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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Tell Me A Story




I can tell that school is back in session because I'm not reading a novel. I'm reading Newsweek, O, The New Yorker, and the Sunday newspaper. I'm reading small things that float across my desk--mail, advertisements, and bills. I'm reading student work, essays and short stories. I'm gearing up to read novel sections and some editing projects coming my way. I'm also trying to write my new novel, and that takes up "story" time, too.


This is why I love books on CD. During all the hours that I drive, I can "read," or, at least, I can imagine. I can fall into that tribal pattern of listening, that older than reading mode of hearing story. I've been listening to books for years, back in the olden days when they were on tape. I listened to children's books with my children as we drove around town, and I listened to adult stories with them, too.


Once, my youngest son got in the car after school, turned to me and said, "Can we listen to the novel?"


We did, listening on the way home, taking in the story together. We did this often, and he would ask me what he missed. Sometimes, we would rewind and listen to it again, just so we were both on the "same page."


Michael and I now share our CDs, both of us listening to the same stories, talking not only about the plot and characters but the readers of the tales. The readers--their voices, their acting skills--can make a book I would not normally read palatable. Long tomes of history suddenly come alive. Slightly "thin" novels full of mostly plot become interesting and rich, the reader's voice deep and thrilling.

Tell me a story and I'll lay it all down. Tell me a story, and I'll drive anywhere to get to the end.


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My latest novel The Beautiful Being comes out on Wednesday. To anyone wanting a free copy, please write to me by 7 pm today at jbarkinclan@gmail.com and I'll send the first five who write a copy.

8 comments:

Virginia C said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I also enjoy audiobooks. Whether told by the author themselves, or a talented voice artist, audibooks are a treat! gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Love audiobooks too. Preferably romantic comedies but I guess I still have to try historicals or mysteries.
about the giveaway... WOW ;-)

Estella said...

I have not listened to many audio books. I prefer to jhold the bood or ereader in my hands.

Jane said...

I haven't tried audiobooks.

Lil said...

I haven't tried audiobooks but imagine they could be wonderful.

Linda Henderson said...

Sorry to be late, I've been babysitting grandchildren today and just got to the computer a little while ago. I haven't tried audio books yet but I may in the future.

Mary Kirkland said...

I've listened to a couple of audiobooks, but I like to have the book in my hands and read it.

heidi330 said...

Hi Jessica,
We also listen to books on cd's. Its a lot of fun when we plan a trip to Florida or somewhere that we are going to drive, we all get to pick 1 book we want to share on the trip. Everyone has different taste so it makes the trip interesting. We have listened to a lot of books.