Speaking of Audiobooks: Valued Archives and Future Possibilities
Although Speaking of Audiobooks is a relatively young column, our archives contain a tremendous amount of information relating to romance audiobooks. Yes, the actual columns do comprise a fair amount of this content but the greater part is provided by your comments. As you discuss the column’s topic, you also share recommendations and offer your thoughts on narrators, listening devices, future releases, and a myriad of other details related to romance audiobooks. Each time I write a column, I find myself combing through these past discussions for reminders, insights, and direction.
So we’re starting today’s column with a look at our past discussions. Each Speaking of Audiobooks (SOA) column is summarized with a nod to significant discussions as well as titles of Mini Reviews within. Mini Reviews are just that – shorter reviews (when compared to AAR’s reviews) with the emphasis on the audio aspects.
After taking a look at our past columns, we’ll get your ideas on what you want to see in future columns and what you want to stay exactly the same.
Our Past Discussions
It’s All About the Narrator May 5, 2009
Our introduction column focuses on romance audiobooks and the vast entertainment they provide – if you just know what’s out there and how to choose correctly.
Male Narrators June 8, 2009
A few preferred male narrators and the arguments surrounding male versus female narrators especially when it comes to romance.
Other Discussions of Note: Phil Gigante’s narration of Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander Series highlighting Kiss of the Highlander
Mini Reviews:
Howard, Linda – Kiss Me While I Sleep
Howard, Linda – Touch of Fire
Thomas, Sherry – Private Arrangements
Ward, J.R, – Lover Eternal
July 2009 Releases June 18, 2009
Our first new releases column.
Discussions of Note: Puzzling difficulties in finding new audiobook releases
Listening to Those Sex Scenes July 19, 2009
Are you uncomfortable when listening to intimate scenes? Have you discovered that you can listen comfortably as long as no one is around? Or, has it never bothered you?
Mini Reviews:
Balogh, Mary – Seducing an Angel
Brockmann, Suzanne – Over the Edge
Gibson, Rachel – Tangled Up in You
August 2009 Releases July 27, 2009
Audio romances on sale in August and leftovers from July.
A Multitude of Mini Reviews August 11, 2009
AAR reviewers, Ellen, Katie Mack, and LinnieGayl, join me in reviewing a multitude of audiobooks – mini style.
Mini Reviews:
Crusie, Jennifer – Crazy for You
Evanovich, Janet – Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
Gaiman, Neil – Stardust
Hoag, Tami – The Trouble With J.J.
Howard, Linda – Burn
Ivory, Judith – Sleeping Beauty
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth – Lady Be Good
Robb, J.D. – Promises in Death
Roberts, Nora – Hot Ice
Stuart, Anne – Ice Storm
Willig, Lauren – The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
September 2009 Releases August 24, 2009
Discussions of Note: The availability of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, Georgette Heyer audiobooks
Why Do We Listen? September 9, 2009
Since 2003, my view of audiobooks has changed 100%.
Mini Reviews:
Gibson, Rachel – Not Another Bad Date
Heyer, Georgette – Black Sheep
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth – Match Me if You Can
Quinn, Julia – When He Was Wicked
October 2009 Releases September 28, 2009
Audio romances on sale in October and some surprise titles from September
How We Listen October 9, 2009
What device do you use to listen to your audiobooks? What is available today? An extensive and very informative discussion. Check it out anytime you’re considering changing listening devices. We’ll hold this discussion every two years since technology in the world of audiobooks is ever changing.
Other Discussions of Interest – Audible Helpful Hints, Downloading from the Library
Mini Reviews
Lindsey, Johanna – Gentle Rogue
Lowell, Elizabeth – Untamed
Samuel, Barbara – No Place Like Home
November 2009 Releases October 19, 2010
The challenge of searching for audiobook releases continues.
The Outlander Series November 9, 2009
A column dedicated totally to Diana Gabaldon’s popular audiobook Outlander series and particularly the first four in the series – Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn.
