THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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ARE YOU A ONE BOOK AT A TIME READER?
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Vanessa
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Dec 28, 2010 08:42PM
I read about 2 to 3 books also, although if I'm stuck on one certain book, I usually devote all my time to that one, especially if they're audio books. I can get so much work done at home with an audio book. Otherwise, I'm reading a thriller or mystery, and usually a romantic suspense to mix it up. If I read a third one, it's usually a fantasy or one with an unusual aspect such as one with ghosts or psychics. I'm not much into the vampire thing, although I do read them occasionally. Sometimes the 3rd book is some kind of fluff book or one that is fast and easy to read. I also like reading different kind of mysteries at one time; for example, a police procedural and a psychological suspense novel.
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I am still trying to get into audiobooks! just love the feel of the traditional paper books
I've done audiobooks and they can really be great but if you get someone reading it that you're not that keen on their voice, it can difficult.
That happened to me with North & South (British one, not Civil War one). Narrator was older & all the characters sounded like they were in their 80s. I'm listening to A Christmas Carol narrated by Tim Curry ... who better!! I didn't listen to it before Christmas b/c I was enjoying the Christmas music. My work round trip is almost an hour a day & I've listened to some wonderful books in the last 3 or 4 years.
I find the audiobooks are a completely different experience than normal reading, because it adds the extra element of the narrator or narrators. A really great narrator can make the book seem much better than it is, and a really poor narrator can kill a good book. I have my favorite narrators. Being able to sit back and just listen to long descriptions or technical parts of a book allows me to get through a lot of non-fiction and history books that I would never be able to read my way through. I am lucky to be able to get a lot of audiobooks through my public library.
I got an audiobook of a Carl Hiaasen story, I love Hiaasen I just find his storytelling funny and quirky. The narrator was Ed Asner and although I love Mr. Asner as an actor hearing him change his voice to do female characters was just off-putting. I had already read the book, I just wanted to listen to it but it was not the best experience. I've done a few of Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries in audio form and I'm not sure who reads them, but they do a wonderful job.
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if only............
Rick wrote: "what a wonderful voice James Mason would have had for Audio Books- especially the British Classics!!!"Mmmm hmmm, that would be wonderful.
I agree, the reader usually makes the book. The latest trend is two or more readers. So far, it seems to be working well.
I always have several books on the go, a novel or two - perhaps one lighter and one heavier going, a non fiction book or poetry maybe and then an audio book if I've got a lot of driving to do - very valid points being made about the narrator of these making all the difference! Quite often I'll also read the kids a book at bedtime. In addition I read a couple of magazines front to back every month - Empire - for the film reviews and Word for the music interviews!
The worst narrator I ever heard was Blair Brown reading The Good Husband by Gail Godwin. Just because someone is a good actor does mean that they will be a good narrator (so how would James Mason really do?) As Eugenia mentioned about Ed Asner switching his voice for a woman, the narrators have to be very subtle about changing their voices so as not to distract from the book. One of my favorites is Davina Porter, who reads the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series, and can do men/women with/without Scots/American accents. I also enjoy Tom Stetschulte, Barbara Rosenblatt, who is excellent at doing arch conversation, and C. J. Critt for Southern works.
Mod
I feel James Mason's classical stage training and wide variety of roles would have made him an excellant reader!
Rick wrote: "Susan wrote: "The worst narrator I ever heard was Blair Brown reading The Good Husband by Gail Godwin. Just because someone is a good actor does mean that they will be a good narrato..."And this man just has an incredible voice, I could listen to him all day LOL.
Rick wrote: "Susan wrote: "The worst narrator I ever heard was Blair Brown reading The Good Husband by Gail Godwin. Just because someone is a good actor does mean that they will be a good narrato..."I agree 100%!! His voice was wonderful. Richard Thomas did a great job on Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer. I always listen to a sample before purchasing books from audible.com now.
Eugenia wrote: "Chris wrote: "Glad I'm not alone with the multiple book thing. I have several on the go, anywhere between 4 and 8 usually. I'm so fickle, and I get excited when I get a new book, I have to start it..."I have almost 1,000 on my Nook. I kind of went through it and maybe a 100 are duplicates, so about 950 different books.
Mod
haha- sounds like me and my Kindle! though most are free classics downloads!
Rick wrote: "Shay wrote: "Eugenia wrote: "Chris wrote: "Glad I'm not alone with the multiple book thing. I have several on the go, anywhere between 4 and 8 usually. I'm so fickle, and I get excited when I get a..."Mine, too. If someone mentions a classic that sounds remotely interesting, I download it immediately. It's in the public domain, so it's free and I figure why not have it in my Nook?
Mod
exactly- and also for about 4-5 dollars you can have the Complete Dickens, Collins, Hardy ect..tho- still hard for me to give up the loads of books I have- just nice knowing I have them all electronically too!
Rick wrote: "Shay wrote: "Eugenia wrote: "Chris wrote: "Glad I'm not alone with the multiple book thing. I have several on the go, anywhere between 4 and 8 usually. I'm so fickle, and I get excited when I get a..."Love the free classic downloads, I'm overwhelmed with Jane Austen. I love it.
I used to be a one book reader, but now that I am on GR, I have a stack near my bed. Especially when one is kind of boring, and I must have another to get the other book out of my mind. I usually have four max. to read.
I am a three book at a time reader, unless I am reviewing one of them. Then I give that one my full attention. My husband can read ten at a time and keep them all straight. Amazing!
My limit is usually three, but it depends. If one proves too boring, I get into another one, then I am continually reading one, than picking up the other ones.
