Books On Tape/CD

[white avenger]

Back when I was traveling a great deal between work and home, I started listening to books on tape because I went through areas where radio reception was poor. Over the years, I've listened to a ton of books that way, and I was just wondering if anyone else has ever tried it.

 

[Joyce Summers]

Yep, listened to a few in the past. First did it in high school for my lit class. I really couldn't finish 1984 okay? So I bought the audio-tape version. Haha. And then I just found them...soothing. If it's a good actor doing the reading, they can be really enjoyable to listen to in the background.

I just bought two recently actually. I say recently, it was six months ago but still. I meant to buy just the one (this book I had been meaning to read for ages but just didn't have the time) but you got a free Phillip Margolin Audio Book of your choice with the buy so I was like 'Hey, why not?'. Ended up picking one because it was read by a Buffy alumni but actually ended up loving the book to bits. It was really great though because I got to 'read' both books despite being busy and both were, happily enough, extremely well read. 🙂

 

[white avenger]

Yep, listened to a few in the past. First did it in high school for my lit class. I really couldn't finish 1984 okay? So I bought the audio-tape version. Haha. And then I just found them...soothing. If it's a good actor doing the reading, they can be really enjoyable to listen to in the background.

I just bought two recently actually. I say recently, it was six months ago but still. I meant to buy just the one (this book I had been meaning to read for ages but just didn't have the time) but you got a free Phillip Margolin Audio Book of your choice with the buy so I was like 'Hey, why not?'. Ended up picking one because it was read by a Buffy alumni but actually ended up loving the book to bits. It was really great though because I got to 'read' both books despite being busy and both were, happily enough, extremely well read. 🙂

Yeah, speaking of Buffy alumni reading books, James is currentle featured reading several of the "Dresden Files" books, though I haven't heard any of them yet. He's supposed to be very good, though. Charisma Carpenter read a Buffy book, "The Immortal," but she did a terrible job of it (at least I thought so). I don't know of any of the others doing any reading, but I haven't actually looked for any.

In general, I still love books on tape, though, especially on long road trips alone, and there's a huge number and variety to choose from.

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

I tried this but it's just nothing for me really. When I'm at home I get bored by just listening, and if I'm on my way to somewhere I would rather just listen to music than actually follow a book.

 

[Washburne]

I´ve tried this and I thought I was gonna love it, I didn´t. My mind is just so busy I can´t focus. Nowdays it´s actually the same with books. But at least when I´m reading and my mind´s starting to wander off I can just go back one page and read it again. It´s a bit harder with listening-books. So I´m disaponited to say it´s not my thing. I would really like it too be.

Since I´m not driving I don´t know if that would made any difference. But since me not driving has a lot to do with with my lack of ability to focus (my own decision., I guess I could get a license if I really tried) listening to a books might not been the best idea.

 

[InLoveWithBuffy]

I tried, didn't like it. It much more enjoyable to read the book than listening it. And there's no point for me afterall... I get my driver licence in 2010 so i have no reason to put a book on background

 

[SpikedBuffy]

I listen to them all the time. I drive 50 minutes to work each way, and the radio totally sucks... and I get bored with my music CD's very quickly. So, I listen to books on tape. I find myself wishing work was over so that I can get in the car and keep listening, because I want to know what happens next!

I don't have a specific author or series... if it sounds remotely interesting, I check it out. Our library has a huge selection, so that's nice, I don't have to go out and purchase them.

As for listening to Buffy alumni, Eliza reads "Everyone worth knowing" by Lauren Weisberger. I though she did a pretty good job on this one.

 

[SC7 Fan]

I've listened to books on tape before. Only ever Dr Who ones. I've heard Prince Caspian on tape before though.

 

[xaphania]

I used to love listening to books on tape when I was younger, but I haven't done so in ages. I've just bought a car, however, so I think that if I were to be taking a long journey I might investigate some.

I find a lot of the time I don't like the voice of the narrator, or they read too slowly for my liking. An example of this is Stephen Fry reading the Harry Potter books. I think he does a great job with the voices and everything, but he goes so slowly!

