Play Book Tag discussion
Footnotes
>
Getting Started with Audiobooks
I personally use Audible, which is connected to my Amazon and Goodreads. The way that it works is that when you sign up you get some credits for free, but it’s basically $16 a month and they give you one credit a month on the anniversary of your sign-up day. But what they also offer is when you join audible plus, a lot of free, audible, listens from their original catalog, and sometimes a lot of free listens that you can just kind of get free. They also have constant sales where you can get things that you really want to hear that are older for like two for one or for under five bucks. So I like them. The other thing about Audible is that if you have an Alexa you can listen in your home and not have to worry about the earbud issue. I listen to most of my audibles in the car. I don’t actually deal with the earbud situation at all, because I listen to my audibles while I’m driving places. And when I go on long drive, I can really knock a lot off. But, I do have headphones, and I don’t even really use air pods, but I was starting to think maybe I should get them, if I’m taking a walk, and I think it would be good to listen. But since I started the 58 hour outlander six, I actually went to our local JCC and took a walk around the track for an hour and a half and knocked off a good 3% of it. and I did that clicking headphones into my phone and just listened and walked briskly which helps me for the exercise as well as for the listen. I hope that’s helpful to start.
Oh, and I almost forgot you can also download the Audible app and then you can listen on your computer or tablet thereby not having to deal with the earbud issue. Again, I use Apple CarPlay for everything.
Most of the books I read are audio via the library. I get audio books both on Libby and on Hoopla via my library. They often have different selections available on each platform. Depends on your library though.
I personally use noise-cancelling wireless earbuds. My book automatically pauses if I get a phone call - which is great unless it's Spam. 😂 I can also manually pause my book directly from the earbuds.
And if your phone connects to your car, you can also listen while you drive.
I use Audible. The particulars behind it has already been discussed by Amy. I listen to it while walking each day and driving doing errands. I tend to choose books which are not too complex for the audiobooks since I might need to focus more on the book. I tend to limit the audiobooks to mysteries, historical mysteries, science fiction, horror, etc. However, it also depends on the narration. If several voice actors are reading the book, it might make a particular book more engaging. Of course, there are the book that are narrated by famous actors, such as Meryl Streep narrating Tom Lake, which made listening to it more enriching and engaging than reading the novel.
I love audiobooks! You can definitely use Libby for audios on both your android phone and kindle. It sounds like you've already installed the app, so just borrow the audio format. If your phone is setup via Bluetooth on your car audio, you should be all set there, too!
For earbuds, I use a wired earbud set that plugs into the speaker jack on the phone. I have thought about getting Bluetooth paired wireless set. Either should be fine, but I'd recommend getting a high quality set, which you can find online easily. I've used Aurana, Betron, and Sennheiser noise-canceling and they're all are excellent.
One thing I will say is that before borrowing the audio, check out the reviews of the reader. Some readers are much better than others and a poor reader can ruin the experience. In general, I'd stay away from authors who read their own books.
I read almost exclusively through audios. It’s easy to use Bluetooth in the car to listen through the car’s speakers. I listen on an iPad in the house. I can hear it from a distance. You can listen through almost any newer device- phone, iPad, kindle, lap top, etc. I prefer soft earbuds in bed, but they don’t seem to last very long before one side goes dead. My (very old) cell phone was worthless for walking because it would change my place in the book. Someone in my bookclub has a headband that allows her to listen while moving or trying to sleep. You don’t feel it in your ears. Amazon has them. I ordered one but my package was lost, so I haven’t tried it yet.
You can get audios from any library, so you can try them on your cell phone or other devices to see what feels or sounds good to you. My Samsung phone sounds fine without headphones, but I can’t stand the sound from my husband’s iPhone, probably because of the cover.
I’ll try wireless when I get my new phone.
Sue wrote: "Most of the books I read are audio via the library. I get audio books both on Libby and on Hoopla via my library. They often have different selections available on each platform. Depends on your ..."
Sue, What brand of wireless earbuds do you like?
It's the golden age of audiobooks! There are literally thousands of quality choices. If you don't need really new books, Libby through your library is a good choice and is or course free. I personally pay for both Audible and Libro.fm (similar to Audible but profits go to your local indie bookstore). If you do join one of those services, you can probably get a deal, like a reduced price for the first few months. For many years, I thought I wouldn't like audiobooks, because I rarely liked being read to. That's because most of us aren't trained to do it. But in the 1990's, I had to drive 2 days with my kids so I got books (on cassette) from the library. My kids thought they were fine, but I loved them. I am a bit ADD and listening to a book actually helps me focus when driving (unless there is bad weather or traffic, then I turn it off.) At home it makes chores go much faster and I also use it while walking and exercising.
