S/O Audiobooks

[thechickencoop]

I've never listened to an audio book before but now that I have a commute three days a week, I may as well start!  Is there a genre/type that has better readers or something?  Or some that are totally awful that I should avoid?  And...well...how does one go about listening to an audiobook?  Do I download it on my phone and then listen through my bluetooth or whatever?  Or do I need something special?

[risscaboobs]

Pick your audiobook just like you would a book. Some have bad narrators, yes. Look at the reviews. I put them on my phone using iTunes, just like you would music. I listen to them through my Bluetooth while driving and with earbuds at work.

[Deleted]

The first audiobook I ever read was The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and it was phenomenal.

[mustloveerica]

The first one I ever listened to was The Lovely Bones and I loved the narrator :-)

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 11:53:10 GMT -5 mustloveerica said:

The first one I ever listened to was The Lovely Bones and I loved the narrator :-)

Ohhhh it was so creepy!

[renbee]

I keep thinking about signing up for audible so that I can listen to something during my long commute, but it's kind of expensive.

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 12:00:10 GMT -5 renbee said:

I keep thinking about signing up for audible so that I can listen to something during my long commute, but it's kind of expensive.

I always got mine from the Library or Half Price Books.

[jennby]

I have the audible app and connect my phone to my car via the USB in my car. I commute an hour each day (30 minutes per way) my boss got my addicted. I started with the nanny diaries and then moved to the sequel nanny returns. I liked the story and I liked the humor. They were a combined 22 hours of listening so I was good for a bit under a month (i also listened a bit at bedtime because I was addicted)

I liked the free trial of audible because you got 2 free books and can cancel at anytime. I also have kindle unlimited which includes audiobooks. I was thinking of listening to Tina Fey's Bossypants next but it's so short that It will only last a week for me. I saw that Gone Girl is 19 hours so I thought I might use it for that. I guess I'll wait to see what the decision of the book club is before I decide.

[jennby]

Jan 27, 2015 12:00:10 GMT -5 renbee said:

I keep thinking about signing up for audible so that I can listen to something during my long commute, but it's kind of expensive.

Do the free trial. It's worth it. (aka free LOL)

[GoBigOrGoGnome]

I LOVE audiobooks! I listen to them while I run and while I drive. Like PP said, just read the reviews because some narrators are monotone and things like that. I tend to pick easier books- YA, things that would be a quick read, since I am usually doing something else while I listen. Heavier, more dense/complex books (GoT, Gone With the Wind, etc) I find harder to listen to. I've listened to Divergent, The Maze Runner, books of that nature.

[ldubhawksfan]

I love audiobooks for road trips. I just go to the library and see what books I would want to read.

[thechickencoop]

Ok, thanks guys! And Gone Girl is 19 hours?!?!?!?! Gah! I might not listen to any if they're that freakin long! I had no idea. And who knew audiobooks had reviews? Haha, that is good to know.

[mrsjene]

I love audiobooks but I always pick ones that are light and fluffy in case I get distracted by something for a few seconds. Nothing worse than missing a detail in an audiobook.

[getzystark]

+1 for getting them at the library. My library uses OverDrive and Axis360.

[SheilaTheTank]

Jan 27, 2015 11:39:08 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

I've never listened to an audio book before but now that I have a commute three days a week, I may as well start!  Is there a genre/type that has better readers or something?  Or some that are totally awful that I should avoid?  And...well...how does one go about listening to an audiobook?  Do I download it on my phone and then listen through my bluetooth or whatever?  Or do I need something special?

Do yourself a favor and download the Overdrive app. It works with your local library network and as long as you have a valid library card you have access to thousands of audio and ebooks for free. These are modern titles including new releases and you "borrow" them you would a book. You have it for a set amount of time and then it automatically deletes off your phone. You can renew the book when the time is up or go onto a new one. I have listened to over a dozen audiobooks this way for free. It is by far my most used and favorite app.

[shadesofgold]

My favorite audiobooks are non-fiction written and narrated by comedians, like Tina Fey, Sarah Vowell and David Sedaris. (Okay those last two are essayists, but they sure are funny.)

Also, you should try the Serial podcast. Not a book, but quite a story!

[Unknown]

I use the Overdrive app and borrow them from the library.

