As promised, I'm going to comment on my virgin audio book experience. As you may recall, I was listening to Nicholas Sparks' (who, after talking to several people at the conference, is definitely off my "list") Dear John.
I was skeptical for a couple of reasons. One being that I didn't think I had the attention span to follow a story being read. Another being that I was so disappointed in the last book of his I read that I wasn't sure if I wanted to read/hear another.
So, okay, I put it on as soon as I dropped off the boys at the kennel Wednesday morning. The reader initially had a thick southern accent that I wasn't fond of (but I also think I may have been looking for things to not like). And I never did get comfortable with the "voices" he did for the people. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first but, several hours out, I realized that one thing that was bugging me was that the heroine of the story sounded EXACTLY like Dustin Hoffman in his role of Tootsie. Exactly like it! So I couldn't quite get the image out of my head that the heroine was a drag queen as I listened. Not to mention that the southern accent he attributed to the characters made them all come off sounding dumber than dirt - which I think is a misconception about southerners, but that's another story.
But, I plowed on anyway. The story was okay - definitely not my favorite of his books (but also not my least favorite - that honor goes to the last one I read) and there were a couple of places that I cried (which wasn't necessarily a good thing, considering I was behind the wheel of a car at the time). And there were a few places where my mind wandered off enough that I knew I had missed something - but I didn't really care so I didn't go back and replay anything.
In the end though, I might try another audio book but what I was telling my roommate was that what I think part of the problem for me was, was that I read in my own voice. The intonation and inflection I would have given would have been different I think. I think I might have enjoyed it more reading it than I did having it read "to me". And part of that might be because the story was told in first person, I don't know.
Anyway, as I said, I might try another audio book but I'm still kind of leaning towards thinking it's not really for me.
7 comments:
NOOOOO! LOL.
I think you just had a bad experience. Seriously, L, I have a TON of audiobooks - great romances (RC and RS). I'd be happy to send you a couple so you could try something in your genre and with a much better narrator. If you still don't like them, well, then they really aren't for you. There are definitely some I can't listen to because of either story or voice, but many more good ones.
Let me know...
I agree with Ellen - I think you just had a bad experience. Please don't give them up. Audiobooks are a great way to keep current on your TBR pile. BTW, I'm glad you made it home safely. I loved meeting you!
I might take you up on that E. I need to get some kind of player first though (recommendations anyone?) because I'm not in the car all that much.
It was great to meet you too Kim. You and Kecia totally made my conference experience this year. And I mean that.
L, there are MP3 players and IPods, which I'm sure are easier to haul around while you're cleaning, etc. But I simply have a simple light-weight cassette player that clips on my pants pocket, as well as a CD player and a little tote with a belt that I strap around my waste. I can't tell you how much it helps me as far as getting things done around the house. Also, lately I've been working out at the gym, and it helps that hour or two go by a lot faster.
I have both CD and cassette audiobooks. If you'd like, I'll make a list of them - and which media they are - and email it to you. Then you can pick and choose what you'd like to try. :)
Oh - I should add that I use headphones with those players, which I'm sure you already knew. I also have both regular CD and cassette players (boom box types) that I use when nobody's home, so that I don't have to lug them around my waste.
LOL. I mean WAIST. Damn homophones.
In my car I have access to CD and cassette players. I've been thinking about MP3 players and IPods but could probably use someone to go with me so I get the right thing. LOL
Other than that, we typically like the same books so I would trust your judgment on selection. :o)
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