Audiobook Deja Vu

March 12, 2012

A reader can make or break an audiobook for me. I found this out the hard way a long time ago, so I keep a list of bad readers. This means that I have a list of books to actually read myself because the voices on the audiobook nearly ruined the books.

I recently had my first "Twilight Zone" audio moment where the reader threw me for a loop. I started listening to Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones, read by Lorelei King. As I try to follow along with Charley and her crazy, kooky life as a P.I. and grim reaper, Stephanie Plum keeps getting in the way. Every time someone says "Charley" I ask myself, "Who?" Then I realize, "Oh, oh yeah Charley. Not Stephanie." Why does this keep happening? Why am I having so much trouble with this? Second Grave on the Left is humorous, but I wouldn’t call it Evanovichian. So what’s going on here?! Finally, I figured it out. It’s the reader!! Lorelei King also reads the Plum series from 9 through 18. King’s voice is the same for Stephanie and Charley, and it’s twisting my brain. So, I keep confusing the characters!

Over the last three years, I have listened to 150-170 audiobooks, and this is the first time the reader has confused my brain. I’m having a character identity crisis. I’m not sure how to finish the book without Stephanie Plum popping up at every turn…especially when she’s not even a character in the book!

While I loathe some voices, I also keep track of my favorite readers such as Scott Brick and Barbara Rosenblat. Did you know you can search the library’s catalog for audiobooks by reader’s names? Yes, if you enjoy a particular story, take note of the reader’s name and you can find other books they’ve recorded. For example, typing in Scott Brick for the author name will bring up 411 hits in the catalog. Barbara Rosenblat brings up 237 hits. Go ahead. Try it. It’s a great way to find new titles that you may not have listened to yet. For you curious types, The Chase by Clive Cussler is my favorite Scott Brick audio and A Superior Death by Nevada Barr is my favorite Rosenblat audio.

Michelle L.
Blue Ridge Branch