A to Z Challenge: B is for Bibliophile
Bibliophile (noun): anyone who loves books or is a collector of books
I am a true bibliophile, loving books in all their many forms. Words are powerful. They can make a person feel all facets of emotion just by reading them on the page.
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
I have been a reader far longer than I have been a writer, but I believe all desires to write, start with the desire to read.
Reading has been both a solitary enjoyment and one that I enjoy sharing with others as well. At a young age, and even into my pre-teens, I loved being read to. My mom and I would read books to each other, Harry Potter being one of our favorites to share. This love of being read to has translated into my love of audiobooks in more recent years.
When I used to live in Santa Rosa and would commute a couple of hours up there for the weekends (working in the Bay Area during the week), I would get lots of books read by listening to them. The only problem I sometimes have with audiobooks, is if the voice actor reading them isn’t quite right for the story. When this happens, I just can’t listen to it, even if the book itself is amazing.
Have other audiobook listeners experienced this?
No matter how I am reading a book, be it by holding it in my hands, scrolling pages with a swipe of my finger, or listening to the words spoken aloud, one thing has always remained the same: a good book can be enjoyed for a lifetime. My favorite books, I keep, and read over and over again. I never tire of delving back into the worlds created by talented authors.
Stories take us places worth staying; places waiting to be visited again and again.
26 Comments
Ros
One of my favourite words 🙂 I’ve really taken to audiobooks lately – I can “read” them while driving to work or while stitching in the evenings. I know what you mean about the voice though – if it doesn’t suit the character/story or isn’t an easy voice to listen to, it ruins the whole book
JHWinter
I wish this weren’t the case, because I have the easiest time getting audiobooks read rather than book-books at this point. There are books I really want to read, but I just can’t get into them because of the voice of whoever is reading. When that is the case, the book gets added to my pile of TBR-in-book-form books, and that pile will be taking me a lot longer to get to. Oh well, that just frees up space for a different book to come forward and shine!
Francis H Powell
Nice article, it’s true you can’t beat reading…My three year old son loves being read to…long may it continue…
Francis H Powell
It is true you can’t beat reading, my three year old son loves being read to…long may it continue
JHWinter
I’ve always felt that way. I find it sad when people don’t like to read. There are so many new worlds to explore on the pages of books. Even if you like non-fiction books, the knowledge of others is also captured on the pages for the readers to learn from. Why not pick up a book? My 2 1/2 year old son loves to be read to at this point, and I will do nothing to stunt that love of books.
Bhawna Saini
“Stories take us places worth staying.” How beautifully have you put it. About audiobooks, I found this review as part of A to ZZ challenge – http://blog.fatema.in/2016/04/audio-books-audible-atozchallenge/, have a look.
P.S. You have been bookmarked and followed on Twitter. Any other social media channels I should know about?
Yellow Mellow Life
JHWinter
I still need to get Audible! It sounds like a great way to get audiobooks. You can find me on:
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads
YouTube – Ink & Stitches Channel
I look forward to keeping in contact! I love your blog as well 🙂
Elizabeth Hein
I frequently listen to audiobooks. I hear what you are saying about the voice sometimes ruining the experience. It can go the other way as well. Liane Moriarty’s books are even better when listened to because the voice actress is fabulous. A good audiobook can make a long drive a pleasant experience.
JHWinter
I completely agree! I listened to The Hobbit, and the gentleman who voiced it actually sang the dwarf songs! Amazing! Jim Dale’s various voices he did for each of the Harry Potter characters never faltered (I don’t know how they stay so consistent throughout series), and he truly brought the characters to life for me. My mom reads the Liane Moriarty books. I’ll have to check out the audiobooks for those! Thank you for the recommendation 🙂
Nicola
Reading and writing go hand in hand. I am addicted to both 🙂 Even though I may not write new words each day, I cannot go a day without reading. I just love falling into a story. I’ve not experienced audiobooks. Not sure why not. Just haven’t. This was a great post. Thank you for sharing.
