Oftentimes your public library will have these devices to loan.

◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook
Go on a road trip, holiday, or just listen during your daily commute to work while “reading” in your car or public transportation!

◈ Multitasking! Listening on My Portable Music Player (PMP) Audiobook
Put on those headphones, get cleaning, gardening, grocery shopping, power-walking, even knitting while “reading” a book! Use your Smartphone, MP3, Walkman, portable CD player, iPod, episodic podcast, whatever! Just make Oprah proud.

◈ Audie Award Nominees and Winners
You be the judge. Try an audiobook that has been nominated or won an Audie – any category counts – and lists may be found at audiopub.org (look to the right of the screen for past years).

◈ Recommended by Others
Audiobooks recommended by your friends or other NBRC members.

◈ BOM via Audiobook
Read a NBRC Book of the Month via audio.

◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
Read a “Buddy Read” book via audio and/or listen to your book with another person.

◈ Classic Read
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions Written 1884 Finished 2/12/15

◈ Re-Read a Favourite
Old or new, choose a book you’ve read and loved - and see if you could possibly love it even more via audio. (Note: The right narrator is even more crucial here!)


books listened to:

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Joi and Joyce!

[Lauren]

Karen wrote: "Thanks Lauren! I do love a good audio mystery, but I never know which ones are good. I'll certainly look for that Elizabeth Peters book ; I love egypt settings too"

I also love reading mysteries on audio. Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder books are great on audio.

[Marla]

All About Audiobooks: A Reading Via Your Ears Challenge
Duration: 1/1/15 - 12/31/15
Level: Remixer (6-10 books)
Progress: 7 of 7
Completed: 3/18/15

◈ Recommended by Others
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (1/12/15)
I was tired of reading it and 2 people recommended that I switch to audiobook, so I did and was glad.

◈ Classic Read
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (1/18/15)

◈ Digital Downloads Freebies
Without Mercy by Lisa Jackson (2/15/15) - Overdrive from library

◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
Carrie by Stephen King (2/18/15)

◈ Male Narrator
Tripwire by Lee Childs (3/1/15)

◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (3/9/15) - UND roadtrip

◈ Duets
The Target by David Baldacci (3/18/15) - male and female reader (my favorite audiobook format)

[Tammy]

I'm new to audiobooks. I think I'll join in!

My goal is Audio Technician: 11-15 books/Freestyle.
3/6/2015 - 3/6/2016

CATEGORIES:
◈ Female Narrator
◈ Male Narrator
◈ Duets
◈ Full Cast
◈ Dramatizations
◈ Celebrity Narrator
◈ New-to-Me Narrator
◈ Favorite Narrator
◈ Volunteer Narrator
◈ Less Than 3 Hours
◈ Between 3 - 5 Hours
◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Hours
◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours 3/7/15
◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours
◈ 20 Hours to 24.9 Hours
◈ 25 Hours to 29.9 Hours
◈ 30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
◈ 35 Hours to 39.9 Hours
◈ 40 Hours and Beyond – or a Trilogy!
◈ In-Sync Multimedia
◈ Digital Downloads Freebies
◈ Doing it “Old School”
◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook
◈ Multitasking! Listening on My Portable Music Player (PMP) Audiobook
◈ Audie Award Nominees and Winners
◈ Recommended by Others
◈ BOM via Audiobook
◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
◈ Classic Read
◈ Re-Read a Favorite

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well done so far Marla and welcome Tammy!

Thanks Lauren for the tip. I'll look into those too :)

[Kristie]

Almost done I Am Pilgrim, then just have my classic left to finish the challenge!

[jingles]

All done!


NBRC: All About Audio Books
Date: 11/01/14 - 10/31/15
Level: Director (25-30 Books
29/29 Completed

Option Three: Spell-It-Out
CATEGORY: Digital Download Freebies

Challenge Link: NBRC: All About Audio Books

BOOKS ON TAPE
✔1. B = Bella Love|Spin|02.01.15|♥♥♥
✔2. O = O'Reilly, Bill|Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot|12.09.14|★★★
✔3. O = One Plus One|Jojo Moyes|12.10.14|★★★
✔4. K = Kearsley, Susanna|The Winter Sea|12.22.14|★★★★
✔5. S = Scott Lynch|The Lies of Locke Lamora|11.12.14|★★★★

