Audio Book Recommendations?

[sensasianl]

I am considering a cruise that originates from a port that is within driving distance to save on airfare. To pass the time, I was hoping someone could recommend some books on CD that I could listen to while in the car. I saw the "summer reading on a cruise" thread, but since I can't read and drive at the same time [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img], I thought this might be a good alternative to pass the time.

I've never used audio books before, so I don't know much about them. I imagine a lot depends on the genre and the skill of the person who does the reading/recording. I like mysteries, suspense, satire...anything, really, and would love to discover something new as well.

Also, where do you get your audio books? I am not averse to getting them second hand (eBay or another website?) I was thinking of just going to my local Barnes & Noble, but not sure if they have a decent selection or how good their prices are.

Thanks for any and all recommendations!

Celebrity Galaxy 3/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]   till Sapphire Princess

[tuggers]

I use Booksontape.com. You can rent for 30 days or buy, used are sometimes available. All are unabridged. I prefer the American readers as they are easier for me to follow while doing something else (driving, sunning, etc). They have all the new books plus lots of old ones. Each tape has 45 minutes per side. You can get audiobooks at Cracker Barrel and I understand they now have some unabridged. The deal is you buy the first one then when you return it(to any Cracker Barrel as you travel) with your receipt they deduct (I think)$1.50 for each week you've had it and you can put the rest towards another book. I haven't used them in quite a while since I found books on tape. It sure makes the time fly! I even use them by the pool with my walkman.

Going on CENTURY! Third X Cruise In Four Months!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[45014]

Get them from the library.

[mazza]

audible.com lets you download books to your PC, and you can then burn them onto CDs yourself - takes up a few CDs though. If you have an MP3 player or similar, with the car tape attachment, you can play the books through your car tape player. I've been using this system for about 6 months now, and it works well. They have a good selection of books, abridged and unabridged. A bit expensive unless you take out a membership though.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800000&cdt=2004;07;23;21;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Until Summit 23 July 2004

<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[L11]

Mazza, i completely agree about audible.com. If you are going to listen to books regularly, it is a VERY good deal, but not otherwise. I have a long commute, so I have a lot of time to 'read' in the car. I have a 2 book per month membership for $19.95 per month. Since I agreed to continue my membership for at least a year, they sent me a free mp3 player that slips into a side pocket on my purse. Very nice.

For our last cruise, I burned 2 books to CD and it worked great. Takes up a lot less room in the luggage too.

Linda

[sensasianl]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

I never even thought about the library. I went by there tonight and they had hundreds of audio books, but they were all on tape. I also went by Cracker Barrel and they had a decent selection (couple dozen titles) that were on CDs. The average price was $30, but you do get to return them minus $3.50, which is a pretty good deal.

Thanks for the suggestion about Audible.com. If I get hooked, this may be a good way to go. Very convenient if you can download and then burn to CDs.

Again, thanks for all the input!

Celebrity Galaxy 3/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]  till Sapphire Princess

[dizliz]

We have an audio book going all the time since we live in the country and it takes quite awhile to get anywhere. We use the library and then buy any we really like from Half.com. Our favorite writer is Janet Evanovich, but, we are also big fans of Robert B. Parker and Sue Grafton. We only have a CD in our car, but, we bought a little "boom" box and a car adapter at Wal-mart and can listen to tapes too. The adapter fits into what used to be called "the cigarette lighter" and converts the car voltage into ac power....Or something like that. When we are going on a trip we load up on books from the library and hit the road. The time flys by. Enjoy
Liz

[tuggers]

I keep forgetting that cars don't come with tape players and the best selection of books are still on tape. When I bought my new car I had to pay extra to get a tape player in addition to the cd player. They thought I was nuts! LOL!

Going on CENTURY! Third X Cruise In Four Months!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[judyfssw]

I don't know if you're a Harry Potter fan, but these books are on tape and CD. The reader is fantastic and you know each character from the change in his voice. I would stay in my car instead of going into the house or in to work so I could listen a little longer.
Whichever you decide, have a safe drive and a wonderful cruise.

Judy
Summit, Alaska - 7/22/05 - [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2005;7;22;17;45;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Constellation, Southern Caribbean - 2/19/05 - [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2005;2;19;23;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Infinity, Alaska - 7/25/04 -[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;7;25;17;00;00&timezone=PMT-0545[/img]
2/21/04 - Constellation, Southern Caribbean - Another incredibly wonderful cruise
2/22/03 - Constellation (Just a wonderful, wonderful cruise)
2/22/99 - Mercury
Monarch of the Sea

[new_cruiser]

Borders has an increasingly large selection of books on tape/CD. I have found the ones sold under their own Borders brand to be well produced and mostly they are unabridged. They are labeled clearly when they are abridged.

Some titles or authors we have enjoyed -
any of Tony Hillerman books
books from the Ladies Number One Detective Agency - more about people rather than mysteries. Both these are often available on CD.

I love any of the Thurber children's books like The Thirteen Clocks or the White Deer. The language is great - these are really meant for reading aloud. Unfortunately, I've not found them on CD and the tapes wear out all too soon.

Plays by Oscar Wilde. Plays in general are often good. I like to keep it light so we have a lot of the Shakespeare comedies.

My son downloads books to CD from i-tunes which has a wide selection.

I find listening to books on tape helps me keep alert while driving.

If you buy a book on tape, make sure they keep it away from the magnetic device on the counter (the thing they use to turn off the anti-theft strip). It is really disappointing to get on the road and find that the tapes were destroyed when you paid for them. Borders did that once - they were good about replacing it when we ran across another store - but we didn't have it for the drive. Another point in favor of CDs.

[Elaine0138]

I agree with Judy The Harry Potter audio books are brilliant fun for all the family.

Jim Dale is the voice on the American version and Stephen Fry on the English one.

I only have the last book the Order of the Phonex on CD, all 24 of them, it last for approx 28 hours, but i am sure the others are available too

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;11;5;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Summit 5 Nov


Elaine

[Triguy]

This is a great thread with lots of info on audios.

[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_4_100.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_5_127.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_3_110.gif[/img]

[JNLROSE]

Yes, this is a great thread! We love books on tape/CD, we both have CD players that we carry with us when we fly, cruise, etc. We both like the same authors, so we go to Hasting's here in town & rent CD books for $3.50 for 14 days. On our last cruise (11 nights), we rented 5 books & each "read" all of them!!!

When we travel by car, we get them on tape since our CD changers are in the trunk, it's easier to use the cassette player.

Robert B. parker's "Spencer" novels are one of our faves as are the Lawrence Sanders McNally books. We also listen to John Grishom, Lisa Scottoline, James Patterson, Richard North & have listened to the harry potter's too!

Rosie
E-mail me <a href="mailto:JNLROSE@AOL.COM">here</a href>

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;26;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Look out MERCURY Here we come!!!

September 19, 2005--"Millie in the Med"--We're there!

[waltw]

Our public library has most of the current best sellers and loans them for 4 weeks with no charge. Every Car trip we take, several novels go along. Generally the most recent Patterson novel is in the bag if my wife or I have not gotten it read.
Check out your local library!

[ddl]

There definitely is much more selection on tape vs CD. Luckily my library has a fantastic selection. I have found if the reader annoys me I concentrate more on that then the story. Harry Potter is excellent series on CD.

Have fun!

Century Western Carribean 05/08/04
Constellation Southern Carribean 02/12/05

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;12;23;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]