The Next Best Book Club discussion
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To audio or not? That is the question.
I've recently gotten hooked on audio books. I think you have to find the right one with the right narrator for it to hold your attention. For me it was The Thirteenth Tale. I tried reading it numerous times and didnt like it. Listening to it make it come to life and now I understand all the raves it received.Another great one is The Historian. I LOVED the book and tried the audio when I heard it was read by numerous people. WOW, the audio again was better than the book and the book was great.
I agree, the Stephanie Plum woman is funny as heck. I laugh out loud and get weird looks! Chuck Palahniuk is also better heard and I would LOVE to hear The Gospel According to Biff on audio!
Hmmmm,can you tell I'm hooked? LOL
I am so with you, Angela, for I too have sat in the driveway as well as missed an exit because I was so absorbed!
I've sat in the driveway many times listening to CBC but never audiobooks because I just don't have them in my car. If I did I'm sure it would be even worse.
SammesmomI just finished listening to the Thirteenth Tale. I absolutely loved the two narrators. I don't think I would have enjoyed it with anyone else.
They did a wonderful job of making the story come alive.
Now I am listening to the Life of Bees. So far I am enjoying the narrators voice. Will have to see when I am a few more chapters or even cds into the story.
I seem to sit in the driveway too. Sometimes the story is at a part I just don't want to miss.
Right now I would have to say that my favorite audio is the James Burke ones. The actor (I can't remember his name but he played in Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington) was just awsome in his reading. Since the story was set in New Orleans area, his accent was right on.
I LOVE audio books. I've listened to many of the classics that are often slower moving stories (that wouldn't keep me up turning pages at night) have been put to audio and they make the drive to work so much nicer. Some of my favorites that are audio:1. The Kite Runner (read by the author so you get the authenticity of the speach in it. Wonderful!)
2. Down River (John Hart) --wow, this book was just amazing no matter how you read it, but the reader was fabulous
3. The Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)--I only have the abridged version, unfortunately, but another great listen. Reader has a rich voice that brings
4. Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)-- no matter how many times you've read the book, the audio is still wonderful
5. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)--like above, the audio is fabulous and no matter if you've read this 100 times, you'll still enjoy it.
I could go on and on but will stop at these 5. Listening to BLINK right now. Fascinating.
I loved the Redwall audios as well. Great reader. :)
I've listened to audio books in the car before and have enjoyed them, but don't do it on a regular basis. I decided to take up knitting, and I thought listening to audio books while I'm doing it would make a nice combo. I've decided to start with nonfiction books because those tend to take me longer to read than fiction, and I get antsy while trying to finish them because I have other books I'm waiting to read. I'll report back on my findings ...
I've listened to audio books in the car before and have enjoyed them, but don't do it on a regular basis. I decided to take up knitting, and I thought listening to audio books while I'm doing it would make a nice combo. I've decided to start with nonfiction books because those tend to take me longer to read than fiction, and I get antsy while trying to finish them because I have other books I'm waiting to read. I'll report back on my findings ...
I've listened to audio books in the car before and have enjoyed them, but don't do it on a regular basis. I decided to take up knitting, and I thought listening to audio books while I'm doing it would make a nice combo. I've decided to start with nonfiction books because those tend to take me longer to read than fiction, and I get antsy while trying to finish them because I have other books I'm waiting to read. I'll report back on my findings ...
I've listened to audio books in the car before and have enjoyed them, but don't do it on a regular basis. I decided to take up knitting, and I thought listening to audio books while I'm doing it would make a nice combo. I've decided to start with nonfiction books because those tend to take me longer to read than fiction, and I get antsy while trying to finish them because I have other books I'm waiting to read. I'll report back on my findings ...
I've listened to audio books in the car before and have enjoyed them, but don't do it on a regular basis. I decided to take up knitting, and I thought listening to audio books while I'm doing it would make a nice combo. I've decided to start with nonfiction books because those tend to take me longer to read than fiction, and I get antsy while trying to finish them because I have other books I'm waiting to read. I'll report back on my findings ...
I've listened to audio books in the car before and have enjoyed them, but don't do it on a regular basis. I decided to take up knitting, and I thought listening to audio books while I'm doing it would make a nice combo. I've decided to start with nonfiction books because those tend to take me longer to read than fiction, and I get antsy while trying to finish them because I have other books I'm waiting to read. I'll report back on my findings ...
