Fifty Plus (50+) - OT - Audio Books

Since i am now driving a lot for work, I hate to totally waste the time listening to the radio on those long multi hour drives. Any suggestions of the collective wisdom out there for good audio books? I admit I am partial to self-improvement type stuff, sales management/skills, and motivation topics.

Any and all suggestions most graciously received.

EDIT any cycling podcasts or books would most enthusiastically be investigated

A few I've liked, available from Amazon, audible.com, or at your public library:

The Geography of Bliss (in which a writer goes to what researchers call "The Happiest Places on Earth" to see first-hand if they are truly happy and why).
http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest/dp/1600242588/ref=ed_oe_a

The Lottery (about a mentally handicapped man who wins the lottery--very heartwarming)
http://www.amazon.com/Lottery-Patricia-Wood/dp/014314264X/ref=ed_oe_a

Summer Lightning by PG Wodehouse. An absolute comic masterpiece:
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Lightning-Csa-Word-Classic/dp/1906147086/ref=ed_oe_a

Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates by Tom Robbins, in which you will meet many astonishing characters, including Sailor Boy the Parrot who only knows how to say: "People of Zee Wurl Relax"
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&productID=BK_BANT_000288

EDIT any cycling podcasts or books would most enthusiastically be investigated

I'm a huge fan of (free) podcasts, which I listen to a lot when I travel and/or walk the dogs.

All pretty easy to find (free) on iTunes:

NPR programs:
- This American Life
- Travel with Rick Steves (his weekly public radio call-in show)
- Fresh Air w/Terry Gross

Various BBC podcasts, like "Today", their morning news show

Slate Magazine Daily Podcast (especially the Friday gabfests)

There is a cycling Podcast called the Fredcast....it is OK, but it's very *long*; episodes are generally over an hour.

I'm a huge Formula 1 racing fan and really like the BBC Chequered Flag podcast.


--- I used to "subscribe" to more, but one can quickly accumulate a lot more podcasts than one has time to listen to!

The 3 I will always try to listen to (from above) are the Slate Friday Gabfests, Fresh Air, and Rick Steves Travel.

I listen to mostly fiction and my taste in books is a bit weird. So this may not be what you want, but some of my favorites are:
Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood
The Ender series, Orson Scot Card
Under the Banner of Heaven, John Krakauer
Thirteen Moons, Charles Frazier
Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
The Road, Cormac Mc Carthy
A Thousand Splendid Sons, Khaled Hosseini
Anything by Christopher Moore
The Life of Pi, Yan Martel
The Time Travelers Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
The Memory of Running, Ron McLarty
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood
Any of Tom Robbin's crazy books
Atonement Ian McEwan
A Painted House, John Grisham
Anything by Hemingway
Anything by Vonnegut
Anything by Richard Russo

really enjoyed The Time Travelers Wife, Audrey Niffenegger took a bit to figure out what was going on.

We do quite a bit of camping and at least 2 or 3 of our trips each year involve 5+ hours in the van a few of the days. To prepare, we hit our local library, check out a few books on CD (the librarian can be very helpfull pointing us toward books the entire family would enjoy - they are getting more interesting now that our sons are approaching adulthood), take them home and burn copies (so we don't have to worry about losing/damaging them on trips). We've encountered some very thought-provoking books this way and the price is right.

Give the Harry Potter series a try. I have always found them very entertaining. The narrator, Jim Dale, has a wonderful voice and is superb in his reading of the books. They also allow you to escape a little bit, never a bad thing.

The Public Library was mentioned above, but also, don't forget your library's web site. Ours has downloadable audiobooks (http://overdrive.libraryweb.org/DF46370D-33A3-416F-A073-96358A5D6157/10/327/en/Default.htm). Yours might too.

You'll need a library card, of course. Some let you apply for a library card online. The New York Public Library (http://nypl.org/books/cards.html) is one that does. Of course, you have to be a resident of New York State for that one, or pay the non-resident fee.

I don't recommend Hawkings "The Universe in a Nutshell". I almost ran off the road trying to understand anything he was saying.

I also cast a dissenting vote on Tim Robbins. I think the guy is a jerk, and his use of metaphor gives me a migraine.

I once tried to listen to "Wuthering Heights" on audiobook. Not a good idea.

Audiobook renditions of anything by Jane Austen are fun, I think.

I personally like John Grisham novels, too. Simple-minded, easy-to-follow, entertaining.