✔6. O = Oliveira, Robin|My Name is Mary Sutter|01.21.15|♥♥♥♥
✔7. N = Nora Roberts|Chasing Fire| 11.06.14|★★★★

✔8. T = That Summer|Sarah Dessen|12.19.14|★★
✔9. A = Angels & Demons|Dan Brown|11.10.14|★★★★
✔10. P = Peril at End House|Agatha Christie|12.22.14|★★★
✔11. E = Emma|Jane Austen|11.08.14|★★★★★

AUDIBLE
✔12. A = Anne Morrow Lindbergh|Susan Hertog|11.18.14|★★
✔13. U = Unger, Lisa|Fragile|11.28.14|★★★
✔14. D = Dead Sleep|Greg Iles| 11.17.14|★★★★
✔15. I = Iggulden, Conn|The Death of Kings|12.02.14|★★★★
✔16. B = The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After|Julia Quinn|02.02.15|♥♥♥♥
✔17. L = Last to Know|Elizabeth Adler|11.04.14|★★★
✔18. E = E. Lockhart|The Boyfriend List|11.20.14|★★★★

LIBRARY
✔19. L = The Last Song|Nicholas Sparks|12.05.14|★★★★
✔20. I = I've Got Your Number|Sophie Kinsella |12.05.14|★★★★
✔21. B = Benjamin, Melanie|Alice I Have Been|12.10.14|★★
✔22. R = Rescue My Heart|Jill Shalvis|11.07.14|★★★
✔23. A = Among the Mad|Jacqueline Winspear|11.26.14|★★★
✔24. R = Robert Hilburn|Johnny Cash: The Life|11.15.14|★★★★
✔35. Y = Young, Samantha|Fall from India Place| 03.23.15|♥♥♥♥

IPOD
✔26. I = I is for Innocent|Sue Grafton |01.18.15|♥♥♥♥
✔27. P = Patterson, James|Violets Are Blue|01.02.15|♥♥♥
✔28. O = One Summer|Karen Robards|02.25.15|♥♥♥
✔29. D = The Da Vinci Code|Dan Brown|12.08.14|★★★

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀CHALLENGE COMPLETED 03/23/15☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nice work Jingles!

[Lara]

Yea Jingles!

[Marla]

Done with my 7 books.

[Ezi]

I am DONE: Ezi's Post

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well done Marla and Ezi!

[Ezi]

Karen wrote: "Well done Marla and Ezi!"

thanks. Way to go Marla & Jingles

[Kristie]

I just realized that I only had one book to go to reach my goal of 30! I finished I Am Pilgrim today, so I am done!!

Kristie's Original Message #7

I still want to read a classic, so I'll probably add it in my part 2 somewhere. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well done Kristie! I just started that this morning

[Kristie]

Thanks! It felt really long to me for some reason. I know it is long, but I've listened to longer books and this one just seemed longer. I look forward to your thoughts on it.

[Renee]

I found out about Audiobook Blast last week. A place to get free audiobooks. Here's a link to my blog post about it.
http://heysaidrenee.blogspot.com.au/2...

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Gtk Kristie. I've started reading the hardcopy so I can get a jump on it this weekend before switching to the audio for the weekly commute on Monday. And I can see the first part of the audio only gets to page 143 even though that part is 5 hours! I've gotten through the first 60-ish pages today and I can also see what you mean about the pacing being slow. It didn't start that way, but going through all his back story has slowed it down. Interesting protagonist that's for sure!

Thanks Renee ;)

[Kristie]

That's what initially confused me, Karen. The backstory is the story. The intro is more of a side story. I kept expecting it to get back to the original story and it does, but not in the manner I expected. I think that pacing is fairly consistent throughout the book with a couple little peaks and valleys.

I didn't realize that it was 5 hours for 143 pages. Wow. That explains why it felt long. I even ended up increasing the speed on Audible. It still took almost 2 weeks to finish.

[Rebecca]

Yayy just finished!!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Now I can check out the 2nd one...

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Kristie wrote: "That's what initially confused me, Karen. The backstory is the story. The intro is more of a side story. I kept expecting it to get back to the original story and it does, but not in the manner I e..."

Oh really? Ok, that is unexpected then. I'm glad you've told me or I may get impatient to get back to the crime!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Congrats RebeccaS!