If you find it hard to concentrate on the book at first, you might prefer one that's more like a podcast, such as a memoir or selection of stories. On most services, you can listen to a sample to be sure you don't hate the voice!
You can use any kind of smart speaker/phone/tablet with the app for whichever service and any kind of earbuds/headphones you like. You can speed up or slow down the book, you can see how much time is left, etc. I am old school in that I still download books to my computer (where possible, Libby doesn't work like that) so that I can put them on my tiny iPod nano. I think a phone is too bulky to carry around all the time and my husband doesn't necessarily want to hear my book all the time.
If you want a LOT of info and suggestions, you are welcome to join the Audiobooks group on GR, where I am one of the mods.
The library is great! It is my first stop for audiobooks. But, depending on where you live, the wait for books can be kind of long, especially for new books.If you are open to paying for audiobooks, but Audible is a bit pricey for an audio newbie, then I recommend Everand (formerly, Scribd). You can get one free month to try it out and then it is $11.99 a month after that, but it is unlimited listening.
The Everand library is not as robust as Audible and there are some restrictions on how many new releases/in-demand books you can read in a month, but I use it a lot and typically find something on there I want to listen to.
https://www.everand.com/
NancyJ wrote: "Sue wrote: "Most of the books I read are audio via the library. I get audio books both on Libby and on Hoopla via my library. They often have different selections available on each platform. Depe..."
I use AirPods with my iPhone. They're a little pricy, but my company paid for them to use at work.
Um, I might have a headphone problem. I have the old style, over the head noise cancelling, which I prefer for full immersion, but mostly music. I am still not confident with walking and buds, so I have sports ones which are connected by a thin cord. I also have one which is like a headband and so comfortable when lying down, but can be sweaty whilst waking. All are fine, it just depends what you are comfortable with. Just don’t go too cheap, that’s the real issue. My AU$30 full headphones are just as good as the AU$270 ones my husband bought me years ago. However, my AU$3 sports ones are nowhere near as good as my AU$25 ones. Obviously, I am a cheapskate, 🤪, so I don’t like spending money and get all my books through Libby, Hoopla or BorrowBox (I think this is AU only), and I have the benefit that I am not sure is possibly elsewhere, I am signed up to about 10 different library shires, so if one doesn’t have what I want I can generally find it somewhere else.
Totally agree regarding narrators. Just because someone is an actor doesn’t mean they are a good narrator. And a change of narrators within a series can be a little off putting too.
It is frustrating that you can't easily go into a store and try on headphones/earphones. I find a lot of over the head ones are too big and too heavy.For me, the current Apple wired earbuds are fine to wear for hours at a time (of course this is only if you have an iPhone). I would never get wireless earbuds because I'm positive I would either lose them or drop them in a toilet/sewer/dumpster by accident.
I'm not that much of a fan of audiobooks for a host of reasons, but I do listen to them, especially when traveling. I listen to all now through an app on my android phone or android tablets. I don't ever sync to a car because I only drive rentals -- NYC and its wealth of public transportation, why own a car? What I do is simply set the tablet or phone on the seat and turn up the volume. I use audible and I borrow on LIbby - some of those are then listened to on Audible but some I can only listen in the Libby app -- which is of courese on my tablet and phone. I use Bose 700 noise cancelling headset mostly at home - bluetooth enabled to connect with phone and tablets. I don't like earbuds because none of them will stay in my right ear - no idea why. Also I find them uncomfortable after a certain amount of time. BUT I love them for travelling and if I'm for some reason listening to something while out and about. I have multiple sets of earbuds but only one is noise cancelling - and Bose of course. I tend to be brand loyal in anything related to electronics. 😂
Truth is my headphones and earbuds are mostly used for conference calls, zoom meetings, phone calls, and listening to music.
I like Audible's set up for listening - the speed etc. controls, timer, and such.
The advice on reading reviews about readers is important. I've had some bad audio experiences and I don't even listen often! But if Jim Dale is reading - I'm in!
Audible generally has some initial promotion where you get some free audiobooks and an opportunity to try it for free. I'd suggest you do that, give it a shot, see how you like it.
I only use audiobooks through my library and love them. Exercising, household chores, doing puzzles, driving, etc. I will mention something no one else has - I use Shokz headphones. They are over the ear and bone conducing so you still can hear around you when out walking/running. I originally got them for exercising so I felt safer outside and could still hear - but LOVE them for audiobooks around house/etc. They are a bit pricier (although I have the basic model) - but they go around head/ears so I can't lose them, connect to my phone easily, have long battery life and still let me listen to books when out and about and need to hear around me too.
you need ear buds or headphones, I have both. I listen in the car, without them obviously around the house I sometimes need them and obviously outside walking you need them.I have audible, but there are tons at the library, so many that I build up my audible credits and end up with impulse buys.
My recommendation with audio books is to start with a few re-reads to get into the audio groove. it's very easy to let your mind wander, and if you wander with a re-read it's not as big of a deal. I think of it as audiobook training.
I do mostly audio now, which kinda bums me out but my attention span is shot, and there's nothing like an audiobook and a puzzle.
I use an mp3 player, so the only audio books currently open to me are library audios. The mp3 player is much lighter and more portable than anything else, including a phone. (It's tiny!)
I want to second Nicole D.'s suggestion of starting with a book you are familiar with. It can take some practice to get the hang of audiobooks and I found that listening to some old favorites helped me get used to it and now I can listen to almost anything.
A few other tips. 1) Listen to the 5 minute preview of the audio before downloading it or buying it. You can find them on goodreads by clicking on the kindle link below the book title.
2) Call your library's customer support or tech support for help with Libby, Hoopla or other services. If you don't already use HOOPLA through your library, now is a good time to start. They have a great selection of ebooks, audiobooks, music and movies.
3) Start with Short stories or essays and listen to just one or two at a time. You might not be able to focus on a long book at first. I still like Jeffrey Archer's short stories because they often have a clever twist at the end.
4) Or start with a book you already know and love. Your brain might attend to different things on an audio than in a book. I'm often amazed to hear something new in a book I've read many times.
5) Hit the bookmarks button once in a while or before you stop listening, so you can find your spot again. Avoid complicated books or very long books to start.
6) You can adjust the playback speed to go slower or faster. Some audios are painfully slow, and it's a time saver. You can also adjust the jump time when you hit the fast forward or rewind buttons.
7) If you still have a CD player, you can still get audiobooks on CD at the library. When my eyes are really bad and I can't read the electronic controls, I drag out the CD player because I can use it with my eyes shut. But it's too big to carry.
8) Audible and other sites have many FREE books for members.
9) Audible allows members to exchange a book they didn't like without cost. Even if it says you can't do it online, their customer service line can usually approve a refund quickly.
NancyJ wrote: "A few other tips. 1) Listen to the 5 minute preview of the audio before buying it. You can find them on the audible site, or on goodreads by clicking on the kindle link below the book title.
2)..."
Yes, you don't have to join Audible to listen to their previews. Then you can get the book from your library.
And I think it depends on the library system whether they use HOOPLA, Libby, Overdrive, etc.
On libraries and what they use, it could be tied to the license for the audiobook it has. NYPL, Brooklyn, and Queens primarily all have audiobooks I can listen to in Audible but now and then an audiobook from one of them can only be listened to in Overdrive or something else. Of course these liabraries while being my 'local' library, serve massive populations. NYPL serves all of NYS. They have to be flexible.
I love audiobooks and the most important enjoyment factor for me is the narrator. I never used to read the "In Death" series by J. D. Robb until I listened to the first one narrated by Susan Erickson. Now I only listen to them. I recently listened to The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, narrated by Jayne Entwhistle. She is phenomenal and made Flavia come to life for me. You've seen the way the recommendations for Tom Lake all seem to be higher for those who listened in audio. The same thing happened with Project Hail Mary. I also recommend starting with a reread. That way you won't get frustrated if you drift off and miss a few minutes. Welcome to the exciting world of audiobooks. The possibilities are endless.
I want to thank all of you who have commented so thoughtfully. I've read all the posts and know that I will be rereading them. Just as the pandemic got into gear, I asked the same kind of question about using an e-reader . The libraries had closed and I was without books. At the time, PBT members shared with me the ABC's of using a kindle or a nook. Now, you are launching this dinosaur (me) into a whole new world.
I'll let you know how I do. ;0)
P.S. If you can think of other tips, please let me know.
