I need to get back on track.... Okay, so my deal is with the voice reading the book. When I read a book everyone has different voices and each character is completely formed in my mind, so much that if the book is made into a movie the actor or actress can totally not fit due to my opinion based on the book I have read and what I mind saw. The people who read the audio books drive me crazy. I have been told I have just not heard a good audio book. I am sure there are great ones out there yet I do not want to spend the money to buy an audio book I might not be able to listen too. So far I have decided to keep entering giveaways for audio books that interest me like the one over at The Book Bluff . The giveaway is for The Island by Elin Hilderbrand and I have been dying to read/hear this book! I figure she is a popular author so they must have a wonderful reader right??
Thoughts on audio books? When do you "read" them? Are they your favorite or only for specific times? Do you have any you can suggest? Can you feel my pain with some of the readers? I would like to try a good one, I am just not sure as a mom if it would be beneficial or if I would miss half the book because the kids are playing and running around..... Feel free to weigh in!!
I love audiobooks. I listen to them in the car, primarily to and from work. There are some readers that really grate on my nerves and I'll just quit listening to it. Two of the best readers that come to mind are Jim Dale and Scott Brick. I like them because they help me to get through more books. It gets me through books during times that would ordinarily be wasted.
ReplyDeleteIn the past year I have become a HUGE audiobook fan. It was Jim Dale's narration of the Harry Potter series that got me started. Then I listened to some of the Sookie Stackhouse books. I didn't listen to any for about half a year. Then, six months ago I listened to the first two Hunger Games books and I haven't stopped since. Sometimes I like the narrator and sometimes I don't. If I truly can't stand them, I don't listen to it. But I find that even if I'm wary about them in the beginning I usually change my mind by the end of the book. I mainly listen while I'm commuting or working.
ReplyDeleteI tried just once to listen to an audiobook. I could not focus at all. I prefer ebooks or paper books, the whole point of books is reading
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!!!! I'm sort of new at this...lol I don't exactly like audio books, i think the joy of reading a book is actually reading it not listening to it. Like the new Kindles that takes the joy of reading, the joy of reading is like turning the pages.. that's just my opinion =D
ReplyDeleteThe only books I've really listened to where the Doctor Who tv tie ins, and those are ones read by cast members.
ReplyDeleteI just don't like the idea of someone "reading" to me.
Okay so far I love all these comments! I agree, the point of reading is to read. I love turning pages and having a book in my hand! I do not yet have a kindle but have asked for one for Christmas. I do not know that I will like an e-book, but due to review opportunities that come my way it would be nice. I think a major issues with audio books is the reader. So far I really don't like having someone read to me but I have had MULTIPLE people tell me I have to listen to Jim Dale. Apparently he does an amazing job. I think I will give it a try because I like to try new things. I expect to stick with my books. In hand, pages turning, the whole experience that I have come to love and adore!
ReplyDeleteFor me, I'm not into audiobooks. I have tried listening to one but basically I don't enjoy it. One, my attention seems to wander when listening to these audiobooks. Second problem is the person who is reading the book. Either I get sleepy or irritated. And I agree with the people saying that I don't like the feeling of someone reading. I favor ebooks and printed versions. :)
ReplyDeleteI like to listen while I'm driving but I don't know about listening with little kids in the car. That could be distracting.
ReplyDeleteThis is on my to do list.
ReplyDeleteI really want to try audiobooks for when I am ironing and in bed at night when my eyes are too tired to read.
carol
I only started listening to audiobooks this year. I find that I really enjoy them on my ipod when I am exercising, and at night, when I am tired and don't want to watch tv. The one problem with the later, is, as you say, if I fall asleep, I have to find out where I left off. That's the good thing about listening on my ipod, because the books are broken up into one minute "chapters," unlike a CD where you might have to listen to a large chunk over again to get back to where you left off.
ReplyDeleteFor me the narrator is key...I won't listen to a book if the narrator isn't good, even though I would otherwise like the book.
I recently listened to the Brillance Audio Version of Great Expectations, and thought it was great.
I know I'm months late to this dance, but I do love audio books, maybe for an odd reason - after my husband died, I absolutely could not focus to read a book - for years. It was horrid. But I started with audio books on a long commute to work, and it was HUGE! I went thru all Jean Auel's Earth's Children books, all the Harry Potter books, all the Shopaholic books, I'm currently 'reading' Frank McCourt's books...and so many many more. 'Pillars of the Earth' and 'World Without End' were great. Just too many to mention.
ReplyDeleteBut you do need to 1)get quality audiobooks that are 'performances' and not just a monotone reader, and 2)listen when you're not distracted(funny when you consider I'm driving 75 mph while listening) - you can't cook or chase the kids, or flip through the mail. It is enforced relaxation; and who doesn't need some of that?