AUDIOBOOK: CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

 

I was listening to an audio-book and the voice was: unemotional, bland, generic. I cold not figure out why I was not enjoying the story even though the description of the story was interesting. At that time I was part of a Facebook group that talked about audio-books, the topics was the importance of who was reading the book. Many of the individuals in the group had their favorite ‘readers’.

It was an interesting discussion that was foreign to me  because I was not aware of the nuances associated with audio-books.But I had memberships to audio-book distributors that allowed for one “free” book a month.  

When I looked up the credits on Audible I learned the book was narrated by: Virtual Voice a.k.a. AI. Yes, it was a FREE book. 

I enjoy listening to various leaders of Faith on YouTube, Voddie Baucham (1969-2025) is one of those individuals. Since his death there have been quite an abundance of videos produced more than what he released when he was alive.  As I was listening to one of his videos a few words were mispronounced, I know that depending on where a person lives such words as Tomato and potato may be pronounced slightly different this was not the issue. It became clear to me that this was a computer generated copy of Dr. Baucham’s voice. I rather read his books! 

In that Facebook group an individual who is an author stated that he was going to use the virtual voice to facilitate the creation of an audio-book. He explained that it was less costly to use Ai than to use a person. There are quite a few factors that go into the cost of producing a print book: printing cost, sellers cost, marketing and of course what the author wants to earn.  The cost of a human voice must be calculated in the cost of an audio-book, which may be why some audio-books cost almost as much as the print version. 

I do listen to some computerized voices, particularly murder mysteries on YouTube. There seem to be the right emphasis and  pauses as well as proper word pronunciations that allow for a pleasant listen. If, however, it is a choice between paying $15.95 for a print or $13.95 for an audio I will buy the print. 

It takes me just as long to listen as it does to read because of my schedule. The difference is I can embroider, sew, or wash dishes while listening to an audio-book but I have to sit and read for a print book. I have been known to listen to the free audio-book and purchase the print because I want a hand-holdable copy. 

The bottom line, it is a personal choice, just be aware of who or what is telling you the story.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott

 

Despite the fact that I am in the middle of a 30 day 50 thousand word writing challenge; I am still listening to MISSIONARY HUDSON TAYLOR, I am almost finished Volume 1; I am also reading, still, Tailor Made Terror by Sheri Richey, book review coming soon; while Scripture writing, hand embroidering and finishing up a quilt. Which is why listening to the classic novel: LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott would not make sense to anyone but an avid reader. This rendition of LITTLE WOMEN  is narrated by: Emily Bauer, Laura Dern, Lauren Fortang, Allison Hiroto, which makes it an excellent listen. This rendition, there are quite a few versions 12 hours and 15 minutes, a good deal even if you have to pay for it, I didn’t.   

This historical fiction tell the story of 4 young ladies who transition into adulthood. Their father is off to war and their mother helps care for those “less fortunate’ while dealing with these very individual young ladies.  It is their individual personalities that make this story interesting, I suspect the listener or reader will identify with one of them.  I love the purity of the story, the realness of the story line and the joys and sorrows that are woven, believably, in the plot. There is no sex, violence or profanity within these pages which is why I still love the book.

As a teenager I remember watching the 1949 version of the movie and I loved it,as an adult I still appreciate watching the original version which included:  June Allyson,Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor, Peter Lawford and, Rossano Brazzi. I am a fan of June Allyson and Margaret O’Brien. I have never read the book. I think I am going to find a print copy, just because. 

This is a link to one of the versions I found on YouTube, of course it is FREE: LITTLE WOMEN 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

FROM PRINT TO AUDIO

  “The whole world opened up to me when I learned to read”   Mary McCleod Bethune

Not everyone has the space for print books thus an eReader, such as Kindle, is a great alternative. A third alternative is audio-books which I “discovered” last year. 

I grew up reading. My first favorite author was Barbara Taylor Bradford, this was in the early 1970’s,I plan to buy her books just to have them in my library. I stopped reading fiction around about the time I started reading the Bible because there were so many Christian author books, non-fiction, that I wanted to read. 

I turned my back on print books when I discovered that I could download the Kindle app onto my tablet. Kindle offered FREE books, an economically sound decision. You can download more books than you can read, especially if they are free. I was gifted a Kindle a few years back and not only did I download numerous free books I also took advantage of the 99cent book sales, thus I have even more books to read. I realized, at some point, some books are better in print, particularly craft books.

I happened onto audio-books, I knew about them but they were not relevant to me. I watched a lot of YouTube, I canceled my cable  years ago and it and a few other internet channels became my secondary source of entertainment. One day while searching for something to watch I happened upon a recommendation for an audio=book and  the rest is history. I listen to audio-books when I am driving, when I am cleaning and when I am just sitting in my chair sewing or playing a game on my tablet. 

I have since returned to my first love, the print book. I have found that reading at a leisurely pace with a cup of tea is very relaxing.  If I don’t know the author then I can purchase the Kindle version if it is cost effective. There are many used book stores available on line thus purchasing the print may be cheaper than purchasing the e-book. I own a few print books that I have struggled to read and I listened to the audio book, THE MINISTRY OF GOD’S WORD by Watchman Nee and UNCLE TOM’S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe, having someone read it to me helped me appreciate Nee’s writing style and get through the tough parts in UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.  Another example is  a two volume book in which the audio version  43 hours long: MISSIONARY HUDSON TAYLOR; I am taking my time listening. 

As a book reviewer there is an advantage to utilizing all three mediums but I will say my preference is print. 

“For my whole life, my favorite activity was reading. It’s not the most social pastime.” ― Audrey Hepburn

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CIRCLE OF QUILTERS by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

The Elm street Quilt series is officially not  “historical fiction”. CIRCLE OF QUILTERS by Jennifer Chiaverini brings fans of the series to another level and proves that the author deserves the title “Best Seller”.  Yes, I have the next book in the series but let me tell you about this one first.

HELP WANTED

CIRCLE OF QUILTERS is six mini-stories of individuals applying for the same job. The job is at Elm Street Quilt Camp. Jeniffer Chiaverini successfully approaches the camp in reverse, by introducing new characters and sharing their quilitng journey. As I read each mini-story: I cried, I called someone a jerk, and I was caught off gurad but pleased with one particular applicant. I was mad when I cried and as I read about the jerk, I was disappointed but then pleasantly surprised. Yes you have to get this book.

Technically, you can read this before you read the other 8, I think this is the 9th in the series, but it makes more sense if you start at book one THE QUILTERS APPRENTICE, that way when you become surprised at how Diane behaves you will simply say “ooooooh!” when you find out why. 

If you read my other reviews in this series then you will know, I can’t tell you much because not knowing is what makes the reading great.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED