Grumpus’s Comments (group member since Aug 06, 2007)

Grumpus’s comments from the Audiobooks group.

I have only 1 library card but my library has relationships with about 7 other local libraries. If I can't find something at my library (which has 3 branches), I can get it via an inter-library transfer from one of the other libraries through that joint relationship.

Joanne wrote: "I always adjust the speed up to at lease 1.75 I find them way to slow otherwise."

I'm with you Joanne...listening at "normal" speed now sounds very artificial and abnormal. I think Audible did something with the speeds are over the last year or so. The chipmunk effect is gone. It sounds to me that the pauses are simply less long while the narration is essentially the same. Or, for me, is this the new normal?

Hmmmm....not sure how I feel about this.

As long as the following is true, I guess it is okay. "DeepZen promises it is not going to put narrators out of a job, but their technology will assist smaller publishers and indie authors to create an audiobook, without having to go to the hassle of dealing with professional narrators. "

There are voice samples in the article.

https://goodereader.com/blog/audioboo...

James wrote: "Best Non-Resident Library Cards for Overdrive Access

https://weightywords.net/best-non-res..."

Nice summary...thanks for sharing.

I registered for the panel so long ago that I don't remember those questions but it is very good that they are aware enough of their customer needs to ask the question.

Jeanie wrote: "I just got the invitation email. What I'd like to know is does this provide an opportunity to provide feedback for existing features or just for future offerings? I don't much care about podcasts o..."

The surveys are topic driven by Audible, so they control the content. So you won't be able to comment on topics other than those for which the survey was designed. The most recent survey I received happened to be about Podcasts but the next one most assuredly will not.

Yeah, I had the same survey about the podcasts. I indicated that it was something that I was not interested in, but have received a survey or two after that.

I have been a member for at least 6 months now (maybe a year)...I'd say I receive an invitation to participate in a survey once a quarter. No incentive to participate, but I get to give my opinions.

JZ wrote: "Tell Me Everything You Don't Remember: The Stroke That Changed My Life was way too close to home for me."

Brain Storms: The Race to Unlock the Mysteries of Parkinson's Disease was something that hit close to home for me when I was reading it.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished my first book on Libby and it was a wonderful experience. So much better than Hoopla or Overdrive.

I too, am finding more of my favorite non-fiction books at the library and am seriously considering weaning myself off of Audible as well. When my platinum subscription comes up for renewal in May, I'll likely reduce that to gold. Audible's value to me is for the newest releases and not having to wait for the library.

John wrote: "I have just put myself in my library's hold queue for the 32-hour 11/22/63. Anyone else listened to it?"

5 stars from me as well !

Stop feeling guilty about having so many unread books

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryancol...

I particularly like the Warren Buffet quote and signed up for GatesNotes.

I came across this today that may help explain what's happening and some possible solutions.

https://goodereader.com/blog/audioboo...

Although I think everyone will find it interesting this is another post for data geeks like me. Note that it did not work for me in Explorer, but did in Chrome.

https://public.tableau.com/en-us/s/ga...

Jeanie wrote: "I may have a naïve faith in university studies conducted under an experimental psychologist, but, given that it was conducted with the intention of publication in a peer-reviewed journal, I'm assum..."

: - )

Stuff we all know, but quantified.

https://goodereader.com/blog/audioboo...

As much as I'd like to believe, I'm not sure I agree with this. Even after watching the video...I'd have to see the full report. Were the video and audio presented randomly? If everyone listened first or saw the video first, that would impact the findings. What were respondents doing immediately prior to listening? If some just finished eating while other just finished working out, I would think those factors would impact these measured responses. There are too many confounding factors. I need to see the methodology.

What do you guys think?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

Effie wrote: "I don't understand it either. It's frustrating. I've given out codes and I can tell that some were not used for my book. I was hoping to have more audio reviews and rankings by now.
KDP's codes ca..."

I always thought that was odd and knew there must be some abuse of the codes. I also support the call for Audible to ensure fee codes for this purpose are limited to the author's specific work.

Ammon wrote: "Is there a way to embed an image here in the comments on Goodreads? Happy to take a screenshot of what I'm seeing (or not seeing as the case may be)."

This is what I see:

Ammon wrote: "How on earth do I search my library on the Website? "

Hmmm, when I go to the website on my laptop, there is a search feature to search my library and above that is a site search to "search for a great book". So, I have no explanation other than to let you know it appears to work for me. I'd be interested to hear what other see.