Welcome to my first post for Devourer of Books’ Audiobook Week celebration! My name is Jennifer and I am an audiobook addict/evangelist/nerd. With each year, my love of audiobooks and the audiobook community grows exponentially. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The following are my highlights of the last year in audiobooks:
My Listens
Between Audiobook Week 2011 and today, I’ve listened to 53 audiobooks. This amazed me when I did the math. At basically one per week, I listened in audiobooks over the past year to the one more audiobook than I challenged myself to read during my first year of book blogging.
Although I didn’t start tracking the hours spent listening until the first of January, I’ve have logged 8.04 days of audiobook reading since then. All of it was time well spent.
Notable Listening Moments
- Paranormal werewolf sex is not really for me
- Audio dramas are a lot of fun (The Mark of Zoro ~ review coming)
- I love Andre Dubus III
- I despise Less Than Zero
- Snow can be very frightening
- Of the five nominees, the 2012 Literary Fiction Audiobook Audie winner was the only one I didn’t like
- There are still Nazi atrocities I’ve never heard of before
Favorite Listens Since Audiobook Week 2011
- Bring Up the Bodies (review this week)
- A Land More Kind Than Home (review this week)
- American Dervish
- The Invisible Ones
- Everything that Rises Must Converge
- Townie
- Autobiography of Mark Twain
In addition to listening to more, I took part in one planned audiobook challenge, one challenge that grew from Twitter chatter about the Audie Awards, and discovered my passion for the narrators who truly make a difference in my life.
Shaken, Not Stirred
Last year during Audiobook Week I announced the the Shaken, Not Stirred Simon Vance/Ian Fleming Audiobook Challenge. Since then, I’ve listened to 12 of Ian Fleming’s 13 novels and about half of the short story collection. It ended up being more involved than I anticipated (keeping up with two blogs is not my strong suit), but also much more fun. A small, but dedicated group of us have been listening along to the novels and short stories in the order in which they were published. Then, we’re holding a Twitter party to discuss the audiobook and to watch the corresponding movie. Schedules did prevent us for holding the party during the month of May, but we have otherwise been a faithful group. I am grateful to all who have joined me, even if it was for just one audiobook. As we near the end I know I’m still no Bond expert, but it has been nice getting to know James Bond from his beginnings with Ian Fleming.
If you would like to join us, there are still three more Shaken, Not Stirred events scheduled. It’s really never too late and we’d love to have you.
The Armchair Audies
In February, the APA announced the 2012 Audie Award nominees in each of 28 categories (Audiobook of the Year and Distinguished Achievement in Production categories were announced later). Wanting to find a way to be involved in the Audie Award fun, Tanya from dog eared copy, Bob from The Guilded Earlobe, and I came up with the Armchair Audies. In this challenge, interested bloggers selected one or more Audie categories and listened to each of the nominees. Once all of the nominees have been listened to, the blogger then selects the title s/he feels is the best. When each blogger has selected the best title, we published an official ballot. The night of the Audies was a lot of fun after having prepared for the event.
We have even bigger plans for the 2013 Audie Awards. I already can’t wait until February. If you would be interested in participating during the 2013 Armchair Audies season, please let me know. It is a great way to get involved in the community.
The Listener’s List
Audible.com announced a new series of audiobooks narrated by celebrities. They called this series The A-List. I took issue with that name. No matter how good a novelty act might be, it is never the main event. Celebrity narrations are not what keeps me coming back for more. It is the hard work and dedication of the professional audiobook narrator that time and again takes me to another world and brings literature to life. Based on the response, I am not alone in feeling this way.
To celebrate the outstanding narrators who make the audiobook world spin and to help both new and experienced audiobook listeners find their next great listen, I am working on a permanent home for the Listener’s List. To get me started, listeners voted on their top 5 female and male audiobook narrators. I’ve got a rough start on the project with a blog and a Pinterest account. I hope to bring more information to you about this project later this week. And all of that came before I discovered just how wonderful audiobook narrators truly are. More on that this afternoon along with a giveaway…
Wrapping It Up
Not only do I love to listen to audiobooks, they inspire my loyalty and creativity. I feel incredibly lucky to have found them and I’d rather not consider my life without them. On that note, I’d better get my hearing checked. I need to keep them in tiptop condition.
