I lucked out and found out that my husband had a copy of The World Without Us which I had mentioned wanting to read. I must check his bookshelves more often. However, the copy is for an audible book so I wasn’t sure but went ahead and loaded it up on my iPod.
It’s a bit odd listening to a book and I’m not sure if I like it yet. In particular because I tend to put stickies on pages to remember something for a review later on and I can’t do that now. I’ve been taking a couple of notes but I can imagine that it will be much harder to go back to these after I’m done. I haven’t given up on this though so I’ll keep you posted.
The book itself is thought-provoking. In the intro the author mentions about what the world would be like if humans all of a sudden disappeared? How would the planet go about restoring itself after all the havoc we’ve caused. I know we’ve caused a lot of damages, species gone forever and things like that, but what about the good things we’ve done? What about art and music? Ah, I think this will definitely be a fascinating book to think on as I continue listening to it. I’ll keep you posted.
Now, you’d think my audible book adventures ended there but as I was already in iTunes updating my iPod with some new music, I took a little detour to the area of podcasts. I know, I’m terribly late to this thing but I think I just got hooked! I found some wonderful book podcasts like the NPR Book Tour and Nancy Pearl’s Booklust. I’ve already listened to Tahmima Anam read from her book A Golden Age and Sue Miller read from her book The Senator’s Wife, both now on my TBR list. Do you listen to any podcasts? I’d love to get some of your recommendations so please share.
Oh and in case you were wondering what new music I’m listening to now, I got a few new songs from Molotov, Sia, Feist, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
I have always thought audio books would be good for when I’m exercising, but I don’t have an iPod or anything like it and so I haven’t gotten around to trying.
The History Channel is having a series about same topic.
But it concentrates on what would happen to dogs and cats if all the humans disappear.
I’ve never tried audio books before… and anyway it isn’t too popular over here so only selected bookstores have them. I don’t have an iPod although my husband does. Anyway, I seldom use it and all I need is to ask whenever the mood strikes. 😉
I love audio books, but I’ve only listened to one non-fic and I didn’t much like it (granted, it was Anderson Cooper’s memoir, and his voice just grated on me). I don’t have an mp3 player, and I’m using a shared computer, so no podcasts for me. 🙁
I haven’t really gotten into listening to books. I am not sure how much I have enjoyed it when I do. I seem to be able to concentrate better when I am reading the words.
As for podcasts – I actually listen/watch a lot of creative video podcasts for Photoshop (PhotoshopTV) and Adobe Products – I have learned a lot that way. Also, Chicago Public Radio does a podcast called “This American Life” which I really like. You might also enjoy Grammar Girl – tips for better writing and also The Word Nerds . There is More Hip Than Hippie which is about living a green lifestyle. For indepth discussions about film (current and classics) try The Hollywood Saloon.
OK, I just realized that I am a total nerd!
I love audio books – especially ones by authors from other countries. Listening to an Ian McEwan novel read with a British accent is pretty awesome. Or Jeremy Irons reading Brideshead Revisited. Julia Child’s My Life in France is great too cause then you can hear the French names of the dishes she writes about. Also listening to Sarah Vowell or David Sedaris is way funnier than reading.
Second thumbs up for This American Life. Can’t wait to check out the podcasts you listed. I haven’t yet found a good book podcast so I’m always on the lookout for reccomendations. Some un-bookish but still really good ones are Splendid Table, Fair Game, and CarTalk – all aslo from NPR.
Oh, I really do need to get an iPod! I think this is exactly the sort of book I’d like to listen to. I don’t like listening to fiction really (unless the reader is really good!), but NF might work–unless I wanted to take notes and that could be a problem.
I’m not a big podcast person, but my husband is. I should check out those bookish ones! For me, I think listening to a NF book would be difficult. At least not my first choice. I saw a preview of a tv program about Chernobyl and how nature has taken over this nuclear wasteland. It would be interesting to watch in light of The World Without Us, which I have and am planning to read at some point.
I meant to say as well how I really like Sia’s new CD!
Literary Feline – I know some who listen to books while exercising and they like it but oh I don’t think I could do that. I need some fast-paced music otherwise I’d lose all will to exercise! ha,ha…
Isabel – Danielle mentioned the History Channel too. I will have to see if I can get an episode on iTunes as we don’t have cable.
Melody – Audio books seem pretty popular here and even my library carries a wide selection. I’ll see how I do with this one and who knows I may be getting more out 🙂
Eva – Oh no mp3 player – that’s no good. Now that I’ve had one for years I know I’d miss it terribly if I didn’t have it. It especially made life in cubicle land (when I was working) much nicer 🙂
Christine – I love “This American Life” – didn’t know they had a podcast! Now I can check it when i miss it – yay. I’m totally going to check out some of the ones you mentioned. They sound fun!
