OReilly

I have subscribed to Audible.com for a couple of years and highly recommend it. For $20 per month, you can download 2 books per month. Books can be loaded onto various devices: MP3 players, PocketPCs , iPods or burned to CD (which is excellent to play as you are driving around in a rented car). They have an alliance with Amazon.com, so check out the reviews of the following.

Here are some of my favourites:

Historical Fiction
The Coffee Trader
The First Man in Rome
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Historical Fiction PLUS “magic”)
A Very Long Engagement
Holy Fools

History
From Dawn to Decadence (The World from 1500 to today) – the very BEST book ever written IMHO!!!
A History of Rome
The Basque History of the World
History of the Middle Ages

Fiction
Number One Ladies Detective Agency series
Jasper Fforde series (The Eyre Affair, Well of Lost Plots, Lost in a Good Book)


Downloaded, but not listened to yet:
The Forsyth Saga
The Egyptian

I have been “listening” to books for years and find that Audible.com is the very best option.

Regards Ger

OReilly

Lyb:

I must respond to your post, because I think you are wrong in your assumption that “listening” to books is associated with “dumbing down”.

Firstly, I am NOT dumb. I am a voracious reader and always have been. I read books when I can, and have an extensive library, but I can increase my reading time and pleasure by listening to books when traveling. I fly 100,000 miles a years and have difficulty visually focusing on text when flying. Also, I buy hard-cover or trade-paperbacks, as I can’t stand the poor quality of small paper-backs. Therefore, I limit the number of books I bring with me, because of the weight.

When I have a weekend off between business meetings in Europe, I usually rent a car and take long drives, choosing an audible book that enhances the experience. For example, when driving through the Basque area last year, I listened to “The Basque History of the World” and this greatly increased my appreciation of the culture and history of the region (BTW, I had READ this BOOK a few year ago and the “listening” experience was at least as good, if not better). On my trip to the Dordogne last year, I “listened” to “The History of the Middle Ages”, which was a perfect companion as I drove around this area. When visiting the Naples area this year, I listened to “The History of Rome”, which enriched the experience by providing the historical context. I have read dozens of books on the Middle Ages and Ancient Rome, but the ability to listen to these books as I was exploring these areas enriched the experience.

You are absolutely wrong to assume that the reading experience is diminished by “listening”, as opposed to “reading”. I do both, and can report that if the audible book is “read” by an intelligent, articulate individual, then the experience is superb. Certainly, if it is badly narrated, then it can be awful and I just stop listening. Audible.com allows one to listen to a sample before purchasing, so one can judge if the reader does a good job.


Regards Ger

LoveItaly

Interesting thread as I just this last week suggested to two different friends that they go to their local library and rent Audio Books as both friends have older parents that can no longer read due to eyesight problems. Neither friend knew about the availability of Audio Books, which amazed me. Both friends parents were always avid readers so perhaps this will help them, I sure hope so.

I love to read, I always have. But I have thought about renting them from my library also to listen to while doing housework, ironing etc. I think it would make chores go by so much quicker and certainly more interesting.

OReilly

Sorry, I forgot to add the following:

A neighbour of mine developed an eye problem some years ago and is now considered blind; although he has some sight, he can no longer read. He was an avid reader before, preferring histories and historical fiction. I was able to “gift” him all my old books on CD. He was absolutely delighted as, although he is able to get the “Books for the Blind” from the library system, he sometimes has to wait months to get what he wants and often the type of books he likes to “read” are not available.

Again, he is not a dumb man, he was with the foreign service for his entire career and held very senior diplomatic posts. He is now retired and, without this ability to listen to quality books on CD, his life would be much poorer.

Regards Ger

starrsville

DaVinci Code. I'd bought the hardcover but had a hard time getting started in it. LOVED "reading" it by audiotape.

