UK Book Club discussion

I've set up this thread for Julie and other group members who listen to some (or even all) of their books. Feel free to comment, recommend and discuss anything audio-book here...

I download from audio.co.uk once a month, sometimes twice if they have a sale on.

I am currently listening to Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir read by Julia Franklin which I listen to on my way to work in the car. I am really enjoying it.

I think I enjoy an audio book better when the reader can bring the book and characters alive - unfortunately some just can't achieve this.

Some of my favourite readers are Stephen Fry, Alan Titchmarsh, Juliet Stephenson, Stephen King, Hannah Gordon, and Amelia Fox, the worst is a copy of Jane Eyre which I really have to replace and it was read by Donna Barkman, an american and it is terrible! She has a terrible voice, Jane Eyre is very English and sounds awful being read with an American accent.

I agree that the reader is very important (for me, at least). I have even looked to see which other books a particular reader has recorded (Bill Wallis, who does books by Ruth Dudley Edwards superbly). I agree that the nationality is important - just as I prefer to hear Jane Austen read in an English accent, Stephanie Plum would sound odd if not read by an American. Bill Bryson is a superb reader of his own books.

I love audiobooks - I started listening to them when I used to drive long distances, but they're also great when you're ill and don't feel up to holding a book (or if your eyes are tired). They're also excellent for both drowning out sound and entertaining you on train journeys, in hospital, etc..

I find that I discover more about books which I think I know well by listening to them. I've realised that I have a tendency to rush when I'm reading (I think so that I can find out what's going to happen), and having to listen to every word really enhances the experience.

Hi All and thanks to Em for starting this thread.

I listen to all my books, (I can read obviously but choose not to) and over the last few years I have 'listened' to over 500 of various genres. Actually I am listening now while typing this.

Audio books are fabulous when you are the type of person who, like me, never sits still. In fact just about the only time I am not listening is in the bath or at work.
I am a complete audio book junkie!

This site is great I am in the process of logging all my books and seeing what others are 'reading' opens up other authors and genres.

Thanks again Em. Hope this thread grows in the UK with like minded people.

Julie C

I found audio books took a while to get used to, but now I rarely drive anywhere without one playing on an ipod. Some narrators are wonderful, I just listened to Jeremy Irons read Lolita, and he was amazing (A vile story, beautifully written)!

I have now got my Mum hooked too, loading 'books' onto her MP3 she's 72!!!

I use a Sansa clip which holds up to 17 'books' which means listening to series' is easy.

I love listening to audio books......they really help pass the time at work, I download mine free from the library, I'm reading The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham .....a brilliant classic

Julie C wrote: "I have now got my Mum hooked too, loading 'books' onto her MP3 she's 72!!!

I use a Sansa clip which holds up to 17 'books' which means listening to series' is easy."

I use Sansa clip too...it's perfect

Hi Sandra
I have 2 clips because I couldn't stand being without one.

Where do you get your 'books' from? I used to get mine from the Library or wherever. I also swap with friends.
Where are you? PM me for details if you like.

You're welcome Julie!

I think it's true that if the book is well read it makes a lot of difference to the experience of listening to it. The voice needs to fit and have good expression too.

I've listened to One for the Money (Stephanie Plum) and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency which were both really good.

Hi Em

yes I do agree about the narrator making a difference, but in all the ones I have ever listened to I have only given up on one because of the narrator.

I am amazed actually that my local council will charge for audio books but not music CDs. Audio books are used very widely by people with poor or no eyesight. They will not back down on this either, believe me I have tried.

Will Patton, Dick Hill, Simon Vance, Davina Porter, George Guidall, Richard Poe and Alyssa Bresnehan are a few of my favourite narrators they have the great ability to change voices seamlessly.

I joined audible.com a few months ago and get a free credit every month. I have 3 at the moment which is 3 books. Trouble is I can't decide what to get! Also, I used to listen to them in bed but I keep falling asleep and then it's hard to refind your place using iPod.

I know that happens a lot..

Puts the myth about Subliminal Learning in the bin.. I can never remember the stories.

I set my mp3 to sleep after about 1/2 an hour. Don't know if you can do that with yours.

I cannot stand abridged books, and unabridged audiobooks are pretty expensive. I find MP3 players too fiddly - I kept losing my place, and accidentally skipping bits. So I decided to revert to old technology, and bought a second-hand boombox which plays CDs and cassettes. And then I bought several audiobooks on eBay - I was amazed to find there are hundreds available there, some at very reasonable prices, if one is prepared to buy them in cassette form. (The CDs are more expensive but often still cheaper then new.)

I'm using the boombox around the house, and I'm looking into the whys and wherefores of converting some of the cassettes to CDs which I can play in the car.

Borrow from your local library.

I have! I've been through all the audiobooks they have.

Hj wrote: "I have! I've been through all the audiobooks they have."

Where are you!

Email me I may be able to help

Also, my library will get audio-books from other libraries so I tend to decide what I want to read then order it on-line. They email me once it's at my local library so I can drop in to collect it. They do charge for this but it's a nominal amount compared to buying it.

Hi Julie, sorry not to respond sooner. Thanks for your offer, but I'm fine. Now I've found another system for getting audiobooks - which I will be able to "re-read" - I'm happy. I still read lots of print books so the libraries haven't lost a customer!

Okay but if you change your mind. Drop me a line.