[Kristie]

Lol. Yes. I was impatient with it for quite a while before I figured it out.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

AudiobookSync have released their titles that will be available for free from May 7 - August 13 here

I think I'm most excited by Rose Under Fire as I received book 1 from them last year which was awesome and Rebecca which has been on my list to read FOREVER! :o

[Kristie]

I am excited for the first week! Beautiful Creatures and Rebecca. As usual, there are some great options.

[Lauren]

Finished a few more:

#23 - - I'm always amazed anew at Singh's fantastic world building skills. No detail is too small or too insignificant. Justine Eyre s fast becoming one of my favorite narrators.

#24 - - Although the basic plot revolving around Kara’s search for the missing Idris is compelling with an exciting climax, it takes far too long for Rowland to get to the point. The writing is excessively drawn out and the story good have been cut down by at least 100 pages. Liv Andersen is an OK narrator at x1.40 speed.

#25 - - Charley is such a fun read and there are some great developments and a surprising twist or two in this one. That said, there are also sections that feel like filler. Hopefully that won't re-occur in the next one. Lorelei King is fantastic as usual.

#26 - - I absolutely love this series. Amelia and Emerson's interactions are laugh-out-loud funny and the mystery was engaging up until the last moment. Although I had my suspicions and they were ultimately proven correct, I was never 100% sure, which is evidence of Peters excellent plotting skill. Susan O'Malley is very entertaining.

#27 - - the world building is detailed without focusing excessively on the sci-fi elements, the primary and secondary characters are compelling and the mystery is action packed. Justine Eyre’s narration is excellent and she is fast becoming a favorite. Looking forward to continuing with the series.

[Teri-K]

I think I've finished all the tasks I'm likely to do, with 17. My post # is 373.

I'll move on to part two. I have enjoyed listening to so many good books. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lauren wrote: " I absolutely love this series. Amelia and Emerson's interactions are laugh-out-loud funny and the mystery was engaging up until the last moment ..."

You really are convincing me to start this series :D

[[deleted user]]

Woohoo I am done! Right on time too :)

Duration: June 1, 2014-June 1, 2015
Books Completed: 50/50
Freestyle Executive Director

CATEGORIES: - Thirty categories from which to choose.

◈ Female Narrator
An audiobook with one female narrator.
The Hiding Place Completed October 1, 2014.
Silence Completed October 7, 2014.
Gathering Blue Completed October 22, 2014.
The Laughing Corpse Completed March 19, 2015.
Pretty Little Liars Completed March 31, 2015.
Bloody Bones Completed April 21, 2015.
If I Stay Completed April 22, 2015.
Cruel Beauty Completed April 30, 2015.
The Killing Dance Completed May 7, 2015.

◈ Male Narrator
An audiobook with one male narrator.
Storm Front Completed July 11, 2014.
A Wizard of Earthsea Completed October 5, 2014.
The Giver Completed October 16, 2014.
Lover Awakened Completed January 31, 2015.
Lover Avenged Completed February 28, 2015.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch Completed March 8, 2015.
Lover Unleashed Completed March 25, 2015.
Lover Reborn Completed March 30, 2015.
The Magician King Completed April 10, 2015.
The King Completed April 24, 2015.
The Shadows Completed April 26, 2015.
The Cuckoo's Calling Completed April 30, 2015.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Completed May 7, 2015.
Catch-22 Completed May 13, 2015.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Completed May 14, 2015.

◈ Duets
An audiobook with one female and one male narrator.
City of Heavenly Fire Completed June 19, 2014.

◈ Full Cast
An unabridged audiobook with several narrators; there is a narrator per character (e.g. American Gods by Neal Gaiman). To find these, you can search most sites by the term “Full Cast.”
Room Completed September 21, 2014.

◈ Dramatizations
An abridged audiobook with background music/noises like the “old school” radio plays (e.g. BBC Radio Drama Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett). Also known as “Performance” audios, if you’re doing a search.

◈ Celebrity Narrator
Category name says it all: Somebody famous narrates. Examples: James Marsters reading Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series or Anne Hathaway reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. BTW, when searching, audible.com is calling this their “A-List Collection.”
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone read by Stephen Fry. Completed January 3, 2015.

◈ New-to-Me Narrator
A narrator that you haven’t heard before.
Tangled Completed November 21, 2014.

◈ Favourite Narrator
A narrator that you have heard and loved before and would recommend to others.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Narrated by Stephen Fry. (4/16/15)

◈ Volunteer Narrator
A narrator that is not professional, but volunteers to read books. (Such as those used on librivox.org)

◈ Less Than 3 Hours
An audiobook that you can read in one day!

