What if Audio Books were more like Radio Shows?

[Platinum Dragon]

Having listened to several audio books, I have discovered that they are best reserved for the car. I don't find them as exciting as reading the book itself.

What if audio books were done more like the radio shows of the past? What story would you like to hear?

I would like to hear the original Dragonlance Chronicles done in a radio format. I think the radio show format would add an extra dimension to the aural experience as well as possibly add a touch of realism to the story.

What do you think?

[Jenny Scott]

Platinum Dragon wrote:

Having listened to several audio books, I have discovered that they are best reserved for the car. I don't find them as exciting as reading the book itself.

What if audio books were done more like the radio shows of the past?

I think that would be really cool, especially if they were broken into installments, like old radio, so that each day on your drive to work, say, you'd listen to the newest exciting episode of the story. It'd be a fun way to keep the suspense going!

(Incidentally, the only time not-in-the-car time I've ever enjoyed an audiobook was a couple years back when I listened to Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway (how un-SF, un-fantasy can you get?). I used to go for a walk every day back then, and every day I'd listen to the book as I walked—which was awesome because most of the novel is the titular characater's thoughts as she walks around London, shopping for a party. It made it easy to imagine being the character.)

But the car is definitely my preferred audiobook listening location.

Jenny

[Jeff Berkwits]

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge fan of radio and books-on-tape (or CD), and many of the full-cast audio books (performed by a cast of actors, rather than just one individual reading) have a wonderful old-time radio (OTR) feel.

There also is a great set of OTR CDs, issued a few years ago by Radio Spirits, called "The 60 Greatest Old-Time Radio Shows From Science Fiction Selected By Ray Bradbury" (how's that for a mouthful of a title?). Among those programs are dozens of famous SF short stories. I found myself listening to that while walking, driving, and just laying in bed imagining I was enjoying a circa 1940s/1950s radio broadcast.

Also, don't forget the Twilight Zone Radio Shows which we covered in issue 603 of Amazing Stories. Those are out on CD, too, and really do a nice job mimicking, while at the same time building upon, that OTR feel.

[Byron Grimes]

Neil Gaiman's "Two Plays for Voices" is astounding, as are his Warning: Contains Language, and the Neil Gaiman Audio Collection.
The latter 2 are read by the author, which is a treat, though not audio drama.

Also excellent on the web was scifi.com's seeing ear theater. you can still find it by searching the archives.

[Locke1520]

Byron Grimes wrote:

Neil Gaiman's "Two Plays for Voices" is astounding, as are his Warning: Contains Language, and the Neil Gaiman Audio Collection.

Two Plays is an awesome pair of stroies brilliantly done and superbly cast.

While not "radio show format" Audio Rennesance (I think)did several full cast sci-fi and fantasy audio books that are excellent. The unabridged Ender's Game and the subsequent series by Orson Scott Card are great recordings and I love my copy of Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett.

[farewell2kings]

I have "The Hobbit" on CD...read in a radio show dramatic format back in the 70's in the U.K. Even though it's abridged, it's a nice listen, especially while trapped on I-20 between Sweetwater and Abilene.

So, yes...I would support such an idea--the Dragonlance books would rock!

Harry Turtledove's "In the Balance" series of books would also be very cool in such a format.

[Peter Fuesz]

Thanks for the input. Are there any more recommendations? I am looking to pick up an audio book for my daily commute and am looking for some good candidates. Mainly Sci-fi or fantasy.