Tuesday: So You Want to Review Audiobooks…
Discuss the essentials of audiobook reviewing. What do you make sure to include? What do you want to see when you read other people’s reviews?
I don’t exactly consider myself any sort of authority on reviewing any kind of book, audio or not, so I am just going to discuss what I appreciate in someone else’s review. I guess these are the sort of things I try to put into my own reviews.
Story
Like all book reviews, I want to know what the book is about. Not too much, of course, just enough to give me a tease, a taste, a hint of what to expect from the book.
Narration
This, is essential. The main thing I look for in an audiobook review. Quite possibly the only reason I’m reading it. It. is. essential. I want to know who the reader is, first thing. Every time I go to my library’s website, I get so ticked off because they NEVER have the reader listed on ANY of their audiobooks. Next, I want to know if they did a good job. Did they use accents? Did their voice change for characters? Could you tell male from female? Did they transport you to another world? Will you listen to another book they read?
That sort of stuff.
Production Value
Production value has become so good that honestly, I don’t even think about it with new books. Older books, however, are another story. I’ve listened to books where I could swear I faintly heard a telephone ring. I’ve listened to books where I could hear every single breath the reader took. While this isn’t always distracting, it’s still something I’d like to know about it.
So, there you have it. The essentials of audiobook reviewing, in my humble opinion. What do you look for in audiobook reviews? What books have you been lead to listen to because of an audiobook review?
See Jen’s blog for more answers to today’s question and more Audiobook Week goodness!
These are great! And you know, I didn't think about the production value but that is definitely something to consider. And I have not listened to enough audiobooks to have any "favorite" narrators but I have definitely turned off a few books due to a bad narrator so that is definitely important
I agree – you MUST tell me about the narrator when you review an audiobook!
I've definitely noticed the difference in production values in the older books – breathing, noises, even some background conversations!
Yes! What IS it about libraries not listing the narrator????
I have a hard time figuring out what people want to know about production as I'm certainly not an expert. I haven't listened to any older audios, but now that you point out the difference in technology and such, I can see what that is important.
The narrator can make or break a story…even a really good one can be trashed by a narrator who has even the slightest ticks or doesn't match a character…or even has an irritating voice…I know that's ticky but it's really true with audio…I can't concentrate on the story if I'm cringing the whole time
Telling male from female is definitely something some narrators are better at. Great tips.
This are such great tips! I read a ton of audio, but I don't get into the narrator in the review. I really should.