Statement of fact — I rarely listen to audiobooks or podcasts. (My husband would agree on the non-listening part no matter what it referred to though…)
Why? I’m a visual person and a writer. In order for me to remember something, I need to see words on paper, and in some cases, write words on paper. Hence, the not listening to books part. (Fun fact about me, I’m an excellent list maker.)
I decided I’d try a podcast though. Ya know, new things and all. Of course, I needed it to be interesting for this experiment to work.
My choice? Well, as the fates would have it, a tweet came across about a podcast with potential. It was part one of a book that I’m really looking forward to reading — The Black Fire Concerto by Mike Allen. The first part of the book, The Red Empress, was being featured on Tales to Terrify, an audio horror fiction magazine.
So, I pull it up on my phone and curl up on the couch to do this thing.
Let me tell you. The narrator, CSE Cooney stuck the perfect tone. Her voice a perfect fit for the story, which takes place on a riverboat named none other than The Red Empress. The Empress is inhabited by a cast of creeptastic ghouls that feed on the flesh others in their quest for immortality. A young girl named Erzelle, whose family was murdered on the doomed Empress, lives out her numbered days playing the harp while the elite feast. When a newcomer, Olyssa, arrives her life changes dramatically.
It’s creepy. It’s got some interesting magic which I want to hear more about. And as it turns out, I get can with the ghoul thing. The first part sets the stage for more to come and I want more of this broken and deranged world.
In fact, I’ll fess up now. The author, Mike Allen, was nice enough to offer me a copy of the book and I can’t wait. It’s going to be perfect fall reading.
To listen to the podcast, and you should: Tales to Terrify No 85 Mike Allen.
Go to Tales to Terrify for a longer list of podcasts.
I think I might give Nos 82, 83, and 84 a try. It’s At the Mountains of Madness by HP Lovecraft. I didn’t love the book like I wanted to but having it read to me might do it. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Just Book Reading 
I’m not a big audiobook person either–not because I’m visual (I’m not at all), but because I get impatient AND I cannot skip around (boooo). But I love podcasts. I listen to approximately 1 zillion podcasts regularly, and I love them.
I can see that! It hasn’t bothered me yet but I can see that happening.
So far, all the podcasts I’ve listened to have been good. A few of yours are next on my list! 🙂
Hey, I just nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. You are welcome to participate if you would like. I enjoy reading your stuff!
http://essentialperspective.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/one-lovely-blog-nomination/
Thanks!
I’ve never listened to an audio book I must admit. I’m not sure I really want to although sometimes it would make sense because I could listen to a book whilst doing chores. Even so though it still doesn’t appeal. I’ve read The Black Fire Concerto – it’s really good and definitely creepy. Hope you enjoy it.
Lynn 😀
I can’t wait for my copy of The Black Fire Concerto to arrive! The podcast was great and definitely creepy!
I wish I could listen to audiobooks. It is just that I don’t know what to do when I am listening to them. My mind often tends to wander when I’m listening to things and I often use music to provide mood or as background music.
Lately I’ve been listening to BBC’s Radio 4 which is a pure talk radio and so full of interesting things. Radio plays, discussions, debates etc Trouble is I listen to it either when I’m going to sleep or as my alarm so both times I find myself half asleep. I’ve been really enjoying listening to the book of the week lately though.
I really should try podcasts too. But it is the same problem. What do I do meanwhile?? Sit there and listen? I’ll end up reading something else and not concentrating or if not just drifting off elsewhere.
This may sound odd, but I fold laundry, unload the dishwasher, straighten up the house while listening. Like you, I get bored and my mind will wander if I just sit and listen like that. I don’t understand how people do it. When I’m doing something busy, like folding laundry, I feel I pay more attention. Also, I’m starting with short podcasts so I don’t get bored. In a way, it starts to be like listening to talk radio.
I’ve tried doing it to cleaning… but my mind still wonders. Maybe I should have started out with something that wasn’t Thomas Hardy. It was being read by Alan Rickman.
Kinda hard to pass up Alan Rickman though…
I’ve been listening to The Mountains of Madness by Lovecraft and it helps keep me focused because I already know the story. Maybe start with something you’ve read before and see how it goes.
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