JHWinter
I’m so glad you liked it! I went through a period of time where I didn’t understand the draw to audiobooks, but then I grabbed my first one from the library to listen to in the car, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It is the best way to get your books in if you need to work on other things at the same time, like arts and crafts. Definitely check one out if you get a chance!
Jean M Cogdell
I can’t remember not having a book to read. As a child, the library was my refuge. When I had children, I introduced them the wonders of the local library and again repeated the ritual with my grandchildren. As a result, there are now 3 generations of voracious readers and that makes me smile.
JHWinter
I work at a library and every time my son brings me a book to read him, I’m filled with the knowledge that he has unending worlds to explore if he keeps up his love of books. It’s good to know that you are keeping the generations going to the library. So many people forget what a great resource libraries can be!
Randi
Harry Potter is always a great first read, isn’t it?!
Honestly, I’ve never been one to listen to audio books, so I had never even thought twice about what it would be like to listen to a character speak in a way different than I had expected. Definitely some food for thought.
Randi with an i
JHWinter
I love audiobooks and it seems, they are all I have time for lately. I have to get my reading in somehow, and the option they provide fits the bill perfectly 🙂
Jackie
I feel the same way about reading, even though at this period in my life (raising little kids) it can be hard to find the time! I always appreciate your book recommendations though, I have found some great stories through you!
JHWinter
I will keep those recommendations coming! Don’t forget to check out my Goodreads if you want to see my latest reviews as well!
You should definitely try out audiobooks, if you are working on something that can be done while listening to a book 🙂
Freya
I love reading too and it’s so nice to meet another bibliophile. Someone who loves words just like I do. I’m told often that I should write a book but for now I’m content to read. 🙂
BTW what service do you use for audio books? I’ve recently started out with audio books (they seem perfect for when I’m walking, running and crafting) and know just what you mean about the voice actor. I gave up a few years ago, when I tried audio books and thinking back it was most probably the voice.
@freya3377 from Life as Freya
JHWinter
I work for the library, so I have audiobooks always at my fingertips. They are an excellent resource, and the best part is, they’re free to check out! Audible is another source many use, however, you have to pay for each book I believe. It’s much cheaper there though than buying them from the store.
Prof. Narayana Rao
Yes. Too many books around me. Less time to put them in order in both office and house. Today I spent some time to bring some order.
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Good to visit your site as a part of my A to Z visits. My theme Blog Promotion
Getting Traffic to Blog – Essential Activity of Bloggers Along with Writing.
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@knoltweet
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JHWinter
Some people even color code their books! I have no real organization to mine, aside from perhaps their size. Smaller books go on the top shelf and the bigger ones toward the bottom. Thank you for stopping by!
Aria
I’d say it’s impossible to be a *good* writer without also being a bibliophile, by the first part of the definition. The second part seems useless—anyone can collect books without reading them.
Lori
I began listening to audio books via my ex-husband. He was legally blind and this was how he was able to still enjoy books. Since then, I still find myself listening to a book now and again. Not as often as I’d like though. Some readers can be annoying though.
Have a great weekend!
Lori
My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
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JHWinter
The reader will make or break the book for me. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in feeling that way. Audiobooks give so many more people the opportunity to read, that would otherwise have difficulties reading on their own. They really are a great option 🙂
Stefani
One of my favorites memories was hanging out at the library and leaving with so many books that I could barely hold them all. I would read them all during the week and then go back for more. It was a weekly ritual that my Mom did with my brother and me.
Sadly, I can’t do that anymore. In fact, the majority of my books end up being put in a giant “To Read” pile for when I finally have some time.
I have never listened to audiobooks.
Stefani | Dreams of Nyssa
JHWinter
You really should try audiobooks, if there are parts of your work where you could also listen to something else like that. If you have to drive long distances, they are great as well! If you need to be focused on what you are doing with no distraction, then they won’t work well for you. Audiobooks have been the only way I have been able to get any reading in at the moment, and as I said in my B post, I love books! It feels wrong when I have no books going.