5 Minutes For Books

On Reading: Audiobooks and Errands (with Giveaway)

by

I love audiobooks. I probably have “read” at least 5 books with my ears each year ever since I got my first ipod four years ago (at least — this year I’ve already listened to more than that in the first quarter alone!). When the kids and I drove cross-country from Connecticut to Texas two years ago, we listened to A Wrinkle in Time (on cassette–actually read by Madeline L’Engle herself) as a family, and last summer we listened to Island of the Blue Dolphins, but in general, the books I hear are loaded on my ipod and mostly listened to when I’m at home doing chores.

But when I received In a Heartbeat, Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, my ipod was lost (stolen, I’m sure), and so I popped the first disc into my car dash when I was driving around one day to start listening. The Tuohy’s story drew me right in, and because it’s narrative made up of different vignettes of their lives, or reflections on their pasts, not a plot that I have to focus on, it worked really well to listen to in bits and chunks.

During this time, I was driving into Houston (alone, sans kids) once a week, and the 45 minute trip was a great opportunity to take in big chunks, but I also found myself snatching up tidbits on a 10-minute drive to the grocery store.

I’m not sure that I could use audiobooks in my car CD system in general, because I think I’d get lost, but it worked perfectly with this book (I have to admit that when I’m really into an audiobook on my ipod, I do have one earbud in while I’m driving and shopping etc).

For that reason, I think that this would be a perfect book for you to try, even if you haven’t ever considered how audiobooks could fit into your life. Even if you don’t have an ipod, or you have children around all the time and you like to listen to their chatter instead of plugging it up with earbuds as someone we know might do (cough cough), you could listen to In a Heartbeat, Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, either on your home CD player or in your car.

I also think it’s completely family friendly, which would make it a good choice for a Spring Break or summer driving trip. The story is inspirational to all, and even when the Tuohy’s are describing or quoting someone who uses foul language, the actual word in question is left out. My 6-year-old son Kyle was in the car when it was on sometimes, and he would laugh aloud at some of the situations described. He’s a bit young to get it, but I didn’t feel that it was inappropriate at all. I would say that if your child saw the Blind Side movie (linked to my review), then they’d definitely enjoy listening to the book, and most kids from about 4th grade on up probably wouldn’t be totally bored.

In my efforts to convert all of you booklovers to the beauty of audiobooks (yes, I’m preaching now!), I’m happy to offer a giveaway of In a Heartbeat, Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving. Click through and read my review, and if you decide that you’d like to win a 6-disc set, leave a comment on THIS POST. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. We’ll announce the winner on April 13.

I know that some of you are as avid about audiobooks as I am. Tell me — when/how do you listen to audiobooks?

Jennifer Donovan is so pleased to be able to review books and audiobooks and movies and everything. She has an opinion and she loves sharing it. She blogs at Snapshot.

Comments

  2. I love audiobooks, but it’s hard when they’re not read or produced well. Then it feels like nails on a chalkboard. I tend to find a really great narrator (Tim Curry, Jim Dale) and then listen to everything they’ve read. I’m always on the lookout for good audiobooks, so thanks for the heads up on this one!

  3. I too listen to audio books while I am running errands, or off to work. As mentioned above, the quality of the person’s voice makes such a big difference in whether I continue to listen to the book on tape, or whether I pop the tape out and get the book to read to myself.

  4. I borrow about 3-5 audio books per month from the library and LOVE them. My daughter and I listen to Little HOuse in the car…and others. I listen to other books in my kitchen. It makes the dishes pass so much nicer!!

    I loved The Blind Side, but would really like to read/listen to this book!

  5. i enjoy listening to audiobooks when i travel back and forth to work…thanks for the opportunity to read this one 🙂

  6. I never really thought about listening in one ear, great idea Jennifer! My kids usually watch videos on longer rides and I have to drive with no radio so I am going to try this! If I’m a convert, it will all be because of you! :o) I’ll let you know how it goes.

  7. I love listening to audiobooks while I’m exercising. It helps the time fly so I don’t get bored with walking or jogging.

  8. We got hooked on audiobooks when our girls were little, and we’d listen on road trips. But now we all listen on our own mp3 players or in the truck, etc, just anywhere and everywhere. I always feel like they’re such a bonus way to “read” when I can’t sit down and open a book.

  10. My best friend has been listening to audio books for years, but I didn’t understand the attraction until I spent a week with her (and lots of car time in the burbs). Thanks for the giveaway!

  11. I’d love to be entered. I listen to them when I am in the car.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  13. I’ve never listened to an audiobook (please tell me I’m not alone!). But, I’d love to win one so I can try it out!

  14. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and would like to add this to my collection. Thanks for the giveaway!

  15. I listen to audio books whenever possible! In the car, on the treadmill or walking the dog, cleaning the house, folding the laundry… I had a commenter on a post recently say she prefers the feel of a book in her hand and I would say the two experiences are apples and oranges.

  16. I work in a library and the audiobooks are popular especially with commuters and patrons going on vacation. I find the longer the trip the more apt people are to the audiobooks. I love the feel of a book in my hand and honestly I seem to have a hard time concentrating on driving and listening at the same time-LOL. It sounds like a great book 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  17. I love audio books when I travel, to Houston to see my kids! This sounds like a good one for another long road trip this summer, thanks for the opportunity.

  18. LUV, love, love audiobooks. Between the two of us we always have several in the house & car. I’ve nearly exhausted all area libraries. So, please count me in. If I win it will end up in one of the libraries as well.

  19. I love “reading” the harry potter series (at least once) every year when I’m doing my spring cleaning or working in my garden. I’d love to get my hands on more audiobooks!

  21. I’m so glad you mentioned that the foul language was left out. I didn’t like all the bad words in the book but I’d like to give the audiobook to my father-in-law if I win this :).

  24. I tend to listen to NPR Podcasts on my iPod, but have thought about adding audiobooks to my repertiore. We really enjoyed the movie The Blind Side so I think this would be a wonderful addition to our bookshelf/CDshelf.

    • I love NPR podcasts, too. Which do you download?

      My favorites are Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and This American Life. I also like RadioLab (which is public radio, I think, but not NPR).

      • I’m a big fan of Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and This American Life, too. I also listen to Science Friday regularly, and sometimes to Marketplace.

        NPR has a podcast called “Story of the Day” which I like, too. It’s just any story they pick from the day’s news, could be from Morning Edition or from any of the other shows, usually around 3-7 minutes. I like it because it includes a wide variety of topics and makes me feel like I’m getting a more well-rounded look at the news.

        Yes, I’m an NPR junkie. I admit it.

        • Thanks Barb! I’ll have to subscribe to Story of the Day. One of the things I miss most from my move is NPR.

          In CT I got 2 or 3 stations that featured NPR and local public radio talk coverage. Here in Houston, it seems like they only have Evening Edition (or whatever it’s called — maybe that’s All Things Considered) and Marketplace. They might run Morning Edition, but I’m more an afternoon listener. The rest is classical music — blah!

  25. It took me a bit to get used to audiobooks but thankfully now almost any book is on some form of audio. I would love to listen to this one.

  26. When I drove alone, I listened to at least one unabridged audio book a week! But I carpool now with hubby and he only likes them if the narrator changes “voices” for the different characters – heck I don’t need that, but in order to catch the story he does seem to need it. Right now I explain everything to him after each trip if he’s confused. So I tend towards those with different voices.
    Love to win!
    1prizewinner at gmail dot com

  27. I enjoy listening to audiobooks when I’m driving and waiting to pick up kids, thanks.

  33. I love listening to audiobooks on the commute to and from work, thanks for the chance!

  39. Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

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