Monday, November 27, 2017

Voices on The Road Blog Tour and Giveaway

Who doesn't love audio books? You get to drive, exercise, cook, rake leaves, paint your house, or take a walk at the same time you listen to a book. To help promote the Audio Publisher's Association celebration of audio books, I'm featuring several of my favorites. (If you need more examples, search this blog (top left hand corner under "audio book/s" or "books on CD). At the end of this post is a fantastic giveaway for you to enter!




Saskia Maaleveld narrated Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd (Blackstone Publishing, 2017) which I absolutely adored. Ms. Maaleveld brought this historic Charleston, SC story alive through her beautiful portrayal of both white and African American characters.



Ron Butler narrated Just Around Midnight: Rock and Roll and the Racial Imagination by Jack Hamilton (Harvard University Press, 2016). His melodious voice fit the tenor of this nonfiction book which depicts the links between racial identity and music in the 50's and 60's. 



Emily Wilden narrated Longbow Girl by Linda Davis (Chicken House, 2016) which is another one of my favorites. At first Ms. Wilden's Welsh accent was a little difficult to follow, but I ended up thinking that her accent lent authenticity to a story that takes place in modern and ancient Wales.



Gemma Dawson narrated Fire Color One by Jenny Valentine (Penguin Random House, 2017). Ms. Dawson did an impressive job with male and female voices and British and American accents in this gripping young adult book about a girl struggling with pyromania. 



Multiple narrators performed Restart by Gordon Korman (Scholastic Press, 2017). Each actor did an excellent job personifying their character. As a result, the atmosphere of middle school alliances and conflicts was authentic and realistically portrayed. 




I love to listen to books on car trips. The time passes much quicker when I'm gazing at miles and miles of asphalt highways while my mind is imagining fields of indigo, rock musicians in the 50's,  ancient Wales, or the drama of middle school. My brain is engaged and quite frankly, I have "read" many more books since starting to listen to audio books.  As this article points out, audio books are also great for reluctant readers and audio learners. 

Click on this link for more reviews of audiobooks. As a part of this blog tour, Galaxy Press, Hachette Audio, Harper Audio, High Bridge Audio, Macmillan, Penguin Random House Audio, Post Hypnotic Press, Scholastic, Simon and Schuster Audio, and Tantor Audio have generously donated audio books as giveaways. Leave me a comment by December 1--make sure you leave me your email address--if you win, one of these publishers will select an audio book for you. What a great surprise to receive in the mail!

26 comments:

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Hi Carol. I'm not familiar with any of these books and The Indigo Girl sounds especially interested. Thanks for being a part of this tour.
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Grace Marie said...

It's always great when books are turned into an audio recording as well, especially when they're good quality as these sound like they are.

Carol Baldwin said...

thanks Connie and Gray Marie. I'll start the giveaway list with your names.

Susan T. said...

The Indigo Girl sounds right up my alley! Have you listened to Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi? It's an amazing story and the narration is the absolute best.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks for the recommendation, Susan. I'll check out Homegoing and add your name to the giveaway list.

Linda Phillips said...

You know I love audio books, and am still listening to Indigo Girl. I'd love any of the others but I know I am a recent winner so am not pressing my luck! Putting all of these on my "to read" list though.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Linda. Your name goes in the hat too--although I can't predict what the publisher will send to you!

Joyce Moyer Hostetter said...

Yay! I love audio books too - especially when I have painting projects! Would love to win one and would share it with the grands.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Joyce. YOu're in!

sheri levy said...

These all sound great! I would be happy to win one of these for my driving trips. Thanks for sharing-

Carol Baldwin said...

You're in Sheri. I don't know what title a publisher will pick for the winner--but your name is in the hat!

Clara Gillow Clark said...

Thanks for the book recommendations, Carol. Especially intrigued by INDIGO GIRL. Don’t include me in the drawing. Thanks!

Young Authors Program said...

I LOVE audio books! My yearly book count has gone up tremendously because of them. Would love to see more picture books on audio, too.

Carol Baldwin said...

You're welcome, Clara. Never thought of picture books on audio--great idea, Dorothy!

Helena George said...

I love listening to audio books, and sometimes do so at work (when things aren't too busy). I plan to listen to more in 2018, so perhaps I'll add these to the list. Some of these sound really interesting!

Carol Baldwin said...

I'm not surprised that you are an audio book lover, Julian. I enjoyed all of these. Your name is in the hat!

jmcgaugh said...

I love audio books, and they have definitely increased the number of books I read each year. jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, JMC. I'll add your name to the giveaway list!

Courtney said...

I love audiobooks!!! I'm always looking for new recommendations :)

courtlawrence11 at gmail dot com

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Courtney. You’re in!

Cat Michaels said...

Carol, I read downloadable mp3 audiobooks all the time. My faves feature multiple narrators, so it is like listening to a play....Guernsey Literay Society, Harry Potter, Golden Compass, Lincoln in the Bardo. Thanks for your recommendations -:D

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Cat. You're in!

Galadriel said...

I would love a change to read. veritas6913ATgmailDOTcom

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Galadriel. Your name is in the hat and I will pick a winner later today! Carol

Jan Brent said...

All these books sound great. I love listening to audiobooks when I'm traveling.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Lilly, for your comment. Sorry that you're too late for the giveaway though! Yeah for audiiobooks!

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