I know folks who listen to books, but I never have. I can't bring myself to do it -- I did listen to a sample of one of my books online and had to shut it off -- it freaked me out, because the woman narrating was sort of "acting" the male lead with her voice, lowering, etc and is just SO didn't work for me (and I see from reviews that while people liked the book, they didn't like the narration, either). I was glad to see my other audio editions had a different narrator, but I was too apprehensive to listen to them.

As a reader, I just don't get into it, I guess because I'm not much of a listener, anyway, even with music. As an author, it bothered me a little, because apparently my books are doing well enough in ebook and audio that I've had two in a row come out in audio, which my ed told me is not the case with all, since they only choose a few each month, so I am VERY happy for that, but since my little experience listening to my own, I now realize a lot of what a reader/listener experiences of MY book is through the narrator, and that's a little scary to me! LOL

Sam

I have never listened to an audio book. I think my attention would wander like it does when I listen to the radio.

Hi Tawny!! Fun topic! When I was commuting an hour or more to work, I'd listen to audio books. My favorite was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. But it wasn't the same as reading it, and I found the reader's voice (a woman) a little annoying when she tried to do the hero's Scottish brogue. But it was still fun, I still have the tape, and I still pop it in and listen to it every now and then.

My book, Flyboy was made into an audiobook, so I did download it, but...I have no idea how to transfer it to an MP3 player or to my computer so that I can actually listen to it. So I have it, but it's floating out there in cyberspace somewhere. But eHarlequin had a demo that you could listen to, and let me tell you...it was a screaming howl to hear my book being read aloud! I laughed until tears streamed down my face. It was thrilling...a little embarrassing...totally weird to hear this woman with a low, seductive voice reading Angel's lines. The demo ended before it got to any really hot scenes, and I'm just dying to figure out how to listen to it...I want to see my husband's face when I play it privately for him, LOL!

I also have resisted the audio-book experience. I think I'd miss the whole reading process; holding the book in my hand, smelling the fresh pages and the sound of the turning page. Plus, where would the chocolate stain go? I can immediately turn to a really good scene in any book on my shelf by looking for the chocolate stain (or sometimes the Cheeto stain). I love it when the story sucks you in so much you forget to lick your fingers before turning!

-Tasha

I'm an auditory learner, so I love listening to books. I listen while I drive. I listen to books while I run. I tried to listen to music while running, but it made me feel anxious, but a book...an excellent way to occupy the mind while torturing the body.

I don't usually watch television--I listen to it while I do something else.

Great topic!
Jeannie

I've only listened to one audio book: The Mist by Stephen King and it was in the style of a play, kinda like an old radio serial with sound effects and lots of actors playing the different parts.

Amanda Murphy w/a Jill James
http://www.jilljamesromance.com

My blind friend turned me on to books on tape. Sometimes, it is easier to listen than to read. When I commuted to work, it was the best way to pass the time. Some days, if the book was good, I would sit in my car during lunch because I couldn't wait until the end of the day to hear more. They are also good for tanning, exercising (walking, biking) and when itchy-eye-allergy season starts. Much like a bad author can ruin a good story, a bad reader can ruin a good book. The Harry Potter series has Jim Dale, a former Broadway actor. A really good reader can make a mediocre book good.

I had the book and record combos as a kid and loved them. I found some Disney books and tapes for my son because I loved mine. Turn the page when you hear this sound.... :-)

I also have issues with one gender "acting" the voice of the other. It just sounds weird and yanks me out of the story. And if the person sounds different from the protagonist in age or something, that bothers me. I'd imagine it works better for stuff that has a first person feel and they pick someone who fits the bill closely.

However....I'm a big fan of the Sharpe TV series, so listening to Sharpe's Tiger (a prequel of most of the filmed eps) being read by Sean Bean was AoK with me. Even when he read the woman's voice... Then again, I could listen to him read the phone book.

Jen
http://www.jenlewis.com

My friend gave me 3 audio books as a birthday present. I hated them. Not the stories but, the narration. It's very disturbing to listen to a woman lowering her voice, to try to sound like a man. I'd much rather read a book than listen to someone trying to act out the characters, and changing their voice several times during the narration.

The audio books were older Harlequins by Penny Jordan. I haven't bought any recent audio books, and I just can't imagine a female narrator trying to lower her voice to imitate a sexy Blaze male stud. I'd probably LMAO.

Audio books do have some advantages though. They are good for someone who can't see well or, who have trouble reading. As for me, I'd rather read a book than listen to one. Mads:)

Sorry, I'm laughing at some of the other comments, about how one might hear Blazes or other "hot" titles read aloud--eek! I have no idea when I would even consider listening to these--my kids are pretty much around when I might consider listening (listening to a book might be convenient when I'm trying to do other things, like cooking or laundry or that sort of thing), and I'm already wondering about when they're going to start to want to read the physical books I read. Forget the audio!

As for other genres of books on tape, haven't really tried--I can understand it might be cool to listen to some together as a family, like the HPs when my kids are slightly older. I really prefer reading to listening (and even to watching--book vs. movie thing), and the thought of all that having to pay attention doesn't really appeal to me. So we've only listened to those little kids' books, with the beeps for page turns :)

My brother has even read a couple of audio books, and I haven't even listened to the ones he's voiced. How horrible of me!

I've tried audio books a few times, but it always seems that the narrator goes at a different cadence than I do when I read, so I have a hard time following. Although, I have to admit I'm curious about listening to a Blaze. I imagine the narrator could make or break those. Hhmm... :-D

I loved!!!! the Harry Potter books on CD.
My daughter who is dyslexic really excelled by listening to books and following along in the book. She listened to all Harry Potter books. I also love Jim Dale and all of the voices. I just started another book on tape I have an hour commute each way. I like them

Once again, but...

I actually love listening to books on tape, especially in the car. I'm a terribly jumpy reader, so listening to the book forces me to really delve into the language and the setting. I like podcasts for the same reason. I'm listening to "Pride and Prejudice" right now...well, not right now, but you get the idea. ;)

Basically, it's a way of slowing down as a reader. In an era when I can blow through 2-3 books a week without really immersing myself in one, listening helps me immerse. Never listened to a Blaze, though. No way.