I do however like radio dramas, BBC is great at this sort of thing - a few years ago they did a radio dramatisation of Lord of the Rings, which was fantastic.

 

[SpikedBuffy]

I used to love listening to books on tape when I was younger, but I haven't done so in ages. I've just bought a car, however, so I think that if I were to be taking a long journey I might investigate some.

I find a lot of the time I don't like the voice of the narrator, or they read too slowly for my liking. An example of this is Stephen Fry reading the Harry Potter books. I think he does a great job with the voices and everything, but he goes so slowly!

I do however like radio dramas, BBC is great at this sort of thing - a few years ago they did a radio dramatisation of Lord of the Rings, which was fantastic.

Oh yeah, I sometimes hate the voice and speed. It's either... your voice is seriously getting on my nerves or I'm about to fall asleep because you read at the speed of a below-level 5 year old!

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

I do enjoy them, but I actually prefer to listen and read along at the same time. I know, it seems a bit pointless, but it gets you really focused on the book. If I'm just reading with a party going on in my brain, I tend to drift off for pages at a time, then realise I hadn't taken any of it in. If that happens when I'm just listening, I completely loose track. With both, I find it really relaxing, as it forces me to clear my mind.

I first got into listening to audio books when the BBC did a radio presentation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone read by Stephen Fry one Boxing Day. I absolutely loved it. After that, I listened to His Dark Materials on tape. It wasn't just a reading though, it was more like a radio play, with different people voicing different characters. I was kind of freaked that the person who voiced Roger sounded ridiculously like Noddy though...

And I like Stephen Fry's narration. He obviously enjoys it, and he doesn't rush through. I'd prefer 20 disks of him over 5 of anyone else. Well, unless Jo narrated the HP books herself. That would be awesome. She is great during readings.


I kind of drifted didn't I. Audiobooks, regular books, Boxing Day, Noddy, Stephen Fry and Jo Rowling. Now do you see why I need the book and the tape?

 

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

I love to listen to books on tape. I am actually a bit odd and I enjoy reading them and listening to the tapes/cds at the same time. My favorite book to listen too is the Harry Potter Series because Mr. Jim Dale does the best voices for all of his charcters!

 

[Bluebird]

I do however like radio dramas, BBC is great at this sort of thing - a few years ago they did a radio dramatisation of Lord of the Rings, which was fantastic.

Talking of radio series, I love listening to the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy tapes-very funny stuff.

But for books on tape I thought Tony Robinson did a good job of narrating the Discworld novels.

 

[Superstar]

I do however like radio dramas, BBC is great at this sort of thing - a few years ago they did a radio dramatisation of Lord of the Rings, which was fantastic.

Yeah, I have that. Ian Holm voicing Frodo and later went on to portray Bilbo in the movies.
I have them all including unabridged versions of Hobbit, LOTR, Silmarillion, Children of Hurin and Mind's Eye LOTR.
Even have the Tolkien recordings.

Yeah ok, I'm an old time LOTR fan - 30 years and counting now.
Still post occasionally on a LOTR board (Minastirith), just not with as much in-depth analysis as I used to.
Actually, with no in-depth analysis as I used to. I got tired of being "the answer man". Now I just goof around occasionally.

 

[white avenger]

I've had some of the old radio shows from the 30's through to the 50's, things like Red Skelton and Groucho Marx, The Lone ranger, The Phantom, and the various ensemble troupe programs. Those are great, and it always amazes me just how much good actors could do with just their voices and a few sound effects (Remember Orson Wells and "The War of the Worlds"? THAT stirred up some excitement!)

 

[eponinethen]

[...] My mind is just so busy I can´t focus. [...]

Yeah I'm with you. I like the idea, and it's a great thing for people who are actually able to listen and pay attention like that, it's just not for me.

First of all I hate it when people read things in a different way from how I'd like to read them. That goes for pronounciation, how fast they read, etc. And mainly I just can't pay attention... I also like to make notes and underline things in my books, that's like my favourite part about reading books...

I do download podcasts though. I don't have a radio but I listen to radio shows and news etc. on my iPod, then you don't have to pay attention every second the same way...