AUDIOBOOKS - INTRODUCTION

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Audiobooks have become a way to spend some time while traveling in the car and/or commuting via train, bus or ferry. Even while taking the dog for a walk in the park.

Many folks even like to listen to audiobooks as an art form.

However, you have used audiobooks, they have become extremely popular.

Here is a segment to discuss some of the more enjoyable audiobooks, your favorite narrators and why their narration style appeals to you, some of the audiobooks that have won recent awards and why you just loved the last one you listened to.

Bentley

[Michael]

Hi all I am interested in finding out when you listen to your Audiobooks.

For me I listen to them when I am driving and waliking the dogs.

[Kristi]

I listen when I cook, while I am drafting at work, while I knit, pretty much any time my hands are doing something that leaves my brain free...

[Michael]

Kristi wrote: "I listen when I cook, while I am drafting at work, while I knit, pretty much any time my hands are doing something that leaves my brain free..."

Cooking I had never thought about that, I'll have to give it a go. As for knitting I need all my concentration for that as I suck at it.

[Michael]

My interest never wains. I would like to hear how people discovered the joy of Audio books. For me it was when I was a child, my mum used to by my a magazine series called Story Time. Each month the magazine would come with a tape jam packed with stories.

Audiobooks are something I have always enjoyed. Many a hour was passed when I was greenkeeper listening to stories as I mowed the greens.

[Michael]

Why I am on a roll I was interested if anyone has tried any of the free audiobooks off the Gutenberg project. If so what is the quality like.

[Laura]

I've never tried any of those, Michael, but I'd be curious what they're like myself!

I audio all the time, even in the shower. And definitely at night when I can't sleep. Much better than tossing and turning. Only time I can't do it is when I'm working.

[Michael]

Laura wrote: "I've never tried any of those, Michael, but I'd be curious what they're like myself!

I audio all the time, even in the shower. And definitely at night when I can't sleep. Much better than tossi..."

I miss being able to listen to books at work. Mind you it is one of the only things I miss about my old career.

[carriedaway]

I've got a couple from Librovox that are free that I'm trying out, "The Federalist Papers" Alexander Hamilton and "Wealth of Nations" Adam Smith.

I would love for Witch of Prague F. Marion Crawford as an audiobook but alas, it might be back in copyright and out of their purview but not quite in say, Audible.com's.

Normally I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I'm knitting or late at night. My commute isn't long enough anymore, not that I mind that.

[Elizabeth S]

Wow, let us know what it is like to listen to Alexander Hamilton. I have to stop and ponder and re-read so often while going through that one in print. Listening to it must be kinda heady.

[carriedaway]

Elizabeth S wrote: "Wow, let us know what it is like to listen to Alexander Hamilton. I have to stop and ponder and re-read..."
It's almost other-worldly, Elizabeth. Especially since it is ACTUALLY Alex- okay, no, sorry. I do crack myself up. I have to give the Librovox readers a big hand, those sentences must taking getting used to reading aloud but hearing the cadence makes reading it later easier.

[Elizabeth S]

Hmmm, that makes sense about hearing the cadence. Kinda like how it is easier and nicer to listen to Shakespeare versus reading silently.

And many :) :) about Alex reading it himself. I was going to joke about that, but held off because I wasn't sure if you had the right kind of sense of humor to appreciate it. Now I know! (After all, Alex only read some of the papers for the audio, he let James and John read some too.)

(Just realized, it is a good thing Alexander Hamilton's parents didn't name him Peter. 'Cause then The Federalist Papers would have been written by Peter, James, and John...)

Back to being serious, how many different readers are there? Do they switch for every paper?

William Shakespeare
plus
by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

[carriedaway]

Elizabeth S wrote: "Hmmm, that makes sense about hearing the cadence. Kinda like how it is easier and nicer to listen to Shakespeare versus reading silently.

And many :) :) about Alex reading it himself. I was goin..."

And after hearing William Shakespeare performed well, reading his plays comes more naturally.

The readers switch off for sections of the book but I don't think they're particularly reading one writer. I could be wrong. And where is Paul? (stop me from making a joke about Paul being one of the Beatles instead.....)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I have suggested in the Federalist Papers discussions that it is best to have the written paper in front of you and listen to it being read. The nuances come through.

Alexander Hamilton

[Elizabeth S]

It would really be the ideal to both listen and read. For books like that, I like to read with a pencil in hand. (Sometimes I even use the pencil.)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Are folks finding that audiobooks are becoming even more important for those long rides and commutes to work and to keep your mind active while busy around the house, yard, walking the dog?

Do you find that listening to an exciting audiobook makes you inattentive while driving or do you think it does not affect your concentration?

[Michael]

A good Audiobook while it grabs my attention certainley does not impact my driving. On the other hand a boring one lets my mind wander...huh what a red light...Then I have to rewind back to where I rember.

[Craig]

Audio books in the car have replaced my radio and music and/or NPR listening (I may still listen to NPR at times, but barely ever listen to music on my own in the car any more). I don't find one more distracting than the other. I still can notice all those other drivers on the road looking at their phones and/or texting and make sure I keep my distance from those inattentive drivers. o)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Yes, Craig and Michael - good comments and I often wonder about just exactly the points you brought up. However, the phone and texting users worry me a lot too.

[Michael]

It illegal over here to text or use your mobile when driving so not much of an issue for me.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

We have laws in this country too but they are ignored.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Right now I am listening to two books that you can join in on for Free Reads.

by Andrew G. McCabe (no photo)

Link to Free Reads and this book discussion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

and

by Mark Kurlansky

Link to Free Reads and this book discussion:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Christine]

Craig wrote: "Audio books in the car have replaced my radio and music and/or NPR listening (I may still listen to NPR at times, but barely ever listen to music on my own in the car any more). I don't find one mo..."

Definitely

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I am reading and listening to a lot of books simultaneously:

by Rick Atkinson

by Madeleine K. Albright

by Erik Larson

I do both the Kindle version and the Whisper sync on books that I am moderating for the Spotlight books, Buddy Reads and the BOTM. For Free Reads I am using straight audiobooks from Audible or the library or downloads from other library sites. A little bit of everything.