So, how was your year in audiobooks? If you’re new to them, what are you looking for between now and next Audiobook Week?
Wow – 53. And you have a bunch on your favorites list I haven’t read. Must check them out.
There are a bunch I haven’t listened to, too, must make note!!
Is Audiobook Week truly a gimmick to get us to add more audiobooks to our TBL piles?
If so, I wholeheartedly approve!
I’m very close to the end of State of Wonder, and think I’ve liked it a lot more as an audiobook than I would have if I had read it, but I’ll wait to read your review until I’ve finished it.
Loved your list of Notable Moments! Creating lists is #1 on my list of Things Other Book Bloggers Do That I Wish I Did on My Blog.
I agree that State of Wonder was a better audiobook for me than print, but it’s not saying much. It’s just that I didn’t mesh well with the main character. I can handle not liking a main character, but being thoroughly annoyed by him/her? Not so much.
There was so much I wanted to say in this post that a list was the only way to get it said without writing a law book. LOL!
You are an audiobook listening rock star! I love your Shaken, Not Stirred idea and have been saving your posts for a time when I can really dive into Bond.
Thank you, Melissa! When you do start your Bond odyssey, let me know. It’s a lot of fun.
I agree, you are a listening rock star! I caught some of your twitter party this weekend and was a sorry that I wasn’t actually part of it. You guys were having a great time. I aspire to listen to as many great books as you do.
Shaken, Not Stirred is a lot of fun. It was a pretty huge commitment, though. I understand why it wouldn’t work for everyone.
Speaking of Audiobook Challenges, I need to join yours. I know I planned on it, but I can’t find my post.
I wanted to be an audiobook harlot. That was one of the categories, right? LOL!
I’ve really enjoyed The Shaken Not Stirred Simon Vance LIstening Challenge! I’ve been surprised both my how much more interesting Bond is in the novels (vs the movies) and how much I’ve really come to like 007! As far as Bond Girls go, I have to say Diana Rigg may have earned top accolades: She can drive, ski AND she saved Bond’s butt!
The Armchair Audies got me hooked on Audio Drama (The Mark of Zorro and I, Claudius were two stand outs from that category) and I’m claiming it for next years’ Armchair Audies as well. Hopefully I’ll be able to claim another category as well
It’s been a great Audiobook Year and I want to thank you for helping make it happen, so…. THANK YOU!
Wasn’t Bond fun? Did you finish ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE? I’m curious if your opinion of Tracy in the book improved. I really did love Diana Rigg. The Tracy/Bond storyline, for me, was much better played out in the book. A randy Bond in the middle of the love affair just didn’t work as well for me in the film.
I have you written down for the Audio Drama category. I really did enjoy THE MARK OF ZORRO. I’m hoping to review it this week. It should have been in my top listens because it was so much fun.
Thank you for being my inspiration for so much that I do in the audiobooks blogging world. I can’t imagine my life without this. The only down side to this year is that we didn’t meet in person. We must rectify that!
Jennifer, you have brought up so many points that I want to talk about with you, but I would need an hour and at least two cups of coffee to go through it all! The condensed version – so glad I’m not alone with The Last Werewolf, totally agree on the “celebrity” is a better audio issue, and Armchair Audies you can count me in!
Great post!
Let’s have that drink together – especially if we are going to discuss werewolf sex. I’ll need a drink then. LOL!
We’d love to have you on Team Armchair Audies! Once all of the craziness of this week is over, let’s chat, even if it is via email.
My main reason for enjoying audiobooks is because once I finish one I think, “This is one more book that I probably wouldn’t have been exposed to if I only “read” books.
I so agree! Whether I enjoyed the out of the box experience or not, I always come away from the audiobook glad I took the risk. More often than not, I’m surprised by how good the audiobook was.
I just looked and I’ve listened to 37 since January, so by the end of the year I should be around 70? Pretty addictive stuff, it is. I’ve completely bombed out on the week though. I have so many things going on in my real life and my kids, I’m barely managing to just READ and LISTEN, let alone post reviews and so special things. So my apologies for that. I am listening to American Dervish right now. I had the print book but then after you listened to it and loved it, I got the audio. I am really enjoying it! You have had an insanely productive audio year so far!
