So, I admit that I used to always look the other way when I saw an audio book. To me there is something just magical about holding a paper book in your hands and reading the words on the page.
But then in early 2007 I got a job further away from my home... making me spend a good hour in the car each day. I was getting tired of listening to the same songs on the radio. So, I picked up a book on CD to help pass the commute. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Then I got a new job with a slightly shorter commute, but the work environment is deathly quiet. The workers are encouraged to listen to music or whatever, as long as they use headphones. Again, I got tired of listening to the same songs on my iPod and I quickly ran out of podcasts (I'll take suggestions if you have any). So, I popped a book on CD into my computer tower and haven't looked back.
I've listened to a variety of audio books ranging from general fiction to romance to suspense to mysteries. I'll admit that it's awkward to listen to a romance book at work even while wearing headphones. And mysteries generally require a little more attention than I can give while attempting to work.
But what really makes or breaks an audio book for me is the reader. One of the very first books I listened to was an Janet Evanovich book called Motor Mouth. The main character is a race car driver from the south. So, the reader decided to adopt a southern accent. But it was more annoying than enhancing to the story. This little thing almost turned me off of audios. I decided to give them one more try and the next book was much better and now I'm hooked.
Now audio books will never replace a paper book for me. But, I find them to be a good alternative. I've especially enjoyed the Harry Potter books in audio (I read the books first, listened second). Have you ever listened to an audio book? Do you enjoy them? If you haven't, why not?
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Let me try this again.
My first foray into audio books was the Harry Potter series (recommended by Jen). I love listening to the HP books though I've only listened to books 2-4. Jim Dale (the reader) does a wonderful job.
Started off great, but I haven't found a good audio book since... haven't listened to many either... maybe that's the problem.
Tried listening to Koko by Peter Straub (read by James Woods... an actor who i like), but I couldn't get into it. I think it was less the reading and more that the story wasn't very good... probably why I couldn't get into the book either.
Next try (several times) was Dragon Rising the new Hannibal Lector book. Not sure if the author (who also reads the book) has an accent or if he was "doing" an accent for the reading, but again I just couldn't get into it.
So... I've only been able to listen to the HP books... which by the way are on my Amazon Wish List in case anyone wants to get them for me.