Hello Dear Reader,
I’m so glad you’re here! 🙂
Happy June! This is by far my most favorite month of the year (July coming in hot for second – hehe, pun intended). And that’s not even because of the weather! I could sit in the snow, so long as the sun is out and shining for more than what feels like an hour per day. The sun and I are best friends.
Now, I could have a nice long opening paragraph, telling you everything new that’s been going on with me, but let’s be real — you’re waiting for the good stuff. And by the good stuff, I mean my guide to finding and using audiobooks.
Kidding! While that is a bucket of helpful information, I know you also might be eyeing a bucket of giveaway gifts. I won’t keep you here much longer, but first…
KNEE SLAPPER THURSDAY
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 NASB1995
SERVINA
I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic lately, so here’s a picture of baby Servina.
This was the day we first found her!
THE GUIDE TO AUDIOBOOKS
Some people like to feel the page between their fingers while they read. Others would rather sit and imagine the fictional world as someone else reads the story to them. But at one time or another we’ve all had a chance to enter the world of fantasy (or real life) through audiobooks. Whether it’s while you’re cleaning, driving, or just sitting on the sofa, we’ve all been there!
But, doing that can get expensive. Or you may not be able to find the particular book you want as an audiobook.
Well, I’m here to tell you just how easy (and even affordable) it actually can be! In other words, you can have your cake and eat it too 😉
Spotify
This might come as a surprise, but on top of being a music distributor, Spotify also has over 200,000 audiobooks available to their premium members!
Personally, this one is my favorite — mostly because it’s something that I already have, and the audiobooks are an added bonus! How Spotify beats out other audiobook competitors is that they don’t only have books that are public domain. Many of their books range from classics to ones that just hit the shelves!
I listened to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy on here and I loved it. I had the option of choosing between the two narration versions, one with Rob Inglis and the other Andy Serkis, the voice of Gollum. Personally, I chose the former, but Serkis’s version was also very cool as he does multiple voices for the characters! Gollum in general kind of freaks me out, so I didn’t really want to hear his voice ringing through my ears in the audiobook hehe.
Now, depending on how many books you plan on listening to, there is a downside to Spotify. They do have a limited number of hours that are included in their audiobook portion per month which is 15 hours. If you don’t use it one month, it also unfortunately doesn’t carry into the next. But if you’re more of a minimal listener, this is a great option.
Audible
Audible is the Queen Bee of audiobooks.
It has over a million audiobooks that you can listen to with Audible Plus. On top of that, you can also receive credits each month that can go towards purchasing an audiobook. And if you ever cancel your subscription, you don’t lose the ones that you’ve purchased.
They have multiple types of subscriptions, so you can pick one that fits your budget. Audible normally has a 30-day free trial that you can do, but if you’re a Prime member, they have an exclusive offer where you get 3 months free! In my experience, if you ever want to cancel your subscription, it’s very hassle free.
A bonus that they have is that you can also listen to podcasts. Additionally, they have something called “Audible Originals” which is content that is exclusively available on Audible.
Hoopla & Libby
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, then here comes Hoopla or Libby!
Both of these platforms work together with libraries across the country to give you free access to different audiobooks. All you need is a library card from your local library and if they’re affiliated, then presto, audiobooks galore!
Personally, I have used Hoopla because I get my desired audiobook instantly, but Libby does have a wider selection, so it all comes down to what you’re looking for. A bonus with Hoopla is that they don’t just stop at audiobooks; they have movies, music, and ebooks as well.
YouTube
When in doubt, YouTube to the rescue!
I’ve used YouTube a plethora of times when in a pickle. While many of the books on YouTube are ones that are public domain, this is still an easy option if you’re not looking for any book in particular. Many people have their entire channel dedicated to uploading audiobooks. While this might come with YouTube ads, it’s free!
Every once and a while, someone will upload a book that isn’t public domain onto their channel. I don’t necessarily encourage listening to those, but it’s just an fyi that it does occasionally happen.
Honorable Mentions
These are sites that I have not personally used, but many are recommended by fellow readers and listeners:
- Audiobooks.com
- Another site: this also offers free trials.
- Kobo Audiobooks
- Similar to Audible, this provides a more affordable option for subscriptions.
- Libro.fm
- You can purchase audiobooks individually or subscribe to their platform. This specifically helps independent bookstores.
- Google Play Books
- For individual purchase.
- Project Guttenberg
- If it’s a public domain work, then you can get the audiobook for free here.
- Chirp
- Provides a way to listen without a membership and has deals on audiobooks.
BOOK REVIEW
“ROSS POLDARK”
This month’s book is “Ross Poldark” by Winston Graham.
My Overall Opinion:
It’s no secret that I love all things history. But give me post-Revolutionary War England and it’s a match made in heaven. Throw some twist and turns and a strong lead and that’s the icing on the cake! While I have seen a television adaption of this book before, I can safely say that this book is an equal (which is both a compliment to the film and the book). Between Ross, Demelza, Elizabeth, Verity, and a host of other characters, I found myself never wanted to take my nose out of the book! If you haven’t made it to this book yet in our reading challenge, then I cannot insist enough how you better hurry up, if only to get to this one. Without giving any spoilers, let me just say I loved Ross’s attitude once he came home and realized just how much things have changed and how he did the rest of his life his own way, not caring about what society or others might think about him.
My Favorite Character:
While Ross Poldark may be the main character, the true star of the story — at least, for me — was Aunt Agatha! She’s so unpredictable and out of pocket that it just made me want her to be in every scene!
Things I Didn’t Like / Would Change:
The writing was a little slow paced, but I didn’t mind it all that much since the content itself was so rich with detail and history.
Ranking:
5/5 — I loved it. I think Graham did a great job with the story telling. So good in fact that even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still surprised and enjoyed the twists he took us on.
Other Comments:
I’ll admit, how I initially found this book was through the television adaption, “Poldark,” produced by BBC. The 2015 version that is. BBC also has a 1975 version that I have yet to see, but if it’s as phenomenal as the 2015 version, then I wouldn’t mind watching it at all. There is also a 1996 film version as well, but I haven’t done much research on it, other than Ioan Gruffudd and Kelly Reilly (aka Mr. Bingley’s sister) play in it. As for the 2015 BBC version, I can honestly say I quite enjoyed it — it was like a more intense “Pride & Prejudice.”
AND THE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS…
First, I’d like to say a big thank you to all who participated in the giveaway! Without your support, this would have been able to happen and grow bigger each year. If I could give it to all of you, I would!
But in true American spirit, a little competition is good for the soul hehe.
Drum roll, please…
Congratulations, Marie!
You’ll be receiving an email from me shortly.
COMING NEXT MONTH
Let’s get some summer baking done!
See You Next Month!
