There is a certain intimacy hearing a story read, even if it is coming from the car speakers. It's a gift, an add on to the words on the page, hearing the voices and feeling the emotions fill my space. An audio book changes my relationship with the story.
I love how listening to a book activates so many parts of me. I feel the images the writer is trying to convey. It becomes more vivid after hearing it read aloud. I like to savor the words, and contour up the perfect connection of trepidation, desire or disgust. When I listen, I have the time to fully engage in the emotion; the added dimension of audio bilks vs print books.
I have just finished listening to The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, a treat for my senses.
The story bounces back and forth between Eve's story and Charlie's following WWII, Charlie is an unwed, pregnant, New York socialite, not an acceptable path in 1947. She is looking for a lost cousin who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France.and enlists the aid of Eve. Charlie found Eve's name on a slip of paper in her cousin's belongings... the story unfolds, a story of courage and redemption.
This is an epic story and best of all it is based on the real Alice Network. It challenges your emotions. Could I do that? Would I be brave enough?
If you haven't done an audio book before, try it! You may be surprised at just how enjoyable it is. It doesn't matter how long your drive is, just pop that CD in and 'enjoy the ride'.