As an author, I like all the published editions: paperback, hardcover, international versions, large print, and collections. But my favorite version? Audiobooks. I know people who listen to them while sewing, exercising, or even cleaning house. I don’t do any of those things (at least not often enough :)) but I love listening in the car—and not only on long trips. I don’t like driving in general, but with the company of a good audiobook, tedious errand runs, traffic, and even red lights become a pleasure.
For example, I recently listened to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, narrated by talented actress, Joanna David. I have read the novel a few times before, but listening to “Aunt Gardiner” perform the beloved characters and memorable scenes added a whole new layer of enjoyment. I highly recommend it!
I have also recently listened to many Agatha Christie mysteries and a few books by Georgette Heyer (Cotillion is a favorite). Rarely has driving been so much fun!
All of my books so far have been recorded for audio with a few different narrators. Broadway actress Elizabeth Jasicki, originally from England, has recorded the majority of my recent releases. She’s very talented. I promise you would not want to listen to my shoddy British accent for six seconds, let alone the sixteen hour-length of some of these recordings. Thankfully you don’t have to! Recorded Books uses skilled British actors who not only read the books, but perform them, using different accents and tones to bring characters from aristocrats to street urchins to lovable life. You can often find the audiobooks in your local library, or download them from Audible. I highly recommend them!
What about you? Are you an audiobook lover, too? Why or why not? Either way, thanks for “listening”!
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This past year I have really gotten into audiobooks and now, I cannot I age my commute without them! Right now I’m listening to Double Minds by Terri Blackstock, but I love all genres. I’m excited to try Pride and Prejudice soon as it is my top favorite and I haven’t yet tried it in audio.
Have never tried it.
Yes, I’m an audio book lover! I listen from MP3 CDs or regular CDs primarily rather than using ear buds. I keep a MP3/CD player in my master bedroom and in my kitchen so that I can listen to books while cooking, doing housework, putting on my make-up and doing my hair, or getting ready for bed. I do not want to miss any opportunity to “read”.
I just started listening to audiobooks in the car and I love it! It, too, do not care for driving, but audiobooks have changed that! Right now I’m listening to The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines. It is probably a book I would not sit down and read, but I’m loving the audio which they narrate themselves.
I love audiobooks! I listen almost every day. In fact, I have listened to six Julie Klassen audiobooks this year!
A bad narrator can ruin a good story. I also think a good narrator can make a mediocre story better.
I don’t go in the kitchen without an audiobook in my ears.
I’ve tried but I’m always interrupted.
I never go on a road trip without a book (or 3) on CD. I love getting involved in the stories. What an easy way to travel and enjoy a great book! I’m always fascinated by how some readers are excellent at conveying different characters. Glad your books are on CD for us to listen to!
I’m a huge fan of audio books! They’ve doubled the number of books I read in a year and — as you pointed out — make my drive time so much more enjoyable.
I LOVE audiobooks. When they first came out in cassette tapes, I thought they were marvelous. I could embroider, knit, do housework, drive and actually ‘read’ a book at the same time. I was one of these kids that propped a book up on the window sill while washing dishes. (yes, the books had little water marks by the time I was done!). Now that you can listen thru the phone or computer, it’s even better.
I absolutely LOVE audiobooks! My favorite is when Amazon says “add audio for…” because I love to listen and read in case I miss a name or a town I can look at my iPad screen and see that the town is in fact Scharwatzerfargent (and then I am immensely grateful that someone else has to pronounce the name) 🙂 I have also found that if I listen to a book after I’ve read it – I’ll catch things that I might have “read” in my head differently.
I love listening to audiobooks and have listened to several of yours, Julie. I love RB Digital, the audiobook program associated with my library. They have a lot of Christian fiction novels and some great classics as well. Right now I’m listening my way through Karen Witemeyer’s books. I have read them all and own most of them in paperback, but decided to listen this time. I finished A Tailor-Made Bride and am now listening to Head in the Clouds. Some of my favorite audio CDs are the Jeeves and Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse narrated by Jonathan Cecil. I refuse to listen to any other narrator unless I have to. Jonathan Cecil is perfect with the voices and expressions.
I didn’t know the Joanna David did a recording of P&P. I know her daughter, Emilia Fox (Georgiana Darcy in P&P 1995) did a recording for NAXOS. I haven’t listened to it, but have seen in advertised. My absolute favorite Jane Austen narrator of audiobooks is Juliette Stephenson. I have her version of Mansfield Park and she does a wonderful job.
Ever since I started having to drive 45 minutes to work every day (twice a day), I have fallen a little bit in love with AudioBooks. Back in the day, we use to call them “books on tape.” Truly this option of reading a book has made the pain of driving so far, a pleasure. I am currently listening to The Kremlin Conspiracy by Joel Rosenberg and the narrator is FANTASTIC. It helps that the story itself is amazing. I love JR. Thank you for posting this little piece on how great audiobooks can be. They don’t get enough credit. 🙂
Let’s keep in mind, please, that audio books do not work for everyone. Those of us who are hearing impaired NEED physical books. So don’t stop printing! 🙂
Have you hever heard Davina Porter read? She is amazing!
I love audiobooks, especially when I travel to SD to visit family. I often buy them at thrift stores. But I’m guessing I won’t find any Julie Klassen audiobook there! 🙂
I LOVE audio books, I would not get much reading time in without them! Working around the house, cooking, gardening, etc., everything is more enjoyable with a good book. I have recently discovered many of your books because of audio books. I am in the middle of The Dancing Master right now. I often browse the audio book section of the library looking for that little square/flower symbol that indicates Christian audio books. I have never been disappointed!
Audiobooks are my go-to. Without them, reading would be virtually non-existent. I am like you. I listen whenever I am driving. I also listen while I cook, do dishes, take a shower… nearly anywhere and anytime I can. I’m so thankful for these amazing creations. Listening to Cara Putman’s Canteen Dreams right now. Love the Nebraska setting and WWII in the background.
I have not yet listened to any audiobooks. I have many print books in my library. From the way everyone raves about them, though, I guess I’m going to have to get on the bandwagon LOL!!
I always listened to books when traveling but my cd player died! I do sometimes listen to audio books while working at home. They definitely make a painting job more pleasant!
Love audiobooks! I just finished Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus and immediately started Walking in the Dust of the Rabbi Jesus. So. Good. Heading down to ATL and back every two weeks to see my precious dad affords me lots of car time—and listening time. I’m grateful for audiobooks.
I love audiobooks! They make whatever I’m doing (driving, cleaning house, pulling weeds, etc.) so much more enjoyable. I get 5 books a month from Hoopla through my library and own many books through Audible.