December 2009 Releases November 20, 2009
A sneak peek at some 2010 releases as well as December’s romance offerings.
The Funny Ones December 9, 2009
A number of our listeners offered their thoughts on the funniest romance audiobooks.
Audiobook discussions include:
Andersen, Susan – Head Over Heels
Crusie, Jennifer – Anyone But You and Welcome to Temptation
Evanovich, Janet – Stephanie Plum books
Howard, Linda – To Die For and Drop Dead Gorgeous
Kinsella, Sophie – Can You Keep a Secret
Moning, Karen Marie – Kiss of the Highlander
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth Phillips:
Robb, J.D. – Born In Death
January 2010 Releases December 23, 2009
Mini Reviews:
Garwood, Julie – The Bride
Holm, Stef Ann – Leaving Normal
Howard, Linda – Son of the Morning
Heart-Wrenching Narration January 15, 2010
Narrators who totally captivate your heart through their performance of emotionally riveting scenes.
Includes discussions of: Lisa Kleypas’ Blue-Eyed Devil, Linda Howard’s Cry No More, Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Dream a Little Dream, and Lisa Kleypas’ Seduce Me at Sunrise
Mini Reviews:
Tempting Torment by Jo Goodman
What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
February 2010 Releases February 4, 2010
Upcoming releases and news of older romances scheduled for later in 2010.
Mini Reviews:
Balogh, Mary – First Comes Marriage
Crusie, Jennifer/Mayer, Bob – Don’t Look Down
Favorites February 22, 2010
Listeners share dozens of favorites – this is the place to start if you are looking for an audiobook.
Audiobooks with significant discussion: Too many to detail but a few of those chosen (no prior SOA review) include:
Howard, Linda – Death Angel
Kleypas, Lisa – Suddenly You
Litton, Josie – Dream of Me
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth – It Had To Be You, Nobody’s Baby But Mine, and Match Me if You Can
March 2010 Releases March 8, 2010
Mini Reviews:
Balogh, Mary – A Matter of Class
Goodman, Jo – Let Me Be the One
Howard, Linda – Kill and Tell
Favorite Narrators March 22, 2010
An unofficial count of our favorite narrators based on past discussions. Top ranks go to Anna Fields, Davina Porter, Phil Gigante, Susan Ericksen, Barbara Rosenblat, Simon Prebble, Natalie Ross, Joyce Bean, Johanna Parker, Kate Reading and more.
April 2010 Releases March 30, 2010
Mini Reviews:
Dahl, Victoria – Start Me Up
Ivory, Judith – Beast
Raybourn, Deanna – The Dead Travel Fast
Listening Challenges April 19, 2010
Challenging ourselves to listen to audiobooks outside of our normal comfort zone.
Discussions include: Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory, My Unofficial Personal Listening Challenge for 2010
May 2010 Releases May 4, 2010
Other Discussions of Note: The Sharing Knife: Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold.
Mini Reviews:
Laurens, Stephanie – Devil’s Bride
Palmer, Diana – Lawman
Ward, J.R. – Lover Awakened
Buy, Rent, or Borrow? May 17, 2010
Where do we obtain our romance audiobooks? A very informative discussion on the advantages of borrowing from the library, renting, or purchasing in CD or MP3 format.
Other Discussions of Note: Library downloading tips, Audible, understanding MP3 buying
June 2010 Releases June 4, 2010
Discussions of Note: Abridged version of Georgette Heyer’s Sylvester narrated by Richard Armitage
Mini Reviews:
Brockmann, Suzanne –Out of Control
McMaster, Lois Bujold – The Sharing Knife: Legacy
War, J.R. – Lover Eternal
Vacation Listening June 17 , 2010
Choosing audiobooks for our summer getaways. Do you plan ahead for your vacation listening?
Mini Reviews:
Anderson, Catherine – Phantom Waltz
Brockmann, Suzanne – Breaking Point
Brown, Sandra – Slow Heat in Heaven
July 2010 Releases June 30, 2010
Discussions of Note: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh
Mini Reviews:
Crusie, Jennifer – Manhunting
Spencer, LaVyrle – Separate Beds
Those Older Hard-to Find Romances July 16, 2010
Many romance audiobooks that we enjoyed years ago in cassette tape format are now rare finds. The hunt for these jewels is on.