Interesting thread. I am definitely a one at a time reader. In all other things I have the attention span of a hyperactive frog, jumping from one thing to another constantly. With reading however, I become totally absorbed (I have been known to miss my stop on the bus or train because I have been so engrosed in my book) and I find it impossible to switch focus from one world to another.A friend of mine reads 3 books at a time and I am fascinated by how he can keep them all straight in his head, I would be completely lost and probably have to re-read each book each time I picked it up to get myself back in to each one.
I guess it depends on the book itself, Kay. If it is a snorer, one that begs to be tossed aside, I will do just that. If I bought a book, and I don't like it, I will do the same, but if it is required reading like in some of these groups, I will slog all the way through. I used to read on the bus, but I don't anymore, my daughter is usually with me, so she keeps me entertained.
Mod
Kay wrote: "Interesting thread. I am definitely a one at a time reader. In all other things I have the attention span of a hyperactive frog, jumping from one thing to another constantly. With reading howeve..."
I really enjoy multi-reading- as long as the genres are completely different- I am always reading James Mason Member books as well as current thrillers, classics and sci-fi/fantasy- that way it is very difficult to mix up a 2010 News Reporter with a 1875 Victorian Dandy!
If by "books in progress" you mean any book that I've started but haven't yet finished, I think I'm reading about 837 books right now.I tend to be reading 2 books at any given time: Something "heavy", which to me means most non-fiction and many classics, and something "light", like an easy novel. Or to put it another way, one book that I want to read, because it's fun, and another book that I want to have read, because it's important. I usually get through several light books for each heavy book.
Mod
I tend to be reading 2 books at any given time: Something "he..."
well put Mark!
Mark wrote: "If by "books in progress" you mean any book that I've started but haven't yet finished, I think I'm reading about 837 books right now.I tend to be reading 2 books at any given time: Something "he..."
This has pretty much been my pattern for many years. Although 2 to 3 fluffy reads vs. 1 "real" literature books would be optimistic, in my case. This year, I'm trying for at least a 50/50 mix.
Multiple reader. I have different literary moods for different times of the day :)
I usually read three or four books. An easy one for bedtime (a mystery is good), something spiritual for the morning, and just whatever I want the rest of the time (right now science fiction and fantasy). Plus the audio book for my commute. I ride a bus in Upstate NY...it's always snowing now, and my books get wet! It took me awhile to get used to having someone read to me, but now I really enjoy it. It sure makes the bus ride more pleasant.
I used try to keep to one at a time but I have to say i very often failed at that. I'm usually on 2 books at a time, something light to read during lunch at work and then something a little more involved or complex for reading in my leisure time.
One at at time - definitely! I just can't handle two books at once. More of a problem is I can't read books during the course of writing one of my own, so my reading is down to a trickle.Mind you, I can't even scratch my ear and talk at the same time (sighs audibly).
I have one major book and one minor book. I like a second book if the first book is extra long or kind of slow.
Goodreads has a feature where you can see your current reads on the upper right corner of your GR homepage. I didn't know, but the limit it will display is 10. So, between that and reading a bunch of ebooks, I inadvertently got up to 12 books a few days ago. I didn't realize until I glanced further down one day at the My Bookshelf links and saw 12 under currently reading. I'm back down to 9. My usual is 6-10.
I used to be one at a time but now that I can ready on my phone and have two Nooks and I carry a paperback with me in my bag I tend to have something going on, on each device.. but I try to read 1-2 at a time tops, otherwise I feel like a first time ice skater, that slippery ice makes each leg go in a different direction, sort of like a Bugs Bunny cartoon...
I'll read about 2-3 books at a time, although I try to stick to one book when it comes down to reviews.
I frequently read 2 books at a time, one that is escapist and a quick read, and another that is more serious fiction (or non-fiction)where I'm reading more slowly to appreciate the author's style. For example, I'm reading Robert Parker and John Updike at the moment.
Shay wrote: My usual is 6-10.Same here!
J. Rosemary wrote: "Shay wrote: My usual is 6-10.Same here!"
Wow: I came to this site prepared to make the shameful confession that I'm usually reading ...6-10!
When I near the end of a novel, if I'm loving it, that will drop to maybe just the 1 or a couple more, until I'm finished. But if that takes more than a couple of days, I'm back up to my usual addicted levels.
I like 2 balance 2-3 fiction, 1-2 non-fiction,& 1-2 poetry. That way, no matter how much time I have (for example, waiting on line) I have something that'll work.
That's my minimum but sadly I often go over it.
Mark wrote: "If by "books in progress" you mean any book that I've started but haven't yet finished, I think I'm reading about 837 books right now.I tend to be reading 2 books at any given time: Something "he..."
That's true for me. I was only counting the books I read consistently every day-2 days. If I count the others-well, I'm certainly around your number. And the thing is, I usually get around to finishing them all. Although it's been known to take 9 or 10 years.
Still, neither the book nor I are going anywhere soon. I hope.
I can't focus on more than one book at a time. Even if I start multiple books, I end up just reading one, and then going back to the others at a later time.
Same here, once I get bored with a book, I put it down, and go to my other books at my disposal.
I kind of like that. One thing I've been doing, subconsciously is reading a book to the last few chapters and then putting it down and reading another one.
I'm reading about 4 books at once, left in various stations around the house. Though I have to say the iPad has made the multiple reading syndrome even worse, since now I have about 8 books open in various readers. Crazy new world!
I completely agree! I get enough reality: I'm all about escapism when I get into a book! Or three, as it were. My to-read list is probably as long as yours, Rick, but my poor little brain can only handle 2 or three at a time!
Yeah, reality bites. I tend to read one fiction book at a time. I can read a few non-fiction books simultaneously but when I get into a story I want to jump in and swim around in it. And it's such a hassle to get out of the water, dry off, change clothes, find the other swimming hole, and start over again. :)
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what a combo! Parker and Updike!! can't ask for anything more!
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