I never understood the attraction of an audiobook. I had tried listening to a couple before and it never turned out so well so I just gave up. They just never appealed to me. But now...
Why I Used to Avoid Audiobooks Like The Plague
- I used to think they didn't really count as reading. I was young and naive. (This was a long time ago before blogging. Don't throw stones.)
- I am not good at sitting still for long periods of time.
- My attention span wanders like crazy. (This is still true, but the right book can help that problem. See below.)
- I am a visual person.
- The two whole times I tried to listen to an audiobook I couldn't focus/I got bored and gave up.
Why I Now Love Audiobooks
- I now actually have a decent size commute to work and the radio is not for me. I can only listen to the same song so many times before I go crazy.
- I listen to them while I am cleaning. Brilliant.
- Finding the right narrator and story makes all the difference. My mind rarely wanders!
- It gives me a chance to use time I couldn't read during before to do so now. (Like the cleaning I mentioned earlier.)
- I get them from the library so if I don't like them they are free anyway.
The Audiobooks I Have Listened to So Far
18 hours, 15 minutes
Goodreads
My Rating:
The Narrator: January LaVoy was fantastic! She did an amazing job at all of the different character voices, male and female.
The Story: So very creepy, and it easily held my attention. Even when the MC, Evie, got on my nerves a little bit, I still enjoyed the minor characters, the 1920's setting, and the disturbing serial killer mystery. This is a perfect fall read. I highly recommend it.
11 hours, 9 min
Goodreads
My Rating:
The Narrator: Although I had to get used to his voice, I think Will Patton did a great job.
The Story: All of the characters are interesting in this one, and I liked each one, flaws and all. There were a lot of mysterious happenings and I certainly was never bored.
3 hours, 30 min
Goodreads
My Rating:
The Narrator: I love David Tennant in all things, including this audiobook. He did a fantastic job at narrating Hiccup and the dragons! If you are a fan of his you may as well go ahead and listen to this one.
The Story: How to Train Your Dragon was full of laughs and fun times. It was easy to follow along and adorably funny. I loved it.
4 hours, 37 min.
Goodreads
My Rating:
The Narrator: Mindy Kaling narrates this herself. I just recently started watching The Mindy Project and I am a fan.
The Story: Mindy talks about an array of subjects. She touches on her time at The Office, being bullied when she was younger, fashion, guys, and anything a 20 something would want to discuss. She had me chuckling a good amount. It was an enjoyable read.
Audiobooks I Plan to Listen to in The Near Future
What audiobooks do you recommend? I am willing to read/listen to just about anything.
Oh lola is a great audibook. I dind't really realize audio books was a thing to do even though I had listened to twilight on audio.... at work after it came out and I read it first. I just liked them that much and wanted to re- visit. Anyways I had a friend at work that listened to them all the time because she couldn't physically read due to horrible headaches. never thought anything of it. I like to read. Then I started reading challenges and didn't have time to read all the books I wanted so I tried one at work.... fell in love and cannot stop listening. The right narrators do make a huge difference. I do have my faves.
ReplyDeleteI am listening to Lola now and I am loving it! I am so glad I grabbed it. I feel like once you go audiobook you can't usually go back. What are some of your faves?
DeleteI have gone back and forth on audiobooks as well. Lately, I've been driving long distances 1-2 times per week. Audiobooks help to keep me focused on driving, as well as entertained. Getting them from the library sure makes things more afordable as well! Right now, I'm listening to Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling, although, so far, I like her first book much more. I think you have some great selections represented here! Way to step out of your comfort zone! :)
ReplyDeleteI like audiobooks now while I am driving as well! I don't know if I will read Mindy's second book, maybe some day. Right now I am enjoying Lola though! :D
DeleteI used to be the same way! And I avoided them for pretty much the same reason! But when I was traveling so much (in the car for hours on end at least a few times a year), I started listening to them and just enjoyed it so much. Plus it made the trip fly by!
ReplyDeleteIt does make the time fly by! I used to loathe having to drive, and now I don't mind it. :D
DeleteSO HAPPY YOU ARE A CONVERT. As you know, I LOVE audiobooks. And I love that I can do so many things while listening to them besides just driving. I listen to them when I get ready, cook, exercise, clean, fall asleep, etc. I will brainstorm some other for you - the narrator definitely makes a difference. Sometimes I have to restart a book a couple times and force myself to pay attention but when a book/narrator is great then I am glued to it (like right now with The Girl Who Played with Fire). Also - I want to listen to that Mindy Book (and I want to start watching The Mindy Project).
ReplyDelete:D <3 I now listen to them while I clean too! Perhaps I will also start doing that when I exercise as well, when I get back on that wagon. I did have to restart chapters a few times before because my mind wandered, but luckily it doesn't happen too often, or I catch myself rather quickly. The Mindy book is pretty good, especially for us 20 somethings.
DeleteAlso, now I know your secret of getting the time to read even more books every year! ;)
DeleteWoo hoo! I never thought I'd like them either, but now I'm kind of obsessed :) I liked the Mindy Kaling book and want to try her new one some time. The Diviners is on my book club's schedule coming up and I probably won't go audio for it, but excited to see it was a 4-star for you!
ReplyDeleteRight? I think the worst part is having to get out of the car during a really good part! I can't wait to see what you think of The Diviners. I think you will like that one.
DeleteYou have come to the dark side!!! I know that I couldn't believe how wonderful audio books were until I really gave them a chance. I've only read a few but if you want to listen to a really great retelling (it's pretty long) than I would suggest Shannon Hale's "The Goose Girl". It's really fantastic. I'll be keeping an eye our for audio books you enjoy. I have The Diviners in hard cover format, but have yet to read it. Happy you enjoyed it so much. I really need to get on that :P
ReplyDeleteI have and I love it! I shall add Goose Girl to my list! Let me know if you find any more audiobook gems. I am listening to Lola and the Boy Next Door right now and I am really enjoying it! It's cute.
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