Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Armchair BEA: More than words

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Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Armchair BEA have loads of topics this whole week and I am sure I am going to be reading loads of blogs!  I am only going to be participating in one or two discussions here on my blog although you will be seeing my comments everywhere!  Audiobooks are near to my heart, so let’s get to the first topic.

One of today’s topics is More Than Just Words:
There are so many mediums that feature more than just words and enhance a story in a multitude of ways. Examples may include graphic novels and comics, audiobooks, or even multimedia novels. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just the words and use other ways to experience a story. Which books stand out to you in these different formats?

I was surprised to find audiobooks mentioned in line with comics and graphic novels in the little intro above.  I have never really thought of audiobooks as anything else than “reading with my ears”, but I guess their statement is correct.  Audiobooks bring so much more to my own reading experience than just words.
A good narrator can keep me listening even if the book itself is getting lost in it’s own words.  I have kept listening many times when I would have been throwing the book across the room if I had held it in my hands.
I have also enjoyed many different genres when reading them would not have kept my attention.  An example would be THE NIGHT CIRCUSblack-1 by Erin Morgenstern. This was a very different novel that was much enhanced by being in audio form.  The written word might not have held the same allure for me.

If a good narrator can keep me listening, a great narrator can push the book even higher in my book gushing love opinion.  Some books are just made for this format.  There is nothing like getting weird looks when you suddenly burst out laughing sitting all by yourself in a restaurant.    I have recently discovered memoirs and biographies which I am sure is just because of my audiobook love.  ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK by Piper Kerman had me spitting out my coffee once or twice Smile

Also audiobooks have been a godsend for me in the last few months.  I have been in a position where just sitting still reading a book, seemed like not taking advantage of life enough.  (crazy, I know).  So multi tasking has been my salvation.  While my eyes and hands have been occupied, my ears kept listening to the words spilling out of my headphones.  It is amazing what books can do to smooth the hard bits of life.

So what do you think?  Do you love audiobooks as much as I do?  Or are you more into comics or manga?

11 comments:

  1. Do you find it's hard to concentrate on a task while you're listening to you audiobook? I would think it would be hard to work because I would get sucked into the story.

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  2. I have a hard time with audiobooks just because my son doesn't like listening to them in the car. There goes the audiobooks on our daily commute! I have really enjoyed many audiobooks, though. Anything by David Sedaris will make me laugh so hard I nearly run off the road. I've also loved The Night Circus and On Chesil Beach, among others. Great post!

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  3. I love audiobooks! I recently listened to Orange is the New Black after getting hooked on the Netflix series. Currently I'm listening to Stiff by Mary Roach...not great to listen to while you're eating. The first audiobook that hooked me was The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I was riveted and then a bit bummed when my eight hour car trip was over and there was still book to listen to!

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  4. I LOVE audiobooks and loved listening to my favorite book ever ~ The Night Circus ~ the first time on audio, It was great!! More Than Words were audiobook recommendations, if you'd like to take a look.

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  5. I listen to a lot of audiobooks but I haven't listend to many memoirs. I am mostly limited to what my library has; I love memoirs though, especially funny ones. I heard Tina Fey's Bossy Pants is a great one to listen to.

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  6. No, no, and no. Haha I'm not a fan of any of them. I have tried listening to audiobooks but only twice. I read a graphic novel and that was weird and manga, not really my thing at all. But I love that there is such diversity in the literature that whatever your preference is it's out there.

    Holly @ Words Fueled by Love

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  7. I am a HUGE audiobook fan and loved Orange is the New Black.Cassandra Campbell is an excellent narrator!

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  8. I loved Night Circus, but it's been a while since I read it. I should consider listening to the book, because, like you said, there could be a lot more I'll experience that way.

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  9. I do love audiobooks and never dread household chores 'cause I listen while I work.

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  10. I want to love audiobooks. I really really do. I just can't get into them at all. I try so hard. I only listen to them on roadtrips now when I have nothing else to do. I just can't get into them. I have tried ... 4 of them now. Just not for me.

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  11. I love audiobooks! My library cancelled its audiobook service last week and I am beside myself. I don't know what to do. I checked out the Audible plan and one book a month is just not enough. [I usually book Audible books in singles.]

    I'll am all about multi-tasking while listening to an audiobook too. Especially when it is a non-fiction book.

    I'll add THE NIGHT CIRCUS and ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK to my TBR list.

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