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Audiobooks
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mattyb
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Mar 2, 2015, 03:44 PM
 
Colleague at work just gave me gigabytes worth of audiobooks, saying that I should listen while commuting.

Anybody else done the audiobooks thing?

Is it wise to listen while driving (he says that its not an issue) ?
     
Spheric Harlot
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Mar 2, 2015, 04:51 PM
 
I love audiobooks while driving. I don't get around to reading anymore.
     
subego
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Mar 2, 2015, 05:08 PM
 
I've been told they're exellent for driving.

If I drove more, I'd definitely try them out. I've only been avoiding them because I'm positive my mind will wander unless I'm a captive audience.
     
The Final Dakar
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Mar 2, 2015, 05:09 PM
 
I'd definitely do it if my commute wasn't 15-20 min
     
andi*pandi
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Mar 2, 2015, 05:45 PM
 
I've done it for long trips, and it was great. I might however stick to light fiction, and not anything that will put you to sleep.
     
Ω
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Mar 3, 2015, 08:20 AM
 
Listening to audiobooks put me to sleep within 5 minutes. I do not listen to them while driving.
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moonmonkey
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Mar 4, 2015, 06:48 AM
 
I know its not strictly an adult book - but the three "his dark materials" books by Phillip Pullman are amazing.
Audiobooks read by the author too.
     
Jawbone54
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Mar 4, 2015, 11:45 AM
 
I've been an Audible.com subscriber for a number of years. It's perfect for long drives, my short 10-minute commute, exercise, doing yard work, and even during stretches at work that doesn't require that part of my brain.

For some people, it puts them to sleep while they drive. For me, it makes the time pass so much faster. I love it.

Some recommendations:
- At Home, Bill Bryson
- Hatching Twitter, Nick Bilton
- Turning Points in American History, Edward T. O'Connell
- In the Plex, Steven Levy
- Those Guys Have All the Fun, James Miller, Tom Shales
- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Mary Roach (This book is hilarious, and filled with crazy, amazing stories)
- Columbine, Dave Cullen
- Shadow Divers, Robert Kurson
- Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, Richard Feynman

Of all those, I'd most strongly recommend Stiff and Hatching Twitter.
     
SSharon
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Mar 4, 2015, 12:09 PM
 
I tried audiobooks a number of years ago and they just aren't for me. They don't put me to sleep, but I can't stay focused on them and lose interest in the story. I've been listening to podcasts for more than 10 years though.

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 View Post
- Shadow Divers, Robert Kurson
- Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, Richard Feynman
Fantastic books! We must have similar tastes so I'll have to check out the others you mentioned.
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osiris
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Mar 4, 2015, 01:04 PM
 
Not a fan of audiobooks, though my father loves them for driving.

My problem with audiobooks are mainly the speakers - I think I listened to some gawd aweful Dan Brown book and I turned it off after the male reader started speaking in a faux French female voice for one of the characters. I laughed so hard, but it wasn't meant to be a joke.

I like physical books, even for driving
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
The Final Dakar
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Mar 4, 2015, 01:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by osiris View Post
My problem with audiobooks are mainly the speakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laKprX-HP94
     
osiris
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Mar 4, 2015, 01:53 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Seinfeld really can solve all the world's problems.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
Jawbone54
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Mar 4, 2015, 02:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by SSharon View Post
Fantastic books! We must have similar tastes so I'll have to check out the others you mentioned.
Feynman's was my first purchase on Audible. I loved it. If you were into both of those books, definitely check out Stiff.

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
You had to know I'd love that.

