Do you listen to Audiobooks?

29-08-2013 11:01AM #1

I've found myself really getting into audiobooks. When I was younger, I used to think that they were only for old people, because of the sheer amount of ones my grandmother used to listen to. However recently I've really turned around and have seen the merit to them. Some of them are absolutely incredible, especially when done right.

So far, my favourite ones have been -

World War Z & The Lost Files: The original audiobook and the Lost Files, which was released in conjunction with the movie adaptation, is absolutely incredible, with both featuring an all-star cast: Nathan Fillion, Simon Pegg, John Turturro, Mark Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Alan Alda, and many many more.

American Gods Tenth Anniversary Edition: For anyone who has not read this incredible book by Neil Gaiman, then go out and get it now. The Tenth Anniversary edition of the audibook features a full-cast, similar to World War Z, who take up the task of reading the mammoth amount of lines that comes from the epic novel.

Bossypants: The Tina Fey autobiography is my favourite biography so far. It is incredibly well written and voiced by Fey herself, which is a funny listen throughout.

Next on my list is the Harry Potters, as read by Jim Dale as opposed to Stephen Fry.

So, what audiobooks have you listened to and what are your favourites?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 29-08-2013 11:03AM

no, i read faster than they would so .. meh

saying that I did have a 40 tape (yes, tape!) radio play type dealie of the lord of the rings when I was younger which was awesome

also I'd listen to any audiobook if it was read by mark hamills joker

FatherLen · 29-08-2013 11:05AM

I had a audio tape of transformers when I was younger and used to listen to it over and over again.

jubella · 29-08-2013 11:09AM

I've listened to the Harry Potters read by Jim Dale, but I'm reluctant to try more because I find I get distracted really easily and start thinking about something else, only to realise I hadn't been listening properly for the last 5 minutes. I prefer reading the words.

GLaDOS · 29-08-2013 11:10AM

I'd only use an audiobook if I didn't have time to read the actual book, isn't a problem at them moment.

whiskeyman · 29-08-2013 11:10AM

Are these just the podcasts of yesteryear?

hoodwinked · 29-08-2013 11:10AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I've found myself really getting into audiobooks. When I was younger, I used to think that they were only for old people, because of the sheer amount of ones my grandmother used to listen to.

hint hint :pac:

The Backwards Man · 29-08-2013 11:10AM

I always equate listening to audiobooks with listening to the Archers. It's OK for passing the time when you're stuck but you it can't compete with Emmerdale Farm.

Esoteric_ · 29-08-2013 11:19AM

I prefer reading the books myself.

BeerWolf · 29-08-2013 11:21AM

Omelette au fromage ?

29-08-2013 11:21AM

I find audiobooks to be excellent for when you're going out for a walk or for when you're travelling and reading isn't really an option. Especially ones read by full casts. They always remind me of old radio plays and you get pulled into them so easily.

podgemonster · 29-08-2013 11:23AM

A Song of Fire and Ice aka Game of Thrones audio books when driving long distance just makes the journey so much shorter. The other passengers aren't to happy about it but fúck em, it's my car.

danniemcq · 29-08-2013 11:26AM

I read books all the time (3 on the go at the minute, One for bed, one for travelling and one for the loo) but at work and walking the dog its audiobooks ftw!

A short history of nearly everything
World war z
diary (by the guy that done fight club)
Alan Partridge
Hunger Games
All the Game of Thrones (after i read the books)
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy

All these are ones i've "read" in the last month or so. great way to pass the time

29-08-2013 11:28AM

I have one for Stephen King under the dome and it's annoying me a bit, I'd read it far faster than they would
listen to German ones to improve listening comp, there's one guy who does an amazing job with Agatha Christie, and a full cast with some sound effects for journey to the centre of the earth, that one is good

Crooked Jack · 29-08-2013 11:29AM

I love em. THey're great for in the car because I hate pretty much all the music stations we get here and the talk ones can be hit and miss depending on the topic.
I also use them a lot when Im running.

Banjo String · 29-08-2013 11:32AM

I've tried getting into them as I cover considerable miles each day with work, but I just can't get on with the whiny American accent some ot the narrators have tbh.

anyone any specific narrators voice that wont put me off the actual story?

Preferably a nice English/Irish accent. Think Stephen Fry.

danniemcq · 29-08-2013 11:33AM

bluewolf wrote: »

I have one for Stephen King under the dome and it's annoying me a bit, I'd read it far faster than they would
listen to German ones to improve listening comp, there's one guy who does an amazing job with Agatha Christie, and a full cast with some sound effects for journey to the centre of the earth, that one is good

Have you tried adjusting the speed?

