HI all! I missed the official kick off to Audio Book week yesterday so today I will play some catch up…. here is what yesterdays topic was:
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 discovered audio books about three years ago. Prior to that – I thought they were something outdated and something my aunt and uncle who travel from California to Minnesota each spring in an RV listen to (and that part is true…)
And then – I received an audio book for review and a whole new world was opened to me. I know there are many of you out there who have told me that you just cant get into audio – you can not focus, it’s boring… I have heard all of the things you said…
But listen up. I don’t sit and listen to audio. I listen to it while I mow the lawn which really passes the time and keeps it interesting. I listen to it while I cook and it keeps me patient and in the kitchen (two things I am not good at), I listen to it while I get ready in the morning in the morning for work and while I drive and I LOVE it. Audio books triple (yes, triple) my reading each year.
My challenge to you – please try it. My recommendations are:
80’s lovers – you will not go wrong with Ready Player One – Will Weaton is awesome!
mystery lovers – it was the James Patterson (wait wait here me out…)Michael Bennett series that hooked me!
Chick Lit – Joshyln Jacksons books are so fantastic and she reads them herself – southern fun! Backseat Saints, Gods In Alabama…. soooo good!
Historical Fiction – 11-22-63 was so amazing – yes its long yes its worth it!
For fun – Lucia! Lucia! By Adriana Trigiani sooooo good!
Non Fiction – Rob Lowes Things I only Tell My Friends and The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
Day 2:
How do you decide what you’ll listen to? Do you mostly listen, or split time between listening and reading? Particularly if you split time, how do you decide what you’ll consume in audio and what in print?
A lot of the time I look at other reviews to see what people are listening to and what they think of it. Jen (Devourer Of Books) has a Sound Bites meme that each Friday she has people link up their audio books they have listened to that week. This is a great resource when you are looking for your next great listen. It seems like I am always pr using Audible.com looking for something great to listen to.
This time of year seems like I mostly listen as I am so active outside and on the go. When it comes to choosing if I will read of listen to something many times I will hear about something wonderful on audio and then go that route – other times it could be a book club book I know I will not have time to sit and read so I will download it on audio. Audio books truly help me “read” more books then I ever could before.
So that is the first two days of the audio book week. I hope to post an audio review later today. To check out more on audio book week stop over and see Devourer Of Books posts.
This morning I am on my way to do my day 3 training for a half marathon this fall. The past two days of training have been good but I have a long way to go. I have walk/jogged the training session (3 miles) each day and cant wait until it fills a little smoother, a little more natural. I will keep you posted.
Book Journey 
Ready Player One is amazing on audio.
My favorite last year!
I really need to try fiction on audio. Maybe I’ll even do more housework if I get interested in a book! :–)
Yes Jill! You will love it!
Sheila, it was your Audiobook week posts last year that got me into audiobooks, so a big thank you for that! I have been consistently listening to more and more audiobooks as the year progressed and I am definitely hooked. Now I really have to listen to Ready Player One.
Laura I really love hearing that! I feel that people who don’t do audio either have ever tried it, or have never heard a good one! 😀
Ooh thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to try the non-fiction one by Rob Lowe because I don’t generally listen to non-fic and I want to step outside my comfort zone. I would love to do a half marathon this Fall too – but not sure if I’ll be ready. Working on it too though.
The Rob Lowe one will surprise you (it did me)! It was way more interesting then I thought it would be and I learned a lot about his childhood, his battle with alcohol and more.
I agree with you on 11/22/63 – it is outstanding on audio! It’s been years since I read Lucia, Lucia – I may need to revisit it on audio.
Both were excellent 😀
I didn’t know it was audiobook week! Ready Player One is one of my favorite audiobooks as well, and I do enjoy listening to James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series so I’ll be sure to check out his other series as well.
It was Pattersons audio books that really connected me to audio – and I really dont read Pattersons books so that is saying a lot 😀 The series I mentioned I liked was because it is a great story line and semi clean language wise and gore wise.
I don’t even have an iPod! That’s how unready I am for listening to audio books….I just have CD players. In the house and in the car. I do like the idea of listening to Adriana Trigiani and Joshilyn Jackson narrate their books.
I use a cd player in the kitchen Laurel so you are not off the hook that easy 😀 I have been working on your for 3 years now Laurel – maybe longer… its time to give in! 😛
Do you read while you run? I’ve found audiobooks to be the best running companion.
I have not tried that as the beat of the music really motivates me. I always work out to jamming music but I am willing to try listening to a book 😀
I listened to Ready Player One mostly because of your review of it. I love all of James Patterson books on audio. Just finished 12th of Never and am currently listening to Private London. I love how many more books I can get in with audio books.
I love how many books I can listen to as well! I never need to look for a book to read but I am always trying to find the next great audio 😀
I’m with you and definitely listen when I’m active and doing other things. Blogger recs definitely play into the decision making! Happy listening and training 🙂
I love it when bloggers recommend audio – I am always watching for that. 😀
Loved 11/22/63 on audio. Actually all of the King books I’ve listened to so far have been outstanding. IT was particularly awesome (my favorite audio). Some of my very first audios were the James Patterson Womens Murder Club mysteries and I loved them. Nice and short, too. 😉
That is the only King book I have listened to on audio… you may have inspired me to dig deeper 😀
I’ve gotten quite a few audio recommendations from you – Still Missing is coming to mind right now!
I listen to audios while walking – either at the gym on the treadmill or while outdoors. I was never a huge music fan to begin with, but the audios are great – and it definitely helps me get more books in during the year.
I’ve read Lucia Lucia, but might want to try the audio version. On another note – I just went into the city last weekend and did a walking book tour via the Adriana Trigiani Tour company – it was really cool. We did a tour of Greenwich Village and got to see the area through the eyes of some of the characters. Next time you’re in NYC, I’d recommend one of these if you have time!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book
Oh I forgot about Still Missing – that one was powerful on audio! I have been on that tour and it is excellent! She does one in Italy as well…. I can only dream 😀
I am with you, I do not sit still and listen! I am always doing something
same thing here, I could not imagine just sitting doing nothing and listening on a regular basis, though I have to admit, sometimes when I am close to the end of an audiobook, and the dishes and ironing are done, I may spend some time just listening to the end, because I just can’t bear to wait for the next day to have to do something where I can listen at the same time and finish that book. I remember doing that for The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton.
thanks for your recommendations by genre, I have to try then 11-22-63
I love audio books, too, though as I’ve mentioned before, I don’t have a lot of listening time, so it takes me about a month to finish one. I’m trying to expand that a bit by listening on my iPod instead of on CDs, but I am still limited because my family is around most of the time. Like you, I listen when I cook (if my husband isn’t in the kitchen helping). I drive a 92 VW with no CD player or iPod dock (just a broken cassette player and a radio!), so listening in the car doesn’t work too well for me…though sometimes I will put 1 earbud in and listen on my iPod!
Thanks for letting me know about the Friday audio meme – I will definitely check that out!
Sue
Book By Book
Big Book Summer Challenge
Thanks for including Lucia! Lucia! in the “fun” list!
Happy summer reading, or in your case, listening!
Xoxo Adriana