Sammesmom, I loved Thirteenth Tale, too. Have you listened to Water for Elephants? Has 2 readers as well and the old man is terrific.
same as Jennie.. I did listen to audio book (a short one) while going to the office.. a self-help audiobook.. but I don't think to listen for a longer one..
I enjoy audiobooks esp with some of the readers who have the appropriate accent or deliver with "theatricality". Currently listening to The Wind in the Willows, recently listened to some of AE Poe (The Raven, The Red Masque), The Coffe Trader by David Liss, Trunk Music by Connelly. Next: 1984? Les Miserables?
Hi Erin. I've not read Water for Elephants. For whatever reason the story just didn't sound good to me. Ive heard so many good things though I think I will give it a 'listen'
I'm currently listening to Peony in Love and it's good but the narrator is so theatrical, frequently pausing etc, that my 35 minute car ride to work today wound up equally 7 pages of text! (I took the book ouf the library too so I could read in house and finish in time.)I'm a big audio book fan but I don't remember ever having on that was so dragged out! I have the book club tonight and I have 23 pages left in the book but clearly it will take longer than my drive there for this narrator to finish 23 pages-guess I'm shutting my office door and hiding a while!
I dislike the theatrical readers as well. Another book that didn't seem to translate to audio very well for me was Time Travelers Wife. I kept getting lost (no pun intended) so I stopped the tape and read it with my eyes. It was such an interesting story that I may revisit it one day. Hope you got your book read in time for your group!
I loved The Thirteenth Tale as well. I read The Historian the old fashioned way and loved it too. I'll have to listen to it now.RE: Stephanie Plum--I started listening to the audios about the time book 5 was being released and the reader was fabulous. Then they switched readers at about book 10 and it really messed with my head. The new reader, I've heard, is great, but she is nothing like the old one. Anyone else notice this and have a problem with it?
Pumpkin- Thanks for the tip on the Redwall series. Right now, I'm finishing up listening to David Baldacci's The Simple Truth which I would recommend to anyone (in print or audio). I'll reserve it at the library today.
Are you into audiobooks? Do you care who the narrators are? Then try this poll. Give the narrators a VOTE today!
My to-read list is way too long... and I frequently feel that I'm wasting time when I'm driving... so I like audio books. I don't think they can compare to the experience of actually reading a book, and like so many others, my mind occasionally wanders while I'm listening, but I can always rewind to catch what I missed. I've found that if I get both the book and the audio, I can go back and actually read the parts that I really want to experience. I read mostly non-fiction so it seems to enhance my learning of the subject.
I don't know if I would feel the same about listening to fiction. Angela and Joanie mentioned listening to Little Children. I've read it. I can't imagine listening to it. It seems that reading it would offer so much more to the experience. I remember how I was so anxious to get to the next part of the story and find out what was next. Remember the chapter that ends with "Who's Sarah?".... or the one when she sees the figure in the dark and realizes that it's not Todd?
Sorry... got sidetracked. I like audio books.
I'm not that big of a fan of audio books. I think it's because of the fact that nothing can compare to actually picking up the book and letting yourself get lost in the words. As I would only be listening in my car, while I'm driving, that probably wouldn't be the best or safest idea for me....However I've never tried listening to a non fiction book before, and that might actually work for me as I don't need to get as lost. Does that make sense?? Ha Ha.
I usually do the audio thing when I'm lying in bed and can't sleep or during a commute when I finish a book and don't have another. I am on the fence with it, I can take it or leave it. I do prefer the physical thing though.
I love audiobooks, but if the reader is no good, then it doesn't matter how good the book is. I love Lawrence Block's books, but I listened to one read by him once, and I just couldn't take it & had to give it up.Right now, I'm listening to (and reading) Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and it is the best audiobook performance-wise I've ever read (and it's a pretty damn good book, too)!
I also love the woman who reads Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries - Mary Peiffer.
Oops, almost forgot - I thought I was the only one who liked to SMELL books. I just LOVE a good book that smells good, and has a nice font. I've turned away books that looked terrific because of the font.