Audiobook Discussions include:
Balogh, Mary – More Than a Mistress
Dunnett, Dorothy – The Lymond Chronicles
Kleypas, Lisa – Suddenly You
Karen Robards – One Summer
Spencer, LaVyrle – Morning Glory
Also: Audible iPhone app
August 2010 Releases July 26, 2010
Mini Reviews:
Carriger, Gail – Soulless
London, Julia – One Season of Sunshine
Singh, Nalini – Angel’s Blood
Romance Audio Bests by Author August 13, 2010
Our own SOA version of Favorite Books by Favorite Authors (a feature at AAR). What do you recommend as the best audiobooks by authors you follow? The discussion generated literally hundreds of recommendations (but in a mostly organized manner).
September 2010 Releases August 27, 2010
Discussions of Note: Cassette tape listening,
Mini Reviews:
Brown, Sandra – Envy
Harris, Charlaine – Dead as a Doornail
Kleypas, Lisa – Tempt Me at Twilight
Robards, Karen – One Summer
Speaking of Audiobooks – What’s Next?
Today, SOA is a place to talk about all aspects of romance audio. We’re getting to know each other’s preferences, conversations flow easily, and discussions often continue from one column to the next. We see Speaking of Audiobooks as the “go to” place for romance audio.
Now we’re looking to our future columns and asking for your input on possible content. To start things off, here are a few ideas under consideration:
- A Listening Challenge for 2011. Would you be interested in participating in a (very low key) 2011 challenge? I’ll need help in creating the challenge and will ask for your recommendations.
- Narrator interviews – it’s likely that we will begin conducting narrator interviews in 2011. What narrator do you most want to see interviewed?
- Audio industry news – rather than complete columns on this subject, I’m hoping for “Industry Updates”. Once again, this is best accomplished with help from our listeners. More to come.
- Mini Reviews from listeners. A formal part of the column, you may choose to contribute an occasional romance Mini Review.
Please give us your ideas!
Time for Your Thoughts
What features or subject matter do you want to see in future at SOA?
What is your favorite aspect of this column?
Is there a regular column feature you want to see more of?
What has been your favorite column to date?
Would you be willing to participate in a 2011 Listening Challenge?
What narrator do you most want to see interviewed?
Will you write an occasional Mini Review for SOA? Email me if you are interested.
And as always, do you have any recent audiobook success of failure to share with us?
Ending Notes
I’m announcing romance audiobook news and new releases on Twitter. To follow me on Twitter, look for @LeaAAR.
If you have a romance audiobook question, please feel free to contact me at afriendatheart at cox dot net. If I don’t know the answer, we’ll do our best to find it.
I’ll be back again later this month when we discuss October audiobook new releases.
– Lea Hensley
Note to Readers: We are currently experiencing problems posting photos and images to our blog as a result of the AAR server transfer. We apologize for the lack of images with this column. They’ll be back with the next edition.
Good post! jfgoiprjg
Lately audiobooks have been the only way for me to fit in any ‘reading’ – and your columns along with the poster comments have been very helpful in recommending new audiobooks. My favourite SOA columns so far are ‘Our favourite narrators’ and ‘Romance Audio Bests by Author’, which inevitably led to a not so little spending spree…needless to say, the problem is now finding the time to listen to them all, before the upcoming releases column tempts me again. I suppose I can find a few extra chores to do! I find that while I can settle down and relax to read a book, when I listen to an audiobook I need to be doing something else as well even if it involves cleaning. My sister on the other hand, is happy to just sit and listen and stare into space!
Others have suggested an audiobook area in the forums – that’s a lovely idea and I would certainly be interested in reading and contributing to that. I’d be happy to participate in the listening challenge too.
