12:17PM
« My Addiction to AudioBooks »
Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 12:17PM
I shunned them for years.
Even with the myriad of portable audio devices at my disposal, it wasn't until this past August, and I was driving back and forth to Our Nation's Capital (Ottawa, for my gentle readers outside of Canada), that I fully understood the value of having options in audible entertainment that didn't include 17 static-y radio stations.
It started innocently enough with an iTunes purchase of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. And then I 
accidentally downloaded Snuff by Chuck Palahnuik. And then I was hooked. I couldn't wait to hear what was going to happen next. The narrators were incredible, it felt like the book had been MADE to be read aloud.
When I finished Snuff, I was at a loss. What next? What would be good? I settled on something ambitious.... a Sookie Stackhouse boxed set. In audiobook format. About 300 hours worth. How's that for big ears?
And now I'm in trouble. There's not enough opportunity to *listen* any more. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to analog books. I can curl up and read in my "library", I can read before bed. I can read while someone else is driving. What I can't do is curl up with my iPod and listen, unless I'm on an airplane. Even then, I'm easily distracted. My sole refuge is in the car. Which is ok, unless you are primarily a tele-worker, and don't get out much for long-ish drives.
Lame confession: I'm driving to work more, if only to have a few more hours to listen to what Sookie is going to do next with those wacky vampires. I drive slow, I'm patient. Don't need to rush, Sookie is with me.
Next week I fly to Calgary, and all I can think of is having 4 hours to listen. My iPod battery will expire before my interest does. I'm a full blown audiobook freak. I now just wish I drove a transport for a living. :-)
Even with the myriad of portable audio devices at my disposal, it wasn't until this past August, and I was driving back and forth to Our Nation's Capital (Ottawa, for my gentle readers outside of Canada), that I fully understood the value of having options in audible entertainment that didn't include 17 static-y radio stations.
It started innocently enough with an iTunes purchase of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. And then I accidentally downloaded Snuff by Chuck Palahnuik. And then I was hooked. I couldn't wait to hear what was going to happen next. The narrators were incredible, it felt like the book had been MADE to be read aloud.When I finished Snuff, I was at a loss. What next? What would be good? I settled on something ambitious.... a Sookie Stackhouse boxed set. In audiobook format. About 300 hours worth. How's that for big ears?
And now I'm in trouble. There's not enough opportunity to *listen* any more. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to analog books. I can curl up and read in my "library", I can read before bed. I can read while someone else is driving. What I can't do is curl up with my iPod and listen, unless I'm on an airplane. Even then, I'm easily distracted. My sole refuge is in the car. Which is ok, unless you are primarily a tele-worker, and don't get out much for long-ish drives.Lame confession: I'm driving to work more, if only to have a few more hours to listen to what Sookie is going to do next with those wacky vampires. I drive slow, I'm patient. Don't need to rush, Sookie is with me.
Next week I fly to Calgary, and all I can think of is having 4 hours to listen. My iPod battery will expire before my interest does. I'm a full blown audiobook freak. I now just wish I drove a transport for a living. :-)
Reader Comments (3)
Thanks KSD!
I don't mind spending money on analog books (they go in my bookshelf afterwards), but spedning money on audiobooks is crazy!!
:-)
http://www.archive.org/details/frost_selections_librivox
and some of the material it archives, such as
http://librivox.org/