Mystery Blogger: Audio Guy

A comment about Cissy Hartley’s article, “Blogs, Blogs, Blogs…” from Shirley talking about her kids being stuck in the old technology of Portable CD players and not even having an I Pod struck me as funny. I think I can top that for Prius Historic. I just canceled an order for a 2006 Toyota Prius because they stopped allowing cassette decks as an option. The salesman couldn’t believe he lost a sale of a new car over a piece of old technology like a cassette deck. Forced to tell him I was a “books on tape guy” he just shook his head.

I love audio books on all formats, MP3, CD, or Cassette. The problem is that most of the books I get are checked out of the public library and both in selection and numbers of available copies, cassettes rule. The down side is that often the tapes have been played a few too many times and the quality is diminished, whereas the CD’s are usually in better shape. Also the wait time for new releases can be a little long but there are lots of older books available only on tape.

Having about a half hour commute both ways and portable cassette and CD players for the gym, I get a fair amount of listening time and thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. It is a great wind-down from work and very relaxing. While most people in the gym are listening to hard rock and their heads are rocking back and forth on the tread mills, I’m there smiling, laughing, or whatever the book brings out in me. Must admit I have gotten a few sideways glances.

There are a few companies that do an outstanding job on audio books. Brilliance Audio and Recorded Books are among my favorites. And there are several actors that do a wonderful job for these companies. Some companies have different actors for the different characters in the books, but most have one actor do all the parts and that takes quite a talent. My favorite narrator is Richard Ferrone and I’ll listen to almost any book he narrates, from Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick to John Sandford’s Prey series and lots in between. So let’s hear it for stocking those public libraries with more Audio Books.

My question for visitors here at the blog is, "What book are you listening to?"

Mystery Blogger: Jazz-C