Audio Books Anyone???

I have never been one to listen to audio books.  In fact there are only two things I've listened to on audio book--The Word of Promise New Testament Audio NKJV Bible and The Shack by Wm. Paul Young.

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We found this New Testament Audio Book one day while we were just browsing through Family Christian Stores.  If you've never visited a Family Christian Store you should check it out.  Lots of great stuff there--beautiful Bibles, books, music, toys, clothes, and lots more. 

I always enjoy listening to this, and we actually gave several copies of it to family members for Christmas a few years ago.  Everyone seems to like it, and listen to it.  My Step-father is a truck driver and has listened to the entire 20 CD set at least 11 times.

Source:  http://www.thomasnelson.com/

From Thomas Nelson...

"Hear the Bible Come Alive in Dramatic Audio Theater™!
This multi-voiced, scripted dramatization of the New King James Version (NKJV) features a star-studded cast of actors, an original music score, and incredible feature film quality sound effects. This world-class production creates a dramatic audio theater experience that makes you feel like you’re really there with Jesus and His disciples. Listen in your car, on your MP3 player, or with your family or small group to gain a new perspective of the Bible.
The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible is a 20-CD set and includes a bonus “Behind-the-Scenes” DVD.
Cast Includes:

• Jim Caviezel (The Passion of The Christ, Déjà vu) - Jesus
• Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland's Opus, The Goodbye Girl) - Quotes from Moses
• Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want) - Mary Magdalene
• Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (Prison Break, Hemingway) - Paul
• Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots) - John
• Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim, Father of the Bride) - Mary, Mother of Jesus"

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A couple years ago, a friend asked me if I had read The Shack.  I said no, so she offered to let me borrow her copy, which just so happened to be on CD.  I accepted and started listening to it immediately.  I couldn't stop.  I got to the last CD and realized it wasn't there, so I ran out to Wal-Mart and bought the actual book.  I finished that day, and right away gave it to my sister to read.  I let my Mom borrow it too, and now I'm glad to say it's back on my shelves.  I say glad because I suddenly have the urge to reread it.  If you've never read it, this is one you should seriously check out, but be prepared for tears.

Source:  http://www.theshackbook.com/

From the back cover of The Shack...

"Mackenzie Allen Philips's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness.  Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgement he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare.  What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant THE SHACK wrestles with the timeless question:  Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?  The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him.  You'll want everyone you know to read this book?"

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Why then, since I've really enjoyed the two audio books I've listened to, don't I listen to more.  The answer is this.  I absolutely love my ol' traditional books.  I love the feel of a book in my hand.  I love being able to see the progress I'm making as my bookmark makes its way through the book.  Oh, and I love bookmarks!  No technology is required, and I can sit in the peace and quiet and just read.  I also feel like reading exercises my brain more...if that makes sense.

I am, however, planning to incorporate audio books into my book life.  I think it may be a way to fit more books in each year.  So last night I went on Itunes and downloaded 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  I know nothing about this book.  It was Audio Book of the month and $5.95 on Itunes, so I downloaded it.  Let's hope it's good.

Source:  http://www.goodreads.com/

Excerpt from Thirteen Reasons Why...

"A shoebox-sized package is propped against the front door at an angle. Our front door has a tiny slot to shove mail through, but anything thicker than a bar of soap gets left outside. A hurried scribble on the wrapping addresses the package to Clay Jensen, so I pick it up and head inside. I take the package into the kitchen and set it on the counter. I slide open the junk drawer and pull out a pair of scissors. Then I run a scissor blade around the package and lift off its top. Inside the shoebox is a rolled-up tube of bubble-wrap. I unroll that and discover seven loose audiotapes. Each tape has a dark blue number painted in the upper right-hand corner, possibly with nail polish. Each side has its own number. One and two on the first tape, three and four on the next, five and six, and so on. The last tape has a thirteen on one side, but nothing on the back. Who would send me a shoebox full of audiotapes? No one listens to tapes anymore. Do I even have a way to play them? The garage! The stereo on the workbench. My dad bought it at a yard sale for almost nothing. It's old, so he doesn't care if it gets coated with sawdust or splattered with paint. And best of all, it plays tapes. I drag a stool in front of the workbench, drop my backpack to the floor, then sit down. I press Eject on the player. A plastic door eases open and I slide in the first tape."

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When do I plan on listening to audio books?  About a month ago, I read in a blog (I'm irritated becasue I can't remember which one) that the author liked to listen to audio books while on the treadmill.  She said it helped the time pass like music or television couldn't.  Since exercise is something I REALLY need  more of, I decided I'd give that a try.  I'm also going to listen as I clean the house and do laundry.  I'll post about this again after I finish Thirteen Reason Why and let you know how it goes.

If you have a favorite book that you've listened to on audio book, leave a comment and let me know.  I'd really appreciate it!