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I turned on my computer tonight for just a few “quick” things. I wanted to comment on some blogs; I wanted to write a review of Fairest, which I just finished listening to on the way home; and I wanted to choose my next audio book. None of these things should take too long, right? I’m tired. I can knock this out and be in bed by 10:30. Here it is 10:20 and I haven’t written a review and I still haven’t chosen a new audio title. I think I make this harder than it has to be. Here’s how my process goes.
I log onto my library’s digital website. I’m not organized enough to actually request a book from another library, so I just go with whatever is available digitally.
I go straight to my wishlist.
And then I scroll up and down and down and up aimlessly.
See, the site’s still fairly small, and I still prefer print to audio. Two strikes against me.
It gets worse from here.
First, I have to decide what I’m in the mood for. Tonight? I just finished a fairy tale so I want something a little meaty. But not too meaty, because I need to be able to focus on a print book for that.
Up and down, down and up.
Hmmm… Secrets of Eden by Christ Bohjalian could work. But wait a minute. Is this about abuse? Yup. I’m finishing up a book that centers around abuse and stalking, and there’s only so much of that kind of thing I can read and keep my sanity.
Next!
Up and down, down and up.
Maybe Romancing Miss Brontë? Nah. I think I want to physically read that one.
What about Bet Me? Yes, that could be good. It’s not meaty, but it’s fun… Crap! There aren’t any copies available.
Up and down, down and up.
Lost in Shangri-La? Well, see if it’s available before I get my hopes up. Don’t wanna make that mistake again… Yes, yes it is! Hold up though, the author narrates it himself. That’s a little iffy. Let’s check Goodreads and see what the reviews say. Here, someone mentioned the audio. “The only downside to the audio vs the book is that you don’t get to see the photos, which in a real life story such as this one can enhance the understanding for the reader.” Double crap! I want to see the pictures for sure!
Up and down, down and up.
Okay, desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Right. Let’s just check to see what titles are available on audio right now, wishlist or no.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Twilight, John Grisham, James Patterson, The Girl Who Played With Fire, Breaking Dawn, Heaven is For Real, another John Grisham…
Who chooses these titles?!?!
Back to the wishlist.
Up and down, down and up.
At this rate, I might have a book chosen a week from now. And this is how it goes every single time.
Do you guys have this much trouble choosing audio books? If not, give a struggling listener some tips here, please! Better yet, look at my audio-to-read shelf and help me choose something. I need an intervention!
I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s, my local independent bookstore located in beautiful downtown Asheville, NC; and Better World Books. I will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.
2 Comments
I tend to choose audiobooks by the narrator so I do a search on those that I have listened to before and enjoyed. On your list, Girl in Translation is very good.
I also like humor or memoir on audio – David Sedaris is great and so is Tina Fey. I just finished Jane Lynch's memoir and it is very good.
Looking at your list, if you want a quick easy read, go with Bitten (I've heard good things about Daughter of Smoke & Bone too). If you want something light but a bit more substantial, go with Discovery of Witches.
My process for choosing an audiobook is to look at what's available now and then pick something that I've heard about or that has a good rating on Goodreads. It's not usually something that's even on a list of books I want to read – but I've had good success so far with Legend & Neverwhere.