1. A problem with sitting and listening, so I had to keep finding things to do as I listened. Things that don't take much thought--so my house was a little cleaner when I finished, I made progress on a little embroidery project, and I walked a lot. It just takes so damn long to get through an audio book and this one is unbelievably long.
2. Listening to a woman try to give assorted male voices takes me out of a story. I know this is difficult, and I admire good readers, but still...
As far as the book itself, I was interested in October Daye and her problems, but the almost getting killed, surviving, almost getting killed, surviving, over and over was well over the top and strangely unexciting.
Ultimately, I'm giving it a 3/5 because I see potential and this is the first in a series that received two Hugo nominations. I may read the next book to see if some of the problems I had are resolved by reading instead of listening and if the author skips some of the filler. Eleven hours is simply too long when you can read it in half the time.
Audio book
Urban Fantasy. 2010. Print length: 346 pages.
A friend of ours actually caught a squirrel in the act of carving her pumpkins.
I've become an audiobook "reader" these last few years, but I use them more as "add-ons" to my reading than anything else. Like you, I can't just sit and listen to an audiobook, and God forbid I try to listen in bed because I'm out like a light in just a few minutes if I do, and I end up having to "rewind" the book to the last thing I can actually remember about it. But as company when driving alone or when involved in something that is physical but doesn't require thought, they are hard to beat.
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough, I've found that good male readers are better at doing female voices than vice versa...kind of weird, but it works. Lots of audiobooks use a narrator from each sex, and that seems to work best of all. Now, too, I have a list of favorite narrators that are just perfect for the books they read, especially since once it works well, the publishers tend to pair up authors and narrators for multiple books, especially in a series.
The right reader can make a difference. It wasn't that I disliked this reader, she did a fine job. There are so many characters, however, and it would be difficult for anyone to make all the voices sound genuine. I like having a shorter audio book and they are good for driving, but eleven hours! It just went on forever. :)
DeleteI rarely listen to audio books, but because I get impatient listening to other people read something I can read faster on my own. But I can see the advantage of them when your hands aren't free to hold a book, or when you're driving. This is a series I haven't tried yet, but I know a lot of people who really like it. I keep hesitating because I'm not a huge fan of the whole Fae world in fantasy books.
ReplyDeleteI rarely listen as well--like you, I can read so much faster and I'm impatient. Audio books do have advantages, though, and I appreciate that.
DeleteI didn't mention it in my post, but I don't much like Fae books either. I love good urban fantasy, but the Fae are not my favorite characters.
I too am particular about what I listen to on audio. It has to be the "right kind of book" and of course, the narrator has to get it right. Like Lark, I often switch off because I don't agree with the reader's interpretation of a character. That happened to me recently with Once Upon a River.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, I can read faster than I can listen. I sometimes turn up the speed to 1.25 - 2.0 times the speed, if that works with the book. But like Sam, I normally only use audio to supplement my reading. I find, however, that audio books are like e-books. I had to get used to the format and then adjust my reading accordingly.
I've heard tons of great things about the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire but never read it myself. Urban fantasy is usually something I respond better to in television or movie form. Though, there are always exceptions! :D
It is funny, isn't it, when you hear a narrator read a bit of dialog and know immediately that isn't the way you would have "read" it. It does influence (or disrupt) your interpretation of a character.
DeleteAlthough I don't usually choose audio books, there are times when that is exactly what I want to keep my mind busy while doing a boring task. :)
I tried listening to an audio book once, but couldn't get into it. It may be the speaker or the format itself that failed to capture my attention. I guess I'd stick to print or e-books. :p
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, I stick to reading rather than listening because it's faster. Maybe some people adjust more quickly to audio. :)
DeleteI've never had much luck with listening to audiobooks. My mind tends to wander and then when I "tune" back in, I'm lost.
ReplyDeleteThis series is one of my favorites. I think each book gets better and better. :)
I haven' read but a few audio books, but I know they work better for many people. I may give the next book a try, but it won't be an audio book! Too many characters for a narrator to deal with. :)
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