tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post9104671842435436767..comments2023-08-08T12:09:37.149-04:00Comments on SFF Chat: Do Audio Books Count?Simchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-42831681802251910462010-03-09T13:04:28.526-05:002010-03-09T13:04:28.526-05:00I completely agree with you that a narrator makes ...I completely agree with you that a narrator makes it a different experience. I still count it as having 'read' the book, in so far as much as I put it on my list of books as having been "read", but that isn't really your point, I don't think. Your point is that if you sit down and physically read a book that the experience is way different than having the book read to you. And you are right. By and large I don't care if I read or listen to a book first, except for when it comes to my favorite authors, and then I would much rather read the book for myself first before getting anyone else's interpretation, even the authors.<br /><br />Again for example, Neil Gaiman. I pretty much own every book he has done on audio and I love listening to them, but would never do so as my very first experience with the story. How a good reader effects the feelings of a story is born out with my experience with Neil, as there are a few of his short stories that I thought were just "meh" when I read them, but loved after hearing him read them, putting the emphasis just so, and making the stories come alive in a way that my own reading did not. <br /><br />Was my experience when I read them valid? Yes, of course. And I would have to say that I probably was right in my initial impression, but he makes them different when he reads them and adds a degree of pleasure even to those stories that I don't much care for.Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-47418248167354708662010-03-08T04:33:48.207-05:002010-03-08T04:33:48.207-05:00Carl, thanks for all the great recommendations. I&...Carl, thanks for all the great recommendations. I've never read Dracula before but have recently become interested in doing so, but perhaps I'll try the audio book instead, if it's as good as you say.<br />I'm very excited by my new discovery of audio books. I was really surprised at how different an experience it is. Though I'm not convinced that hearing an audio book counts as having read the book because the narrator adds additional elements to the story-like another layer- that affects the listener differently then if they were reading it themselves. While I love the option of listening to the audio version of books that are not at the top of my To Read pile, if it's a book that I really want to read, I don't think I would choose to listen to the audio instead. I actually just ordered a copy of The City & The City, last week, and can't wait to read it. Perhaps we can compare notes :)Simchahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-539918700700067072010-03-06T18:25:42.940-05:002010-03-06T18:25:42.940-05:00For those who haven't listened to a good audio...For those who haven't listened to a good audio book I must say you are missing an amazing experience. Listening to a good narrator "tell" you a story is one of the most pleasurable things one can do.<br /><br />As for recommendations, any of Neil Gaiman's books read by him are a delight. His novels American Gods and Anansi Boys are read by others and they too are fantastic narrators.<br /><br />If you are into British period mysteries, Agatha Christie's books, Why Ask Evans? and The 7 Dials Mystery, narrated by Emilia Fox, are wonderful.<br /><br />The Barnes and Noble production of Dracula by Bram Stoker is particularly good. <br /><br />I'm listening to China Mieville's book, The City & The City right now and the narrator for that is excellent.<br /><br />Many of young adult author Richard Peck's books are humorously narrated. A few aren't the best, and I'm sorry I cannot remember which now, but most are great fun.<br /><br />Orson Scott Card's books Ender's Game and the sequel, Speaker for the Dead, are narrated are read by a cast, I believe, and I've heard great things about both of them. And if you are looking to continue a foray into science fiction these are excellent books to add to your to read, or to listen to, list.Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-74491059681274042192010-03-04T13:35:53.694-05:002010-03-04T13:35:53.694-05:00A really great audiobook was METAtropolis. The st...A really great audiobook was <i>METAtropolis</i>. The stories were good (if a bit preachy), but the production of the audiobook was TOP NOTCH, with actors from Battlestar Galactica and some other well known narrators. I highly recommend giving it a try if you want a real audiobook experience. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-48620827833455221422010-02-27T00:41:51.550-05:002010-02-27T00:41:51.550-05:00Simcha - especially since those books each have ex...Simcha - especially since those books each have extensive appendices (Glossary, dramatis persona, etc.) to help you keep things in your head. :)Bryce L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13951278240008332023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-12149710801366345972010-02-26T05:30:29.036-05:002010-02-26T05:30:29.036-05:00Bryce: I hear what you are saying. For some reason...Bryce: I hear what you are saying. For some reason I have a harder time remembering the names of the different characters when I listen to a book then when I read one so if these books have a huge cast of characters I can imagine myself losing track of whose who.Simchahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-11129647220770170162010-02-24T18:32:07.255-05:002010-02-24T18:32:07.255-05:00@Simcha - I haven't listened to GRRM or Erikso...@Simcha - I haven't listened to GRRM or Erikson on audio, but I think that would be really difficult to follow the insane amount of characters via audiobook. At the same time, I was having a hard time following Dune and then I listened to the audiobook thinking "why not, if I get it I get it" and it worked out well.Bryce L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13951278240008332023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-66360475713634556232010-02-24T17:04:22.221-05:002010-02-24T17:04:22.221-05:00John: I'm excited to try out some audio books ...John: I'm excited to try out some audio books of popular fantasy novels that I had a hard time reading, usually due to the heavy politics, and therefore never finished. I guess I want to have read these books without having to read them, and audio is the way to go. Have you listened to anything good that you could recommend?<br /><br />Stephanie: Oh no, I hope you never get blind from reading! Audio books are great for road trips, long commutes or you can even listen to them while cooking or cleaning.Simchahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-72199348624632850782010-02-24T16:57:56.607-05:002010-02-24T16:57:56.607-05:00Bryce, thanks for the recommendations. I can't...Bryce, thanks for the recommendations. I can't imagine listening to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell on audio, it would probably take months. Though I read them book already anyways. I don't think I could stand listening to bad narrator, it would completely ruin the story for me. Have you listened to any of George Martin or Steven Erikson's books? I had a hard time reading them so I thought maybe I would enjoy listening to them more.Simchahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-36793620786352733652010-02-23T21:57:29.646-05:002010-02-23T21:57:29.646-05:00I've never gotten into audio books actually - ...I've never gotten into audio books actually - perhaps when I'm blind from reading I'll give them a try :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-79706852284803143542010-02-23T19:26:48.474-05:002010-02-23T19:26:48.474-05:00I've recently started listening to audiobooks ...I've recently started listening to audiobooks and I would say that it counts as reading the book mostly because it is a substantial time commitment to listen to them.<br /><br />I think different narrators do make a difference though. I haven't listened to enough of them to make a truly informed opinion though.<br /><br />I have found that it is a great way to sample some authors that you may never get around to reading though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13143649147780871139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-51562830827760960042010-02-23T19:21:56.739-05:002010-02-23T19:21:56.739-05:00Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover was amazing....Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover was amazing. The narrator is awesome and there are even light-saber sounds, music, R2D2 squeals and everything. Pretty much like watching the movie, but way way better.<br /><br />Some more good ones I've read are Starship Troopers, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and The Lord of the Rings narrated by Ingles (I forget the first name).<br /><br />I had a commute last year, so I listened to about 11 books. Like I said in your last post, I think they count because I have an inner narrator anyway. I listened to Dune and it was a terrible narration, but such a good story, that I still loved it. Also listened to The Historian and although the narration was fine, it's just a crappy book in my opinion.<br /><br />That got really long, sorry about that. :)Bryce L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13951278240008332023noreply@blogger.com