I’ve not listened to many series romances, but what annoys me when I listen to other genres is when the narrator changes part way through a series after I’ve gotten used to the character voices. Admittedly it’s not a very positive topic but I’d be intrigued to find out what annoys people about listening to audiobooks too.
Recently I listened to ‘After the night’ by Linda Howard – whew! Natalie Ross did a great job, and I enjoyed the book even more this time around. An interview with her would be good, as would one with Kate Reading. Oh, and I know Richard Armitage has only narrated a handful of romance audiobooks…but an interview would be greatly appreciated. Especially if it’s an audio interview! (Is a video interview pushing it??)
Thanks for the great column Lea!
Speaking of future possibilities, how about an audio section in the AAR Message Board? That way, we could have more in-debth discussions on our favorite audio books and narrators.
I would love to participate in a Listening Challenge! I can’t tell you how many great listening recs I’ve gotten from this column, like The Sharing Knife series, Curse of the Chalion and Paladin of Souls. Books so far out of my listening comfort zone that I would never have found them had it not been for the suggestions I get here.
MarrisaB – Thanks for letting us know that Hallowed Hunt is more of a prequel to the other two books. I tried it and could not figure out how it fit in. I’ll have to give it another listen. Lois McMaster Bujold is a wonderful writer and her books transfer to audio very well.
I think Narrator Interviews is a great idea! In audio books, they’re almost as important as the writer.
My favorite columns are the ones with “”favorites””. I love expanding my listening list and am always willing to try a recommendation.
In the suspense genre, I just finished all the Karin Slaughter Georgia/FBI books and really liked them. I love series where the characters develop and grow over several stories and can’t wait to see what happens next with these characters. Also just read Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner and although I liked it, I like Karin Slaughter’s books better.
Keep up the good work, Lea!
Ok, more excited than before for Curse of Chalion! I am picking up the hard copy at the library on Friday (cause I’m weird that way) and then I’ll be ready to start listening.
Very happy to see the layout of these 3 Bujold books here so I know what to expect with the second and third. Good listening ahead!
Glad the Sharing Knife worked for you in audio MarissaB. I know the books wouldn’t have grabbed me like Bernadette Dunn did.
I have The Hunger Games on my iPod and the book itself ready to go. I keep holding back because my 12 year old grandson thought it was such an awesome book / series. But then again I’ve read rave reviews from lots of adults. So The Hunger Games is there waiting with Bloody Jack.
And yes, I wish they had an edit feature for these post so I could correct my typos in my last post. Also to add that when you click on audiobooks on the right under categories you get more than name and date of the column. You also get the picture that went with the column and the first paragraph. Very helpful in letting you know if it’s one you want to reread for suggestions etc.
Despite my main gripe with the audio I’ll be listening to Mackenzie’s Mountain again. Linda Howard knows how to write romance! One that sticks, even 21 years later!
@MaryK – Oh yeah. I have listened to the other Chalion books. How could I not when the first just blew me away?
The 2nd book, Paladin of Souls read by Kate Reading, is about Ista’s adventure and takes place a little time after the first book ends. It won 3 awards for best novel – the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Locus. It is considered a sequel to Curse of Chalion, but can really stand alone. This book was my first exposure to Kate Reading and I am so glad they picked her because she did a really good job. It’s one of the main reasons I can recognize her voice in other books. Paladin is on the same footing as Curse, in that the plot conflict and resolution is just mind boggling. How does Bujold even THINK of these things? Also, the main characters, Caziril and Ista, begin their stories as damaged individuals, both heartsick and soul drained, and then Bujold slowly transforms them into amazingly heroic figures. I started off feeling sorry for them, got sucked in, watched them grow to be truly formidable, and was totally satisfied with their endings.
BTW, Curse of Chalion was nominated for the Hugo and Locus awards. It did win the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature. (Huh? What’s that?)
