Thursday, December 15, 2011

Audiobooks: Yay or Nay?

I never liked audiobooks, for a couple of reasons:
  • I'm too spacey. They'll begin to talk about description and I'll space out and by the time my brain has tuned back in there's a fire and everyone is dying.
  • The narrators usually--sorry but it's true--suck. Their voice either irritates me or the narrator cannot do the voice of the opposite sex to save their life (if you've listened to The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, you'll know what I'm talking about).
  • I feel like I miss out on details.
But I picked up the audiobook of Sabriel at the library, mainly because it's narrated by the awesome Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Annie, Rocky. Horror. Picture. Show.) and I'm beginning to get really into it. Curry is doing a great job of keeping me engaged. Possibly even more than I might be if I'd just read the book (though I obviously can't say that for certain).

I'm thinking Sabriel totally has the ability to change my mind about audiobooks. What do you think of audiobooks? Are there any that are especially great? (And yes, Harry Potter is a given.)
Posted by Jessica B at 5:35 AM
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    YAY! I listen to audio books when I run on the treadmill. This week, I started All These Things I've Done. Woot!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steph from fangswandsandfairydust.comDecember 15, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    I say nay, if I read I follow, If I listen my eyes search for something to occupy myself and I forget whatever I am listening to.I am more visual than aural. And, I read faster than most people speak. When I read I don't hear people speak to me. I also don't generally drive too far so I would get frustrated.
    But, Curry has a luscious voice so it might make my brain stand up. Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
    email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
    Twitter: @fangswandsfairy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ella PreussDecember 15, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    I love listening to ab's when I'm travelling, especially because I don't have to force my eyes to focus on something that's moving because the vehicle is too. So I just close my eyes, and listen, and if I fall asleep, I just go back a little bit until I find something I remember before passing out!
    If you want different voices, try Graceling, by Full Cast Audio, they've got a different voice for every character! FCA also has Eyes Like Stars, if you haven't read it, of if you'd like to listen to it.

    xo,
    Ella

    ReplyDelete
  4. KatieDecember 15, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    I don't do audio books mainly for the reasons that you listed. I space out and I don't like the narrators. And it's not like I can do something else while listening to the audio. If I try to something I will stop paying attention and I miss things. I just stick with my regular books.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tales of WhimsyJanuary 5, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    For ages I didn't dig audios. But I've learned, it's alll about the narrator. If you like Tim Curry, try Neil Gaiman. He's a masterful story teller and I truly love his voice.

    ReplyDelete

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