I'm waiting for them to re-release the series in Blu-ray form. I didn't realize until I read an article on Friends being released for Netflix that the original film for Friends and Seinfeld was of sufficient quality that it would look fantastic in 1080p. I don't know why that never occurred to me before.
     
osiris
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Mar 4, 2015, 03:22 PM
 
Originally Posted by Jawbone54 View Post
I'm waiting for them to re-release the series in Blu-ray form. I didn't realize until I read an article on Friends being released for Netflix that the original film for Friends and Seinfeld was of sufficient quality that it would look fantastic in 1080p. I don't know why that never occurred to me before.
I read somewhere that both shows were framed for 4:3 TV, though the older shows were shot in 16:9 or the closest equivalent. This means that the screen safe zones are in the middle of the picture - with a lot of wasted screen real estate on either side. Not sure how it will look.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
mattyb  (op)
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Mar 4, 2015, 03:40 PM
 
Appreciate the replies. I'll slap something on a USB stick and give it a try tomorrow.
     
phantomdragonz
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Mar 8, 2015, 08:10 PM
 
The library is a great resource for CD based audio books.

if I am on a multi-hour trip an audio book is just about mandatory, otherwise I get sleepy.

I also read a lot as it is, so audiobooks are just awesome when I have to drive.
     
SSharon
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Mar 8, 2015, 11:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by phantomdragonz View Post
I also read a lot as it is, so audiobooks are just awesome when I have to drive.
What type of stuff do you like to read? Anything like Shadow Divers or Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!? If so, please share some recommendations.
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subego
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Mar 9, 2015, 12:13 AM
 
I can recommend The Ghost Map.

It's about the discovery of how cholera is transmitted. It's far less dull than it sounds. Gives you quite the picture of how utterly disgusting it was in Dickensian London.
     
Jawbone54
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Mar 10, 2015, 11:08 AM
 
Originally Posted by osiris View Post
I read somewhere that both shows were framed for 4:3 TV, though the older shows were shot in 16:9 or the closest equivalent. This means that the screen safe zones are in the middle of the picture - with a lot of wasted screen real estate on either side. Not sure how it will look.
Friends is being rebroadcast on Netflix in the 16:9 ratio, and there are definitely some weird crops.

I'd much prefer they release two Seinfeld Bluray collections, one in original 4:3 and one in 16:9 (similar to The Beatles' mono and stereo box sets). Not going to happen, I know, but I hate cropping.
     
Doc HM
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Mar 12, 2015, 12:58 PM
 
gigabytes of audio books you say. Shared dropbox folder you say...
This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
mattyb  (op)
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Mar 12, 2015, 02:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by Doc HM View Post
gigabytes of audio books you say. Shared dropbox folder you say...
Most are in French.
     
osiris
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Mar 12, 2015, 02:32 PM
 
If the French voice is an actual French woman, then count me in. Tis the most beautiful language.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
mattyb  (op)
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Mar 12, 2015, 04:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by osiris View Post
If the French voice is an actual French woman, then count me in. Tis the most beautiful language.
I haven't found a woman's voice yet. Are the majority of audiobooks read by men or is it just the batch that I got?
     
mattyb  (op)
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Mar 13, 2015, 08:38 AM
 
I just grabbed Pratchett's DIskworld audiobook set.
     
mattyb  (op)
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Mar 16, 2015, 08:06 AM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
I just grabbed Pratchett's DIskworld audiobook set.
And Ford's POS Sync doesn't play them in order.
     
osiris
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Mar 16, 2015, 08:57 AM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
I haven't found a woman's voice yet. Are the majority of audiobooks read by men or is it just the batch that I got?
I honestly couldn't tell you, but I'm guessing the majority are read by men.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
Ω
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Mar 17, 2015, 04:12 AM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
I just grabbed Pratchett's DIskworld audiobook set.
Are they the one mainly read by Stephen Briggs or Nigel Planer (Neil from Young Ones)?
"angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress"
     
mattyb  (op)
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Mar 17, 2015, 12:48 PM
 
Originally Posted by Ω View Post
Are they the one mainly read by Stephen Briggs or Nigel Planer (Neil from Young Ones)?
Only just started Colour of Magic and its Nigel Planer.

Still can't get the car to read them in order, probably have to rename them.
     
   
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