Book Talk: Audiobooks

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I know audiobooks are very hit-or-miss for people. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some people just haven't tried them.

I've discovered that I really like re-reading with audiobooks. Sometimes it's just hard to pay attention when you're listening to something for a long period of time (ahem physics lectures ahem hem), and if it's a re-read it doesn't really matter. I know how the story goes, so if I miss a few details here and there I won't be lost.

It also depends on how long the audiobook is. The longest one I've done is Mistborn: The Final Empire, clocking in at 20 hours. I think the only reason I finished was because I looooooooooove Mistborn (If you haven't read this yet, GET ON THAT ASAP) and I was already emotionally invested in the story because I'd already read it. If I hadn't already read it, I would have been bored to tears after a couple of hours. My limit is usually 9 or 10 hours because if it's too much longer, I feel like reading the paper book is better because it's so much faster.

Then again, I'm guilty of skimming, so listening to the audiobook sometimes forces me to get more invested in the characters and actually pay attention. I loved The Help and Code Name Verity on audio because the narrators did such a great job of bringing the characters to life. I loved both books more than I think I would have if I'd read the physical book first.

I don't think I would have been half as entertained with some books if it weren't for the narrators. Nick Podehl is PHENOMENAL, and I love listening to his books (especially Chaos Walking!). I definitely would not have found Kevin Hearne's Hounded as funny if it weren't for Luke Daniels doing all the accents and the doggy voice for Oberon. I also loved the narrators of Code Name Verity, Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell. Kristine Hvam did a great job of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy as well.

What do you think of audiobooks? Any recommendations? Did you find some audiobooks you want to try?

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