Monday, June 17, 2013

Audiobook Week 2013 - My audiobook year

Today's prompt -

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 have "re-discovered" the audiobook in the past couple of years, and it's been so much fun! As a kid, I listened to those records that came with the book - surely someone else here remembers them? There was a little chime that indicated it was time to turn a page? I also had a set of Sherlock Holmes mysteries on cassette tape that I listened to many times, but it had been a LOT of years since I'd really even given audiobooks much thought.

Then in 2010, I stumbled across METAtropolis: Cascadia, the amazing collaborative sci-fi work that ended up winning a Hugo that year, and my love was rekindled. My husband and I decided to get a subscription at Audible.com, and then I realized that my local library has an ever-growing audiobook collection as well. Now I'm hooked - I have an audiobook going all the time. 

I've discovered that I like housework SO much more when I'm listening to my audiobook - it's a great companion when the kids and I are on walks - and it makes my daily commute to work just fly by. I've even delved into some classics that had always intimidated me, and found that listening to them on audio is a great experience. Some of my favorites from the past year include -





























It's been so much fun getting to know this fantastic genre, and I'm excited about Audiobook Week to learn even more about my newest obsession!


12 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I only discovered audio books after I started blogging. I tried The Orchardist and the narrator drove me bonkers because he was talking so slow - maybe I need to try it again.

Kristin said...

I remember that chime...

I haven't tried listening to any of the classics on audio - but I might just have to bite the bullet and do it. I love listening to thrillers - they really keep me hooked! But I also listen to a lot of women's fiction, too.

And I totally agree about the housework thing - without audios it's such a boring task...I'm actually about to do some cleaning in a bit and have my audio ready to go!

My Audiobook Year

The Reading Date said...

I have a copy The Night Circus- guess I better get on listening to that!

Yup I remember those read-along records too. I had a bunch of Disney titles.

Happy listening!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Ooooh! The Count of Monte Cristo! I bet that was a commitment. ;) And yes, I totally forgot about those tapes with the chime to turn the page. Too funny!

JoAnn said...

LOL, I remember that little chime!

Classics make for great listening. Lately I've been making them into read/listen combos, especially with longer books. The Count of Monte Cristo was an excellent read and I'm sure it must have been a wonderful audio, too!

Laurie C said...

I remember being amazed at how much I liked The Count of Monte Cristo way back when so I can see how it would be a great audio. I recently listened to David Copperfield on audio, narrated by the wonderful Ralph Cosham. It was fantastic!

Jen - Devourerofbooks said...

I loved The Orchardist in print, but I wish I had done the audio.

Julie S said...

The Night Circus is definitely on my to-listen list :)

Tanya Patrice said...

Audiobooks really doe make housework more bearable!

Michelle (my books. my life.) said...

Audiobooks make houseworks SO MUCH BETTER.

TipiTopi said...

Housework and audio books are a good pairing, but also I like to sit on the terrace in the evening when the sun goes down, and listen to a good story!

Anne Simonot said...

Wow, I just stumbled across your blog and I will have to spend some time going through your previous posts. I've gotten this far back so far. I am fairly new to the audiobook world too, and like you, find they make certain things (housework) more bearable. I only listen when I'm doing something else too. Also good for the daily commute. My favourite so far: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. Beautifully written (I need to read a book version someday), evocative, and two wonderful narrators. Also a hint of YA romance, which I'm often not a fan of; but underplayed and subtle. Highly recommended.