If you find a narrator you love, you can search for his/her recordings in several places, but certainly on Audible (even if you are not a member.) Many of us have strong feelings pro or con certain narrators. I would avoid books read by the author, unless they themselves are actors or comedians. Great reading is its own skill.
Thanks for posting this Holly, I am on the verge of trying them out too and all this information will help me! I was having trouble holding busty books before my surgery and my daughter told me perhaps it was time to think of Audio or getting digital books. Now, after my surgery, healing, it is still a big problem. And if the surgery turns out to be unsuccessful in solving all my problems, well I do need to figure something out reading the long books that I adore. Something about a big book gives me tons of satisfaction.My library has 5 different options for digital books and more than likely more than one option for Audio-They have a fantastic tech department and offer a gazillion services from those workers and their "vault" (that is what they call it!)
Joanne, I hope your issues resolve as you heal. But at least there are options. And that's a great point, that librarians are happy to help you with tech questions relating to ebooks or audiobooks and your particular equipment or situation.
Thanks Robin, I tend to not anticipate anything (either way) when I have repairs made. The guys at the repair shop are always so enthusiastic and I just smile and nod. Not having optimistic or pessimistic attitude, I am either pleasantly surprised, or already have a plan ready compensate.
Robin P wrote: "If you find a narrator you love, you can search for his/her recordings in several places, but certainly on Audible (even if you are not a member.) Many of us have strong feelings pro or con certain..."I totally agree with finding favorite narrators. I have to confess that I've read a few books because the narrator was someone I enjoyed.
Joanne wrote: "Thanks for posting this Holly, I am on the verge of trying them out too and all this information will help me! I was having trouble holding busty books before my surgery and my daughter told me per..."I made the switch to all audio and ebooks after our most recent move. I had 4 bookshelves full of physical books and my strong desire to not move them outweighed my strong desire to read them all first. (They all went to a good home at the used bookstore. No books were harmed in the making of this movie.)
I can take my e-reader anywhere, and can also pick up any book in progress via the app on my phone. And borrowing ebooks from the library is a piece of cake. It even returns itself when its due back.
If you don't want to commit to an e-reader, you can start with a free Kindle app on your phone.
I also love that you can make the text as large as you want - a big issue for me as my eyesight seems to get worse every year.
@Joanne, do you have a kindle or other type of e-reader? As Sue mentioned, it is easy to use and much lighter weight than a book.What's been hurting me is that sitting with a physical book on the couch has been hard on my back and neck. I now plan to take more breaks when reading. I also just turned my husband's music stand into a standing kindle holder for me, adjusting it to my 5'2" height.
At dinner tonight, my husband and I discussed all of everyone's suggestions. I'm going to try using my kindle plus our mini blue-tooth speaker for listening to audio books. That way, I'll eliminate the need for either head phones or ear buds.
I mostly read on an ereader - arthritis makes holding physical books, especially big ones, harder and harder and aging eyesight - well even readers are not always enough - worn with my contact mind you. Love being able to adjust the print size, and the text being backlit and being able to change the color - so helpful, especially when I'm reading while commuting, or sitting waiting for a bus, or even during intermission of a show. I do not have a kindle. In fact I started with a Nook but realized its limitations didn't suit me so I downloaded the Nook app on my tablet and bingo! I was sold. I also added the kindle app and never looked back. Audible is also on my tablet. Then I added them to my phone. They sync across all my devices.
I echo the start with rereading a book you know for your first foray into Audiobooks. I never actually acclimated to audiobooks of books I have not read - my mind does not stay on what I'm hearing unless I just listen. But that's just me and I'm definitely in the minority. I also have zero patience for going back to listen to a section I zoned out in. Now, if I read the book at some point in my life - no problem. I never lose where I am even if I zone out.
I have a feeling you are going to love audiobooks.
I agree about adjusting print size. Many classics that I get from the library or secondhand stores or already owned have tiny print but they are almost all free through various apps that access the Gutenberg files. Then I can adjust size, brightness, etc.I also started with a nook, the cheap one that didn't even have a light. But I was going on a trip to Europe and they said the battery lasts 30 days! I had a hand-me-down kindle from a relative for a while but I never liked it that much. For years now I just use apps on an iPad, for Kindle, Nook, Libby, etc. I can't imagine reading on my phone as it's so small, though many people do it. Just last night I dreamed I was flying to Paris and suddenly realized I had forgotten my iPad, and thought, "Oh, no, what I am going to read on the trip? Can I justify buying another tablet?"
