What the…?! {Audiobooks: The Good, The Bad, The Annoying}
How often do you come across a news article, a tweet or a blog entry and say “What the heck?!” I do it all the time, and so I started “What The…?!” a new feature here at For Love and Books – basically just a catch-all for my Bookish Thoughts – be they current events or general topics.
This weekend, I’ve decided to chat about Audio Books!
I’ve been a big fan of audiobooks for a few years now! My first audiobook was For Whom the Bell Tolls, it was six years ago and I was driving a truck and needed something to pass the time during my 14 hour shifts. My father-in-law gave the disc set to my husband and I, and I was actually shocked at how quickly the book made my shift go by! I was hooked.
Now? As a stay-at-home Mom? I live for Audiobooks! I listen while I’m cleaning, while I sit at the park and watch my 4 year old play. While we go on long car trips! (For shorter trips? We have children’s audiobooks for my daughter to listen too!)
Now, why does this merit a whole post of it’s own? There’s a few reasons!
#1: The debate. Do you count the audiobooks in your annual reading count? I have a few (IRL) friends who say NO! They say it’s only reading if you actually hold the words in your hand. Personally? I count them, but I do notate it on my annual reading list that they were audio.
#2: Abridged Books. There is nothing I hate more than getting an audio book and finding out I’ve accidentally grabbed the Abridged copy. (I had this happen with Outlander when I checked it out from the library, this is what prompted my Audible.com Membership. )
#3: Narrators. With audiobooks, it’s not necessarily the words for me, it’s about the Narrator. This can really make or break a book. I’ve listened to a few books with miserable narrators, some I’ve just plain stopped the book. But I’ve listened to some? Where the narrators are absolutely fabulous! (In fact? I’ve found some books on Audible by searching Narrators that I love!) And as much as I adore physical books, there are a few series/authors that I love their narrators so much that I prefer to listen over reading!)
- Amanda Ronconi – Amanda narrates Molly Harper’s books, and she is absolutely perfect for the stories! (And in hunting for this, I found out she does Rachel Vincents Soul Searchers series too! I’ve been on the fence about that book, but now? I’m going to use my current Audible Credits to snag the first two! See? Narrators can sell books too!)
- Emily Shaffer – Emily Narrates for the last 3 Vampire Academy books as well as the Bloodlines books by Richelle Mead! I read the first 2 VA books, but listened to number 3 and was quickly hooked.
So how about you? Do you count Audiobooks in your reading count? Do you have a favorite Narrator?