For the past 6 years or so I have been listening to Old Time Radio programs during my commute/road trips.There are several ways to get them. You can buy them, usually as small collections at some bookstores, buy them on line, or my favorite- download them using a ptp site. Nearly all are public domain properties so you don't need to be worried that a SWAT team will come bursting in on you at dinner time and take you away to the Fed Supermax prison.
Some of my favs(only 50+ ers will recognize these) are;
Detective;Johnny Dollar
Philip Marlowe
Nero Wolfe
Sherlock Holmes
Sam Spade
Richard Diamond(an obvious rip-off of Sam Spade- but really good!)
Boston Blackie
The Green Hornet
The Shadow
Mystery; CBS Radio Mystery Theater
Box 13
Broadway is My Beat
Dragnet
The Whistler
Nightbeat
Sci Fi; X Minus 1
Alien Worlds
Western; Have Gun Will Travel
Gunsmoke
Six Shooter
Lone Ranger
True Crime;The Black Museum
Calling All Cars
I was a Communist for the FBI
Comedy; Abbot and Costello
Ozzie and Harriet
Jack Benny
Amos and Andy
Honestly, there are so many more that I don't have the time to type them all. They generally run 25 to 30 minutes, although there are some multi episode shows available that are quite good.(Earthsearch comes to mind)
They are perfect for ipods or you can burn 2 or 3 on a CD and give them to people after you listen to them.
Many even have commercials in them - very funny sometimes.
These things are addictive, and remember, you have 30 years or so of stuff to choose from!

Don

I also cast a dissenting vote on Tim Robbins. I think the guy is a jerk, and his use of metaphor gives me a migraine..

"The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion, and the tyranny of the dull mind forever threatens -- but our lives are not as limited as we think they are, all things are possible, laughter is holier than piety, freedom is sweeter than fame, and in the end it's love and love alone that really matters."
--Tom Robbins

Are you saying that this is the kind of thing that gives you a migraine?

First of all, I'm going to go along with a lot of other responses and recommend you check out your local library. Most of them have a good selection of audiobooks. Our local library has tapes and cd's. They are also stocking a version that is a complete book and playback device. You provide headphones or plug it into an auxiliary input on a audio system (car, home or whatever).

My library, like tsl's, also has downloadable books. When they were closed for remodeling last year, I got a Zen Nano and could get audiobooks over the Internet.

I read (listen to) mostly fiction. I would recommend the Cadfael series by Ellis Peters. They made a TV series of this, but the books are much better than the TV show. I also like John Sandford's books.

Al

This is what I have used for many years with no trouble.

http://www.audible.com/

If you use it use my name, maybe I can get something free.

User name burrzz

"The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion, and the tyranny of the dull mind forever threatens -- but our lives are not as limited as we think they are, all things are possible, laughter is holier than piety, freedom is sweeter than fame, and in the end it's love and love alone that really matters."
--Tom Robbins

Are you saying that this is the kind of thing that gives you a migraine?

That's not an example of his use of metaphor. That kind of stuff is safe enough. I do think brevity is the soul of wit, and he could have said all of that with four words: "Thanks for the fish".

The Public Library was mentioned above, but also, don't forget your library's web site. Ours has downloadable audiobooks (http://overdrive.libraryweb.org/DF46370D-33A3-416F-A073-96358A5D6157/10/327/en/Default.htm). Yours might too.

You'll need a library card, of course. Some let you apply for a library card online. The New York Public Library (http://nypl.org/books/cards.html) is one that does. Of course, you have to be a resident of New York State for that one, or pay the non-resident fee.

THANKS!! I didn't know about the NYPL policy. I have been using my local library but their selection is not as large, I have applied online for a card :love:

THANKS!! I didn't know about the NYPL policy. I have been using my local library but their selection is not as large, I have applied online for a card :love:

My pleasure. I have one too.

But do continue to support your local branch. Doorcount, number of circs, number of reference questions and other stats all help us to keep our funding.

And hey, we like to see the smiling faces of our patrons too.

I've only read the books, not listened to the audiobooks, but if it's all adults, try any of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (too much language not suitable for kids!). I'll also second the recommendation on Sandford - particularly the Prey books. Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books are usually pretty good, too.
- Bob

My pleasure. I have one too.

But do continue to support your local branch. Doorcount, number of circs, number of reference questions and other stats all help us to keep our funding.

And hey, we like to see the smiling faces of our patrons too.

I do like to read, I use the audio books for when I run, gym or have a long car ride. But bedtime, beachtime, trains or Dr's waiting room it's physical reading. Not gonna go into NYC for that :)

I've only read the books, not listened to the audiobooks, but if it's all adults, try any of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (too much language not suitable for kids!). I'll also second the recommendation on Sandford - particularly the Prey books. Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books are usually pretty good, too.
- Bob

I love Stephanie but was not happy with the narrator. Was expecting NJ wise ass accent and it was too white bread. I'll continue to keep them on my bedside table and do the voices in my head :D

The best narration I have listened to so far was The Secret Life of Bees.

My pleasure. I have one too.

