An Audio Re-Read
I originally read Matched shortly before Ella was born. This time, instead of going with a paper copy, I downloaded the audio version.
This isn’t the first time I’ve listened to a book I’ve previously read. I’ve done the same thing with The Wednesday Wars, If I Stay, The Help, Nightshade, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and The Book Thief.It’s been a fun thing to listen to a book I already know, catching new nuances, hearing how a narrator interprets a character or storyline, and basically enjoying the book in a slightly different way.In all cases (except for The Summer I Turned Pretty), I’ve liked the book just as much or more in audio form as I did with a physical copy. I remember feeling like, with The Wednesday Wars, I was going to be disappointed because I loved the book so much, but then discovering that the narration was so stellar that it actually made me love the book even more.
In the case of Matched, it’s been fun to remember why I enjoyed this book so much back in 2010, since the series lost its shine a bit with Crossed, which I found to be quite dull. Now I’m all excited again for the final book (Reached) which comes out in the middle of November. Chances are good I’ll be listening to it in the middle of the night while feeding a new baby.
Do you ever listen to a book you’ve already read? I kind of love it. Makes me want to go dig up audio versions of all the books I’ve ever enjoyed.
I (re)read this book for the BlogHer Book Club and you can read other reviews and discussions at BlogHer.
I am paid for my participation in the BlogHer Book Club, but I
choose which books to read and my reviews are strictly my own
opinions. If I think a book is terrible, I’ll say so. If I rave about
a book, it’s because it’s one I’d give to Kayla or my mom.
I am paid for my participation in the BlogHer Book Club, but I
choose which books to read and my reviews are strictly my own
opinions. If I think a book is terrible, I’ll say so. If I rave about
a book, it’s because it’s one I’d give to Kayla or my mom.
I love audio re-reads! Kate Simses (I think that's how you spell her last name), was a great Cassia. I thought her voice/interpretation really fit the story.
My favorite audiobooks are anything of Shannon Hale's produced by Full Cast Audio (it's like listening to radio theater). I also love anything Jenna Lamia narrates: The Chosen One (Carol Lynch Williams), The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Mary E. Pearson), The Help, and, to a lesser degree, the Shiver series. (I just didn't love those. The Scorpio Races, I just adored. But I'm an animal lover). And Jim Dale, who did the Harry Potter audiobooks, is just ridiculously amazing.
Ok, done gushing now 🙂
I have just started getting into audio books and I wish that I had started sooner! With you, Rachel Martinez, and my dad all fans, I finally gave it a try and liked it far more than I expected.
I try to limit my audiobooks to books I've already read. I'm not really sure why. But I love first reading and then listening to books, especially since I spend so much time on my bike to and from work and even I can't read while biking. Listening to a good book makes that time go so much faster.
One of my favorite audios this year was Catch me if you Can by Frank Abagnale. I saw the movie a couple of years ago and thought it was just ok. But the audio version was great. Loved the reader.
I see that you have read the Bloody Jack series too. I'm listening to the 5th book right now. The reader is great for these books. But I'm a sucker for accents.
The audio version of The Help is so SO amazing!
I listened to The Screwtape Letters read (performed!) by John Cleese, and it was a totally different experience. I think he won a Grammy for it (or a British equivalent). I heartily recommend it.
I did this with Night Circus. I read it in February and then it was our book club selection in April. The book was fantastic the first time, but I just LOVED the audio book too. So often when I'm reading a book I love, I fly through it. The audio book forces me to slow down and savor it a little more. Night Circus was delightful in both mediums.
I just tried my first audiobook a few weeks ago. Now I'm currently on my third, yet first one that I hadn't read the paperback version first. I actually figured that listening to one that I'd read before might be the easiest way to figure out if I'd like listening to books or not. I love it! It makes my drive to and from work so so much nicer and faster. The only problem I have now is, I constantly want to drive as that's my only time to listen! Terrible dilemma isn't it? 🙂
I did the same thing…read Matched first, read Crossed, then I listened to Matched. I loved it just as much the second time! I'm addicted to audiobooks. They make housework and carpool bearable 🙂
Sarah's YA Blog: Crossed Giveaway
I really enjoy audio books while I'm running. It makes the run more bearable, although I do go faster when I listen to upbeat music. I LOVE the Jim Dale version of the Harry Potter series. I listened to Paper Towns this summer and the narrator TOTALLY annoyed me and I ended up not liking the book although I've loved all the other John Green books.
I love love love audiobooks. Well, I love paper versions more, but I just don't have the time anymore to sit down and read anymore, so I use the hour commute to and from work to listen to books. Sometimes they take WAY longer to listen to than to read, and sometimes the narrator is just terrible (I've had to give up listening to two books because I could not stand the narration), but overall I love them.
I haven't really listened to any books that I've previously read except for the Harry Potter series (LOVE the Jim Dale narration), because if I have the time, I want to read/listen to as many new books as possible! Sometimes though I'll like to listen to books I read in my childhood just for old times sake.
I've never read Matched, but I just put it on hold at my library 🙂
I listened to The Red Tent by Anita Diamont in one day while cleaning the house. I had last read it in high school, but this time I was pregnant & didn't otherwise have time to read it for a book group. Part of it was the vastly different perspective from the verge of motherhood (vs as a hs student), but I found myself moved to tears a few times, which rarely happens to me while reading. I think listening vs reading also helped me to let the emotions flow over me more.
My email is peacelovemath @ gmail 🙂
I listened to The Red Tent by Anita Diamont in one day while cleaning the house. I had last read it in high school, but this time I was pregnant & didn't otherwise have time to read it for a book group. Part of it was the vastly different perspective from the verge of motherhood (vs as a hs student), but I found myself moved to tears a few times, which rarely happens to me while reading. I think listening vs reading also helped me to let the emotions flow over me more.