The 3rd book, The Hallowed Hunt read by Margeurite Gavin, was also nominated for a Locus award. It is really a prequel, taking place hundreds of years before Curse in a country called The Weald. It has such a different world that I really don’t think it should have been linked to the other 2 books. When I listened to it, I thought it was a sequel to Paladin, so was thoroughly lost and that didn’t help how I felt about the book. Now that I know it is a prequel, it’s not so bad. Gavin was good, just not the same caliber as Lloyd James or Kate Reading. The story is fantastic, falls a little short of Curse and Paladin, but is still way better than a lot of other books out there. If I had listened to it before Curse or Paladin, I have no doubt that I would have liked it better.
Listen to Paladin of Souls, MaryK. It’s another one that you’ll want to listen to again and again.
Oh, now I want to re-listen to Chalion! I really need to make some headway on my Audible backlog though. MarissaB, have you listened to the 2nd and 3rd books in the trilogy? I’ve heard good things about the books, but Chalion is so good I haven’t wanted to move on.
I’ve also been listening to and enjoying the Ghost Hunter series. I intersperse it with other things so the plots and characters don’t run together. JC’s love scenes are on the tame side so the books are also serving to get me used to listening to sexy. :*)
Right now, I’m listening to Soulless by Gail Carriger. I’m enjoying it and I like the narration but find I’m noticing “”info-dumps”” more, probably because I’d skim over them in print.
The more I think about a Listening Challenge, the more I like the idea. I need to practice my listening skills so an assignment might be just what I need. As long as it’s not too sexy, or violent, or … ;D
@Gamatst – You got Chalion!!!! I am excited for you!!! Lloyd James does an excellent job although, when I first started listening, he took a little getting used to. What I really appreciated was how Caziril’s voice changed as he regained his health, strength, confidence and purpose. It was nicely done. I can’t wait to hear your take on Bujold’s masterful world building and the climax of the story. Her imagination and writing ability are just phenomenal. I know MaryK totally agrees with me. ;-)
Speaking of Bujold, I am nearing the end of The Sharing Knife: Beguilement. Wow! Bernadette Dunne is just wonderful. I just loved the proposal scene. When I read this book, I wasn’t impressed because I had just listened to The Curse of Chalion (3 times) and SKB’s plot appeared to be too tame. I was probably all fantasied out – it helps to change genres every so often. This listen, though, is just great. Dunne really brings the characters to life for me. Does anybody know how long this series is supposed to be? Audible has 4 books, but is Horizon supposed to be the last?
Has anyone yet tried The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, read by Carolyn McCormick? It is another YA I decided to try due to all its positive reviews and also because I really liked my first YA – Bloody Jack by L A Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren. HG is a very good listen. I have put the last 2 books in the trilogy on my Wish List at audible.
Now to answer some of Lea’s questions.
Yes, I would be willing to join a 2011 Listening Challenge.
What do I like best about this column? The mini-reviews on both the books and the narrators. I’ve found some real listening gems with all your recommendations. Thank you.
Next would be all those tips on how to listen, including devices, audiobook sources, etc.
What feature would I like to see in the future? It would be nice to read a book review and know, by some flag or link, that there is also a mini-review on its audiobook. Tall order, I know.
Which narrator would I like to be interviewed? Simon Prebble.
What was my favorite column? Why We Listen.
I spent some time over the past few days reviewing past columns and they are indeed rich resources. By clicking on the “”audiobooks”” link to the right of each column, all the past columns come up pretty much in the same way they are listed here in this column, but without the extra details. Just the name and date of the column, but easy to navigate.
I was interested to see that Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold was mentioned in the very first column and has continued to be mentioned throughout as a favorite. I have it on my iPod, now to listen!
Kaetrin remember that karma thing? I’ve already found it! Your added/repeated mention of Bujold’s Sharing Knife series pushed me over the edge. What a find!
I too would be willing to participate in a 2011 listening challenge. I’ve found, compared to others, my comfort zone is small. But it has grown through this column and I’m willing to expand it more.
In reviewing I think PeggyP had an excellent column suggestion in “”Audio Books That Don’t Go Away””. I know Outlander is probably number one in that category but it would be very interesting to see the runners up.