◈ Between 3 - 5 Hours
An audiobook that falls in this range.

◈ More Than 5 Hours to 9.9 Hours
An audiobook that is over 5 hours in length.
Confessions of a Murder Suspect (6 hours 4 minutes) Completed August 15, 2014.

◈ 10 Hours to 14.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a CHUNKSTER! ;) More than 10 hours in length, but less than 15.
The Raven Boys (11 hours) Completed January 22, 2015.

◈ 15 Hours to 19.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Colossal Chunkster! More than 15 hours in length, less than 20.
Lover Revealed (16 hours, 26 minutes) Completed February 7, 2015.

◈ 20 Hours to 24.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Super Colossal Chunkster! More than 20 hours in length, less than 25.

◈ 25 Hours to 29.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Super-Duper Colossal Chunkster! More than 25 hours in length, less than 30.

◈ 30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
An audiobook that is a Monstrous Chunkster! More than 30 hours in length, less than 35.
The Outstretched Shadow (30 hours and 40 minutes) Completed October 30, 2014.

◈ 35 Hours to 39.9 Hours
An epic, indeed! More than 35 hours in length, less than 40.

◈ 40 Hours and Beyond – or a Trilogy!
Beyond epic, indeed! Time to implant ear buds in your head. Forty hours or more! For this one we will also allow a trilogy that qualifies in length, or three books anywhere within a series, if you “read” all of it/them via audio.

◈ In-Sync Multimedia
Use an audible sync option to read-along! Such as the new read-along with your Kindle option by audible.com called Whispersync, which remembers your last stopping point in either device. However, you may read a book using any two media choices your desire, as long as one of them is via audio.

◈ Digital Downloads Freebies
Keep it legal! Public libraries using OverDrive Media Console, or Bolinda Audio (BorrowBox), or OneClickDigital downloads. There are also free sites like:

librivox.org
Project Gutenberg Audio Books Project
audiobooksync.com - scheduled release dates

...Audiobooksync has free audiobooks over the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.
All Our Yesterdays (downloaded through Audiobooksync.com) Completed July 27, 2014.
Shadowmagic (From podiobooks.com) Completed July 29, 2014.

◈ Doing it “Old School”
Use audiobook CDs, or cassette, or even LPs or 8-Track-Tapes, if you have them! Don’t have the right equipment? Oftentimes your public library will have these devices to loan.

◈ Planes, Trains, or Automobiles with an Audiobook
Go on a road trip, holiday, or just listen during your daily commute to work while “reading” in your car or public transportation!
City of Lost SoulsCompleted June 12, 2014.

◈ Multitasking! Listening on My Portable Music Player (PMP) Audiobook
Put on those headphones, get cleaning, gardening, grocery shopping, power-walking, even knitting while “reading” a book! Use your Smartphone, MP3, Walkman, portable CD player, iPod, episodic podcast, whatever! Just make Oprah proud.
Spirit Bound (Listened while packing for my move!) Completed June 24, 2014.
Last Sacrifice (Still packing and cleaning!) Completed June 26, 2014.

◈ Audie Award Nominees and Winners
You be the judge. Try an audiobook that has been nominated or won an Audie – any category counts – and lists may be found at audiopub.org (look to the right of the screen for past years).

◈ Recommended by Others
Audiobooks recommended by your friends or other NBRC members.
The Cold Dish Completed November 28, 2014.

◈ BOM via Audiobook
Read a NBRC Book of the Month via audio.
Code Name Verity Completed November 17, 2014.
Dorothy Must Die Completed December 11, 2014.
The Martian Completed March 5, 2015.

◈ “Buddy Read” via Audiobook
Read a “Buddy Read” book via audio and/or listen to your book with another person.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Completed February 9, 2015.
Lover Unbound Completed February 17, 2015.
Lover Enshrined Completed February 22, 2015.
Lover Mine Completed March 17, 2015.
The Lunatic Cafe Completed April 5, 2015.
Lover at Last Completed April 7, 2015.

◈ Classic Read
Have you always wanted to broaden your reading horizons and get to that classic everyone seems to talk about? Try it via audio.

◈ Re-Read a Favourite
Old or new, choose a book you’ve read and loved - and see if you could possibly love it even more via audio. (Note: The right narrator is even more crucial here!)
Outlander Completed December 17, 2014.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Completed March 10, 2015.