Artist: Eleonora Arroyo
I'm doing something a little different this season - I've joined www.audible.com so I can listen to my favorite books on the computer. It's not a bad price - certainly it's cheaper than buying the CDs and less stressful than borrowing them from the library and being on a deadline. (I can manage that with books, but find it extremely annoying with CDs - go figure.)
I'm currently listening to Georgette Heyer's book, COTILLION - one of my all time faves. Here's the thing for me, I like to listen to books I've already read and am fond of. Nothing new. I'd rather read the new stuff (by that I mean anything I haven't read before) in book form. An idiosyncrasy of mine.
This would also be a terrific way for me to FINALLY 'read' some classics I've been meaning to get to. Those I would listen to even if I hadn't read them previously. Another idiosyncrasy. I'm just full of 'em today. Confusing, I know.
For now I've got several of Laurie R. King's books and Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody adventures and even H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. Obviously, since I am an Anglophile, I like having an English accent surrounding me during the day. But not always. In the past I've bought tapes and CDs (before Audible existed, that is) and listened to Robert Parker's Spencer books read by various actors and such. (One was even read by Burt Reynolds!) I've also loved listening to Sherlock Holmes CDs and even Jane Austen and Jim Dale's reading of the Harry Potter books are not to be missed.
But this time out it's all through my computer. Audible has several plans for the new-comer and really it's not bad at all. If in the end it gets to be too pricey for me, I'll simply cancel. They make it easy enough. For those of you more computer literate than me (that would be most of you) - you can hook up audible books to several gadgets at no extra cost.
Here's the thing, the books you order are yours to keep no matter what. They're NOT rented. (No, I am not getting paid to tell you about Audible - it's just that I like the whole idea of it.) So you can listen to them over and over again as long as you like - as long as you own a computer or ipad or whatnot.
I'm trying to figure out how to listen in other rooms of the house late at night since my computer is in the studio/living room. There might be a way to hook up my ipod - if I knew how to work the damn thing. I'm hopeless, I know.
Yvette, I have never "read" a book in audio form though I have been tempted to give it a try. You make a strong case. Most classics in audio form, I think, are available free of cost as they are now in public domain.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Praahant, the classics are free online. But I meant books like those of Barbara Tuchman and such. Maybe you'd enjoy listening to books while on your way to work.
DeleteI am always on the prowl for good audio book suggestions. I get about two "read" each month on my daily commute. I'll be sure to check back if you have any good ones. I agree that Jim Dale's performances are *amazing*.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure and post what I'm listening to going forward. The Georgette Heyer books I've listened to are wonderful, by the way.
DeleteI LOVE audiobooks! I listen while I paint or in the car. My favorite: The Book Thief. Also enjoyed The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, Cutting for Stone, Major Pettigrew & many more.
ReplyDeleteI borrow the audiobook from my library, download it to my computer & then transfer it to my iPod. It's free and mine to keep as long as I like on the iPod.
Oh Carol, I didn't know you could do that. But you're handy with your gadgets and such. I am a dismal flop when it comes to doing that sort of thing. I have an ipod but I've never used it. Can't figure out how. My daughter won't help me because she wants me to do it on my own. GAK! I know, I know, I could find instructions online - but I just don't have the temerity to try it. I keep saying: tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. How on earth do you transfer the books from your computer to your ipod?
DeleteYvette I love listening to audio in the car and when we travel I use my iPad to listen. I get them from the library and use the program overdrive. I was looking around at audible.com and they said you can use your iPod and if you need help to call 24/7 to this number (888) 283-5051 it is toll free. I would get my iPod out and sit at my computer and call them and they will walk you thru each step. Wish I could come over and help you figure it out. I love a challenge! This is a great site for free audiobooks. http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much, Peggy Ann. I did know they were very helpful, but I somehow I didn't see that you can use your ipod. I will definitely be calling them. THANK YOU for pointing this out to me. I can be such a chicken-head sometimes. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the link to free audiobooks. Since baseball season is ending soon, I'll be listening even more to my favorite books. :)
Like Carol and Peggy Ann, I have enjoyed books in the car. Back when I was using tapes, I'd go on long trips listening to Allister Cooke, and it seemed to cut travel time in half!
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing too, Mark. I don't keep a car anymore, so I listen at home. But I'm hoping to use the ipod to listen to books on long walks. :)
ReplyDeleteI have YET to try this out Yvette though I am devoted to the kind of radio drama that thankfully is still plentiful on the BBC and through such companies as Big Finish.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure you'd enjoy listening to books, Sergio. Give it a try. :)
DeleteI can see why you prefer to listen to books you've read because I think my attention is not as great with audio books since I use them to clean to.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Patti. If I still kept a car and took long trips, I might listen to new stuff. But having said that, I'm thinking of buying Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell to listen to simply because I couldn't manage to read the book. Also a Barbara Tuchman book about the calamitous 14th century. We'll see how it goes.
DeleteOne of the best books I listened to on CD was "The Perfect Storm"! It was very dramatic and the reader had a proper Massachusetts fishermen's accent.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a book I've avoided because of the ending, Pat. I'm such an emotional chicken. :)(Didn't see the movie either.) But I can just imagine how powerful the book might be in audio.
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