To Audio.. or Not to Audio.....

I consider myself a old fashioned girl... with that being said, let me go ahead and contradict myself... I purchased an audio book.

In starting a new commute, I was forced to take a busy, noisy train in and out of work daily. I attempted to read my book several times in the first couple days, when I realized it was way to difficult to read. I am not the kind of person who can just read the words on a page, I need to experience the words and all the emotions that come with them. And with the noise that came from the train, I decided it was time to try something a bit different, enter iTunes Audiobooks.

For my first shot at it, I wanted to get something light and easy to follow, so I opted for Nights In Rodanthe by Nicolas Sparks (see below for full review!). And it truly was the perfect type of book for my virgin reading ears. It was easy to follow, and light enough for me to just sit back and enjoy without having to put too much thought into it.

My first and most important suggestion for purchasing an Audiobook- is to make Sure you preview the audiobook first. You have to be able to find the reader's voice enjoyable, if not you'll find it quite difficult to really get into.

One thing that I really disliked about the audio book is that the reader would often use different voices for various characters within the novel. Being as she was a female, when she read the male voices (all in an "acted" Southern accent) I found myself concentrating more on how bad the accent was then to what was being said in the book. This was a Major drawback for my enjoyment of the book

The one thing that has plagued me since I began listening to this audio"book" is- can it really be considered a BOOK if it is being read TO you. I know, its a book written by an author. But by listening to someone read it out loud to you- does that then make it just a story?

Would I do it again? The answer to this is yes. But taking all of the precautions of "viewing" it before buying it to ensure I like the readers voice. And would really only do it if I was traveling somewhere, where focusing on a book may be difficult.

Books have been written since the dawn of time, and I am a firm believer that Nothing could ever replace the feeling of opening up a new book, the smell of the freshly printed paper, the intensity when at 2 am you think yourself.. "Okay just one more chapter". Those feelings, and attachments can only come from a real book.

So verdict on the audiobook... times are a changin', I can't always be Old Fashioned... and neither can you, so my book loving followers- give it a try... but I guarantee you... if you are as die hard as I am.... it will be a Try- not a life long change :)

Nights In Rodanthe

For this book I stepped slightly out of my comfort zone and attempted an audiobook. I know, I know I have ranted and raved about new technology and books, but when I changed up my commute to the train and realized how noisy it is, I thought- what the hell?

This particular blog post will be solely to review the "book" I will discuss my thoughts on the audiobook experience in another spot.

Nights in Rodanthe by Nicolas Sparks, sings the same tune as most of his novels. A strong love story of two individuals, ripped apart by the reality of life. Sparks does a remarkable job in almost all of his novels at writing and re-writing different versions of the original love story of Romeo and Juliet. Nights in Rodanthe is no different. Adrianne, a devoted and loving, divorced mother of three, who loses her self identity in her divorce, falls unexpectedly and deeply in love with the man a she has a chance encounter with over a weekend watching her friends inn.

Sparks does wonderful job through descriptions of setting the scene to really make you feel the emotions of the moment. The way he describes the impending storm, the wind in their hair, the cool breeze on their face, and the electric emotions between them makes you feel connected with the characters.

This marks my 3rd Sparks novel I have reviewed and read within the past few months (I guess I've been feelin' a little sappy, romantic lately..) His novels are a pure joy to read light and fun- with great emotions and really never disappointing. The man is nothing else but consistant in his work!

I would absolutely pick Nights In Rodanthe up, if you are looking for something to pass the warm summer nights with a cool glass of wine and want to be taken away to a romantic story of love and loss.

The Last Song

forgive me book geeks, for i have sinned... it has been 2 weeks since my last confession.

i just finished the book "The Last Song" by Nicolas Sparks. and a Nicolas Sparks book it absolutely is. if you have ever read a book by Sparks you'll know to expect a deep, intense love story between two young people that happens over a summer. to me this book felt slightly young for my reading palate. i can see how the role was perfect for an actress like Miley Cyrus, Ronnie- an adolescent delinquent turned model child who falls in love with the "boy next door" over a summer at her fathers beach house.

Sparks doesn't disappoint for a good tear-jerking, heart- wrenching romance that has all the twists and turns of a true to life first time romance. at various points in the novel- i found myself thinking back to my first love- the ease of summer romance, free of adult pressure and over powering, blissful, naive- love.

again, this is just easy reading. the story is very surface- there really isn't much depth to it. i found it extremely predictable in the first couple chapters it was easy to summize how the story would end, but i did enjoy the lightness of this book. and the tear-jerking ending proved that this book certainly wasn't without emotion.

a terrific light summer reader. i would not suggest reading it after seeing the movie- the literature isn't deep enough to capture you after you know how it is all going to end.

please leave you own comments or pose any questions you have regarding The Last Song- i'd love to see what you thought of the book.