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Community Blogs
 
Sound reading
Friday, May 9, 2008
Last week, I was finally shamed into taking David McCullough’s 1776 out of the library. I say shamed because I’m an avid reader, especially of history books, and I was quite honestly embarrassed I still hadn’t read it. But instead of taking it out in book form, I grabbed it on CD. We listened to a lot of books on tape when I was younger. In fact, one summer I made my mom and brother listen to the first four Harry Potter books on tape. It was close to 200 hours of tape, but the narrator, Jim Dale, is fabulous. If you’re an avid Harry Potter fan or just wondering what all the fuss is about I highly recommend you take the tapes/CDs of the first book out from the library. You won’t be sorry. But since that fateful summer, I haven’t listened to book on tape. I actually felt old (and somewhat idiotic) the other day when I realized the library no longer prominently displays its books on tape, but rather its books on CD. So why take one out now? It’s the end of the school year. I have AP exams, final projects, exams and reading up the wazoo. And I have about twelve books on my never-ending “to read” list. So my time to dive into 400 pages (no matter how well written) of Revolutionary War history is limited. A book on CD seemed like the perfect compromise. I could listen to it while driving by myself, so I wouldn’t have to give up my precious reading time. Although I’ve only finished two of the 10 discs, I think it was one of the best ideas I’ve had in a while. McCullough reads his book, and I now consider him my car companion. The CDs have kept me company while driving alone. McCullough reads excerpts of his book with such a dry sense of humor and sarcasm that I find myself laughing aloud at passages I wouldn’t have given a second glance to if I had read the book. I genuinely look forward to hearing the next excerpt of the book. So far, all signs point to me choosing another book on CD to enjoy after this one. Any suggestions? And if you haven’t listened to a book in a while, or ever, go try it. You might be pleasantly surprised.
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December 3, 2008
6:36 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I've never listened to a book on tape/CD in the car, 'cause I worry that I'd get so sucked into the story that it would distract me from driving (or else I'd get to my destination and realize I'd missed half of what was said 'cause I wasn't paying attention to it). Call me old-fashioned, but I've always preferred the smell of a new book, the crack of the binding and the feel of the pages between my fingers.
3:42 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I love to read. I love the smell and sound of the library and book stores, the whole experience of pulling out a new book and savoring the first few lines.
BUT I also live a very busy life. So a friend of mine recommended books on CD (if anything is going to go wrong to a recorded book it will be on a cassette tape and you may never find out "who done it").
A few of my favorite authors? Anything by Clive Cussler. If you have a room to paint he should be your companion. You will have the painting done because you don't want to quit before the end of the story. Dan Brown--Angels and Demons or The DaVinci Code. Deception Point was rather ridiculous and Digital Fortress dealt with numbers that didn't make a lot of sense. For a laugh try Dave Barry or Carl Hiassen (not sure of the spelling). He writes some strange stories which make time cleaning the shower go by so quickly. I have even listened to some very dry classic books...and decided I don't like Wuthering Heights AT ALL. But borrowing the books on CD from the library you are not out any money (if you get them back on time) and you have something to entertain you as you sew or knit through a boring repetitive piece.
7:43 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Hi this is Elizabeth.
I love Carl Hiassen and Dave Barry. If you like him, you might want to try Bill Bryson. I just got into his books. I read "The Life and Times of Thunderbolt Kid," and it was hysterical. I'm now reading "A Walk in the Woods." I think I might do one on cd by him next.
Thanks for commenting!
9:17 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
There is nothing like crawling up to the warmth of a good ol' loved book with its worn, thin pages enjoy and binding coming undone due to having read the book over and over again(my persnal favorite A Tree Grows in Broolyn). At times, it is nice to have the option of hearing another persons interpretation of the same written work which is what books on CD allows. The tonal inflections, pauses and rhytem can change the tone of the written word; opening open ones mind.