
AUDIO ADRENALINE: MY FAVORITES SO FAR
by Lisa T Bergren
After years of feeling guilty for not getting enough books
read (when, *gasp!*, I’m an AUTHOR), I finally discovered the wonder that is
audio books. Andye had talked up audio books for eons, but I resisted,
convinced it wouldn’t be the same thing. But something had to give if I wanted
to engage with more books.
When I signed up with Audible and a
book magically landed on my iPod, I was hooked. (I’m a glutton for instant
gratification.) It was the first of many. I began listening while walking,
doing dishes, running errands, and when I couldn’t sleep. I listened a lot as I
finished ducks (I work with my husband on a business in which we transform old
ranch fence posts into decorative ducks. I know. It sounds weird. Check out
RMrustic.com if you want to see what I mean).
But, long story short, we became serious audio fans! Here
are some of my favorites among the fifty I listened to last year…in no
particular order:
UNBROKEN, Laura Hillenbrand: An amazing survivor story from
WWII that will resonate with every contemporary readers.
BLACKMOORE and EDENBROOKE, Julianne Donaldson: Dreamy,
Austen-esque novels that just feel restful.
EMPEROR (and the novels that follow), Conn Iggulden: A crash
course, in fictional form, on Julius Caesar and Rome’s heyday. My hubby
especially loved this series. I found it pretty man-centric, but I still
enjoyed it—and it was fun to discuss with him.
ELEANOR & PARK, Rainbow Rowell: An amazing Romeo and
Juliet story that made me, as they say, both laugh and cry. Passionate,
insightful, and soon to be a movie…My daughter (who also listened to it) and I
can’t wait!
SHADOW & BONE, and SIEGE & STORM, Leigh Bardugo:
Epic, amazing fantasy with serious streams of good and evil. So good my whole
family has listened to them and the third is an automatic purchase for us come
June, when it releases.
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, John Green: This book about kids
battling cancer—as well as struggling to embrace life—is one of the most
touching, funny, heartfelt novels I’ve ever “read.” Another movie we’ll eagerly
anticipate!
THE WINTER SEA, Susann Kearsley: Given my penchant for time
travel and Europe, I thought this novel about a novelist discovering her own
historical roots transfixing.
STEELHEART, Brandon Sanderson: A fun super-hero tale with
one of the best narrators I’ve ever heard. Can’t wait to share it with my
eleven-year-old son.
THE DEMON KING (and all the rest in the series—I’ve
lobbied the author on Twitter for another but I’m not sure she’s taking me
seriously), Cinda Williams Chima: Andye actually got me into this fantasy series and my
husband and I both loved it. She manages to weave a dense story with a big cast
of characters, and yet make it all make sense.
Be sure to write down this STOP #12 LAUNCH TOUR CLUE: concentrated
Collect all the clues and fill out Lisa’s Rafflecopter form
on her launch tour post at LisaBergren.com April 30-May 7 and you could win
either a Kindle Fire HDX ($229) or iPod Touch ($229)!
Have you ever listened to an audio book? Why or why not? Share
your thoughts in the comments below!

THEIR ARRIVAL WAS FORETOLD FOR YEARS….
Andriana is a Remnant, gifted as an empath and one of the Ailith, destined to act as humanity’s last shield against the horrors that now plague those who remain.
After years of training in stealth and warfare, Andriana and her Knight protector, Ronan, are finally ready to answer the Call and begin the life they were designed for. But as they embark with the other Remnants on the first of their assignments, they quickly discover that the world beyond their protected Valley is more dangerous than they imagined.
The Sons of Sheol will stop at nothing to prevent Dri and Ronan from rescuing anyone sympathetic to the Remnants’ cause. And as the Remnants battle the demonic forces, still other enemies close in. Dangers intensity, but so do Dri’s feelings for Ronan–the one emotion she is not meant to feel. In the midst of their mission, Andriana must fine a way to master her feelings. Or risk compromising everything…
*Winner of the Launch Tour Hunt will receive a Kindle Fire HDB ($229 USD) or an iPod Touch ($229 USD) or the equivalent (for international winners). Just fill out the Rafflecopter form on LisaTBergren.com’s site by 4/30/14, after collecting all the Launch Tour Clues. For the full listing of the Remnants Launch Tour Schedule, go here...
Buy the Book:

Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, and working on ducks with her husband, Tim (RMrustic.com). Tim’s a worship leader, graphic designer and duck-sculptor. They have three kids–Olivia (18), Emma (15) and Jack (10).
The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
I love audio books. I listen to them in the car to and from work. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me, Reading Teen! So appreciate it...
ReplyDeleteAudio books is a way I could keep up with the books. I spent about an hour to an hour and a half commuting to and from work. It is the best time to catch up on all those news books coming out.
ReplyDeleteI think I may have listened to two audio books in my entire life and I didn't really like them. Ever since I was old enough to read on my own I have greatly disliked being read to. I am a visual learner so I like to see things in order to process them. Also my mom would make us to listen to her read books (we were homeschooled) all the time so my dislike grew even more from that. So yeah in short I don't like audio books though I do see how they could be very helpful for people!
ReplyDeleteI love the books I've listened to on audio. the best was Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty. The reader added so much to the story that I think had I read it on my own I wouldn't have gotten the same flavor.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason though I haven't listened to many books on audio. It has been my lose. I will have to start back up so I too can "read" more.
Thanks
This again sounds like an interesting book... but again not what I am quite looking for right now. I feel like there is this flood of dystopian books and right now I'm really liking diving in to a new world completely, maybe fantasy or science fiction? Ugh, any suggestions for me?
ReplyDeleteBut that cover though <3 And such a nice title. Maybe I should save this one on Shelfari as a to read for when I'm more in the mood...
http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/04/how-to-write-poem.html
I tried an audiobook once, and did not enjoy it. I can read faster than it takes to listen to one, and I rarely have that much time on my own to listen to a CD.
ReplyDeleteI tried but need to be in the car more - so I'd do it on a roadtrip. truckredford(at_Gmail(D0t_Com
ReplyDeleteNo, I have never listened to an audiobook. Don't think I would like it though. My sis listens to them from time to time and the voice is always annoying. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if there is a difference between text to speech and the audio book, but when I'm driving I listen to my book I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteI don't often, but when I am doing long solo drives I like to. It helps pass the time.
ReplyDeleteI love audio books.
ReplyDeleteAudible books just ROCK! I have my IPOD Classic totally loaded and love to relisten to old favorites. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
ReplyDeleteI'm not an audio fan. I've never really liked to be read to. But I have to admit that my husband and I did listen to a couple of books while driving several years ago and enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteHave no problem with Audio books. For me though I like hearing my own thought in my head as I read.
ReplyDeleteI listen to them, but I like audiobooks in theory more than I actually like them. I wish that they had a male and female reading the book together. I dislike a male trying to sound like a girl or a female trying to sound like a man and at times I find it confusing as to which character is speaking because they are sharing a voice.
ReplyDeleteI am not bashing them. I do like audiobooks, especially when I don't feel well, they are a good sick time companion :) The voices in my head when reading are just hard to beat.
I love to listen to audio books on long road trips.
ReplyDeleteAudiobooks are amazing, especially when the reader does all the voices/accents.
ReplyDeleteLove Audio books!
ReplyDeleteNever tried audio books before. Not sure if I would like reading books that way, but I also said the same thing about ebooks. So, who knows? Maybe I should give it a shot.
ReplyDelete