I sold out! First it was vinyl for cassettes then, cassettes for CDs then, CDs for MP3s and now, I've really gone and done it; I bought my first audiobook! I haven't listened to it yet. Listened?! To a book?! I can hardly stand the perversion of it all.
I want so badly not to enjoy this junket to the literary underbelly, but the sheer convenience of it all dictates the likelihood that I may just love it. Or not. I choose close captioning when and wherever possible because reading makes television and film watching more enjoyable, so how can listening alone compare?
Well for one, I can still enjoy my "book" as treadmill induced perspiration burns my eyeballs. Then again, I could just stop tweezing my eyebrows and rid myself of that dilemma.
I could get more reading done in a shorter period of time. I could also do some meditation before reading. If I clear my cluttered 31.6 year old mind, remember what it is I've read and, not have to go back and reread a few pages, I'd still get more reading done! (Note: I'm 35.6 according to the NYS Department of Vital Records and my entire family, but the all knowing folks at Real Age beg to differ, and I aim to please therefore, I must concur.)
So much to think about. Sigh. Oh, what "book" did I purchase? McSweeney's Field Recordings Vol. III. You can read the... sniffle, sniffle, lip tremor... l-l-liner notes here. Book and experience review coming soon!
I want so badly not to enjoy this junket to the literary underbelly, but the sheer convenience of it all dictates the likelihood that I may just love it. Or not. I choose close captioning when and wherever possible because reading makes television and film watching more enjoyable, so how can listening alone compare?
Well for one, I can still enjoy my "book" as treadmill induced perspiration burns my eyeballs. Then again, I could just stop tweezing my eyebrows and rid myself of that dilemma.
I could get more reading done in a shorter period of time. I could also do some meditation before reading. If I clear my cluttered 31.6 year old mind, remember what it is I've read and, not have to go back and reread a few pages, I'd still get more reading done! (Note: I'm 35.6 according to the NYS Department of Vital Records and my entire family, but the all knowing folks at Real Age beg to differ, and I aim to please therefore, I must concur.)
So much to think about. Sigh. Oh, what "book" did I purchase? McSweeney's Field Recordings Vol. III. You can read the... sniffle, sniffle, lip tremor... l-l-liner notes here. Book and experience review coming soon!
Peace and Change
30 comments:
Enjoy you new 'read'.
Remember that the first stories were enjoyed by the telling of Griots.
Daisy's mom here:
We listen to books on tape all the time in the car. It makes a boring trip much more fun. My husband belongs to some sort of club (like Netflix but for books) where you pick out a reading list and after you finish one book, they send you the next one on your list. It's awesome!
And we finally broke down and bought a Kindle reader! I wonder if books are going to become obsolete (says she with an entire room full of books!)
My husband and I used to ALWAYS get in a huge fight when we were on a long trip in the car. Since discovering audio books...problem solved! We love to get into a good story and it makes the trip seem shorter too.
I'd have to play it while on the Nordic-track, but since I can only last 2 minutes on that beast...then there's the ride in the car, well, half the time I don't know where I am when I'm going somewhere...the truck just goes...most likely looking for shadow shots and forget actually sitting in THAT chair...head soon back talking to the ceiling...hmmm...enjoy every second of whatever youth you are, cause it get's harder and harder.
I think I'll go talk to the chair...
I think spring will help that out, gittin' rid of the blog-flab...know what I mean...
I've not tried the "listening" yet. I could see it if I was in the car maybe, but I am so easily distracted that I'm sure the reader would suddenly be on Chapter Ten and my brain would still be on Chapter Two. Let us know how it works for you. I know a lot of people that really enjoy it.
I love claiming the younger age. Love it. And I am not into books on CD unless I am on a roadtrip. Although I think I might get into it if I were taking a long walk too. I look forward to hearing how you enjoy the experience.
I love those Real Age folks! They've given me back 4.3 years and I'm in my thirties again!
Can hardly wait to hear how you like it!
As for listening in the car, I could never listen to books in the car . . . too distracting.
sold out? now way, girl! as they say, time marches on...but then again, i have shoe boxes filled with the said garbled tape cassettes hoping that there will be some sort of comeback (REO Speedwagon...rock on!).
:)
sounds like a plan to me.
my first (and only really) experience with an audiobook was pretty successful because the narration was so excellent. otherwise i don't think it would have, cause i get distracted if the words aren't right in my face.
happy listening! seems like an engaging book.