But do continue to support your local branch. Doorcount, number of circs, number of reference questions and other stats all help us to keep our funding.

And hey, we like to see the smiling faces of our patrons too.

Audio book CD's from the library and free audio book downloads from several libraries where I am a member
have provided my bike commuting entertainment for the last 2 years. All but about 4 or 5 were listened to while bike commuting 2 hours/day.

Abagnale Catch Me If You Can
Ambrose Nothing Like It in the World
Bascomb Higher (SkyScrapers)
Berenson Ghost War
Block Burglar in the Rye
Block Burglar Who Studied Spinoza
Block Burglar Who Thought He was Bogart
Block Burglar In The Closet
Block Burglars Cant Be Choosers
Block Hope To Die
Boyle Drop City
Breuer Great Raid
Brown Angels and Demons
Brown Da Vinchi Code
Brown Digital Fortress
Burke Bitterroot
Burke Crusaders Cross
Burke Last Car to Elysian Fields
Burke Moon of the Red Ponies
Burke Pegasus Descending
Burke Tin Roof Blowdown
Cannell Cold Hit
Cannell Tin Collectors
Cannell Viking Funeral
Cartwright My Life as a 10 Year Old
Chandler Big Sleep
Chandler High Window
Chandler Poodle Springs
Chandrasekaran Imperial Life in the Emerald City
Connelly Angels Flight
Connelly Black Echo
Connelly Black Ice
Connelly Blood Work
Connelly Concrete Blonde
Connelly Echo Park
Connelly Last Coyote
Connelly Lincoln Lawyer
Connelly Lost Light
Connelly The Overlook
Connelly Trunk Music
Conrad Heart of Darkness
Cornwell Black Notice
Cornwell Cause of Death
Creamer Baseball in 1941
Criles Charlie Wilsons War
Deutermann Cat Dancers
Durso DiMaggio - Last American Knight
Ellroy Clandestine
Elroy Suicide Hill
Evanovich Hot Six
Evanovich Seven Up
Fulmer Dying Crapshooter Blues
Furst Blood of Victory
Furst Dark Star
Furst Dark Voyage
Furst Foreign Correspondent
Furst Kingdom of Shadows
Furst Night Soldiers
Furst Polish Officer
Furst Red Gold
Furst World at Night
Halberstam Coldest Winter
Hansen Assassination of Jesse James
Hind Jump the Shark
Hornfischer Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors Leyte Gulf
Jacobson American Gangster
Johnson Cold Dish
Johnson Death Without Company
Johnson C Kindness Goes Unpunished
Johnson D Tree of Smoke
Kahn Seizing the Enigma
Kaminsky Death of a Dissident
Kaminsky Death of a Russian Priest
Kaminsky Vengeance
Kelly Empire Rising
King Shawshank Redemption
Langewiesche American Ground
Larson Devil in the White City
Le Carre A Murder of Quality
Le Carre Call for the Dead
Le Carre Looking Glass War
Le Carre Murder of Quality
Le Carre Small Town in Germany
Le Carre Spy Who Came in from Cold
Le Carre Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
LeCarre Little Drummer Girl
Leonard Be Cool
Leonard City Primeval
Leonard Gold Coast
Leonard Hot Kid
Leonard Moonshine Wars
Leonard Mr Paradise
Leonard Split Images
Leonard The Hunted
Leonard Up in Honey's Room
Leonard Western Stories
Leonard When The Women Came Out to Dance
Levitt Freakonomics
Liebling Sweet Science
Lynds Last Spy Master
MacDonald Barbarous Coast
MacDonald Blue Hammer
MacDonald Chill
MacDonald Far Side of the Dollar
Madsen Deal Maker - William Durant at GM
McBain Transgressions
McCrumb Bimbos of the Death Sun
McCrumb Zombies of the Gene Pool
McIntyre Agent ZigZag
Medavoy You are Only as Good as Your Next Movie
Melman Landsman
Mezrich Bringing Down the House
Mosley Little Scarlet
Naylor Not a Good Day to Die
Némirovsky Suite Francaise
O'Donnell Into the Rising Sun
Parker Dorothy Parker Collection
Patterson 1st to Die
Patterson 2nd Chance
Patterson 4th of July
Patterson 5th Horseman
Patterson Judge and Jury
Pressfield Killing Rommel
Renehan Dark Genius of Wall Street-Jay Gould
Rhodes Arsenals of Folly
Riordan Big Red Tequilla
Silva Death in Vienna
SmithL Fancy Strut
Steinhauer Bridge of Sighs
Swain Deadman's Poker
Thompson Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Wambaugh Hollywood Crowes
Weiner Legacy of Ashes
Wiesel Dawn
Winslow Frankie's Machine
Woods Beverley Hills Dead
Woods Prince of Beverly Hills