Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

Why would only reading count? Unless you are taking the title of the book literally?

To me listening to a book is just as valid as reading it. In many cases it enriches the experience. And it means hours of dead time (dog walking, house work) is no longer.

I've never taken the time to get into audiobooks, but I've been looking at getting an MP3 player so I can start. And of course they will count! I'm excited to try some of the audiobooks recommended in the "Particular good audiobooks of 1001-list books" thread. I think I'll be more tempted to tackle the never ending pile of laundry that needs to get folded once I get into audiobooks. :)

I have never been much of an audiobook listener, but have started to take a few chapters as audiobook here and there. I read Jane Eyre recently. Probably about 50/50 reading and audiobook. This strategy is best with the older book where you can use Librivox.

I have only once heard a complete book as audiobook. So for me there is not question that it should count.

I think a lot of people can probably get through more books via this method and that has got to be good!

I started listening to Audiobooks about two years ago while going for runs. I started with very trivial ones but was soon fed up with them because I can read them faster than I listen to them. Then I turned to more "difficult" books. I was very surprised that I enjoyed them much more and also that they were much easier to digest then when I read them myself. I just need someone with a great voice and then I don't mind even the most lenghty books. This helped a lot with some of the list books. For example, I'm no fan of Kafka but I listened to The Castle and it was actually an enjoyable experience.

J wrote: "I have never been much of an audiobook listener, but have started to take a few chapters as audiobook here and there. I read Jane Eyre recently. Probably about 50/50 reading and audiob..."

As a different point of view, I would recommend those new to audio books to not touch Librivox recordings with the proverbial 10 foot barge pole! I originally listened to those and they put me off audio books for close on a decade. It was only after listening to professional recordings that I realised how much I'd been missing.

You can occasionally find excellent readers through Librivox, or at least I've been told so, but I've yet to find any.

Since discovering the wonders of Overdrive (and occasionally ripping library CD's to my Sanza player) I have discovered just how entertaining audiobooks can be and a bad Librivox reading won't put me off the whole 'audio experience'. Not that I've really listened to them since joining so many libraries; I'm spoiled for choice now.

Nicola wrote: " I would recommend those new to audio books to not touch Librivox recordings with the proverbial 10 foot barge pole! "

I am really, REALLY with Nicola on this one. Especially since almost any book I would want to read on Librivox is available on Overdrive through one of my multiple libraries, its really not worth going with non-professionals.

I absolutely LOVE audiobooks. I think the only time it wouldn't count would be when they are dramatizations.

I use Overdrive & Audible.

Audiobooks are great in many situations. One of my main ones is when I have a bad sinus and/or migraine headache. At that time, I can't use my eyeballs.

Also, Overdrive and Audible have apps for smartphones and tablets.

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "I absolutely LOVE audiobooks. I think the only time it wouldn't count would be when they are dramatizations.

I use Overdrive & Audible.

Audiobooks are great in many situations. One of my main o..."

I agree Kirsten! I would get so little reading done without audiobooks, because I can listen to them while cleaning the house, walking the dog, etc. I use Audible and Scribd -- which has unlimited ebooks and audiobooks and has an app for the phone.

I just started a job an hour away from my home. At the interview, the employer expressed concern I wouldn't want to drive that far. I replied that I would get to listen to a lot of audiobooks. :)

I mostly use Overdrive and Audible for my audiobooks, but I have used Librivox a few times. As others have said, tread with care! I only download books read in their entirety by one narrator (not where they switch narrators throughout--that would drive me nuts). I also listen to a sample first so I know what I'm getting.

One of my best Librivox listens was The Vicar of Wakefield, narrated by Tadhg. Some other narrators passed my test are Mil Nicholson, Karen Savage, and Peter John Keeble (only their solo efforts). Your mileage may vary!

After all, there are even some professional narrators that drive me batty. I really want to listen to Burmese Days, but the library audio version is narrated by Frederick Davidson, and I can't get through the first five minutes :(

Wendy wrote: " I really want to listen to Burmese Days, but the library audio version is narrated by Frederick Davidson, and I can't get through the first five minutes :(


Omg, another person who can't stand Frederick Davidson. I first tried listening to him with Les Mis. I was so excited that I'd found a book that I thought I'd be listening to for a month to get through it. Didn't last five minutes! He was APPALLING! Yet I'm in the minority as so many people seem to love him.

I have listened to him reading 'Heart of Darkness' and I managed to get through it. I don't like his reading style but at least it didn't have the heavy breathing, rushed delivery and bored tone which drove me away from Les Mis.

I kept reading it as my 'bath book'. It took a couple of months but I eventually finished it.

Nicola wrote: "Omg, another person who can't stand Frederick Davidson. I first tried listening to him with Les Mis. I was so excited that I'd found a book that I thought I'd be listening to for a month to get through it. Didn't last five minutes!"

Ha! I'm not alone! I simply cannot imagine taking on his Les Mis. Yes, I understand he was a well-loved narrator but...I can't do it. I had wondered if I just started Burmese Days and forced myself through the first half hour, would his delivery grow on me? Probably not. I did listen to Uncle Silas via Librivox (as there's no professional recording available yet) with a so-so narrator and got through it, but I think the narration has a huge impact on my enjoyment of the book. I think I would have liked it better if I'd just read the thing in print.