I went to the store expecting a mash of people and a derth of books. I actually hadn't planned to buy a book, because my Harry Potter experience has been almost entirely auditory, and I want to keep it that way.
My aunt started it, I blame (and thank) her. She was doing a lot of driving so she bought the first Harry Potter book on audio tape. And then loaned it to me.
This is one of those things I really really enjoyed in childhood that I totally forgot about until Jim Dale's voice began rolling down chapter one. Being read to by somebody who is willing to do all the voices and give it some ooomph, is one of life's greatest pleasures. My mom was pretty good at voices and accents. She brought us right into the world of Mowgli and later took us into that magical wardrobe. I absolutely LOVED being read to. Teachers who read to the class were blessings in my world.
As a secondary coolness, audio books free your hands and eyes! I can do my cross stitch stuff while listening to a book, or draw or paint or work on any of my crafty projects. The hubs bought me a portable CD/tape player that I can move with me from room to room. It's very cool!
I went through all my aunt's tapes, and then started scoping out some of my other favorite books on tape or CD. They're a bit costly, so I only buy favorites and classics, the ones that I read over and over again, that are like food to me. I have the entire Trilogy of the Rings on CD. Most of the Jane Austen books. Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz. I'm still waiting for somebody to produce an audio version of The Stand. I'll be first in line.
So anyway, I had planned to wait to purchase the latest Mr. PottAIR. I wanted the audio version of The Half-Blood Prince, and I expected to have to wait a while. But lo and behold, it's out already! Tthere it was on the shelf next to the hard covers, Jim Dale narrating, unabridged CD's. I'm so happy!
Thank god I had a credit card with me!
Listening: I've heard so very, very many "speakers" (good and bad) and am "trained beyond my abilities" in voice... too easy for me to get sidetracked in critiquing the performance. Plus, I am a very fast reader--much faster than any audiobook can be read to me intelligibly, so it's a time factor.
When I was an adolescent, 25-30 books a week was about my average. With audiobooks, it would likely have been 2-3. If that.
heh
I read less, nowadays, and as noted above, I find myself mostly skimming quickly to find out of there's anything new. I skimmed a bit in the latest HP book--just over the repetitive "Here we go again positing silly, unfounded and likely wrong suspicions" portions... :-)
Posted by: David | July 20, 2005 at 07:40 AM
You had a bad experience with audio books? What was it? The skimming thing ... that is the biggest thing I had to give up - although you can fast-forward, but that only really works with books you've already read and you know well. But I don't usually buy audio books that I've never read. Harry Potter was unusual. With new books, or books I'm not sure I'll like, I usually buy it in print, and I do a lot of skimming too.
Posted by: Christine | July 19, 2005 at 07:44 AM
Well, my reading has started becoming "skimming" recently--technical stuff, novels, blogs, news... so much has started seeming... repetitive. *sigh*
Maybe, in spite of my past experiences with audio books, I need to give them a try again.
Enjoyed the most recent Potter book. Went fast. Some of the plotting things that bothered me about the others were better. Some the same. It's all right, cos the books are just fine for their purpose (well-written enough to keep Rowling doing well--heh :-)
Yeh, when another one comes down the pike, I'll buy and read it, too. Or maybe buy it and follow along with the audiobook.*s*
Posted by: David | July 18, 2005 at 10:13 PM