Audiobooks
In my youth I was a prodigious reader. I spent many a happy weekend visiting my local library and often spent my pocket money on books as a child. Overtime, I changed from reading fiction to non-fiction. More recently, a lot of my reading has been done online, consumed either via my office PC or tablet. That’s not to say that I don’t buy paperback or hardback books anymore. I still consider this to be the preferred experience. There is something fundamentally exciting about sitting down in a comfy chair, reading at your own pace, away from distractions. However last year I injured my left arm and I have subsequently found holding a large hardback book to be a difficult experience. So for the sake of convenience I started listening to audiobooks instead. I’ve always enjoyed them considering them a great alternative to traditional print media. What my recent foray into this format has taught me is how much the medium of the audiobook has grown.
As an Amazon Prime customer the most immediate port of call for audiobooks is the Audible service. There is a 30 day trial which gives you 1 credit, allowing you to purchase for free any available title. This is particularly beneficial as you can choose a new release if you see fit. Of course other providers are available and should not be overlooked. After my trial expired I was offered a further discount if I continued as a subscriber, which I accepted. The terms were favourable. Hence since last November I have acquired 5 audiobooks and only spent £12. There’s always a deal to be had and Amazon would rather have some of your money rather than none. The books can be downloaded and accessed whether you are currently subscribing or not and played on a variety of platforms. I find the seamless integration with the Amazon Echo very useful. I also like the feature where you can continue listening from where you previously finished, across multiple devices.
Although I enjoy reading for myself, I also like being read to. I think the key to a good audiobook is finding an appropriate narrator. If this is done correctly, then an audiobook becomes a far more satisfying experience. I would also argue that the sharing of stories touches something very primeval within us and elicits not only an intellectual response but something very emotional as well. There are other benefits to audiobooks as well. For example when listening to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien it is interesting to hear the correct pronunciation of the various languages. Also, leisurely paced narration that follows the punctuation correctly, allows the listener to ponder and digest what they’re listening to. And then there is the calming quality of certain narrators who bring an additional quality to the proceedings due to their dulcet tones.
At present my listening tastes favour non-fiction. I like material that makes you think and has a degree of factual and intellectual rigour. Hence I have listened to the following over the last 4 months:
How Not to Be Wrong: The Art of Changing Your Mind by James O'Brien.
Politically Homeless by Matt Forde.
How to Be a Liberal: The Story of Liberalism and the Fight for Its Life by Ian Dunt.
I'm a Joke and So Are You: Reflections on Humour and Humanity by Robin Ince.
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan.
All of these have been very rewarding and food for thought. All except the Carl Sagan book are read by their respective authors.
