What audiobook are you listening to in your Prius?

wow...I never listen to audiobooks, but at this very moment, I'm listening to an mp3 audiobook right now. It's sort of a seminar type thing about speaking to groups of people.

 

Nope. I've always listened to music of my choice (CDs back in the day, now my iPod), the radio to catch up on current music, and books on CD. The only thing that my Prius changed is the format--it doesn't have a tape player, so when I get my audiobooks from the library, I can only choose CDs.

However, it did make me a calmer driver for about the first 6 months I owned it. I've kinda regressed, tho'.

 

I've been listening to a Japanese language course, which also seems appropriate. I generally listen to classical music, being a musician, and it does sound nice with the clean interior of my new prius.

 

I cycle between NPR, music (Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, etc), podcasts (Point of Inquiry, Skeptoid and others) and audiobooks. My current audiobook is "Lamb the Gospel According to Biff; Christ's Childhood Pal" by Christopher Moore which I heartily recommend. My next book will likely be "The Kite Runner" followed by James Michener's "Hawaii".

 

I have a big subwoofer system in the car but on the freeway I tend to listen to "conference material" from Bioneers events (Thom Hartman, David W. Orr, Fritjof Capra, John Todd or Paul Hawken. I finished "The Omnivore's Dilemma" last month in the car and I listened to "Ishmael" - Daniel Quinn about 5 times even though I've read the book years ago.

I'm waiting to see if Paul Hawken's "Blessed Unrest" comes out in an audiobook.

 

Hmm

Anyone know of good site to buy audio books in MP3 format so I can simply download them?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Free One @ Apr 22 2007, 09:46 PM) [snapback]428104[/snapback]</div>

Come back and report on "Lamb"! Is one of my favorite books by one of my favorite contemporary author. Its really, really funny, then tragic, then funny again. Hard to describe.

F8L: I truly enjoyed The Omnivores Dilemma. Down with High Fructose Corn Syrup!! Joking aside its likely a contributor to the high incidence of TII diabetes not to mention the irrational agricultural business, oil dependence and greenhouse gases.

Sorry I can't recommend a place to download MP3s. I use iTunes, Audible or the library.

Ah! I am waiting for "God is not great" by Christopher Hitchens. I am hoping he'll narrate it half drunk, when he's at his best.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Apr 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]428119[/snapback]</div>

I use audible.com. I find them pretty expensive, though, so my preferred method is ordering them from the library. Our county's system is really good.

 

When I'm listening to audiobooks I listen to Terry Prachett's Disc World series. A friend of mine downloaded them from the News Groups. I also listen to old time radio shows.

 

Thank you guys for the tips!

Alric, I really enjoyed it as well. It was my first audiobook so it was kind of weird but I retained much more than if I had read it.

 

I still like jazz, npr, classical, and some rock. I do find I listen to hip hop a little bit more and I am not sure why as I am not a big fan of hip hop but hey whatever.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IAO @ Apr 22 2007, 08:41 PM) [snapback]428140[/snapback]</div>

Just don't get caught in the restroom doing this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s26z6I8RBFs

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alric @ Apr 22 2007, 10:31 PM) [snapback]428095[/snapback]</div>

My girlfriend had that book. She let someone borrow it to read, and they kept it! I'd really like to get ahold of it, because it sounds amazing.

 

I just finished "the Secret Life of Bees" , great book and really well read! Currently, "Afterburn", by Colin Harrison, also good. My wife is a librarian, so I have an unlimited supply of audiobooks - free. Check out your local library. It makes my 90 mile RT commute bearable. The Prius has no effect on what I listen to, but it so much quieter and enjoyable to listen than my other car, a Subaru Impreza. I find the books keep me more alert, and therefore a better driver. I used to get so bored and sleepy while listening to music, or the radio. I still keep the Ipod handy, for when I'm "between books".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Apr 23 2007, 12:42 AM) [snapback]428165[/snapback]</div>

:lol: yeah I can see myself doing that. :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Apr 22 2007, 07:46 PM) [snapback]428102[/snapback]</div>

I love "Ishmael" too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Apr 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]428119[/snapback]</div>

Audible is great, but you can download books for free from NetLibrary.com. I think you can only access them through a participating library. Unfortunately, NetLibrary receives some of its funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, so, interestingly, the format won't work on your iPod! I bought a $20 software package (TuneBite) online and it will play the NetLibrary book and record it at a higher speed for later download to your iPod. You can't use your computer for anything else while this is going on.

I like to listen to various free podcasts I get on iTunes, such as Scientific American and Joel Osteen, in my Prius. These shorter formats work nicely for shorter trips.

Enjoy your listening!