The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Hello,

Earlier I asked of Rob to make a thread about book suggestion but I might as well make a new thread.

Anyway, I just signed up at Audible to check those audio books since I never used it before (well as a kid yes). So, first month free and two books available, also for free.
My first choice was The Road as it's one of my favorites. And it seems I hit the spot with this one as narrator's voice and reading are excellent.

So, what would you recommend as my next audio book? Fantasy, sci-fi, doesn't matter as long as narrator knows what to do since we all know how irritating can be listening to something that really annoys you ;)

Thanks,
Igor

I have not had great experiences with audio fiction, I am aways finding I want to slow down and "re-read" bits. I love audiobooks for non-fiction though where the narration can keep up the forward momentum. I also find that the "interpretation" of the narrator when it comes to fiction is more likely to be annoying than complementary.

I'm relatively new to Audible but I have loved 1861: The Civil War Awakening, Debt: The First 5,000 Years and The Alchemy of Air: A Jewish Genius, a Doomed Tycoon, and the Scientific Discovery That Fed the World but Fueled the Rise of Hitler. I have really not loved 1Q84 and whilst I enjoyed Cloud Atlas and The Marriage Plot I think I would have preferred to read them with my eyes.

Thank you. I'm also new to Audible and that is the reason why I want to check out top narrators, not to get stuck with poor performance of some great book.

David has on more than one occasion recommended The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear as audiobooks. Personally I read the first and will read the second some time in April, but I'm sure he's right and that they make for wonderful audiobooks.

Yeah, he tends to listen a lot, will ask him too :)
Regarding Rothfuss's trilogy, I wont read it till its finished as I really dislike being hooked on to some series only to find out it's not finished yet.
Of course, your suggestion is well appreciated!

Rupert Degas is an excellent audio narrator re Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles. One of my favorites. Another favourite is Steven Pacey as narrator for all the Abercrombie books. With Audible you can listen to a sample to see if you like the narrator. You can also search for books by Narrator. Also make sure you email any complaint you an think of. For example if they split a book into two parts and charge two credits. Or if there is a book available elsewhere but not in your country. I have found that every complaint has resulted in a free audio credit. I have received more in free credits through complaints than I have through my subscription. So much so that I have put my account on 3 months Hiatus (able to do this once a year - where your subscription is still current but you aren't charged). Also, if you weren't happy with the audio narration, even if the book was ok, don't hesitate to return for credit

Thank you, much appreciated!

I'm out of town this weekend, so it's hard for me to write a detailed post.

I have a shelf for my audio books: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

Only stuff I've listened to recently have longer reviews though.

Thanks mate.

I found the Dresden series (kindly recommended by Rob) to be very good on audio. The first couple are a bit sketchy, but then Masters hits his straps and does a great job. I have to speed it up though, I find his reading a little slow otherwise.

David Sven wrote: "Rupert Degas is an excellent audio narrator re Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles. One of my favorites. Another favourite is Steven Pacey as narrator for all the Abercrombie books. With Audible you ca..."

I really like the Rothfuss books on audio but I listened to the Nick Podehl versions. I didn't know someone else did them till I saw this post.

I listen to lots of audio books. Some of the books I thought had a little something extra from the audiobook are:
The Alloy of Law read by Michael Kramar. Accents play a role for some of what happens in this book and the narrator handles them really well. Definitely do the trilogy before this if you can.
The Sword in the Stone read by Neville Jason. The narrator handles the humor and comedic timing of T.H. White's writing very well.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell read by Simon Prebble. The book is a British comedy of manners and Prebble does an awesome job with his very proper accent.
I really like the Jim Dale narrated Harry Potter books and they're among my favorites, but I also hear the other narrator is really good too.

I also made a shelf like Rob of all the audio books I've listened to thus far and another shelf of my favorites.

Nice, thank you very much.
Regarding Mistborn I'm planning to re-read them so actually I could listen to them as well.

Has everyone been happy with audible? I've never tried it.

The little I've used it has been great. The app for android (and likely iOS) is very good. I just don't do enough audio to justify buying 1/month and therefore an audible subscription.

I do plan to reactivate and buy some more books down the road however.

Ed wrote: "Has everyone been happy with audible? I've never tried it."

Just finished my third book from Audible and I must say it's excellent. The Road, Dune and Inferno were all excellently narrated and I will stick to it. Planning to get The Blade Itself as my next Audible book.

