Planetarion Forums

Obliterate · 26 Jan 2005, 19:40

I'm going to be driving up to Cumbria in a couple of weeks, a journey which will take me around 5 hours. I thought it would be a good idea to download an audiobook, put it on my iPod and listen to it on the way - to pass the time maybe. I've been browsing the audiobooks on the iTunes music store and I found one by Michael Crichton which I reckon could be quite good (as I enjoyed one of his other books). The narrator is American (and slightly annoying) but I think I can live with that.

The thing I was wondering is whether I should get the abridged or unabridged version. How much do they usually cut out of an "abridged" book? I'm tempted to go for the unabridged version, seeing as it costs only £12.95 (compared to £21.95 for the unabrigded).

Has anyone ever bought audiobooks before? If so what do you think?

MrL_JaKiri · 26 Jan 2005, 19:42

They generally cut out a fair amount.

Nodrog · 26 Jan 2005, 19:43

If you have money, consider checking out The Teaching Company.

http://www.teach12.com/

roadrunner_0 · 26 Jan 2005, 19:44

get the unabridged

i work in a library and we carry a large stock of audiobooks

unabridged for a normal hardback, around 9 cassettes (yes we still have tapes fs)
abridged edition of the same hardback generally 2 tapes

they really do butcher the books

Obliterate · 26 Jan 2005, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadrunner_0

get the unabridged

i work in a library and we carry a large stock of audiobooks

unabridged for a normal hardback, around 9 cassettes (yes we still have tapes fs)
abridged edition of the same hardback generally 2 tapes

they really do butcher the books

Thanks. I've just seen that the unabridged version lasts around 18 hours, compared to just 7 hours for the abridged. I guess they really do cut out a lot :-/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodrog

If you have money, consider checking out The Teaching Company.

http://www.teach12.com/

I had considered buying some educational tapes or something. Although some of their courses do look interesting, unfortunately I don't really have enough money to spend on them atm. Maybe one day though!

JC · 26 Jan 2005, 20:38

Where are you going in the Lake District mate?

Marilyn Manson · 26 Jan 2005, 20:45

If you come into Cumbria, then we'll intercept you.

Vaio · 26 Jan 2005, 20:47

If you come to cumbria, bring a tumble dryer. Our insurance company are being tossers atm

~Vaio~

Weeks · 26 Jan 2005, 20:55

I use book2ipod for transfering text files to my ipod. I read 'Odd Thomas' that way. But if your driving it's out of the question.

If you're interesting in learning a new language I recommend the audiotapes by Michel Thomas. He's done German (as he's German), French, Italian, Spanish and probably others. He concentrates on getting the grammar in your head in a really unique way, which is a pleasure to learn. But you really need to pause every so oftern during the mp3 to think about your answer.

Other than that try http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/books/ .
There was an other company who did audiobooks for ipods, but i forget the name now.

Tomkat · 26 Jan 2005, 21:15

Why don't you just get some audio tapes or CDs out of the library, copy them, and return them?

(is that illegal?)

Marilyn Manson · 26 Jan 2005, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomkat

(is that illegal?)

Exclusive:

Pope says he is "Personally in favour of Catholicism" - growing calls for resignation, page 2.

Bush 'may not be world's most eloquent orator' - page 7.

Special report - Bears defecating in wooded areas - is it becoming an environmental concern? - see page 36.

Obliterate · 27 Jan 2005, 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Where are you going in the Lake District mate?

I'm going to see a friend in Appleby. Vaio might have heard of it I guess - it's on the Leeds - Carlisle train line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marilyn Manson

If you come into Cumbria, then we'll intercept you.

I've been there before without getting "intercepted" (although the A66 is a horrible road when it's windy), but I suspect that's not the sort of thing you meant :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weeks

I use book2ipod for transfering text files to my ipod. I read 'Odd Thomas' that way. But if your driving it's out of the question.

If you're interesting in learning a new language I recommend the audiotapes by Michel Thomas. He's done German (as he's German), French, Italian, Spanish and probably others. He concentrates on getting the grammar in your head in a really unique way, which is a pleasure to learn. But you really need to pause every so oftern during the mp3 to think about your answer.

Other than that try http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/books/ .
There was an other company who did audiobooks for ipods, but i forget the name now.

I'm already learning french and german at A-Level so I don't really need a new language for now - I've always been intruiged as to whether those language tapes actually help though. Thanks for the link - i've been browsing the audiobooks using iTunes, unfortunately it's really just a long list of authors so browsing isn't easy - I've been tending to search for books on amazon then see if they've been converted to audiobook instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomkat

Why don't you just get some audio tapes or CDs out of the library, copy them, and return them?

I could do that I suppose, I hadn't considered that before - and would save me £12 - I doubt they'd have the book I want in the library yet though as it was only published this year. I'm not sure if it's illegal or not, although I'm really not too bothered if it is :P

Marilyn Manson · 27 Jan 2005, 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obliterate

I've been there before without getting "intercepted" (although the A66 is a horrible road when it's windy), but I suspect that's not the sort of thing you meant :/

Well, we didn't know you were coming then. Now we can close the roads and ask people to report anyone acting southern.