Audio books

**Jester** · 08-07-2011, 04:51 AM

I've never been much of a reader. I tend to like movies, because they are shorter and deal with more senses, but I have listened to a few audio books.

I bought Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on audio cassette for $.50 at a garage sale and loved it. Jim Dale's ability to give each of the many, many characters a distinct voice totally impressed me.

Later, I gave a pal of mine a Pat "Krang" Fraley voice acting instructional tape, and he and Pat struck up a conversation. For some reason, Pat sent me an autographed note and a copy of his reading of Huck Finn. I never listened to the whole thing...I really need to. Pat does an awesome job with all the characters, as you'd expect.

As I type I'm listening to the audio book of Flowers of Algernon. I watched the movie Charly recently in my DVD collection viewing and it made me wanna read the novel (I think we read the short story in the 8th grade...not the novel) Again I'm impressed by Jeff Woodman's reading on this. He gives everyone so much character.

Does it make me lazy that I think I might "read" more if I could just listen to the books? There's just something about hearing the book aloud, I guess, that I enjoy.

PAAATE · 08-07-2011, 05:43 AM

I used to read a lot, but not anymore. Audio books have been REALLY helpful when I've found a book I want to read, but can't be bothered to.

Right now, I'm plowing through The Dresden Files-series. Awesome books and James Marsters reads them like he was born to do just that (well, that and play Spike).

*gobo* · 08-07-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

Does it make me lazy that I think I might "read" more if I could just listen to the books?

Yes.

But, don't worry. I'm in the same boat. I just can't steady my eyes enough for small print and have too much pride to get the oversized variety. Plus, I've never read a book I was thoroughly satisfied with... except Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spook Spectacular (next best thing to seeing all those deleted scenes not included on the DVD/Blu).

Peanut · 08-07-2011, 07:09 PM

ITT: People who watch too much TV.

But seriously, I listened to the first 4 HP books in audio form while I would play games in high school, for what reason I don't know. I've read all the HP books so many times I pretty much know them by heart, but I guess that's why I could deal with it. They were pretty neat novelties, but they in no way replace the act of reading a book for me.

To me, listening to an audio book is painful because of the speed. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or say I'm some kind of crazy speed reader, but I can blow through a 800+ page small print book in less than a week, so listening to an audio book is an exercise in patience that I just can't deal with.

*Roseangelo* · 08-07-2011, 07:30 PM

I've collected a few free audio books through promotions with Audible, but I've never actually listened to them. I'm all about reading the actual book. The audio books that I find I actually listen to are the ones of books I've already read and that I consider to be favorites, such as Harry Potter.

*Brodie* · 08-07-2011, 07:52 PM

I prefer reading, without a doubt...But some few exceptions to this exist.

The most recent of which is a book I got for free from Audible, Nerd Do Well, written by Simon Pegg. The book is also read by Pegg, and I think I prefer listening to it to reading it. His unique mannerisms and vocal cues are substantially better when he actually does them, as opposed to how I hear him in my head.

But yeah, listen to Levar Burton, pick up a book.

**Jester** · 08-07-2011, 08:01 PM

Maybe it's my admiration of voice acting that make me enjoy audio books. Heck, some times when I read an actual paper and ink book, I read it aloud in character...just something about hearing it aloud.

*Brodie* · 08-07-2011, 09:03 PM

Maybe. Also, to add to that list...Micheal J Fox's book "Always Looking Up" was amazing when read by him. Almost gut wrenching when you hear the struggle, or quiver in his voice. Really great though.

**Jester** · 08-07-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodie

Maybe. Also, to add to that list...Micheal J Fox's book "Always Looking Up" was amazing when read by him. Almost gut wrenching when you hear the struggle, or quiver in his voice. Really great though.

My wife has one of his books, Lucky Man: A Memoir, and has highly recommended it to me. Might have to both read it and see if I can track down the audio book.

*gobo* · 08-08-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

Lucky Man: A Memoir

My mom won't shutup about that book.

*plastroncafe* · 08-08-2011, 11:38 AM

I don't think enjoying audiobooks has anything to do with lazy, or lack of effort. It's just a different medium. But then I grew up listening to radio dramas on tape, so I'm pretty biased.

While I prefer reading the book myself, there're times when the audiobook is a great distraction. Did a long drive this weekend and listened to one during the trek. And I find them great for when I'm knitting.

*Revan* · 08-08-2011, 11:47 AM

I noticed Peanut mentioned that audiobooks are too slow for his taste. My Ipod has a setting that speeds up the reading so you can get through it a bit faster. Of course, the downside here is you have buy they from itunes or upload them to itunes to get them on the pod.

It makes it a bit easier for fast readers

*Donnie* · 08-08-2011, 12:01 PM

I have some Tolkien adapted to audio - it has its high points, but I'd much rather read the text.

*plastroncafe* · 08-08-2011, 02:20 PM

BBC Radio One did some great adaptations of Pratchett's Discworld series.

*Donnie* · 08-08-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

BBC Radio One did some great adaptations of Pratchett's Discworld series.

You can hardly go wrong with BBC productions. Class at its finest.

Peanut · 08-08-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revan

I noticed Peanut mentioned that audiobooks are too slow for his taste. My Ipod has a setting that speeds up the reading so you can get through it a bit faster. Of course, the downside here is you have buy they from itunes or upload them to itunes to get them on the pod.

It makes it a bit easier for fast readers

What? No. That...doesn't make any sense. At all.

*Ninjinister* · 08-08-2011, 08:21 PM

Go the F**k to Sleep is pretty much the only book ever worthy of an audio book.