Re reading on phone - I prefer tablet but sometimes I don't want to carry that with files and stuff on my way to closings and hearings. So I just read on the phone. You can absolutely adjust the font size - you just turn pages really often. And same with light etc. It's perfectly fine though I would not want to read only on it. one more thing for those new to ebooks -- which this has included discussing - I get a case with a cover for my tablets and the cover folds over into a stand for you to prop it up to read horizontally on the tablet. Love that.
I am crazy for audiobooks. Since I spend all day reading and writing, almost all my personal reading is done audibly. We do have a family Audible account, which we love because it allows all of us to listen to and chat about a book at the same time. However, most of our audiobooks we access for free through our library system, which serves almost the entire state of Alaska and has a vast collection. It is rare that I can’t find a book free, via my library, on one of these two platforms: Libby or Hoopla. Both allow me to download my books, which is necessary for us as service is spotty in some areas. Most decent size U.S. library systems have one or both of these platforms, and some even have smaller ones as well.Libby, which is the app of a website service called Overdrive (so confusing! They used to have the same name), allows ebook and audiobook checkouts. I saw you have a Kindle. I know we are chatting audio here, but I recently discovered something for my ebook checkouts. It takes an extra (super simple, they walk you right through it) step, but I like to download my books to the Kindle app instead of the Libby app. I’m prone to migraines but like to read in bed in the dark. Kindle allows a more amber text in dark mode and you can turn the brightness down more than in the Libby app. For my audiobooks, I listen to those through the Libby app. You can browse, wishlist, put on hold, etc. on the Libby app, but I find the Overdrive website less cluttered and more user friendly. They do sync with each other, so you can use either.
The other service my library has is Hoopla. This service has ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, and TV shows. I’ve only used ebooks and audiobooks. Ebooks don’t have a lot of features regarding brightness, which is a make or break for me. I really love their audiobooks. Your library will have an agreement with Hoopla as to how many items you can checkout per month. Ours is eight per card and we get books for three weeks. You listen on their app. I live very rural but have never had any trouble with their app. It has big “buttons” on the player that I can see, so I love that. The very best thing about Hoopla? Absolutely no waiting list for a book. If your library has purchased access to a given book, they don’t get a certain number of copies as Overdrive/Libby or physical books do, your library has purchased unlimited access to that book. So, as with our family Audible library, several members of our family can check out the same book at the same time. Last spring, my son was climbing Mt. Rainier, and we simultaneously (sort of) listened to Robert Barker’s The Last Blue Mountain. Because why not listen to a book about a terrible climbing tragedy? Cautionary for him, but maybe not the best listen-along for me under the circumstances. 😂😬🤦♀️
Several years ago, when this group was still on Shelfari, a bunch of us had an aural crush on the narrator Will Patton. I read books I thought I had zero interest in and loved them. He’s seriously that good. Davina Porter is another narrator lots of us love. She is most famous for narrating the Outlander series, but I chose my first book for this month’s historical mystery tag, What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris, first book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series, in part because she narrates it. Some have mentioned the trend of actors narrating books. One of the earlier ones to do this was Sissy Spacek. Her telling of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is marvelous (my middle daughter just named her daughter Scout). As others have mentioned, a narrator can make or break a book. I’ve read books where I’ve struggled with the print book only to find the magic of the prose in the audio. One example I always cite is Ruby Dee’s incomparable performance of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God.
I homeschooled all my kids. If they were struggling with books written in dialect, older forms of English, or just dense prose, we would often get the audiobook. They would have the print book in front of them as they listened. When they got to uni and needed to read a book quickly, I taught them a trick I learned in uni: do the same thing, but listen at a much quicker speed. The narrator keeps going, reading non-pertinent stuff, while you jot notes you need.
I know you mentioned that you are trying a Bluetooth speaker setup at the moment, but I thought I’d weigh in with my two favorite pairs of wireless earbuds:
These are my absolute favorites. They hold their charge, have been dropped in everything from the washing machine to the ocean, and can hold up under extremely cold temperatures. They have great noise canceling, which I like when hiking or kayaking in windy conditions or on the boat. They are slightly differently shaped than other wireless, ear hook earbuds — more rounded rather than rectangular — which works for me in a weird way. I almost only ever wear one earbud. It grew out of having so many kids and needing to be aware. I also learned that often audiobooks are difficult to listen to on the SUV’s audio system on our rough road conditions. Narrators will often drop the volume of their voice for certain characters or for effect; then I’d miss that part of the book. I discovered that if I wore just one earphone, I could hear and still be road (or water) aware. However, like an earlier commenter, for some reason headphones just fit better in one ear than the other. Because these are round, I can even wear the right headphone in my left ear; I just twist it so the loop catches me ear, curling up from the bottom instead of over the top. It stays put just as well as the one that’s meant for that ear, no matter what I do. It’s also handy since I only sleep on my right side; if my left headphone dies, I just stick the right one in my left ear. These give just one warning that the battery is low, but then have about 20 minutes still in them.
