Today's question is How to write an audio book review?
For me writing an audio book review is not much different from writing a regular book review. I still write down some thoughts and comments as I am listening, granted this is hard to do when: driving, walking etc., but as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I do oftentimes have both the audio book and the print version, so IF there is something thought provoking said, or a memorable passage, when I get home, I often find the section in the book and jot it down so that when I do write a review, I have those thoughts to refer to. The one thing that is difficult is that with an audio book it is difficult to sometimes figure out how to spell a character's name, or even the locale mentioned. I just finished an audio book where I thought the two sisters were LuLu and Mary, only to find out Mary was really MERRY...LOL (for this reason having the print version or reading publisher reviews is almost a must in getting the details correct in your review.)
I always try to post the cover art from the audio book, which occasionally can be different than what the book looks like. I also mention who the narrator was, and that my review IS based on the audio version. At the end of my review I'll always try to say IF the audio book IS recommended or if I would have preferred to read the print copy.
Here are a few links to audio book reviews I've posted in the past. Some I liked and some NOT so much.
- Shutter Island; Dennis LeHane
- A Gate at the Stairs; Lorrie Moore
- House Rules; Jodi Picoult
- Waiting for Columbus; Trofimuk
- The Walk; Richard Paul Evans
- The Forty Rules of Love; Elif Shafak
How about you, do you struggle writing audio book reviews or is it just like any other book review?
I love hearing about the narrator and the audio production -- it helps me decide on print or audio.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator can make or break the book, so I always need to mention how the narration was. Also, some books just do not do well on audio (too many details, etc) and I usually point that out, and mention that the book version may "read" better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joann. The narrator is very important to me with audiobooks. A bad narrator can take a perfectly good book and make it dry and tasteless, so if I ever do review an audiobook, I would be sure to mention the skill of the narrator. I like your tips!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of ways of coping with how to write the review. First, I often will pull into a parking lot and make notes of things I want to remember, since I can't flip back in the book! :--) Second, I do try to check online or in a B&N for the spelling of things. And third, like JoAnn, I do add an evaluation of the narrator, which is different of course than what I would do for a written book.
ReplyDeleteI really want to know if you enjoyed the narrator. I once listened to Edge of Winter and totally hated the narrator, but I stayed with the story and at the end wished I had read the print version instead.
ReplyDeleteI love the statement about whether print or audio would be recommended.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the spelling. I had to look up the spelling for a slang word for the audio book I reviewed today.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between what you think the name is and what it actually is in print can be amusing!
ReplyDeleteThere have been times that I went and got the print version to clarify things. I use a picture of the actual audio case as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is really useful for me to know! I've just listened to my first audio and will keep this in mind - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just reviewed an audio book and incorporated a few of your comments into my review. Very informative post!
ReplyDeleteThe spelling is challenging sometimes. I'm listening to an Anne Tyler book in the car and the 3 daughters names are so unusual I'm going to have to find the book so I know how to spell them!
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