PAAATE · 08-09-2011, 06:27 AM

Well, this will sound douchey as ****, but hey, whatever!

I prefer audio books because I live a very busy life at the moment, so it's a big relief to be able to say "Hey, this next chapter is 10 minuter long, great!" rather than "Okay, so this next chapter is 20 pages and that's, um... I dunno how long that would take to read."

Also, a little of "watching too much TV"... But mostly the other one.

**Jester** · 08-09-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revan

I noticed Peanut mentioned that audiobooks are too slow for his taste. My Ipod has a setting that speeds up the reading so you can get through it a bit faster. Of course, the downside here is you have buy they from itunes or upload them to itunes to get them on the pod.

It makes it a bit easier for fast readers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

What? No. That...doesn't make any sense. At all.

Exactly, speeding up the audio would make it quicker sure, but the distortion created by doing it would make it almost un-understandable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ninjinister

Go the F**k to Sleep is pretty much the only book ever worthy of an audio book.

Ah, the Samuel L. Jackson read. As much as I love SLJ, I hate that book.

*Ninjinister* · 08-09-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

I hate that book.

Were you dropped on your head as a kid?

08-07-2011, 04:51 AM	#1
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	Audio books I've never been much of a reader. I tend to like movies, because they are shorter and deal with more senses, but I have listened to a few audio books. I bought Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on audio cassette for $.50 at a garage sale and loved it. Jim Dale's ability to give each of the many, many characters a distinct voice totally impressed me. Later, I gave a pal of mine a Pat "Krang" Fraley voice acting instructional tape, and he and Pat struck up a conversation. For some reason, Pat sent me an autographed note and a copy of his reading of Huck Finn. I never listened to the whole thing...I really need to. Pat does an awesome job with all the characters, as you'd expect. As I type I'm listening to the audio book of Flowers of Algernon. I watched the movie Charly recently in my DVD collection viewing and it made me wanna read the novel (I think we read the short story in the 8th grade...not the novel) Again I'm impressed by Jeff Woodman's reading on this. He gives everyone so much character. Does it make me lazy that I think I might "read" more if I could just listen to the books? There's just something about hearing the book aloud, I guess, that I enjoy. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

08-07-2011, 05:43 AM	#2
PAAATE Stone Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 993	I used to read a lot, but not anymore. Audio books have been REALLY helpful when I've found a book I want to read, but can't be bothered to. Right now, I'm plowing through The Dresden Files-series. Awesome books and James Marsters reads them like he was born to do just that (well, that and play Spike). __________________ I'm a member. I forgot about it, so now I'm a remember.

08-07-2011, 07:52 PM	#6
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	I prefer reading, without a doubt...But some few exceptions to this exist. The most recent of which is a book I got for free from Audible, Nerd Do Well, written by Simon Pegg. The book is also read by Pegg, and I think I prefer listening to it to reading it. His unique mannerisms and vocal cues are substantially better when he actually does them, as opposed to how I hear him in my head. But yeah, listen to Levar Burton, pick up a book. __________________ Stupendous Monster

08-07-2011, 08:01 PM	#7
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	Maybe it's my admiration of voice acting that make me enjoy audio books. Heck, some times when I read an actual paper and ink book, I read it aloud in character...just something about hearing it aloud. __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

08-07-2011, 09:03 PM	#8
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	Maybe. Also, to add to that list...Micheal J Fox's book "Always Looking Up" was amazing when read by him. Almost gut wrenching when you hear the struggle, or quiver in his voice. Really great though. __________________ Stupendous Monster

08-07-2011, 07:09 PM	#4
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	ITT: People who watch too much TV. But seriously, I listened to the first 4 HP books in audio form while I would play games in high school, for what reason I don't know. I've read all the HP books so many times I pretty much know them by heart, but I guess that's why I could deal with it. They were pretty neat novelties, but they in no way replace the act of reading a book for me. To me, listening to an audio book is painful because of the speed. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or say I'm some kind of crazy speed reader, but I can blow through a 800+ page small print book in less than a week, so listening to an audio book is an exercise in patience that I just can't deal with.

08-07-2011, 07:30 PM	#5
Roseangelo Emperor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 9,119	I've collected a few free audio books through promotions with Audible, but I've never actually listened to them. I'm all about reading the actual book. The audio books that I find I actually listen to are the ones of books I've already read and that I consider to be favorites, such as Harry Potter.

08-08-2011, 11:47 AM	#12
Revan Han Shot First Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Paper Street Soap Company Posts: 3,687	I noticed Peanut mentioned that audiobooks are too slow for his taste. My Ipod has a setting that speeds up the reading so you can get through it a bit faster. Of course, the downside here is you have buy they from itunes or upload them to itunes to get them on the pod. It makes it a bit easier for fast readers __________________

08-08-2011, 12:01 PM	#13
Donnie Something from the Past Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 3,256	I have some Tolkien adapted to audio - it has its high points, but I'd much rather read the text.

08-08-2011, 08:21 PM	#17
Ninjinister 無問題 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Moesko Island, WA Posts: 14,348	Go the Fk to Sleep is pretty much the only book ever worthy of an audio book. __________________

08-09-2011, 06:27 AM	#18
PAAATE Stone Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 993	Well, this will sound douchey as ****, but hey, whatever! I prefer audio books because I live a very busy life at the moment, so it's a big relief to be able to say "Hey, this next chapter is 10 minuter long, great!" rather than "Okay, so this next chapter is 20 pages and that's, um... I dunno how long that would take to read." Also, a little of "watching too much TV"... But mostly the other one. __________________ I'm a member. I forgot about it, so now I'm a remember.