Enjoy. Nothing like the feel of a book but it's so hard to read and walk or drive. I love listening to books while walking the dog.
I love audiobooks. I can get them done in one day. No falling asleep, just pure excitement. We love to do it as a family too! Welcome.
Fell victim to literary prostitution 3 years ago and have never looked back. Enjoy!
smiles
LiBBy
Stumbled upon your blog through a series of clicking...you know the internet world!
Although we are no longer the bomb diggy, strom striggy, your link to
"One of My Favorite Quotes" prompted me to send you a quick message.
I currently have that quote as my signature on my email account, and I love, love frogs, so it made me smile that even though we are no longer "in sync" (see: overused verbiage)in the natural world, spiritually, you are still my sister.
Your blog is wonderful. As one who curdles up with privacy, I will not read your blog without your permission; these are your personal musings I don't want to invade any unspoken boundaries.
You still got it girl, and really, its all good.
As we say in Brooklyn - Do you boo!
Oh...I guess I should post a comment relevant to the topic today?
I have not tried listening to a book. I don't know if I ever will.
Monique
Don't think of it as watering down your literary taste. Think of it as elevating your listening experience. All in the perspective...
I love the amount of audiobooks you can get on iTunes. I like to listen to them while I travel. It's a little like listening to when public radio does audiobooks, but only a chapter a week... I always loved that.
Congratulations for taking a chance and trying something new. You never know, you might just like it =). Looking forward to reading all about the experience.
@ M. Ayers:
Hey Mo! The frog was shot at Tlaquepaque in Sedona, it's called The Kiss by sculptor Kim Kori. Thanks for stopping in. No worries about the boundaries and privacy here, it's the internet- 6 clicks of separation and all that...
'the perversion of it all'. I loved that line. Yes, it's dirty but hey, some dirty deeds beget healthy ones. Enjoy your new read!
Greetings from London.
My best friends all swear by audiobooks. They listen in the car, on the treadmill, EVERYWHERE. Me... I love to read a page, feel the paper as I flip to the next, reread a passage, etc. Just holding a New Book: very exciting.
It's like the microwave oven in my kitchen... I'm resisting the whole idea.
Anxiously awaiting the report from your new experience,
Kate
(Isn't that new blog widget The Best?!?)
I too was a virgin once. My first experience was fantastic!! mmpphh. The narrator had the best baritone, ever.
Subsequent experiences have been touch and go...
Have a climactic experience!
I too have never listened to an audio book. My mom listens to them all the time when she's traveling. Although, I have lately become somewhat obsessed with getting a Kindle or Sony Reader at some point. Cheap, instantly available books? No worrying about storage for books I've already read but don't want to get rid of? Sign me up! I would be all over it if we had the cash...
We love to read aloud as a family, read, and yes, we've loved some audio books as well--great for long car trips. The Golden Compass is an audio masterpiece and it sustained our family from NYC to home, pure magic. I'm interested to hear how you liked it.
Have fun! I've been thinking about getting books on cd myself. Right now I'm reading "Primal Branding" for work and personal interest. Might be fun to listen to!
I love being read to. I used to get books on tape for the car when traveling. I think I love hearing a story because my mother used to read to us so much. She read us Treasure Island in the car on one summer road trip. Nice memories. Thanks for unleashing them:)
Enjoy your book!
LOVE audiobooks. During my long commute I would just lose myself in them, and they got my husband and I through two cross-country road trips. And now I know McSweeney's makes audiobooks?! *Dies*
Have you gotten into podcasts yet? "This American Life" is great.
Hey, girl, it's been a while!
Auidobooks rock!! I've been listening to them for years--in the car (on road trips, as well as errands), while cleaning the house, taking a bath (depending on the content-- of the book, that is). They're a great conversation starter, too.
It's just good to have an alternative when you can't give a regular book the attention it deserves.
TIP: Many men don't like to read those relationship books; but they're much more inclined to listen up to the audio version!
Hey, girl, it's been a while!
Auidobooks rock!! I've been listening to them for years--in the car (on road trips, as well as errands), while cleaning the house, taking a bath (depending on the content-- of the book, that is). They're a great conversation starter, too.
It's just good to have an alternative when you can't give a regular book the attention it deserves.
TIP: Many men don't like to read those relationship books; but they're much more inclined to listen up to the audio version!
congrats folk
have a great weekend
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