I prefer to actually read a book. There's just something about curling up under a blanket in a big comfy chair with a puppy on my feet, a pillow on my lap, a great book in my hands.Although, I must say, I really enjoy listening to books while I'm in the car. I've listed to several Sophie Kinsella (sp?) books, the Twilight series (which I've also read), and Harry Potter (which I've also read). Audio gives me the opportunity to "re-read" my favorites while I'm captive in the car and then my free reading time can be used on my TBR list.
The audio didn't work with me. Actually, I resited around 20 min and that was all. Laura, I love to feel the book, too.
To be able to listen to an audio book is an acquired thing to do. If your first try is with a mediocre narrator/story you very well could be discourage for life with audio books and that could be a great loss to you.For a first timer listening to an audio book, I think besides a great title and narrator, you also need the time and space to closely follow the story for quite a while, to really get in the mood and absorb the whole experience. The narrator is really your friend that is telling you the story.
If you are one of those that really are unsure that listening is not like reading. Try listening to a book that you also have the paper copy of. I venture to say that if you can resist the urge to race ahead skimming the words in a furious reading pace, you will after a while lay down the book and just continue to listen and absorb the words flowing from the narrator. In the end the real beauty with audio books is that you will be able to do more than one thing at the time. Just don't be so addictive that you shut your whole family out. I have seen that happen.
In some way an audio books forces the words into you in a relaxing pace as long as your mind is open for it. It is an experience that for some might take time to develop/learn and when/if you mind finally get it, you will have a friend for life.
I am forever doing something with my hands, so audio books are wonderful for me. I do prefer a real book, but I has the works to do (I make jewelry, knit, and spin yarn). The reader is a very important part of it, though. And only one reader per story, please. Not actors playing "parts".I generally try to keep my audio books to things that are easy to follow, especially since part of my brain is involved in something else.
I love to listen to a book while showering/getting ready in the morning, also while cleaning / cooking, as it can make doing chores something to actually look forward to. I think S.G. made a good point, though, that it has to be a good narrator and the right book - esp. while you are getting used to it.
Growing up, my best friend's mum was a librarian, which meant we were always inundated with books. However, my friend wasn't big on reading. I think the only books I ever saw her with were Anne of Green Gables.So, in order to get around her daughter's lack of enthusiasm, her mother would constantly rent audiobooks. I spent a good deal of time sleeping over at their house when my parents were away, and so distinctly remember falling asleep to the soft tones of English women narrating children's fables.
There was one in particular about a bug who lived in the bathtub drain, and the spider who helped him up to the ledge. Wish I knew who wrote that.
In the beginning of this thread Nikki wrote in message #3 " Try to find books that are read by an actor/actress" which for the most part is very true. Few and far are those audio books that the writer/narrator are one and the same and both good. For me this was a good example of one.
One of the few authors who is an excellent narrator is Ron McLarty. I agree...very few authors are good narrators. I think that this is most likely because trained actors are used to taking the writtn word and bringing it to life on screen or through the spoken word.
I"ve found a few books that I had to do on audio because they were just too boring in print.One of them was the Appeal by John Grisham
I agree with S.G. Listening to books is a skill just like reading them the old fashioned way is. If you're new, you might also try abridged books to start out OR try an old favorite that you already know. That way if you tune out every once in awhile you won't get lost. I've recommended before will do it again, To Kill A Mockingbird has a fabulous reader as does Mice and Men, Pride and Prejudice, The Kite Runner (it is the author in this case and his voice gives authenticity to the story). The 13th Tale has wonderful readers too as does Water for Elephants (old man is my favorite). I generally like one voice through the entire book, but in 13th Tale and Water for Elephants, the two voices are both so compelling.
Can't count how many mornings I'm late for work just because I'm sitting in the parking lot resisting turning off the car.
This is a comment to message #84 by Laura."I love to listen to a book while showering/getting ready in the morning",
Showering, how do you manage to listen when doing that? By any chance could we get a visual on that?
Well I can't speak for Laura but I have an iHome in my bathroom so I can listen to music while I shower.
I love audio books. They are the best thing for a long commute, and when I’m doing a cross-country road-trip, they are the only thing that keeps me awake (although they put the wife to sleep). And when I’m too lazy too read, I’ll pop one in the laptop while I play a computer game.