It can be a bit annoying at the start but seems normal after a few minutes?

29-08-2013 11:35AM

danniemcq wrote: »

I read books all the time (3 on the go at the minute, One for bed, one for travelling and one for the loo) but at work and walking the dog its audiobooks ftw!

A short history of nearly everything

I loved A Short History of Nearly Everything. It is absolutely incredible.

If you liked the World War Z ones, then definitely track down American Gods Tenth Anniversary Edition.

danniemcq · 29-08-2013 11:36AM

SamHall wrote: »

I've tried getting into them as I cover considerable miles each day with work, but I just can't get on with the whiny American accent some ot the narrators have tbh.

anyone any specific narrators voice that wont put me off the actual story?

Preferably a nice English/Irish accent. Think Stephen Fry.

Bill Bryson books are a really nice listen

youcancallmeal · 29-08-2013 11:36AM

Been listening to audiobooks on my commute since the off the ball lads got kicked off Newstalk a few months ago. Currently listening to the Stephen King The Dark Tower series. Always wanted to read but knew I'd never have the time. Must say it's pretty crap so far (half way though book 3) but the narrator is great.

29-08-2013 11:37AM

danniemcq wrote: »

Have you tried adjusting the speed?

It can be a bit annoying at the start but seems normal after a few minutes?

Never seen an option for adjusting speed...
at this stage I'm tempted to just read the book

youcancallmeal · 29-08-2013 11:40AM

bluewolf wrote: »

Never seen an option for adjusting speed...
at this stage I'm tempted to just read the book

If you listen to audiobooks on a mobile device like iphone or android most decent apps will have the option to speed up playback

Banjo String · 29-08-2013 11:40AM

danniemcq wrote: »

Bill Bryson books are a really nice listen

Cheers Dannie. I'll have a browse for him.

29-08-2013 11:40AM

SamHall wrote: »

I've tried getting into them as I cover considerable miles each day with work, but I just can't get on with the whiny American accent some ot the narrators have tbh.

anyone any specific narrators voice that wont put me off the actual story?

Preferably a nice English/Irish accent. Think Stephen Fry.

Try the Terry Pratchett Discworld series, as narrated by Stephen Briggs.

As for the speed, I really don't mind how quick or how slow the narrator reads. I find that if it is done well, than you can get pulled into it much much easier.

El Nick · 29-08-2013 11:42AM

Being a fan of old British sci-fi TV I listen to a lot of audio stuff from Big Finish - they use the original casts of shows like Blake's 7, Doctor Who or US stuff like Dark Shadows or Stargate: Atlantis to tell new stories, sometimes more like an audiobook, sometimes more like a full cast audio play. I need to do a long drive once a week for family reasons and that's when I listen most. I find the audio play format is a lot better than the audiobook format - more voices and it really sparks the imagination to see the pictures in your head. Highly recommended!

Mr Benevolent · 29-08-2013 11:43AM

Audio plays, yes, I listen to Big Finish's Doctor Who stuff a lot. Original actors, good stories and fun spinoffs.

D-FENS · 29-08-2013 11:44AM

podgemonster wrote: »

A Song of Fire and Ice aka Game of Thrones audio books when driving long distance just makes the journey so much shorter. The other passengers aren't to happy about it but fúck em, it's my car.

This is exactly what taxi men tell me when I ask them to turn down Game of Thrones

Leftist · 29-08-2013 11:45AM

started doing it in winter when it's too dark/i'm too tired to read early morning on way to work. It's fantastic. Some of the readers are great.

Thoie · 29-08-2013 11:47AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Next on my list is the Harry Potters, as read by Jim Dale as opposed to Stephen Fry.

Any particular reason for preferring Jim Dale to Stephen Fry? I have the majority of them by Fry, and just one by Jim Dale, and much prefer Fry's narration. Jim Dale's accent annoys me.

Ray Palmer · 29-08-2013 11:49AM

I got into audiobooks about a year ago. I absolutely love them. Perfect for commuting. I downloaded the top 100 sci-fi books of all time as I reckoned I would never get around to reading them. As they come from many sources I have listened to a fair array of how they are done. I don't think I really have a preference but the worst was book read by Ray Bradbury. He was obviously not well by the time he recorded it and difficult to understand.

I have an sound a sleep pillow so I often listen to the books going to sleep. If I am doing something mind numbing I even listen to them in work.

29-08-2013 11:51AM

I haven't listened to the Fry version, but from looking into which is better, many have said Dale's is better for the fact that he narrates the characters using different voices.

Do you listen to Audiobooks?

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