6.25.2012

Audio Week! ~ your audiobook year ~

Jen at Devourer of Books asks, "Are you new to audiobooks in the last year? Have you been listening to them forever but discovered something new this year? Favorite titles? New times/places to listen? This is your chance to introduce yourself and your general listening experience."

I love this question because I FINALLY have something to say about the topic! You see prior to this year I didn't really **get** audiobooks (and admittedly I'm still learning the ins and outs of them) but I got opinions!  Which is, by far, something that I couldn't have said a couple of years ago.


  
The Resistance

Part of where my resistance to audios laid in two different traits of my lifestyle.  One, I'm pretty darn lazy when it comes to updating my comp equipment.  In fact, I think that there's an IPhone update reminder on my phone that's been there for a few weeks.  *shrug* It just doesn't occur to me to plug it into my computer and go threw the whole process.  For obvs reason my laziness is a problem when it comes to putting audios on my phone.  I suppose I could use an app, but I've found that most of the free audios (classic reads) the narrators are B.O.R.I.N.G. and they make me want to unplug.  Secondly, my anti-audio status had to do with it just being inconvenient.   I've observed others and their audio usage and for the most part it's in commute.  Well, folks, I'm one of those lucky ducks who lives less than five minutes from my work.  Good for the gas, bad for those occasions when students want to come over to visit. 

Chachahchachanges


Then I started working out.  And nope, it's not what you think...I don't listen to audiobooks while working out.  I very much need music and energy and although there are some ABs that of course compel me to listen longer, it just doesn't work with activity.  BUT, the place where I go to workout is about twenty minutes away.  I know, I know, there are other places closer but I totally dig the people there and the energy is warm and positive and I figure what the heck, it's not like I'm driving far for work.  Like my tangent didn't you?  Let me get back to audiobooks.  So NOW I have all of this time in the car that I normally wouldn't get. And sure I can listen to music but I'm greedy when it comes to books. There's never enough time as far as I'm concerned and so many folks that I adore in the blogosphere claim ABs are the answer. *fist pump*

The Other Side

I was skeptical. I admit it.  I didn't know how I would take to this medium.  I'm a wanderer (obvs with my sidetracked convos) and how horrible would it be to zone out and miss a critical element in the book, right?  Nightmare much?  But with a flippant, "what the heck", I checked out The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.  I wanted something small and not intimidating.  Makes sense to start off with a raved and beloved children's book.

And ya'll...it was fantastic.  Sure, I totally need to get my hands on a physical copy because there were sooooo many swoon worthy parts that I want to go back to again and again...but how great was it that I didn't want to get out of my car?!  

I didn't stop there.  I plunged into adultness and listened to One Day and Ready Player One as well.  This is when I realized that narrators - good ones - are imperative.  I was NOT a fan of One Day.  In fact, the only reason why I didn't eject that sucker from my cd player and chuck it out on the street (excluding that it was the library's) is owed completely to the narrators.  They were exquisite. 

So yeah, it's official.  I'm a cheerleader for the ABs.  So far I've got nearly six under my belt AAAANNND I have a favorite narrator.  I know!  Already!  Khristine Hvam, I adore you!

17 comments:

  1. So glad you fell for audiobooks. I'm a huge fan! Keep trying new narrators and genres.

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  2. I haven't sorted out what narrators I really like yet - I feel such a newbie. I started the print book of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, but didn't like it a few pages in. I might have to try the audio version.

    Tanya Patrice
    Girlxoxo.com

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  3. I still haven't converted, but I'm on the edge. I can see how the narrator can have a huge impact (positive or negative) on the reading experience. Glad you've found a few that you like.

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  4. Girl Who Circumnavigated is great -- did you like or dislike Ready Player One?

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  5. I love reading about other people's conversion stories. It makes me remember mine. It's a personal story I hold dear, even three plus years later.

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  6. I started listening to audio books about a year and a half ago and I started with a book I had already read and loved - Anne of Avonlea (the 2nd in the Anne of Green Gables series). I was worried, too, about zoning out, but I ended up loving it and now I can't get into my car without having an audio. This year, I figured out how to get audios onto my iPod, so now I listen while I walk (even at the gym!), while I'm watering the plants and sometimes even when I'm cleaning.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!
    Kristin @ Always With a Book

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  7. I love sitting in the car waiting for a good spot to stop. :)

    And, Khristine Hvam is wonderful. In fact, I'm doing a series of interviews with narrators for Audiobook Month, and she's one of the ones featured. You should check it out!

    Once you get hooked to audio, you come to recognize how awesome the experience is of having someone very talented read to you.

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  8. Ooooh, I've been considering listening to The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making but I'm always a bit afraid of an author doing their own narration. Since we seem to agree on Khristine Hvam in Daughter of Smoke and Bone (which obviously means you have good taste *grin*) I'll have to put TGWCFiaSoHOM (that's a mouthful) in my listening queue.

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  9. Ooooh! I'm adding Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making to my wishlist right now! I've been wanting to read it for a while - maybe I'll listen instead. Thanks for the suggestions!

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  10. there are some things that I've listened to and had to quit because my mind wandered too much. Actually, this happens a lot. And like you I don't get the folks who can work out to audio. I need some JAMS. In a serious way!

    but I'm glad you're getting into audio and I LOVE the idea to have your kids listening!

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  11. So glad you've discovered audiobooks!

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  12. I haven't listened to Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, but I have listened to Kristine Hvam narrating Daughter of Smoke and Bone and by Julie Kagawa's The Iron King series.

    So what did you think of Ready Player One? I have heard lots about it.

    Happy AudioBook Week!

    Dorothy - The Alaskan Bookie - Squeak
    Blog ~ http://alaskanbookie.blogspot.com/
    Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/AkChocoholic

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  13. Welcome to the club! I actually do listen to audiobooks when working out. I find that they distract me better than music does. Love them on long runs.

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  14. I love your story to the other side! LOL! And I will check out the AB that sold you on it. I'm new too! And I love it!

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  15. I absolutely love audio books. The playaways available at the library are so convenient and easy to use.I listen to them wherever I go. There are so many to choose from!

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  16. I'm totally with you. Childrens books are great place to start. I should soooo try The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making!!

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