I just started listening to Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. There are two different narrators, one for Jacob at 93 and one for when he's 23. The 93 year old narrator really sounds 93 which I thought was going to bother me at first but it actually makes things even more poignant. I love how a lot of audio book companies are starting to get more creative by adding music, different sound effects etc. It makes it feel more like a performance.
I love to listen to books while in the car or cleaning house. Even cooking. I love listening to the Lee Child (Jack Reacher) novels...great reader. The Dexter books by Jeff Lindey. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I will also pick up a book that I would ordinarily not invest the time to read but will enjoy in audio. Catherine Coulter, Sandra Brown, etc.
S.G. - if you're hooked on audiobooks like I am, you'll find a way!Jessica - what's an iHome?
Another good audio title for two readers is Colony by Anne Rivers Siddons. There are two readers, one for the grandmother, the other for the granddaughter. Terrific novel, audio or not.
I am an audio enthusiast and listen as much as I read. I listen in the car, on the subway, and sometimes I just stay home and do a puzzle while I listen. The key is to exploit the audio selection at your local library and to also download from audible.com. Become a member and you can receive one or two books a month for around $20. The greatest audio book in my opinion is American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Its narrated by George Guidell, who also does some of the Dark Tower series. He is a great narrator which makes all the difference in audio books. I specifically look forward to road trips for the time I spend listening to audio books. I used to work on houses and listen all day on my head phones. I miss it.
iHome is a system for iPod that allows you to play your MP3 player through speakers rather than just headphones.I find I can really only listen to audio books when I'm driving. If I'm playing on the computer or doing housework, I don't give the books they full attention they deserve. When I'm driving, I can be tuned in to both while still be attentive to the road ahead of me (and any signs, people, animals, etc.).
I've never tried audiobooks, but I've been thinking about it lately. My husband and I are going on vaction to Italy (First time out of the country--I'm so excited!) in a few weeks and we have some killer flights. I don't think I'll ever be able to carry on enough reading material, so I thought audiobooks might help me pass some time. I mentioned it to my husband (NOT a reader) and he was like, "Are you crazy? You love BOOKS. You'll never enjoy just listening." I'm afraid he's right. We'll see. Just in case, does anyone have any recommendations for audiobooks to get me in the right frame of mind for Italy?I like the idea of listening to an audiobook while working out. I've pretty much stopped going to the gym because I get so mind-numbingly bored watching tv and if I try to read even a magazine, I start moving at a snail's pace. Maybe an audiobook would get me through.
All:I've posted here a couple of times, but wanted to update regarding actors as readers.
I'm currently listening to The Alchemist which is read by Jeremy Irons. Now, I've never read this book, and apparently it's very short (audio's only 4 1/2 hrs long). Jeremy Irons is a British actor who I remember as being from The Man in the Iron Mask and (sorry! This is so mainstream America) Die Hard 3. But he is an excellent choice for a narrator. What a dramatic speaker!
BTW if the book ends as good as it's begun, it will be on my all-time-favorites list, and I will recommend it to everyone!!
There's a new, at least to me, dimension on the block now. In another group, an author, Clyde Ford, mentioned that he had hooked up his book to Google Earth 3D. Not only that, but you here him reading the book too - at least with IE7 (I didn't get everything to work with Firefox 3 or IE8 beta). Wow! It's awesome.His book is a murder mystery & takes place around Seattle. With Google earth, you can zoom in & actually see not only where the action is taking place, but the buildings that are there & everything. He has a great reading voice, too.
His website is http://clydeford.com & once you get in there, look for the blue OnScene link on the right. It is really worth the trip.
Ikiwiki, thanks for the iHome info. I'll have to tell my daughter, she has an iPod.JG - Have you read "Eat, Pray, Love"? One of the countries she visits is Italy. Actually, I think it's the first one she goes to. She loved Italy, and she's a terrific writer, so you might really like that one.
The Next Best Book Club
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Having just finished The Book Thief and wishing I could reread it immediately except I jump on another book instead I am thinking about starting a new trend of listening to the book following the reading in attempt to get more out of it. I'll see how it goes. I think I would only do this for 4 or 5 star books that really make me think.