Ready Player One, best audiobook ever!

[becwheat]

I have a subscription to audible.com and use the app to listen to books in the car. I do not have a lot of time to sit and read and when I do I fall asleep, but I love books and stories. I also use Overdrive. I love Audiobooks.

I listen while washing dishes, folding laundry, driving, crocheting and even at night is DH is snoring sometimes. I love them. I will say that my favorites are the Song of Ice and Fire books. the narrator is great. I LOVE BOSSY PANTS by Tina Fey and Yes, Please! By Amy Poeler too.

[Unknown]

Jan 27, 2015 12:41:01 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Ok, thanks guys! And Gone Girl is 19 hours?!?!?!?! Gah! I might not listen to any if they're that freakin long! I had no idea. And who knew audiobooks had reviews? Haha, that is good to know.

I wouldn't recommend The Stand, 48hrs. ETA: I wouldn't recommend for you if you don't want long audiobooks, but it's actually a really good one to listen to.

[wirt2cute]

I love my audible account. I listened to 50 shades of grey on a drive to an out of town training. Best car ride ever.

[thechickencoop]

Oh thanks guys! I didn't know there was an Overdrive app, downloading now! I've used it on my computer before when I've needed to read something right.now. (Actually...I think I read the 50 Shades series that way...) but never on my phone. Great. Will it say how long the book is? I guess I read super fast but man, 19 hours? That just seems so long.

[Martinis&Medicine]

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King was very well done. I listened for free on YouTube. Most Stephen King audiobooks are a fantastic read.
The Game of Thrones audiobooks take a little getting used to but I liked it once I did.

^those are all pretty long, though.

[teareading]

Audiobooks are great! I listen to them on my commute. My first audiobooks were the Harry Potter series and they are amazingly well done (if you like HP). I agree with others and suggest something funny or light (think "beach read") if you could be distracted while listening. Otherwise, you may have difficulty following the story.

[westisleflower]

I love audiobooks! World War Z is great. There are different narrators for each character, makes it much more epic.

[teambrink]

I'm starting to think this may be the way to get more books in this year. My mom has done audio books for the longest, I need to catch up! I think I will go raid her supply this weekend.

[kariann12]

Jan 27, 2015 17:09:49 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Oh thanks guys! I didn't know there was an Overdrive app, downloading now! I've used it on my computer before when I've needed to read something right.now. (Actually...I think I read the 50 Shades series that way...) but never on my phone. Great. Will it say how long the book is? I guess I read super fast but man, 19 hours? That just seems so long.

I also use audible. For the amount of books I read I feel like its worth it. Although I may have to try out this Overdrive thing.

You think 19 hrs is long? The GoT book I'm on is 37 hrs, and the next one is 44 hrs. I only commute 20-30 min each way, so it takes me forever to finish them!

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 15:20:20 GMT -5 shadesofgold said:

My favorite audiobooks are non-fiction written and narrated by comedians, like Tina Fey, Sarah Vowell and David Sedaris. (Okay those last two are essayists, but they sure are funny.)

Also, you should try the Serial podcast. Not a book, but quite a story!

+1 for Serial podcast!

[icaughtfire]

The only audiobooks I've ever listened to were these boring ass leadership books for work. I knew I'd never make it through the first chapter trying to actually read them. I should probably look into books I actually want to read since my commute is 30-45 minutes each way.

[Deleted]

I've been exclusively listening to audiobooks for my commute for 5 or so years. Check with your library for their e-audio service. Could be overdrive, one click digital or something else.

My favorites:
Stephanie Plum series by Evanovich
Harry Potter
Outlander
Graceling by Cashire
Mary Balogh historical romance titles
Julia Quinn historical romance

[Unknown]

Jan 29, 2015 9:53:38 GMT -5 adelbert said:

Unknown Whenever I see your siggie I swoon. Those two are SO hot together. Sorry for crashing this thread but I had to say it. I actually haven't watched more than the first episode because I want to watch them all in one epic night but I've read the book and I'm pretty sure I'll die when I finally watch it.


Oh also audiobooks are great.

I had to stay home today w/ a sick kiddo today, so now that she's napping I'm watching the wedding episode. Yes, you will die.