Not historical fiction, but a friend who reads via audiotapes a lot said "Lovely Bones" was the best audiotape experience she ever had. I read the hardcover and although it is very different, it is not morbid or depressing - at least, not in my experience.

lyb's comment is ridiculous. I buy new books weekly, check out books from the library continuosly, and keep most of the books I've bought (hundreds) to reread - even if years later. No "real" reader would consider audiotapes "dumbing down". It's a wonderful way to spend time on long drives. For some of the "escape" genres, I couldn't tell you which books I've "read" or "read by listening to". Grishem, most murder mysteries and a lot of autobiographies. I love finding tapes or CD's recorded by the author. Ridiculous to state that listening to the author read his/her own words is "dumbing down".

lisa

My two favorite books on tape ever are Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Both were absolutely transporting.

Simone1

Lyb, I don’t think you have ever “read” a book on tape. Or if you had, it was not an unabridged version.

I found myself having problems with my eyeglasses and yearning to sit down and read something, anything. I checked out of the library my first book on tape “A Good Year” by Peter Mayle. I have read a lot of his books. I found some of them to be a bit boring. My intent was to hear this book while, cooking or cleaning around the house. As I started listening I was thoroughly entertained and changed my routine. I chose to “read” at a quiet time, just as if I were reading a real book. I found that I could be transported to a special world and be able to enjoy the experience.

“dumbing of the population” – nothing could be further from the truth.

I am trying to read Bel Canto and wishing I found the book on CD.

BetsyG

mkdiebold- check with your local reference llibrarian. At least, at our library, you can tell them what you like & they can make suggestions. We have a pretty large selection of both books on cassette & on CD(I work at the local Library) and it is free! Please, look into the services of your local library.

mkdiebold

Oh my gosh, how surprised I am at seeing 27 responses to my inquiry. Thanks to all of you who made suggestions. I'll have so much fun exploring my options using the local library. Many of your suggestions I have already "read" in hard copy. Just to set the record straight, I only listen to audio books when driving long distances. While I don't consider audio a "dumbing down" experience, I do prefer to read rather than listen.

MRand:Thanks too, for the suggestion of The Teaching Company. I had no idea it existed. Sounds extremely interesting!

O'Reilly: I probably won't pursue the membership to Audible.com because I really don't listen to that many books, but I will write down your suggestions on my ongoing list of books "to read."

By the way, my husband is an avid reader but recently had 5 eye surgeries over a period of 2 years. Needless to say, he truly appreciated passing the time by listening to books. Also, my 85 year old neighbor has devoted a lifetime of volunteering to "read for the blind." She records books! Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!!

Thanks again to each of you!
mkdiebold

LoveItaly

Another strange coincidence. A friend for 51 years - an avid reader - I had a telephone conversation with her today and found out that she has had a strange eye operation and cannot read for the next two or three months. I suggested audio books. She also had no idea that they were in exsistence. She is going to have her husband go to their local library and check a few out for her.

I think as the Baby Boomers age that audio books will become more and more in demand.

DeeDee

I work in a library and I can attest to the popularity of audio books. I find that commuters are quite avid audio book "readers." Also, before the major holidays, especially 3 day weekends, we have a huge demand for audio books from folks who listen on their road trips. Something to think about, huh?

starrsville

One option for those doing long and/or cross-country trips -

Cracker Barrel has a purchase/rental program that works well. You "buy" an audiobook at one CB and listen to it and then can turn it in and get another one for a small fee - I think it used to be $3. The good news (for folks like me) is that you never have to worry about late fees or returning a borrowed book/tape. You own the tape and can keep it forever - or you can exchange it for another one from any of the stores for a small fee.

The choice to choose from can be spotty but usually includes escape reading and bestsellers.

lyb

wow...I really hit a sore spot with people and certainly didn't mean to. I certainly understand everyone who has mentioned seeing problems and therefore, books on tape..that is a great alternate. Or if you are driving for a long drive and want something else than music.

I guess when I think of books on tape, I think of the kids in school who will do anything to get away from reading, and those are the ones that I think are being "dumbed" down by giving a chance not to read but listen to a book, or even I've heard of the high schoolers who say, they'll just watch the movie, why bother reading the book?

That's where my "dumb" comments comes from, not people who can and do read, but because of different reasons choose to also listen to tapes.

I am extremely concerned that it might foster the problem that we already have with so many kids having low reading skills when they graduate high school.