Ed wrote: "Has everyone been happy with audible? I've never tried it."

Short version - very happy

Long version
Good customer service. They allow you to return books for credit refund if you are not happy with them and generally throw credits at you any time you email with a complaint - I always complain about books that cost two credits in my country instead of one like anywhere else, and they have always thrown me an extra credit to cover it. Also, if you end up with more credits than you can read you have the option once a year of putting your account on hiatus for up to 3 months - where you are still a member but are not charged.

Igor wrote: " Planning to get The Blade Itself as my next Audible book. "

Steven Pacey is an excellent narrator. You are in for a treat

They apparently also have a 0 credit - $10(USD)/membership. Basically it gives you cheaper prices on what they sell as well as access to sales.

David Sven wrote: "Steven Pacey is an excellent narrator. You are in for a treat "

Yeah, was looking for my next Audible and I found your Blade Itself recommendation. Already on my android waiting for the group read :)

Rob wrote: "They apparently also have a 0 credit - $10(USD)/membership. Basically it gives you cheaper prices on what they sell as well as access to sales."

At the moment my Audible subscription costs $7.49 and will last for three months as I was about to cancel my subscription then I got this offer. Will see what will happen when I receive third credit by that price (at the end of this month).

I've made a separate bookshelf for audio books I've listened to and I usually comment on the narrator there(over the last year anyway) if anyone's interested.

Igor wrote: "Rob wrote: "They apparently also have a 0 credit - $10(USD)/membership. Basically it gives you cheaper prices on what they sell as well as access to sales."

At the moment my Audible subscription c..."

Yeah. I did that too. Then suspended for 90 days, and quit. If I wasn't planning to go back later this year I might have done the no credit deal.

The thing to remember with Audible is to make use of the "sample" selection under each book. That way you can see if you like the narrator. Then again, you can always return a book if you forgot and you aren't happy with the narrator.

Thanks David, will check out your shelves, as I usually do seeking for some nice reviews.
Rob also have audibook shelf so will look that one too.

How much are you paying a month David? I need to think about how much I spend on audiobooks and I read with interest that you complain and get credits if the book is more expensive here..

It's AU$14.95 a month and you get one credit a month and most books are one credit regardless of what the book would otherwise cost. Every now and then they have an offer where you get 3 credits for like $11.00 each.
Or if you listen to more than that you can pay something like $23 for two credits a month.

So if you are on just the single credit plan, you could take up the 3 credit offer when it comes and then put your account on 3 month hold. And complain a lot. Standard operating procedure, within reason, for dealing with upset customers appears to be giving away a free credit. I've scored at least double my subscription this way.
Things to complain about

1. If the book is available in other countries but not yours - sound real upset - you may get a free credit to spend on something else

2. If a book costs two credits in your country but only one credit elsewhere - a complaint usually sees you score a free credit to help out.

3. Anything at all that upsets you about Audible - let them know. Free credit sometimes.

But the main thing to remember is, if you aren't 100% happy with the narrator (you are paying for a listening experience), regardless if you liked the book itself - you are allowed to return the book and get your credit back and you can do that up to a year after your purchase. Of course there is no way for Audible to know whether you genuinely enjoyed a book or not - but they still have a no questions asked policy on returns. They do monitor if they think you are abusing the system. Still, there are probably a few people who circumspectly use the system to stretch their dollar further.
But I think Audible take the view - so long as you are paying monthly it costs them nothing to throw extra credits at you - it does cost them if you leave. I notice because while on my Hiatus my credit reaping powers are severely reduced compared to when I'm paying monthly. I can still return books though.

So just started listening to my first audiobook last week Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. I am finding it a bit difficult to follow as there are pov switches and flashbacks during chapters and can get confused before I realize it has happened. Might try a second audiobook but think I will probably end up sticking to reading instead.

Certain books don't work well in audio. Can't speak to that one in particular though.

I got it from my local library which has a pretty poor selection of fantasy audio books. The only other books I was interested in would be the Harry Potter series or the Song of Ice and Fire series both of which have substantial wait lists. The rest of the books seem to of a twilightish nature.

Harry Potter works very well in audio book. You could try audible for free: audiblepodcast.com/sword

Do not get Hyperion. I got that with my Sword and Laser free book and nothing puts me to sleep faster.

Rob wrote: "Harry Potter works very well in audio book. You could try audible for free: audiblepodcast.com/sword"

Thanks. Will check it out.