tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post2387759173563849011..comments2024-03-11T00:52:06.529+10:30Comments on MYSTERIES in PARADISE: Are novels designed to be read, not heard?Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581470363339796352noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-55885363223522192232009-04-14T06:56:00.000+09:302009-04-14T06:56:00.000+09:30I have found that I will listen to books that I ma...I have found that I will listen to books that I may not choose to read in print. I have only abandoned listening to a book once or twice, and I think that was mainly due to the narrator's voice. I have finished listening top a couple of books that I know I wouldn't have finished in print.<BR/>Thanks for the discussion points everyone.Kerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581470363339796352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-80072009107494180622009-04-14T03:53:00.000+09:302009-04-14T03:53:00.000+09:30I will always prefer text reading, but I do listen...I will always prefer text reading, but I do listen to audio when on road trips. I prefer very fast-paced books or humor. Generally I speed read and skip boring parts of books so audio can be a bit slow for me. The reader makes a difference also. In the car, there is a lot of road noise. If I can't hear the book well, I won't be able to listen to it.<BR/><BR/>For short roadtrips, I have taken to listening to short stories. There are a number of excellent sites (most of them a fantasy or sci/fi) with short fiction. The short stories work well because of the driving distractions and also because if I do lose my place, I can either skip the whole story or get to where I was rather quickly (someone else mentioned the whole bookmark problem with an MP3 player.)<BR/><BR/>My father has problems with his eyes--audio books have been very good to him. The only problem is that he loves non-fiction and there are not enough non-fiction audios out there.<BR/><BR/>The other problem is the expense. Audio books are 3 and 5 times more expensive than a hardback (some are as much as 75 dollars). Almost all the books I have listened to came from the library. The books I've bought for dad have all been used.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234907275906877802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-29279283185847297752009-04-13T08:26:00.000+09:302009-04-13T08:26:00.000+09:30I like audio books. I tend to restrict them to the...I like audio books. I tend to restrict them to the times when I am doing something else (walking, housework, driving etc) but only because I can read faster than someone can read out loud to me.<BR/><BR/>I listen via my iPod which has a perfectly fine book marking function (i.e. you can go back to the spot where you finished last time at a single click).<BR/><BR/>People have different learning styles and preferences for getting information into their heads and I think folks like Mr Lawson are being a tad snobbish to say that there's only one way to skin a cat.<BR/><BR/>If the audio book is going to be my only way of 'reading' a book then I won't read an abridged version. I do have a couple of abridged audio books but only because I've got the print book and because there isn't an unabridged version available (e.g. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is only available in a slightly abridged format).<BR/><BR/>The good readers/narrators don't interpret the work - that's still up to you.<BR/><BR/>Stephen Fry reading the Harry Potter books is just about as close to the most perfect entertainment I have ever found.Bernadettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641617609801125707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-29439036611473909042009-04-13T05:19:00.000+09:302009-04-13T05:19:00.000+09:30I have listened to a couple of YA novels and not b...I have listened to a couple of YA novels and not been thrilled. I am about to try a mystery/thriller and see how it goes, probably Le Carre, something I've already read.<BR/><BR/>I do listen to sci fi and fantasy short story podcasts and those can be quite fun.Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12865699135545209220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-61922716163772915552009-04-13T00:59:00.000+09:302009-04-13T00:59:00.000+09:30Listening to a recorded book hasn't worked well fo...Listening to a recorded book hasn't worked well for me - my mind wanders because I can read faster than someone can read a book to me - but it works very well for many readers and is, of course, essential for those who need them to read books. If the alleged "boom" makes more books available for those people, all the better. <BR/><BR/>In general new technologies don't replace old ones; they just add more options, and for books that's all good.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10689314012050314027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-12676305727219468912009-04-12T23:45:00.000+09:302009-04-12T23:45:00.000+09:30If you're thinking of getting an mp3 player to lis...If you're thinking of getting an mp3 player to listen to audio books you really need to do some serious research. Most of these devices don't have an adequate bookmark function, as they're primarily designed to play music.<BR/>With a book you need a quick and easy way to find your way back to the place you stopped reading.<BR/>Even the ipod doesn't have an adequate bookmarking system.John Bakerhttp://johnbakersblog.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-57420558095430320582009-04-12T22:45:00.000+09:302009-04-12T22:45:00.000+09:30I've tried it exactly 3 times, two of those I slep...I've tried it exactly 3 times, two of those I slept before the first chapter even finished.. The third book was short since it was only 2 hours long and I was busy with my hands at the time .. but still I would enjoy a book to read better since I've discovered I'm a visual person.. so to consentrate better on an audio I should have the printed book to read while I listen..Desert Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16546257933457126745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-21860094813862551242009-04-12T19:19:00.000+09:302009-04-12T19:19:00.000+09:30Karen that is an interesting point. I recently lis...Karen that is an interesting point. I recently listedned to a novel on CD that had a new track every minute. My plyare hasn't go the ability for you to choose which track you want so taking the CD out at track 85 and then having to get back to it was very exasperating. <BR/>I can see the advatnages of tapes.<BR/><BR/>John, thanks for dropping in. Good luck with your novels. I listened to a Val McDermid where Robson green was the reader. As you know he plays Tony Hill in the TV series, so hearing him read the whole text was rather disconcertingKerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581470363339796352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-70193101581530469062009-04-12T19:01:00.000+09:302009-04-12T19:01:00.000+09:30I don't think I've ever managed to listen to an au...I don't think I've ever managed to listen to an audio version of a novel. I like to get right back to the source and negotiate with printed pages.<BR/>I think it's to do with introducing another interpretation of the text between reader and writer. I don't like to think of any, even subtle interpretations coming between us.<BR/>Most of my own novels are available as audiobooks, but I have not listened to them, either, as I wouldn't like a voice to get inside my head which conflicts with the voice on the page.<BR/>But, of course, for people with sight problems or time problems, the audiobook must be a boon.John Bakerhttp://johnbakersblog.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273911883856580200.post-81967822938186480552009-04-12T18:24:00.000+09:302009-04-12T18:24:00.000+09:30I do agree that tapes are more prone to wear and t...I do agree that tapes are more prone to wear and tear but have found that people with reduced vision find them easier to use as most home cd players lose the place you were up to when you stop it - unlike in a car where the place is held.<BR/><BR/>I must go and read the article now :).Karen (Euro Crime)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03678348280806062648noreply@blogger.com