Shelf Awareness would like to introduce Beth Henkes, our new audiobooks maven. She began her bookselling career in 1994 at Shakespeare & Co. in New York City, migrated to Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Ohio, and completed her westward trek with stints at both Third Place Books and University Book Store in Seattle, Wash. A fierce advocate of independent bookstores, she also has a passion for audiobooks. Here is the first of a new quarterly column about audiobooks and the audio business.
I'm a reader. I love books: the weight of them in your hands; the sound of the pages as they are turned; the smell of the ink, no matter how long it's been there. So I suppose it's surprising that, quite by accident, I also got attached to audiobooks.
It all began when I was assigned the audiobook section at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati. I had just moved from New York City, where I was pursuing a career in the theater, and it was thrilling to find such an amazing bookstore so far away from the publishing Mecca. As I began to explore the section, I realized that so many of the actors I had come to love as clients and performers were also doing a booming business as readers of audiobooks. My worlds had collided.
Twelve years, a move west and two bookstores later, I find that I'm still immersed in audio. I've been fortunate to judge the Audie Awards for nine years, in nine categories. As a reviewer, I am repeatedly introduced to titles I might not have picked up on my own, expanding my knowledge of readers just as I discover new writers.
How is it that I, the one who loves the physical book so much, have continued listening all these years? I doubt there's one simple answer to this question, but I suspect it has a couple of components: publishers have committed to the quality of their productions, and our busy society is discovering the treasures that audiobooks hold. The latter, of course, creates more demand for the former.
First, let's address the publishers. It's tempting to play favorites, but I'll speak in generalities for now. Since that first day in Cincinnati when I made the connection between performers and their voices, I've noticed that publishers have become more attentive as well. More actors have discovered this angle of the business, resulting in a larger talent pool. Production values have gone up as well, and depending on the publisher, some audios are as good as any film or stage show--just without the visuals.
Then there's our busy society. We're in the car, on the train, riding the bus, at the gym, walking the dog: all opportunities for audiobook listening. At first, it's tough to get around to downloading a title to the MP3 player or putting that CD in the car, but once you do, it starts to become habit. Like me, you'll probably find yourself walking that extra block or sitting in a parking space a few extra minutes just to get to the end of the chapter.
Finding your favorite title on audio has become easier than it used to be. Although retail sales continue to be tough for some bookstores, libraries jumped on the audiobook bandwagon a long time ago and continue to stay current. Andrew Medlar, youth materials specialist and Chicago Public Library's "Librarian of the Year," tells me that the Chicago library has offered downloadable audiobooks to patrons through OverDrive since March 2006 and, "as demand and circulation continues to be enthusiastically strong, we add new titles for kids, teens and adults on a regular basis." The library's purchasing budget is not compromised by its download offerings, so they also have plenty of CD titles on hand. You may have missed the recent news about Borders partnering with OverDrive to offer downloadable titles to their customers; most indie stores haven't had cause or desire to involve themselves to this level, but we'll all be watching the Borders/OverDrive partnership closely.
The consumer base for audiobooks has changed a bit during the last decade. Although audio continues to be an excellent choice for the visually impaired or for those who might have difficulty holding a physical book, the spoken word is making its way into mainstream society. This, of course, will bring about more changes in audio production, so I suggest you start sampling now to get the best perspective on your options (multi-voice productions, "vanilla" productions, abridged vs. unabridged, etc.).
What have I learned about audio since my early bookselling days? I no longer just appreciate unabridged productions; I prefer them. Sure, they're often time intensive, but now I don't wonder what might have been left out of the abridged production. While I have my preferences as far as publishers go, I've often been surprised by the stellar production quality of some smaller audiobook houses. Sometimes I'm more apt to try a book out on audio instead of reading it; perhaps I like the reader or I simply don't have the time to sit down with a great book. I confess that I'm not always one to read the hottest bestseller on the list, at least not until the hype settles down, so occasionally I'll pick up the title on audio if I feel the need to be in the know. I've even reached the point where I no longer read new books by certain authors--I prefer to listen to them read their own work (David Sedaris, Bill Bryson).
When I first began listening to audio, I felt I was betraying the power of the written word. I've gotten over that feeling now and am proud to say that I am both a listener and a reader. Anyone can be a listener, and audio has the power to turn busy non-readers into literary addicts. Exposing kids and adults to books is a goal we all share, and I hope everyone can embrace the world of audio in order to further our goal.
For those of you who may have already discovered audiobooks for yourselves, congratulations! I'd love to hear about your favorite readers and titles. Also, let me know how you use audio in your stores, libraries and community programs. As for all you audio publishers out there, keep the quality coming!--Beth Henkes
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Audiobook Review: The Lace Reader
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry, read by Alyssa Bresnahan (Harper Audio, $39.95, unabridged on 10 CDs, 9780061661556/0061661554, July 29, 2008).
Brunonia Barry's prose, combined with the production quality of the audio, perfectly evokes the feel of Salem, Mass., during the 1990s. It's obvious that first-time novelist Barry knows the area, and her talent for showcasing the unusual vibe of this incredible place is considerable; everything the characters encounter, from witchcraft reenactments to the physical description of the town, is dead on.
The story opens as Towner Whitney returns to Salem upon the news that her elderly, beloved Aunt Eva, a "reader" of lace (a sort of fortune teller), has gone missing. What follows is a riveting story that mingles Towner's family secrets with the undertone of the witchcraft trials, the strength of women and the discovery of one's true path in life. Most of the plot takes place in the present, but Towner is still haunted by the death of her twin sister; the psychology of twins and the special bond they share drives the story, occasionally giving way to the past. There are also constant hints of the future, as each chapter begins with words from Eva, who has written her own "how to" book: The Lace Reader's Guide.
Reader Alyssa Bresnahan is a young actress with an impressive audiobook resume; she's one of a select number of AudioFile Magazine's "Golden Voices," and it's clear why she's earned that honor. The production embellishments are minimal, but Bresnahan's mesmerizing voice instantly places the listener in the world of Towner Whitney. In her tone, we hear Towner's dreams and fears, mingled with the memories and confusion that are so much a part of Towner's existence. We come to know Eva as she introduces each chapter with another revelation about the lace, a grounding force in the story. The only shortcoming is that Bresnahan's male characters sound forced on occasion, and all have a similar tone, making it difficult to distinguish their voices. However, most of the characters in this engaging story are female, and this talented actress commits to giving each her own voice. Alyssa Bresnahan holds us hostage with the captivating words of Brunonia Barry, hurling the listener into the shocking twist at the finish and leaving one spellbound, even in the silence that follows.--Beth Henkes