I agree that the recommendations by those whose tastes we have become familiar with here at SOA is one of the greatest aspects of the column!
Additions to my library after a thorough review of past columns … The above mentioned Curse of Chalion – Sylvester narrated by R Armitage (not much risk at $6.84 on Audible) – Neil Gamin’s self narrated Stardust – Son of the Morning by Linda Howard.
Recent successes, Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle. Give me conversation over internal monologues to learn about characters any day! Switched up the reader after the first 6 Ghost Hunter books which had Joyce Bean doing an excellent job on all. Tanya Eby did a good IMO. Still love the dust bunnies!
I’ve only listed to the Charlaine Harris novella from Death’s Excellent Vacation and although it was jarring not to have Johanna Parker doing Sookie, Pam turned out good and the story was fun.
Feehan’s Dark Peril with Gigante and Ross is a hit for me, even when fast forwarding the parts out of my comfort zone. Dark Slayer’s story was better but this one still works well, I like the ones set in South America.
Listening right now to the new unabridged Mackenzie’s Mountain with the brand new green as grass narrator. Why do they do this to us with classic favorites? Some good, some bad. I’ll wait for others to weigh in overall on this one.
As you all think of ideas for our SOA column, I hope you’ll keep sharing those ideas here. Remember to look in the right hand column of the blog under Categories for audiobooks. That is our archives – newest columns first.
The requests for summaries, links, reviews page are all wishes of mine as well. The more we hear from you all that you would utilize such features, the better. There are some systems issues on creating such pages but I’m hoping we’ll eventually be able to offer this type of content.
In the meantime, I have listened to some awesome audiobooks recently – just finished more Sookie Stackhouse books with completion of 7 (All Together Dead – my favorite so far) – and 8, From Dead to Worse. Elizabeth Hoyt’s Wicked Intentions was a real winner as well as Sandra Brown’s Smash Cut. Julia London’s Summer of Two Wishes was a complete success for me. I’m giving sci-fi romance a try right now by listening to Linnea Sinclair’s Gabriel’s Ghost.
I’m with MaryK regarding the request for a direct link to search previous SOA columns.
The most valuable thing I find about this column is all the recommendations from commenters and Lea about excellent books to listen to and great narrators to try.
I’d be interested in participating in a listening challenge for 2011 with the caveat that I have trouble getting some books due to geo restrictions – even with the help of my new best friend Gamatst!!
I would love to see an interview with Barbara Rosenblatt. I’m also coming to really enjoy Kate Reading and would like to see an interview with her as well.
What features or subject matter do you want to see in future at SOA?
I’d like to have a direct link to pull up (and possibly search) all the columns without wading through the normal blog programming.
What is your favorite aspect of this column?
The interaction and opportunity to ask questions about others’ listening experiences. I’m very fussy about audiobooks and static reviews can be particularly frustrating when I’m looking for details that aren’t as important to others.
What has been your favorite column to date?
probably the one about hard-to-find romances
Would you be willing to participate in a 2011 Listening Challenge?
Maybe. I make no promises, though. :) I’ve had concentration problems lately which have hampered my listening as well as my reading. I’d definitely be interested in following others’ progress though.
What narrator do you most want to see interviewed?
Lloyd James. He doesn’t read romance I don’t think, but he read The Curse of Chalion which is probably my favorite audiobook performance. Justine Eyre (Singh books). Johanna Parker (Sookie books). It seems like there was someone else I really liked but I’m drawing a blank.
I too love your audiobook column! I’d be interested in partaking in a 2011 listening challenge as well and helping with ideas. Barbara Rosenblat would be a good interview as well as Simon Prebbles. Keep up the great work, I love especially when you post about what audiobooks are coming up to be released, particularly old favorites that had only been in print until recently.
I just LOVE this blog! I’d like to see it set up like the book reviews. Rosalyn Landor would be good to interview. I’m listening to her do “”Married by Morning”” and I’m loving it. A quote from MbyM. “”You have a keen intellect but I’m willing to over look that””.