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluet...
These are my cheap pair. What I like best is that they do not have a light on them (unless the battery is low, in which case one flashes). This is actually a very rare thing in wireless headphones, but it is great if you sleep with a partner, since most headphones either have a constant light or one that comes on when your book turns off (you can set a sleep timer on all book apps so your book turns itself off). The over the ear hook is very soft yet still holds my headphone securely during all my daytime tasks. I think these actually last longer than advertised, but that could be because I only wear one at a time. The downside is that because the ear hook is softer, they are more prone to coming unhooked from my ear in the night. It makes them a bit harder to find in my bed in the morning because they don’t light up. The other thing is that my phone is on vibrate at night, but my granddaughter’s baby alarm rings through my headphones; if it falls out, I don’t hear it. These are also not noise canceling. For me, this is great at times, making these my preferred pair when I drive, boat, hike, etc. I only ever wear a single headphone (unless working out), but I like the way these don’t cancel out my surroundings in certain situations. They are extremely annoying when the battery is low. You get near constant warnings where the warning voice overlays your audiobook audio, so you keep missing your book (the JLAB headphones above pause your book for the warning or to tell you you have an incoming call, etc.). If you aren’t in a position to take out the earbud or pause your book, you get the joy of listening to this extremely loud voice talking over your story. I’m honestly not sure how long it would go on as I try to get to a stopping point as quickly as possible. Overall though, of all the cheaper options that loop over the ear, I really do like these comfy, long-lasting guys.
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Head...
I think you will love audiobooks. I started really cranking through my TBR because I can read while doing so many other things. Play around with different genre, I know Anita prefers nonfiction so she doesn’t have to worry about closely tracking a plot. I’m kind of the opposite. I read almost all nonfiction until I discovered audiobooks. I still like to try to read my nonfiction in print (or I check out the print book from the library at the same time) because I want access to all of the back of the book material: notes, bibliography, etc. I just cannot turn off the researcher in me. Audiobooks almost gave me permission to enjoy a good novel again. I feel like I get this feast of the imagination provided by the narrator and the author — all while going about the necessary tasks of life. I love the digital formats over the old cassettes, CDs, or Playaways because you can control the narration speed, which allows you to read books quickly.
My suggestion for where to start is with a series almost everyone knows and loves — and which are wonderful on audio — The Chronicles of Narnia: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Chroni...
Harry Potter is also terrific on audio, and there are 2 options, Jim Dale and Stephen Fry, who are both beloved:https://bookriot.com/stephen-fry-vs-j...
And I agree that audio is wonderful for accents, like The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I hardly ever listen to nonfiction on audio because I can read it so much faster. And so much of nonfiction consists of, "Now that we have covered Topic A, let us look at Topic B. Topic B consists of 3 parts: 1, 2, and 3." On paper, I would quickly skim that, but I have to hear every word. But in fiction, memoir, etc., the narrator brings it to life. I definitely laugh more at audiobooks than print, because I don't sound as funny in my head as the narrator does in my ear. An exception to my fiction preference is nonfiction that reads like fiction, such as The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. That was excellent on audio.
Robin P wrote: "Harry Potter is also terrific on audio, and there are 2 options, Jim Dale and Stephen Fry, who are both beloved:https://bookriot.com/stephen-fry-vs-j...
And I agree th..."
Yes, to great narrative nonfiction on audio! Again, I think a lot of it comes down to the narrator. For instance, the narrator for The Boys in the Boat is the wonderful Edward Herrmann. He is a prime narrative nonfiction interpreter who is the voice behind the prose of such stellar writers as David McCullough, Jon Meacham, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Nathaniel Philbrick, and Laura Hillenbrand,
Holly R W wrote: "@Joanne, do you have a kindle or other type of e-reader? As Sue mentioned, it is easy to use and much lighter weight than a book.What's been hurting me is that sitting with a physical book on the..."
