Reading with Mandy

An important distinction to make regarding reading is that there is the act of reading and there is the embodiment of being a reader. They are not always the same thing. Someone who is able to read can read signs or words on page but to be a reader means being imaginative and creative and open to new worlds and possibilities (emphasis on the possibilities). There are different ways to experience books. Some people have an image like a running movie in their head while they read. Others feel like they are in the book and are living the experiences with the characters. Some people hear the dialogue as if the people were standing right in front of them. Your experience is your experience. The art of telling stories or passing on information is literature whether it’s written down or spoken. Oral history is still history and an audiobook is still a book (literally there’s book in the word). So if you are someone who snobbishly refuses to count audiobooks as part of their reading goal for the year I pity you because you are missing out. I mentioned in a previous blog that I read different books in different mediums. Today we’re going to talk about audiobooks and what I chose in this format and maybe it will help me figure out why I will only listen to certain book series and wouldn’t think of picking it up in paperback or ebook form. First off, if you’ve never heard of LitRPG, do I have a surprise for you! This is the one genre I will only listen to and will not read in print. My favorite series still remains Viridian Gate Online by James Hunter but before I dive into why let me explain what a LitRPG is because I had never heard of it before I listened to this one (which I bought in a 2 for 1 sale because I thought it sounded interesting) and found a whole new genre to explore. Imagine the depth and complexity of a video game in book format including gear packs and leveling up. If you are a gamer but don’t like reading this might be the genre to start with because they are so much fun to read (or listen you get the idea). This is a newer genre but definitely one I think is fun to try out and explore. I always recommend the Viridian Gate Online series because there are 8 core books with side stories as well and it’s an immerse and well constructed world which if you like world building than LitRPG is a genre to try. The themes and characters provide a rich backdrop which are requirements for when I’m reading. I also tend to choose books by celebrities read by the celebrity in audiobook format. Kevin Hart and Jim Gaffigan are personal favorites. Also some memoirs are better listened to and usually when there are sales I might try a few or listen on Libby from the local library. If you prefer independent bookstores then Libro.fm is the app for you. And if you have a Spotify account you can now listen to 15 hours of Audiobooks for free (and they have some popular ones to choose from and might as well utilize your entire membership right?). There’s also of course Audible if you aren’t attempting to remove Amazon from your life. This Amazon service I found hardest to part with because of the Amazon Originals with a full cast of really talented actors (I listened to Tim Curry’s version of A Christmas Carol years ago and it was spectacular and of course who wouldn’t want to hear the voice of David Tennent reading How to Train Your Dragon). This brings me to an important point. The narrator can make or break your enjoyment of the book. The right narrator transforms the word on the page with some extra magic. A bad narrator annoys you and makes it difficult to get through the book. I have certain narrators that have gotten me into other book series because they were the ones reading it and thought maybe it would help improve a mediocre sounding story (and it does). There’s also the enjoyment with nonfiction of The Great Courses series of lectures on so many different topics (which they might have a deal with Amazon because a lot of them are in Audible’s catalog). Either way if audiobooks are not something you’ve tried before, have a listen. I listen to audiobooks while driving, late at night when my eyes are starting to get tired but I still want to read (age is not kind to readers I used to be able to read all day from time I woke up until I went back to sleep but my eyes don’t like cooperating with that gameplan anymore), and even when cleaning and tidying up around the house. I have one friend who when they’re family drives to visit family or just a general road trip they start an audiobook and listen to the story while they travel. Anyone with young children this might be an effective method to introduce them to books. You can control the reading speed (I prefer 1.5 but know people who like it slower so they can absorb the words more) which is a useful feature. I usually have at least one audiobook going. Right now I’m almost done with Lead Yourself First by Raymond M. Kethledge and Michael S. Erwin and narrated by Michael Quinlan. On Spotify I started How to Get a Life in Ten Dates by Jenny L. Howe because it sounded fun and is the exact length of time I have left on my Spotify this month to listen. And from the library I’m over half way through A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams because it looked interesting. That one is the 5th book in a book series called the Bromance Book Club. I haven’t read any of the others, and it’s a good palate cleanser. I don’t think I’m going to actively try to read the rest of the series partially because my library doesn’t have it and partially because I don’t think I’ll find it on Spotify.  I’m in a bit of a romance mood is what I’m noticing lately with my Audibook choices which makes sense as I’ve been reading more nonfiction than fiction lately in print. I’m always trying to expand my reading horizons but sometimes you just want to go with an old reliable and for me that has always been romance novels (eventually will write a post on why Romance at some point). Anyway, I hope this inspires you to pick up an audiobook and give it a listen. You might find a genre you don’t like to read on the page (like dystopian novels for me) is actually a fun listen and your horizons just expanded. Happy Listening!