New Books

I love audiobooks because I can get in so much more reading. I listen as I drive to work, do laundry, cook, clean house, do yardwork, and even some mindless activities at work. I have a monthly membership with Audible. I found out about them from someone in my department who has a lengthy commute every day. The first nearly five years we lived here I had an even longer commute and appreciated the audio collection at my library. I'd ride the bus and work on some kind of needlework, while I listened to cassette tapes. That was before MP3 players and iPods.

I have one son who doesn't read very fast but loves books--I used to read to them when they were growing up. And not just childrens' books. I introduced them to a variety of authors including Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Michael Crichton, and even Mary Higgins Clark to name a few. My hubby also prefers to listen to books, so we'd already purchased a lot of books either on cassette or CD. They can be very expensive. We've got the entire Wheel of Time and Harry Potter series in both paper and in audio (and Mortal Instruments, Vampire Academy, Mercy Thompson, Alpha & Omega, Inkheart, Eragon complete series in both paper and digital).

I've purchased other series in both as well, and anything by Brandon Sanderson (with Warbreaker I purchased the book, downloaded the audiobook, and when I didn't like the voice characterization of one of the characters, the GraphicAudio version as well). I think one of these days I'll have to decide on one medium, but I can't quite give up my paper tomes yet.

Anyway, sometimes Audible will have a sale on. I was able to download Gone with the Wind, Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo (and some others) for less than $5 each. I pay a relatively small amount each  month and receive one credit, which equates to (usually) one book. Other times, Audible discounts the cost of extra credits if you purchase three at a time.

Over the holidays, I took advantage of such a sale, plus I still had my December and January credits. So, I've downloaded some books from my wish list.

Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein

The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein

Timeline by Michael Crichton

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

The top three books I've already read. Starship Troopers is one of my all-time favorite books, and I cringe (or want to shriek) when I think of the travesty that was the film version. The last two I've not read yet, so it should be fun. I've got the paper book for Clockwork Angel, which is a Victorian era story from the Mortal Instruments series. The Golden Compass I've heard great things (or vile things depending upon who I talk to).