Audiobooks? What is your take on them?

[Keta]

Audio books are really coming into their own now. Land of Falling Stars, a best seller at Ravenous Romance can be purchased in Audio and is also at several sites. I've asked Stephanie to read it in e-format and tell you about it.

Hope you'll check it out. Land of Falling Stars, (Once Upon A Time category) RAVENOUS ROMANCE, http://www.ravenousromance.com

Don't forget to stop by my web site and enter my contest to win free books. I give them away at the end of every month.
http://www.ketadiablo.com

Thank you

[tosca]

I wrote a while back that the two audiobook experiences I had didn't do much for me. The first one the man did the ladies' voices in falsetto and I couldn't stop giggling. The second the word 'sex' was used in the first 5 mins and I couldn't stop giggling. I know - juvenile! Yesterday I took home Laurell K. Hamilton's audiobook of Swallowing Darkness. I read the book when it first came out. Have been wandering around work all day listening to it and enjoying it. Although I do have to confess that it took me about an hour to figure out that the player was on shuffle and I couldn't figure out why it wasn't being read in the order that I'd read the book in. D'OH ;) While I don't think I'll use audiobooks for everything I'm certainly a convert now. I did snicker slightly through Merry's description of Sholto knowing how to use what was under his jeans I didn't giggle after that at all heh.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

tosca,

For me, books that are told in first person do very well in audio book format. My favorites would include the Anita Blake series, Sookie Stackhouse series and Moning's Fever series. Although I'm not a total covert yet to Karen Chance's Cassie Palmer series, I do plan to listen to that one instead of reading, having listened to the first one.

I also plan to pick up the Merry Gentry books in audio, instead of print. I think that will work for me best...

[Keta]

I think the person's voice has to be really good, soothing and clear. I've listed to some of the samples from the Audio books and some were very good, while others threw me. Tosca, you are so funny! You didnt' like the word "sex" spoken out loud, huh? That kind of ruined the whole story for you?

I do think audio books are going to be big seller in the market though with tall the technology today, and younger generations like all that fancy gadget stuff. I still think they're a little pricy, but maybe not if you belong to Audible or one of the clubs. I do like them because they're compact and can travel anywhere with you and I like to listen to them in the car when traveling.

Keta

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Kelly Anne, that's interesting that you didn't like the narrator for the Ilona Andrews books. I bought them both last month in preparation for the release of Magic Strikes, as I knew I wouldn't have time to sit and reread them ahead of time. I quite enjoyed them though.

I'm currently listening to the Twilight Saga, mid-way through Breaking Dawn. I like that they've brought in a male narrator to read Jacob's section. They introduced him in Eclipse for the opening section for Jake's letter.

I've also got the first three in the Merry Gentry series. I haven't made it all the way through the third one yet, but that's because I'm not sure about the story rather than any reflection on the narrator (although I do find it annoying that while it's the same narrator as the first two, she suddenly changed the pronunciations of several things in this one and it sounds all wrong!). Definitely steamy though.

[tosca]

Hi Keta - yeah, I dunno what it was. Might've just been my mindset that day but just hearing the word 'sex' set me off in giggles *rolls eyes* Totally juvenile considering the books I read LOL Swallowing Darkness I enjoyed in audiobook format. As a result have My family and other Animals by Gerald Durrell (he's my hero) which is read by Nigel Davenport which I'm going to start tonight. Or early in the morning! I find it helps the work day pass in a much more pleasant way when I am plugged in :)

Thanks Yz - you've given me some audiobook authors/series to keep an eye out for in my local library :-)

[Keta]

Maybe it was the "Swallowing" word that set you into a giggle (tee-hee) along with the sex word.

Hmmm.

Keta

[Wild for Wilde]

I love audiobooks! I'm a slow reader so I can get through books much faster if I listen to them. I try to keep up on newly released romance titles and if anyone is interested, Julia Quinn's "What Happens in London" was just released on audiobook. I found my copy here: www.booksonboard.com .

[southpaw285]

I tried several months ago to listen to one of Johanna Lindsay's old books on audio and I just couldn't do it. That being said, since reading thru some of the posts here and Yz's point about training yourself to listen, I do believe I will give it another try.

I used to read romance all the time, but was away from it for many years and have just recently started reading it again. I bought the audio because I could not remember the story and wanted to listen to it, rather than spend the time re-reading it again (simply because there are so many more books I want to read).

Anyway, my plan is to try to learn to "like" the audio versions because that would be the perfect way for me to re-read some of the older books I've forgotten. It really bothers me to know I've read a book, but cannot remember the story. Does anyone else have that problem?

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Soutpaw,

I have been reading romance novels since I was little. When I got married, there was a period of about 4 years that I didn't read fiction.

About 2 years ago, I picked up Ward's Dark Lover from a library sale, and got pulled back to reading romance...this time mostly paranormal.

When I was putting together my GR shelf, there are so many books from previous authors that I enjoyed that I can't even remember whether I read it or not, or if I do, I can't really remember the story...so yes, that is not unusual.

As for audiobooks, sometimes you just have to find a reader that works for you. For most people, at the very beginning it seems like you need to concentrate a lot...but once you get used to it, its actually addicting...LOL!

[Keta]

I think they're so nice while riding in a car or going on a long trip. Really helps pass the time. I also like to sit outside on the deck on a nice day and just listen. Yz is right, you have to make a concerted effort to listen, even close your eyes and just take in the words. I think we're so used to having a book in our hand and words to read, that it takes some adjustment.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Hey, Keta. Haven't seen you post in awhile. Glad that you drop by. I assume you've been busy writing. Good luck with your work.

[Keta]

Hi Yz,

Thank yo so much for posting a note to me. Yes, I have been on so many dealines my head is spinning.

But I read everything on Goodreads and really enjoy the posts and the reviews (good or bad).

Have a wonderful week.

Keta

[★Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Sheba Tong Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ★]

I'm really not that into audiobooks. For some reason my mind starts to wander and I find it difficult to focus. I also think you miss something by not following the written text.