Ahhh, Listen to that!
I first discovered audiobooks while traveling to visit my parents in Oklahoma. A 12-hour drive is made much easier while listening to a great book. The trip there I listened to The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. By the time I reached Oklahoma I was so involved in the story that I spent several hours sitting by my parents’ stereo listening to the ending.
On the way back, I listened to Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Another incredible tale to listen to while driving.
Since that first trip I have found that audiobooks are not just great for long car rides but also for cleaning the house, exercising, and even while crafting. Time flies with a good book on CD or on your iPod.
If you didn’t already know, SJCPL has books that can be loaded onto your iPod to enjoy for three weeks. Check out the selection at the Main library. You will not be disappointed.
I recently finished listening to The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. It was a fascinating book that jumped between 1991 and 1692. The main character, Connie, discovers the existence of a physick book linked to a woman who was executed for being a witch during the Salem witch trials.
Some other great listens are:
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (This was really interesting to listen to because it is read by so many different voices for the different characters.)
Inez of My Soul by Isabel Allende
Another librarian suggested to me to listen to autobiographies read by the authors:
Home by Julie Andrews
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Are there audiobooks that you have listened to that you really enjoyed?
November 17th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Erin, The Time Traveler’s Wife once accompanied me on a long trip to southern Indiana and back – a fascinating listen (though reading this one in print is useful for reminding you what year you’re in and what age the characters are). I once went to a Kiwanis meeting to talk about the library. When I asked for questions, one woman eagerly shared a testimonial. “The Library saved my life!” She said she had nearly fallen asleep on a long drive she needed to make regularly for her job. When a friend suggested she try checking out audio books for the journey, it made all the difference.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I love audiobooks on long car trips, too! I really enjoyed listening to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil when I helped a friend move to South Carolina. Currently I’m working my way through the Harry Potter series while I do chores at home; it’s my first time reading the series and the narrator Jim Dale is incredible! Excellent narrators truly make all the difference when you listen to books!
November 18th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
The Help by Stockett is far and away the best audiobook I’ve ever enjoyed. The voice actors do an incredible job of bringing the characters to life, and the story itself is amazing.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I have enjoyed listening to Agatha Christie’s Poirot mysteries on CD while driving to New England and DC. In particular, I LOVE the ones that are read by David Suchet, the British actor who portrays Poirot in the excellent Acorn Media series. He is already the voice of Poirot, and he manages to very accurately mimic the voice of Hugh Fraser’s, who plays Captain Hastings in the television show.