Audiobook Tag

I saw this tag on Jonetta’s fab blog Blue Mood Cafe and just had to join in as I love audiobooks, especially as June is Audiobook Month!

Photo by kinkate on Pexels.com

Have you always listened to audiobooks or when did you begin?

I remember borrowing books on tape from the library and also a friend who had lots of Sherlock Holmes BBC dramas on cassette over 25 years ago. So, yes I’ve been listening for a long time.

What is your favourite audiobook?

What a question! One of my favourites is A Christmas Carol read by Tom Baker, yes that Tom Baker of Doctor Who fame. I’ve been listening it to at Christmastime for the last 6 years and his performance continually amuses me. I also loved Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel with the wonderful voice of Jack Hawkins!  Jim Broadbent’s narration of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was wonderful and The Cottingley Secret was wonderful on audio.

 

What is my least favourite thing about audiobooks?

Not being able to go back easily to check on something I’ve heard can be really annoying, especially if it’s an important plot development or dialogue. Also when listening to nonfiction it’s frustrating if I want to listen to a sentence again, or to go back to a section I found interesting, or wanting to share it with someone, that’s nigh impossible with audiobooks.

What do you think is the difference in experience between physically reading a book and listening to it?

One of the many things I love about audiobooks is that they can give so much more depth to a physical book. Characters can fully come alive especially if the narrator is an expert at characterisation. I also love how I can visualise the book a lot more than if I’m reading a physical book, maybe because I can close my eyes and fully concentrate on the story.

How and when do you listen?

I listen whenever I can. At home whilst doing the dishes or cooking, when I’m out for a walk by myself, driving or as a passenger in a car, on public transport. If I’m really into an audiobook I’ll take my headphones with me if I’m in town or popping into a cafe for a coffee by myself, just so I can sneak some more listening. I sound like an addict don’t I? 😀

 

What style/genre do you prefer?

Just like my normal reading preferences I don’t prefer a particular genre or style on audio. At the moment I’m thoroughly enjoying cosy historical mysteries, as they are really easy to listen to and great fun!

 

What are some audiobook/narrator recommendations?

How long have you got? 😉 As I mentioned above I’m enjoying cosy historical mysteries. I can thoroughly recommend the Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries by J. New and The Amory Ames Series by Ashley Weaver both set in the 1930s.

As to favourite narrators well Imogen Church, Martin Jarvis, Tom Baker, Finty Williams and Julie Teal are just a few I love. In fact I did a Top Ten Tuesday post about favourites a few months ago here if you want to check it out.

 

I really could keep going on for days, by I’d love to hear what you think of audiobooks. Oh and if you want to join in feel free to consider yourself tagged! 😉