The Joy of Audiobooks

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak is an incredible book; but I think it is even better as an audiobook. The story takes place from 1939 – 1943 in Germany, and while the subject matter can be challenging, some of the language can also be challenging because it is in German – a language I do not know. The audiobook is voiced by Allan Corduner, who pronounces all of the English and German flawlessly. Listening to this book opened up a new world of reading for me – audiobooks - and I love them to this day.

Have you listened to an audiobook before? If not, I recommend trying it sometime. Audiobooks are not for everyone, I know, but they have given me the opportunity to read more than ever before. According to Libby – the amazing library app – I have read 490 books in the past 5 ¼ years just through Wickson. I realize there are some who may argue that listening to a book is not the same as reading a book, and while I concede that there are differences, I would like to share with you some of the reasons I love audiobooks.

First, many of us are very busy people. Between work, parenting, housework, appointments, community events, errands, and all the “stuff” of life, it is not always easy to sit quietly to read a book. Listening to audiobooks means you can read more often. You can listen while you are driving or doing laundry or washing dishes or simply taking a walk. Audiobooks provide a little escape while managing the daily tasks of life, and you get to read more – it’s a win-win!

Second, good narrators can bring a book to life in wonderful and unexpected ways. Some audiobooks even include multiple narrators or a whole cast. The best narrators provide distinct character voices, clearly enunciated words, balanced pace and tone, and engaging emotions, all of which can enhance the reading experience. And none of this takes away from your ability to create mental pictures of the characters, settings, or contexts in the book. Often, good narrators can also make a book more enjoyable to read. They bring the book to life through their inflection and energy – they fully embody the characters and emotions, and they transport you right into the story.

These are just a few reasons I love audiobooks. That said, I know they are not for everyone. It is easy to get distracted, especially if you are doing other tasks while listening, so you may find you have to stop and rewind after thinking, “Wait, what just happened?” However, that can happen with physical books, too. Also, a mediocre narrator can ruin an otherwise great book, and I have stopped listening to more than a few books simply because the narration took away from the reading experience. And many people have told me that they just can’t listen to a book for any number of reasons, which I understand.

I have so much to say about audiobooks, but if you have not listened to an audiobook and this has made you even a little bit curious, check out Wickson’s extensive audiobook offerings – I bet you will be very pleasantly surprised!