That goes for anyone who would like help getting Audio books.

Julie C wrote: "I know that happens a lot..

Puts the myth about Subliminal Learning in the bin.. I can never remember the stories.

I set my mp3 to sleep after about 1/2 an hour. Don't know if you can do that w..."

I'm going to try plugging it in to the speaker, setting it on a timer and seeing if the iPod turns off as well as the speaker.

Can you put an ipod into sleep mode?

Ok This is really freaky and I need to know if it happens to other people too or am I just going potty!!!

When listening to Audio Books, words that are listened to quite often appear elsewhere at exactly the same time. This happens to me on a regular basis.

For example today I am writing up minutes to a meeting and listening to a story when the moment I typed BBQ the narrator said 'BBQ'. Matched words have also appeared on signs, hoardings etc.. It happens all the time and they are words that you would not use all the time. I mean not 'it' 'and' etc..

Put me out of my madness please.!!!!!!!!

Come on surely it can't just happen to me!!!!!!

Send for the men in White Coats!!!!!!!!!!

Not quite as dramatic as that, and not only for audiobooks! If I focus on a word which I haven't seen/heard for ages, or really registered before, it does seem that I see/hear it again frequently soon after. But I think I've read somewhere that it's to do with one's heightened receptiveness to the word rather than anything spooky...

AND even though I am almost 50 I am still coming across words I have NEVER heard before.!!

One of the things about audiobooks is that I hear a word read out and think "oh no, I've been mispronouncing that word in my head every time I've read it". My reading vocabularly is still larger than my spoken vocabulary even after all this time (we are of an age, Julia).

... and my typing is even worse. Julie, not Julia. Sorry!

I've not really noticed but I shall look out for it now! Just downloaded Countdown

I am surprised that I can listen to a more diverse range of books than I would choose to read, and how you can read and listen to the same book and get a totally different perspective.......I found the Day of the Triffids to be far more atmospheric when I listened to it than when I read it a while back

Yes I prefer Audio books as the Narrator adds emotion, suspense and drama to the words. Like watching a movie without the pictures.

I was never much of a reader but now have over 500 Audio books under my belt. I have 'read ' all the classics, which I am sure I wouldn't have dreamt of picking up in book form.

Actually that's what started me off. I always enjoyed the 'classics' etc. on the telly. A collection of classics on audio CD was brought into school by 'The Book People' rep. closely followed by the James Bond series and I was hooked.

Julie I agree I read a lot of the classics in my teens , but they are going to be revisited in audio format very soon

Sandra wrote: "I am surprised that I can listen to a more diverse range of books than I would choose to read, and how you can read and listen to the same book and get a totally different perspective.......I found..."

Ahh I was terrified reading it, really scared watching it I'm not sure I can handle listening to it. Would make me a bit too jumpy!

Our book people rep brings us rubbish! I replaced listening to books on the bus with reading my kindle, but now I've started having a lift so I'm missing that!

Just started listening to The Birthing House. but not in the DARK!!!!!

Last night I got Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell from audible using a credit. It is supposedto be £50+, seems excessive.

Helen wrote: "Last night I got Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell from audible using a credit. It is supposedto be £50+, seems excessive."

I got it too with one of my credits. I loved it.

I noticed alot of people talking about it and thought I'd give it a go.

Just finished 11/22/63 Excellent. 10**********. Best listen for ages. Can wholly recommend.

Julie C wrote: "Just finished 11/22/63 Excellent. 10**********. Best listen for ages. Can wholly recommend."

I was tempted to download this for my credit this month but I have the book. I downloaded The Poison Tree instead.

I have set myself a challenge of 80 audio books in 2012, I am already 3/80 way through. Totally adducted and loving it.

Need a recommendation for books on the lines of Stephen Kings 11.22.63 please

I've not read 11.22.63 yet - but The Proteus Operation may fit the bill. Tts about time travelling to correct history during the 1940's

Thanks Dave I will see if I can get that one.

Hi All

Its been quiet on this recently.. I am currently using EBSCOhost for my audio books.. It is free and easy to use.
There are great books available too!

I don't often have moan, but would anyone with a UK Audible subscription have any comments on the variety and quality of their new releases!?
I have had my account for nearly two years and it has reached a point where there is such limited material, I am struggling to find something that appeals. I check new releases once a week or so, and it seems to me, that unless you are into self help, biographies of minor celebrities or erotica, the choices are minimal.
Has anyone else noticed the lack of new material or is it just me being picky?

Hi Chris

You have a private message.

Are you a member of your local library. If you are they may subscribe to EBSCOhost This is a site where you can download Audio books and sometimes eBooks for free.
If you need any more info drop me a line.

Julie

I have a few friends who can't read because of vision issues, so audio books are great. Loved how Jim Dale read all the Harry Potter Books. I often listen to audiobooks myself. The library group in my area has a great selection of books on CD's, cassettes and audio book players.

I confess, I cancelled my audible, now I'm getting lifts to work I don't get enough iPod time. I do like to listen before falling asleep but it's hard to get back to where you fell asleep!

I am just downloading my first audiobook to my iPhone. I found a free trial on Audible. Michael McIntyre Life & Laughing while by the pool tomorrow I think, might get a few funny looks as I can imagine I'll be laughing lots!

I was quite shocked actually to see the prices of them, glad I found a free trial - but that could be bad as I might want more!