Books on Tape?

[Gemini girl]

Does anyone listen to books on tape? I’m addicted to them, I only listen to them for about 40 minutes a day (to and from work) and I’m reading (listening) to The Crush by Sandra Brown now and it’s so good – I wish I could get stuck in traffic so I could enjoy it longer!

Which books on tape have you read and which are your favorite?

 

[Aquajock]

"Lust for Life" a novelized biography of Vincent Van Gogh (read by my 'throb Sam Waterston)

"Esquire Short Fiction" (both classic and contemporary) with short stories by authors ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Anne Beattie and everyone in between, read by Ossie Davis, Julie Harris, Ed Asner and *of course* Sam Dubya.

A-Jock

 

[bethmeira]

My fiance loves books on tape. I think mostly because he has dislexia. He prefers the unabridged versions. We listened to Atlas Shrugged and The Hunt for Red October. Atlas Shrugged was great!

Beth

 

[Soosan]

If my kids aren't around to interrupt me very often, I listen to books on tape when I'm cooking, cleaning or doing other tasks that don't require too much concentration. I'm currently listening to Tar Baby by Toni Morrison. I've never read her before, but I've got to say, it's one of the best books I've ever read. She has quite a way of presenting complex characters and relationships.

Other great books on tape I've recently gotten from the library are: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chev...? (can't remember) and anything by Jane Austen.

Have you ever heard of "The Teaching Company?" They record lectures of professors who've won numerous teaching awards from top colleges and universities. Most of the courses are available on DVD, VHS, CD or Audiotape. Topics include history, religion, art, science, music, literature, philosophy, economics, etc. The lectures I've listened to have been extremely well-done and interesting. I highly recommend them! Here's their website: http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp?ai=14265. Our rural library doesn't carry them but I'm sure that many do.

 

[clareMc]

Only all the time! I am addicted to the sooting sounds of the spoken word.

I loved "Smilla's Sense of Snow" read by Alyssa Bresnahan, but Barbara Caruso is my favourite book on tape narrator so I have listened to most of her stuff, including some Margaret Atwood's "Cat's Eye", "The Robber Bride" and all the Maeve Binchy books she narrates, "The Copper Beach", "Tara Road," and "Scarlett Feather".

I too used to listen to them when I had an hour's commute by car each way, I never minded rotten traffic either,and it's the perfect antidote to road rage!

Clare

 

[Gemini girl]

Clare-
Thanks for the great recommendations!! My all time favorite was Tara Road - it was hard to find another book after I read that because I could only compare it to that! I did listen to Copper Beach, and liked it, but it wasn't one of my favorites. Barbara C. is also one of my favorite authors! I had to get one of the trashy books (Dangerous Kiss by Jackie Collins) because she narrated it. You have to read The Crush - I'm not done with it yet, so I'm skiddish about recommending it, but so far- I'm hooked! I'm going to get either the Cats Eye or The Robber Bride next..

 

[ElaineP]

The best book on tape I've listened to was The Horse Whisperer (?sp)
I've never seen the movie. But this tape was excellent. I missed my exit to work one morning listening to it.

 

[ducky]

I listen to books on tape ALL the time. When I drive, clean, do yard work, I used to even listen while I worked out. I go to sleep listening at night. I like Tara Road but my favorite Binchy book is Scarlet Feather. I can't live without my audio books!!!