I’m SO frustrated right now. After reading that several of you all are reading audibooks, I decided to give it a try. After all, I used to be an avid reader, but now that I’ve rediscovered my passion for quilting, I’ve found that there’s not enough time left for reading. I thought audibooks would be a perfect solution … I could “read” while sewing or quilting. I even ordered a set of bluetooth earbuds so I won’t have to worry about wires.
I just spent over an hour and a half trying to find an audiobook to “check out” from my library. While you might not be surprised to hear that, given the size of our small library in our small town (pop. 7400+), but our library is a member of a large regional library system covering much of Illinois with over 500 member libraries.
So when I’m searching for an audiobook, I’m not searching my small library … I’m searching all 500+ libraries. I searched for audiobooks from authors I enjoy … with very limited success … of course, the few audiobooks I found were books I’d already read. I expanded my search to some authors who were recommended by friends. I found a few more books, but most were in series … and of course, the first book in these series were already “checked out”. I finally found a book … an older book by John Grisham.
But my “problems” didn’t end there. It took me another 30 minutes to figure out how to find the book (the app for ordering books from the library system didn’t come with very many instructions, and their help section was devoted to how to use the app, not what to do once an audiobook has been chosen). 
Do those of you who listen to audiobooks “checked out” from your library have trouble finding books by authors you enjoy?
Speaking of sewing room, I’ve completed 20 of the 63 blocks for T#3’s quilt.
And as soon as I get the last 2 “white” logs sewn on, I’ll have another 16 blocks finished. I’m hoping to make some good progress on another 20 or so blocks today, especially since I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get back to my sewing room … we’ll be out of town for a swim meet Friday through Sunday, Monday I’ve got an appointment, and Tuesday I begin my jury duty assignment. I need to make “sewing hay” while the “sun’s shining”. ha!
I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy! Have a great day!
Kathy
I'm one of those people who do not care for audio books - I read fast and skim a lot - I like to go back a page or two to read a section over again - I find it hard to do that with audio books. Actually I don't find it all that easy with a kindle either which is what I know have instead of getting books from the library. Our local library is very small and I have no luck with the regional system having the books I wanted. Instead I put Netflix on and have it on my laptop close to the sewing machine or quilting frame and watch/listen to that. Good luck in finding the authors you like. I wish the ones I liked wrote faster!
ReplyDeleteI check out audio books from the library and experience some of the same frustrations you did. It does get easier as you learn the ropes. Also, they seem to cycle titles in and out of the selection menu regularly so it's worth it to look at it frequently. Don't give up quite yet!
ReplyDeleteFunny that you put this as your topic - I spent all morning trying to get my first ever download from the library - didn't even know I could do this... but I finally got it on my work computer... I'm so excited this is an option. Pass the day away :) Hope you can find some good books. Maybe you can find some authors you never thought you'd try before & enjoy them :)
ReplyDeleteThe only books I have listened to were ones we borrowed when we were on a car trip. Loved them.
ReplyDeleteI don't do audio books. My mind wanders and when I come back to focus I find I have missed a lot! : )
ReplyDeleteNice looking block in those fun colors--really, looks nice, I would just struggle to make that many blocks in such a monochromatic color scheme. It will be very graphic in design when it is all put together.
I've never done Audio Books but my Dad probably listens from 2-4 books a week. He absolutely LOVES it. It has added so much happiness to his life since he started this. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about you USED to read all the time. Me too. A book or more a week at least. Now I almost never read. Or what reading I do is on line or in my devotional time. We listened to some audio books on our drives to Mel's that were given to us by a friend to borrow. I thoroughly enjoyed them. I doubt I will get into this, but I do have a feeling it is a great idea. Enjoy the swim meet this week-end, and hope the grands do GREAT!
ReplyDeleteI have never got audio books from the library, because It looked like it was going to be too hard. I have though, like today listened to a couple. My favorite place to get books to listen to is from LibriVox because they are public domain and are free. I also go to Amazon and type in free Kindle books. I also bought some audio books from i Tunes.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has a blog and she is always introducing me to free books,
http://worthwhilebooks.blogspot.com/ Hope always has good books on tape that she will tell you about. I of course, don't listen to popular authors, just old ones. They seem to hold my attention better when I am sewing. Oh, I don't have a Kindle just the App. I play it through my phone. It takes some getting used to. My favorite reader on Librivox Is Adrian Praetzellis. I think that is the hardest thing about listening is finding someone you can listen to and like the voice. Okay, too much information I know. I wondered what you had been doing. I am glad you are quilting and not being sick.
I hope this helps.
Sometimes I have trouble finding who and what I want. But then I just look for something different. Right now, most of what I want is already out. I'm on the waiting list for 4 or 5 different books right now. Just hoping they don't all become available at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the audiobook. I don't listen to books. I learned to tune out noise when I was in college and still have a tendency to. So when I listen to an audio book, I only hear parts which is very frustrating. Love your log cabin block - this quilt will look great. I plan to be back in my sewing room for most of tomorrow. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteKathy, hope you enjoy audio books while you quilt... I know many who do. I personally can't concentrate on the story line of a book while quilting as I also use that as my quiet time and I enjoy watching what I quilt come to life under needle and thread :) I also found when I searched my local library that many of the books I was interested in were also checked out... I occasionally watch a movie as I stitch on Netflix... but alas find that more distracting to my sewing time as well.. so I mainly listen to nature and music when I stitch :) Kathi
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I start to daydream when listening to audiobooks so I prefer to read myself, but am hardly reading at all because of all my quilting projects...and I am OK with that!
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to audio books at all. I prefer holding a book in my hand. I just make sure I carve out a bit of time to read. Not often enough though but I too am ok with that.
ReplyDeleteI love audiobooks when traveling, but don't listen to them too much while I am home. I do listen to all type of podcasts that I download off iTunes. It's been ages since i have done anything with the library, perhaps it's time to give it another look. Have a wonderful weekend
ReplyDeleteI had a terrible time navigating our library's website for audiobooks. Then I discovered Overdrive. It's a free app for your iPad or iPhone or you can use their website from the browser on your computer. You select your library and it only shows you ebooks or audio books. I have found it a lot more user friendly than going directly to the library. You're still checking out the books from your library, but using the Overdrive engine to do it. So much easier for me!
ReplyDeleteI use Overdrive too with our library system. No problems and found it pretty easy to use. I also listen to podcasts on Itunes. I have tried Netflix and usually get lost half way thru the movie so I prefer just listening.
ReplyDeleteHey, Kathy! We listen to audiobooks the old fashioned way with CD's in the car on long trips. I don't mind listening to those by my favorite authors who are British and Irish. I am HUGE podcast fan and I usually listen to those while I'm sewing. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've only listened to 1 audiobook, and that was through the audiobook app. It was excellent (lots of language, though). When I've listened in the past, I would fall asleep. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Thanks for visiting my blog. I too like to listen to audiobooks while I'm quilting, but to avoid that frustration, I purchased a subscription to Audible.
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