No I do not have an e-reader yet. My daughter the tech expert will make the decision for me, as to what to get down the road.
Robin P wrote: "Harry Potter is also terrific on audio, and there are 2 options, Jim Dale and Stephen Fry, who are both beloved:https://bookriot.com/stephen-fry-vs-j......"
I know most people love Jim Dale. I didn't like him - particularly his voice for Hermione. She sounded like an old man!
I continue to read all of your posts. This morning I tried to listen to a sample of a book that I'm interested in. People here are so right about the importance of narrators and how they can make or break the listening experience. Ooh, I did not like the narrator at all!
I love audiobooks and listen to books more than I read (sadly). I also go to sleep listening to a book. It helps me calm and focus on only one thing (ADHD) so I can go to sleep. There is a timer on most apps that will turn the book off after so many minutes. That way, its easy to find your place again in the morning. I love Bluetooth earbuds because its so easy to just pop it in your ear at any time. Grocery shopping or cutting grass or waiting at the Dr. office.
It does take time to "learn" to listen to an audiobook, especially while doing something else.
I hope you have great success with audiobooks.
Again, thanks everyone for your great comments.I think I might start today with trying to download the audio of the current book that I'm reading.
I'm also looking into buying a table-top book holder like this. https://www.amazon.com/Amasrich-Adjus...
Holly R W wrote: "Again, thanks everyone for your great comments.I think I might start today with trying to download the audio of the current book that I'm reading.
I'm also looking into buying a table-top book h..."
It looks like every time you want to turn a page, you have to move it past the clips that hold the page in place. I would find that annoying. That kind of stand is great for a cookbook, where you want the same page open for some time.
@Robin, it might be annoying, but I don't want to have to hold the book's place with my hands either. I'll have to think about it some more.
You can always get it Holly and return it if it is not working out. I know they do make those without that clip as my daughter suggested something similar for me. She did send me a link and of course now I cannot find it! I will keep looking for it though.
Joanne wrote: "You can always get it Holly and return it if it is not working out. I know they do make those without that clip as my daughter suggested something similar for me. She did send me a link and of cour..."Joanne, if you can find it and think it's good, could you please either post it here or pm me.
I don't think moving the clips will annoy me that much, as I am a slow reader. The device can also hold a kindle. I may just order it (or something similar.) As you say, it is returnable.
There are also book lap pillows --- here's one I've looked at though not tried yet: https://bookshop.org/p/books/blue-bk-.... You might need a book weight to lay on it to hold the pages flat on some books - https://www.levenger.com/products/lea..... Someone gave me one of those and I actually use it in my office to hold open pages of Offering Plans and Proprietary Leases, which are bound as books, so I can copy out or refer to provisions while typing. Do a google search using different terms like book lap stand and book lap pillow - it will pop up broader options.
@Theresa, I had tried a lap pillow but it hadn't worked too well. I love your book weight that you use in your office. What a great gift!
Holly R W wrote: "@Theresa, I had tried a lap pillow but it hadn't worked too well. I love your book weight that you use in your office. What a great gift!"And since my office has moved home, it's moved to the kitchen for cookbooks (I own a LOT ) every now and then. I've also used it when I want to type a quote from a physical book I'm reading and need or want to share a quote on social media or with my Feminerdy Book Club or in an email.
It's incredibly useful!
What I think would he best book stand would be similar to needlework floor stands (there are also needlework table and lap stands but I like sitting on the couch) - but designed as book stand. Here's what a floor stand for needlework looks like - and some come with an attached lamp and magnifier! Needlework needs to be a similar distance away as a book -- and sometimes closer. Of course, needlework frames are much lighter than a book making these types of frames very feasible. You can sit back or sit more forward or straight up, you can even set it up so that the frame with needlework in it is set up on the side of you, not from the front.
Holly, have you tried listening to a book on your cellphone without headphones? I’ve listened on a cellphone, an ipad, and a laptop and they all sounded fine. I don’t have a cover on anything that might distort the sound.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Bright Young Women (other topics)The Night Circus (other topics)
A Christmas Carol (other topics)
A Christmas Carol (other topics)
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece (other topics)
More...
I have both an android cellphone and a kindle. I'd like to be hands free with them. Do I get ear buds? How do they feel in your ears? What about head phones? I'm told they can be heavy.
I already get books through Libby and think that I can order audiobooks through it too.
What has your experience been?