Claire – That’s a good point, a story read by someone with a lovely accent or nice voice I’m sure is even better! And, you are so right, David Sedaris reading from his work is amazing. Love him. I am addicted to NPR so thank you for the other suggestions – I will have to look for those.
Danielle – Yes you do! Maybe a gift for an upcoming occasion 🙂 The note-taking is proving to be a problem for me but I am enjoying the book and that’s what matters.
Tara – My husband is always subscribing to podcasts too and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get on the bandwagon 🙂
Christine – I only got one song of hers but I think I’ll get whole CD! Let me know if you have any others to recommend girl – you know I love your music taste 🙂
I’m not a very good audio book listener but my husband loves them. And I don’t even have an ipod so never bother going to itunes even to look for podcasts I could listen to on my computer.
My husband is the iPod owner/podcast downloader in our family, too, but he’s very considerate! He’s brought home some awesome selections–many from NPR (I believe you can get bunches of shows as podcasts). Grammar Girl is lots of fun, too. Enjoy!
We listen to audio books when we travel, and for a while I was really hooked on listening to them in the car. I usually go for lighter stuff, like genre mysteries, chick lit – things I normally don’t read in book form and don’t require a huge amount of concentration.
I haven’t found a really good one in a while though – I keep trying things and they just don’t click with me. The last best one I listened to was “The Whole World Over,” by Julia Glass. I listened to the audio and then bought and read the book, I loved it so much. But that was a year ago, and I haven’t listened to anything since.
I like podcasts of writers talking about writing, or interviews with writers.
I don’t have an ipod though, so i listen mostly on my computer.
I’m not a huge fan of audio books. I’ve listened to a few, but I really prefer reading (with sticky notes in hand!) the words rather than listening.
As far as podcasts go, however, Slate hosts a good book review. You can find them at iTunes. Oh, and Barnes & Noble (Meet the Writers) is pretty entertaining, too. And NPR Booktour. Have fun!
Stefanie – My husband is hooked on podcasts too. He did tell me that he’s always running behind on catching up on podcasts so that’s not a good thing – I already run behind on books! ha,ha..
Tiffany – Ok, another vote for Grammar Girl. I must listen to that. Isn’t NPR the best?
ravenous reader – I bet some light books like that are great to listen to while on a road trip. Once I’m back at work and I have a commute maybe I’ll try them more. Actually our last big trip I did load up some movies on the iPod and it was great. Granted the screen is still too small for my taste but it beats having to watch the in-flight movies sometimes 🙂
Les in NE – I know, I gotta have stickies too! I will check out the Slate & B&N one. I’ll let you know how it goes 🙂
I’m still reading through this prize I won at Shelf Life’s give-away a while ago. It’s thought-provoking and scientific, and I’m reading one chapter per week.
By the way, I came home from Las Vegas and found the book you sent me in the mail. Thank you so much! You make my day. 🙂
Matt – Yay, you got the book 🙂
I’m so excited to hear that you’re getting addicted to podcasts! Welcome to the club. I love Garrison Keillor’s “Writer’s Alamanc” podcast. He gives great tidbits about authors’ lives and reads a new or old poem every day. Good stuff.
Enjoy!
I’ve really gotten into audiobooks recently. I should have subscribed to audible.com many years ago.
Welcome to the world of podcasts.
2 that I can recommend of the top of my head is Amazon’s and Barne’s & Noble’s meet the author podcasts as well as the NY Times Book Review.
Andi – Goodie another one to look up! I bet he shares some great poems. I do love his collection of Good Poems – one of my faves.
Gavin – NY Times has a book podcast?! I’m so going to be in trouble for asking everyone to share their favorites – haha… Thank you. I’ll do another post to follow up on the new to me podcasts.
I too am utterly, hopelessly addicted to podcasts (and I definitely have added a few to my subscription list after reading all the recommendations among these comments!). Some of my favorites, on various subjects:
1) On film: Filmspotting (which has earned a devoted following because of the charm of its hosts)
2) On food: KCRW’s Good Food
3) On poetry: alt.NPR: Poetry Off the Shelf
4) On journalism/media issues: On the Media
5) On literature/cultural events: Start the Week with Andrew Marr
6) On life: This American Life.
Gee, I had fun reading all the comments. I haven’t ever listened to podcasts (not sure I even know what that is), but I do enjoy listening to audio books when traveling. Recently listened to Don’t Stuff Your Dog by Alan Alda. Really liked it.
Now I’m off to discover the podcast – Thanks to you and the people who left comments.