I’m lucky life isn’t getting in the way this week. I completely understand when it does, though.
American Dervish is awesome. Let me know when you get to THAT scene – and yes, I think you’ll know THAT scene when you get to it.
You are an audio rockstar! I’m definitely going to get involved with Armchair Audies next year. (This year just got too crazy).
Please do join us in 2013! This year was a fly by the seat of your pants kind of year. It’s hard to make that kind of commitment when you hadn’t been planning on it.
Oh, I am so with you regarding The Last Werewolf but if anyone could hold my hand (ear?) through it, Robin Sachs was the ideal choice. I *may* have occasionally tuned out the words and just listened to the rasp and rumble of his voice.
We are together in that.. Robin Sachs is the only reason I finished that book. it’s still a compliment when I say he has the perfect voice for that kind of narration. He does sick and twisted so well.
So many AudioBooks, so little time! I love the different AudioBook events that you participate in and love reading the cool posts about the different books you listen to. It is a really cool way to find out about AudioBooks that I might have passed by or missed completely!
Happy AudioBook Week!
Dorothy – The Alaskan Bookie – Squeak
Blog ~ http://alaskanbookie.blogspot.com/
Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/AkChocoholic
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll be back for Armchair Audies 2013. I had so much fun with that challenge.
I remember you mentioning Townie on twitter and have been meaning to listen to it. The bummer for me with audio is that you can only listen so quickly and to so many things at once.
I know what you mean. I wish I had twice as much time for audiobooks. Then I’d probably want twice more of that, too.
I am very thankful for the ones I do get to listen to, though. I hope you get to Townie. It’s my favorite author memoir.
Wow – that’s a lot of audio books you listened to! I just started listening to 2 at once – one in the car and one on the iPod, so hopefully I will get some more in. I haven’t listened to any of the ones you mentioned, so I’ll have to check them out.
Kristin @ Always With a Book
I sometimes multi-task my audiobooks, but this year I’ve seemed to be more likely to double up in print. It’s funny how that all works out.
Townie is on my list , too – surely from your recommendation! The Armchair Audies was such an amazing project. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for 2013. You truly are an audiobook listening rock star
Aw, shucks!
Townie was a real sleeper hit for me. I was interested in Dubus as an author, but I had no idea how captivated I would be with his story. I love that when it happens.
I couldn’t finish the audio that won the Audie last year so don’t feel bad about not caring for this year’s winner. I loved A Land More Kind Than Home on audio too!
That one from last year was a doozy, wasn’t it. I made it through and even liked it until a certain part. After that, it went downhill fast. It did make the drive to Richmond to meet Simon Van Booy go a little faster. I appreciate it for that. LOL!
wow, that’s a lot of audiobooks! and we have one favorite in common. see my more humble results here: http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/06/25/2011-2012-my-audiobook-year/
It’s good to have favorites in common.
Happy Audiobook Week!
I loved The Invisible Ones too. I’ve listened to 34 audiobooks since last year.
Dan Stevens… Wait, what was it you were saying? LOL! I’d say we both had a great audiobook year.
Ok First let me say that you are doing an amazing job with two blogs. I have the same issue and my other one is sooo suffering right now. I love audiobooks and I love that you have made listening to them soo cool!
Thank you! I do desperately need to update the Shaken, Not Stirred blog. It won’t happen during Audiobook Week, though.
LOL – Werewolf sex wasn’t for me, either.
I suppose it’s a good thing that we now know this about ourselves. LOL!
I saw the Armchair Audies after I had already committed to the books I wanted to read – but I’m definitely up for participating next year! And even though I wasn’t participating, I followed along with you and some of the others and you did a fantastic job.
Wonderful! We’d love to have you. I understand completely about previous commitments. It was a spur of the moment thing that grew into much more. I’m excited that it has.
I need to count up my audio books… I am curious how many I have listened to. I started a chart this year that tracks my book, pages, audio books and minutes listening but it is sadly behind… I have not updated since April.
Knock on wood, I’ve been able to keep my spreadsheet up to date thus far in 2012. It will be nothing short of a miracle if I keep it up through 12/31.
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