Why won't you listen?

Sometimes it's torment.  Listening to a book that is poorly narrated can become agonizing for the listener.  It's almost embarrassing.  It's certainly frustrating.  Poor narration can be so distracting that the listener can no longer concentrate on the story.  You find yourself thinking about WHY the narrator is doing certain things (like using odd voices that don't seem true to the characters) instead of focusing your mind on the story.  Even a popular or bestselling book can be ruined by poor narration.  It can become so bad that one develops a distaste for a formerly favorite author because the audio book is awful.  Similar to readers who like to cleanse their reading palate by working through several books at the same time, those who listen to books usually have at least one book in reserve in case they come across an "audio-clunker". 
How do you find audio books with great narration?  Readers don't seem to discuss great audio books in the same way or as frequently as they do their favorite author, series, or genre.  Often the choices made in this area are based on availability and author name recognition.  Or simply the thought that the library bought it so it must be good, right?  Not necessarily.  As with all things that go through the selection process, just because a reviewer thought a book was fantastic, it does not mean that everyone else will.  It's a judgement call.

A classic-from the 2012 Listen List.

There are several excellent online resources for readers looking for their next good listen.  The online book community goodreads has an active discussion board dedicated to all things audio book.  Booklist, a respected library review source, publishes lists of great audio books courtesy of the "Audiobooker" blog which is found through Booklist online.  The American Library Association publishes the Listen List which is an award for outstanding narration.  They also have a page entitled ALA Recommended Listening which contains a plethora of links to a variety audio book lists for children, teens and adults.  Further audio book reviews can be found at audiofilemagazine.com and audiobookjukebox.com.
One place NOT to go for an audio book review is amazon.com.  All consumer reviews and published book reviews are linked to the book regardless of the chosen format.  This can be terribly misleading when one is simply looking for whether or not Emma Donoghue's book Room is worth a listen.

For non-fiction enthusiasts
 (2012 Listen List)

From the2012 Listen List,
this will
keep you in SUSPENSE.

Finding a good audio book can make your trip or commute a thing of joy.  Well, it can make the trip or commute pass much more pleasantly.  A good audio book will get you to your destination and force you to sit in your vehicle a few more minutes because you don't want it to end.  It's the same feeling that many readers get when they know they need to shut off the light and get some rest but they are compelled to finish the page they're reading or the last chapter.  Listening to a great performance together can become the stepping stone for a book discussion with your family and remain a wonderful shared experience.  Find even more time to expand your mind, listen to a good book.


Stop the holiday madness! Read.



"I have no time for reading.  It's the holiday season and I don't have two minutes to spare for myself."

"Reading in December is a luxury I cannot afford to give myself."

"Where on earth do you reading fanatics find the time to read AND discuss books?"
To all this I say, "Stop making excuses!"
We may not have snow on the ground yet but it will come.  On that day, I for one will be prepared to hunker down with my stack of books, hot cocoa, and a blazing fire.  Until then I will continue falling asleep with a book every night until that glorious snow day arrives.  It may take me almost forever to finish a book because I have to reread the parts I slept through the night before but I need the comfort of a book at night to help me shut down my overworked holiday brain.  This is another reason why I have not transitioned to an ereader.  I am afraid of getting a nosebleed or breaking the device when I pass out mid-sentence and everything tumbles onto the floor or my face.  In the meantime, I have to keep my mental and paper lists of what I want to read and have read and continually renew my books at the library because even though they're languishing in my pile, they're still a vital part of my reading plan.
Right now I am indulging myself with a little brain candy.  I just devoured Skipping Christmas for the third or fourth time and loved it just as much as the first time.  (This book has become a holiday tradition for me, like my sudden urge to watch with the Muppet Christmas Carol movie and Holiday Inn every December.  It's our tradition!  To the delight of my family, I also have the Holiday Inn music on CD.)  In an effort to expand my reading experience, I am now in the middle of Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.  I don't find this as intellectually engaging as Deborah Harkness' books but I am reluctantly starting to like Sookie and Sam and Bill.  Who could not love a vampire named Bill? 
I am also attempting to work my way through Shadow Command by Dale Brown.  I think the last adventure book I read may have been My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George unless you count Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger as a mystery/adventure crossover.  Although I am having a difficult time with the large variety of characters (American, Russian, Iranian), weapons and acronyms, I am enjoying the concept behind the book.  Terrorists being annihilated through the use of advanced space weapons and surveillance by the "good guys" within the first 15 pages makes one hopeful that there will be more excitement to follow.  I don't think my inability to grasp the technical side of things is going hinder my overall enjoyment of the story line.  I have also decided to reinforce my understanding of the events in the book by listening to the audio book as well.
To rest my brain, I will sporadically go to Don't Know Much About the American Presidents by Kenneth Davis.  The "Don't Know Much" books are set up in such a way that you can read them according to the topics that interest you instead of cover to cover.  My son stole Ann Aguirre's Outpost from me which was my YA brain relaxation pick for the month.  The first book, Enclave was a quick read (a dark dystopia like to the Hunger Games) and I had hoped to counteract the overly sweet Hallmark movie channel feeling I get in December with Outpost.  I hope I don't go into holiday story sugar shock while I wait for him to finish the book.
Still despairing over catching up on your reading list?  Try a book on CD or if you haven't tried the Overdrive service through your library, take the time to browse their site and download a book onto any device you use for listening to music.  During December, we spend large amounts of time in the car or the kitchen.  Put a bookmark in your book and listen to the audio version while you do your running, baking, wrapping, or cleaning.  It's just as relaxing as holiday music.  You may find that listening to a book is the most relaxing and cheapest holiday vacation you'll ever take, even if it's with zombies or "kranky" neighbors.