Quote:
Originally Posted by neilmarr
Hi DixieGal: Do you listen to many audio books? If so, do you judge on reading skill or actual book content (likely both)? Interested to know because we're just experimenting with our first -- excellent professional actor with many years experience in audio work and a professional technician and studio. So far, the samples sound great to my own unpracticed ear, but I'd be happy to hear your views on audio books and what you think makes 'quality'. Maybe, though, this 'reading recommendations' thread isn't the right place for this exchange. Cheers. Neil
|
Well, you remember that I started listening to audiobooks back in the autumn, when my vision situation made reading on the 505 too difficult. I've only just recently been able to read on it again, and still just for short periods of time before the strain becomes exhausting.
I can only tell you what I'm discovering about my own tastes in audiobooks, both good and bad and mixed:
Good
Mystery/Thrillers - The stories progress from A to Z, so it is easy to follow. Lots of dialog also, which makes the story more interesting to listen to.
Biographies - I enjoy these because it is just like someone gossiping about somebody else, which I love.
Humor - Of course.
General Fiction - Generally good, except for scifi.
Bad
General Non-Fiction - Generally hard to follow because often there is dependence on charts and references.
Mixed
Fantasy/Scifi - Some good, some bad. I seem to all boil down to whether the story is easy to follow.
For example, I downloaded "Anathem." Never read it, but had it on my TBR list. It was torture as an audiobook because there is a long list of things that you have to remember, such as unusual use of English language for everyday things, superfluous things like that. I endured it for maybe 1/2 hour before deciding that life is too short for something like that.
However, I recently listened to the Hyperion novels, and they were terrific. Lots of story, lots of dialog.
I hope this helps you. Good luck!