Best Read of 2019

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I can't believe it but it's almost November, and time for me to start soliciting your picks for the Best of 2019 episode.

I've started cutting my reading year off at December 1, meaning some of my best reads of 2019 might be from December 2018.

If you want to be included in this annual episode of fun times, please fill out this Google form by December 14. It also includes instructions on how to send an audio file.

I don't mind reading your words for you but my preference is to have as many voices as possible.

I'm promoting this to you first and will push out more widely a bit later. After this group I'll target previous podcast guests.

[Dree]

Any tips on how to MAKE an audio file?

Just one best book? Not even fiction v. nonfiction v. memoir? Because I just can't. I have 4 fiction, 1 non, and 2 memoir. And I can't choose. And there's another month to go!!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Dree wrote: "Any tips on how to MAKE an audio file?

Just one best book? Not even fiction v. nonfiction v. memoir? Because I just can't. I have 4 fiction, 1 non, and 2 memoir. And I can't choose. And there's a..."

If you record audio instead of just submitting a book, you can have up to five minutes to talk about your best books of the year.

Here are a few ways to record audio, from when I required students to do audio journals of reading in my Reading class!

Audio Recording Using DropVox (iPhone) 

This app is great because there is not a recording length limit, the phone will store the audio if you are somehow not connected to the internet and upload later, and the files auto-upload to DropBox. If DropBox gets too full, it sends a notification and stores the audio in the app until there is space. I have used this one for years and it is highly recommended. 

  DropBox strategy
1. Create DropBox account (free) 
http://www.dropbox.com/register 

2. Download DropVox app ($1.99) 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropv... 

3. Link to Dropbox using either App Folder (default; more secure) or Full Access (allows shared folders). Visit the DropVox Support for more details. 
http://www.irradiatedsoftware.com/hel... 

4. Record audio file

5. Copy links to files to share.  

YouTube strategy
If you record a video with or without your face, I can extract audio from it.

Uploading Video to YouTube – iPhone or iPad 

  1. You must already have a Google account and the YouTube app on your device. 

 2. Record video in camera app (built-in.) 

3. Go to video in album. 

4. Click on video, which should display options below. (At this point, you could choose edit to cut pieces of the recording.) 

5. Click on the box with the arrow. This will give you a number of options, depending on other apps you have on your phone.  

6. Select YouTube. 

7. Give the video a title and category; tags and description are optional. If you don’t care if the world sees your video, you may leave it public. Otherwise, select unlisted. 

8. Go to YouTube. Once video is processed, you should be able to share it a number of ways. You can send that link to me via email.

Audacity
Audacity is a free downloadable program that records through your computer (good for people with headset mics or better...) You can save as .wav or .mp3 from a recorded file.

There are other audio recording apps for phones. The built in ones tend to limit the size of file you can send, often to 60 seconds, otherwise that would work too! If you find you only need that long, you can probably just use voice recorder.

[Andrew]

I'd like to give it a go if I can get my head around the technology - I might have to ask my daughter !!

[Karen]

I'm hoping to do this! I really enjoyed your previous "best-of" podcast.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Karen wrote: "I'm hoping to do this! I really enjoyed your previous "best-of" podcast."

There is still time! :)

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Dree wrote: "So I am all ready to spring for the 1.99 DropVox, but I am on an iphone and can't find it in the App store. There is Voice-Box which is free and records to DropBox. This has no ratings.

And there ..."

Does voicebox just give you an audio file? These are probably short enough to send via email if needed.

[Dree]

If anyone is looking, DropVox is now called RecUp. The App Store will not find it if you search DropVox.

[Andrew]

Hi jenny, i have hopefully managed to send an audio file although given it was my umpteenth attempt and they seemed to get steadily worse rather than better Lord knows what it will sound like. Otherwise have a great Christmas and im looking forward to more great episodes in 2020 ☺

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Andrew wrote: "Hi jenny, i have hopefully managed to send an audio file although given it was my umpteenth attempt and they seemed to get steadily worse rather than better Lord knows what it will sound like. Othe..."

It worked!

This is the reminder for the rest of you that the deadline is the 14th!