Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Reading with Your Ears--Hooray for Audiobooks!

 By Lynn McPherson

I have to talk--gush--about audiobooks because I've been obsessed with them since the beginning of the pandemic. Many of you may be familiar and well-versed on the many wondrous things about them, but for those of you who haven't yet indulged, I'm here to encourage you to give them a try.

The books in my Izzy Walsh series aren't available as audiobooks (at least not yet) but some of my Stiletto Gang sisters are, like Debra H. Goldstein. Her Sarah Blair Mystery series is a whole lot of fun and I highly recommend it! 

Today, I'm going to share my top three reasons why audiobooks are fabulous.

1. They are a great reason for a walk! I'm always ready to head outside when I'm deep into a fun new mystery. My dog is a fan too because whenever she sees me pull out an earphone it's guaranteed to be an extra long outing. As soon as I get back inside I inevitably get busy with something else, but walks are my time to dig in. If I had to rely on traditional reading, I'd get through way fewer books!

2. It's a great way to travel around the world. I've devoured all the Carlene O'Connor mystery books I could get my paws on and have been delighted to listen to the lyrical Irish accent in her Irish Village Mystery Series. So much fun!

3. You can listen anywhere, anytime. I mentioned walking but that's just the beginning. I listen to audiobooks when I'm driving, cooking, and even in the pool! 

Hot tip: libraries are an excellent place to discover new authors and/or new series to discover!


Have you been a longtime listener, are you a new fan, or have you yet to try? 

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  


11 comments:

  1. I've been enjoying audiobooks via my local libraries for many years now. Unfortunately, I think some of the series I'm interested in reading via audio next aren't all available via my local libraries. Not sure what I will do to listen to all of them.

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    1. Thanks Mark. I've had the same issue. But I've found some new authors I hadn't heard of before while looking through the options and that's been so much fun!

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  2. The second book in my series is available in audio, but the narrator is no longer available. I'm still debating whether or not to narrate the others myself or hire a different narrator. There are plenty of people who devour audiobooks. Whatever works!

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    1. Thanks Gay--I'll have to keep my eyes out for it. That's tricky with your narrator. It might be fun to give it a go yourself--I'm not sure I could pull it off!

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  3. Thank you for mentioning my Sarah Blair books. It really has been fun having an actor read version of my books out there for those who enjoy listening to books while driving or exercising. Audio books really have opened up a way for people to enjoy doing two things at once.

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    1. You're welcome, Debra. They're great books. It must be fun listening to your own books from that perspective!

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  4. Great topic for discussion. I'm arriving late to the party for audiobooks, both in listening and publishing. I know there's a strong market for them, but I'm more visual than auditory, and the few times I've listened to a book on tape, I've felt I missed something. For me, reading means seeing, and relishing, the words.

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    1. I agree with you, Saralyn. I'm not much for listening over reading. Still, there is a market out there. The trick is to tap it profitably, which few authors are able to do.

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    2. Nothing beats a good old paperback copy. I completely understand your perspective. But I love listening to books come alive with a great narrator too!

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  5. I listen to audible and have read so,e great books over the years while gardening, cooking, etc. I love my Bluetooth headset.

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    1. I agree--a good headset is key. I got wireless headphones for my birthday and I love them!

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